The Darchei Noam program has been developed to help Bnei Torah with the skills they need In order to be successful in Kiruv. The curriculum is designed to: assist Bnei Torah with improved communication sills, familiarize them with critical kiruv hashkafah issues, and help the participants grow to become confident and capable mekarevim. The ultimate goal of the Darchei Noam training program is to successfully place the participants in out of town kiruv positions where they can effectively influence communities.
We are currently running a two-year program ending in July 2006. The structure is a weekly 2-hour men's session focusing on Halacha, Hashkafa, and the skills necessary in the world of Kiruv; a 45 minute weekly supplementary va'ad given by Harav Mattisyahu Salomon, shlita; a 45 minute weekly supplementary va'ad given by Rabbi Reuven Halperin on Derech Hashem; Plus participants learn one on one and give weekly classes in various Torah Links locations throughout New Jersey.
In addition, we have world-renowned speakers from all over the country. Regular lecturers include Rabbi Shalom Kamenetsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Philadephia Yeshiva, (contemporary Hashkafa issues,) Rabbi Reuven Drucker, Rav in Agudas Yisroel of Highland Park (comtemporary Halacha issues,) Rabbi Yisroel Brog, Cleveland Ohio (kiruv skills,) Rabbi Avi Shulman, founder of Project SEED (Public Speaking,) and Dr. David Lieberman, noted author and lecturer (writing skills, and insights into human behavior.) Classes are two hours in length with a question and answer period at the end. Many of the teachers are available for private mentoring after the lectures.
Sample class topics include: Nosain and Mekabel; Teaching Gemara to Beginners; Knowing What's Out There and How to Deal with It; and Halachic issues when Inviting Non Religious Guests on Shabbos. There is a concurrent Women's Program with classes meeting twice monthly. Sample topics include: Women in Tefilla; Torah Min Hashamayim; and Feminism.