[ADVERTORIAL] By G. Heller. On Friday-Sunday, June 15-17, Parshas Shelach, the Jewish Learning Center of Manalapan, Bais Torah U’Tefillah, will be holding their 10th Anniversary Weekend Retreat. The JLC has held these Shabbaton gatherings for the past ten years, but this is scheduled to be the largest one ever by far. Participants will include the members of the growing community of Manalapan, as well as families that are interested in taking this opportunity to see the community and potentially relocate there.

The Shabbaton will feature a full program that will surely make for a fascinating, interactive Shabbos. Several captivating lectures will be delivered by the esteemed Rov of the JLC, Rabbi Chaim Veshnefsky.

Before Shacharis, Rabbi Veshnefsky will deliver a shiur on halacha. He will also give a shiur after kriyas haTorah, as he does every Shabbos. At 12, all of the participants will gather together for a festive Shabbos seudah. Approximately 100 people are expected to enjoy the warm, communal seudah with the Rov and Rebbitzen and their family. Another highlight of the retreat will be a 5pm shiur given by the Rov on “Chisronos HaShas”. This shiur focuses on the various pieces of the Talmud that have been removed by censors over the centuries. It touches upon the history of these censorships and the reasons behind them. Rabbi Veshnefsky has lectured on this topic in several forums in the past with much acclaim.

The crowd will gather again for the Shalosh Seudos meal. At this meal, the Rov will field questions from the assemblage and will offer answers on any and all topics. 

On Sunday, the retreat will be concluded with an exciting carnival that will surely delight entire families. The carnival will feature many fun activities, including live music, a zoo, pony rides, a moon bounce, and rides for young children. The carnival will conclude with a deluxe barbeque.

Over the past decade, the Jewish community of Manalapan has experienced continuous growth, with many young families moving in and many more showing tremendous interests in joining the kehilla. Under Rabbi Veshnefsky’s guidance, the JLC now offers a plethora of davening and learning opportunities, with regular shiurim covering a broad range of topics.

There are also many other reasons why Manalapan is a hot option for those looking for an up-and-coming Jewish community in which to settle. The community is located in a quiet, scenic area – away from the hustle and bustle of the big city – yet it’s still very close to the large Jewish metropolises. It is a mere 18 miles from Lakewood, and a short trip from Brooklyn and Manhattan. The homes are both affordable and beautiful, and are located on between ½ an acre and 2 acres of property. Other Jewish amenities include a Kosher Experience grocery, a pizza shop and Chinese restaurant.

Manalapan reached a milestone this year when Rabbi Veshnefksy’s son-in-law, Rabbi Baruch Sher, founded a girl’s elementary school, the Bais Yaakov of Western Monmouth County. The Bais Yaakov boasts a superior limudei kodesh program, on par with any other Bais Yaakov school in the country, and a terrific limudei chol program, as well. It has already gained a solid reputation as a wonderful school where each girl receives the individual attention she needs to thrive. The student body includes girls from Lakewood who travel in each day.

The future of Manalapan looks bright as many plans are in the works to help enlarge the community and provide more chinuch opportunities. In the works are plans for a boy’s cheder, which is scheduled to open soon, and a kollel of around 10 yungaleit who will settle in Manalapan.

Anyone interested in obtaining more information about Manalapan or the Bais Yaakov of Monmouth County may call Rabbi Chaim Veshnefsky at 908-770-3502, or email [email protected].    

Click here for schedule and info.