Founded in 2016, Legacy Retreats offers a new and exciting week-long program for young men, aged 21-35, in a beautiful and tranquil location in the English countryside. It will be a unique opportunity for a high-caliber and motivated group of students to get a genuine and immersive Torah learning experience and to explore their rich heritage.
Study and meet with world-class educators and their families. Over the course of the retreat, students will not only deepen their vision of Jewish learning, identity, ethics and spirituality—but can make significant steps in their Jewish growth and direction overall. This inspiring program, combining learning and discovery with rest and relaxation, offers a rare opportunity to explore what it really means to be Jewish and connected to Torah and tradition in the modern world.
In essence, Legacy Retreats brings a true yeshiva experience to the United Kingdom.
Machon Yaakov & Olami Manhattan
Legacy Retreats is a partnership between Machon Yaakov (Jerusalem, Israel) and Olami Manhattan (N.Y., N.Y.).
Machon Yaakov was founded in 2005 by Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld (Rosh Yeshiva) and Rabbi Avraham Yitzchok Jacobs (Director, Senior Lecturer). Located in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem, Machon Yaakov enjoys a reputation for excellence in developing exceptional students.
Machon Yaakov accepts 15-20 post-college/young professional students per year—many of whom come from little or no Jewish background—and gives them the experience of a lifetime. The program is designed for two years, but some, due to professional needs, stay only for one. The goal is to build healthy, inspired and motivated people—who will take their new relationship with Judaism and its ancient principles and filter it back into their modern day professional and family lives.
Today Machon Yaakov has nearly 300 alumni living across the world, working in finance, medicine, tech, consulting, law, social work, education and the arts. They not only serve as leaders in their Jewish communities, but are living role models as to what the modern Jewish man can look like—a beautiful fusion of Torah wisdom and values, yet fully immersed in the 21st Century.
If you are between 20 and 30, English-speaking, disciplined and serious, curious and passionate about exploring a spiritually-centered life, and optimistic and confident enough to take a bit of time away from your academic or professional activities to immerse yourself in timeless wisdom, then Machon Yaakov may be for you.
Under the direction of Rabbi Shmuel Lynn—Olami Manhattan is creating a vibrant Jewish community of young professionals through educational programs, trips and events in the heart of New York City.