Yes, that’s Torah Live in Russian! Torah Live materials have now spread to the former Soviet Union, with teachers using the material to teach a new generation of Jews thirsty to learn more about the Torah that their grandparents were forcefully detached from.

Mrs. Sara Katz from Moscow wrote:

I work for Torah mi-Tzion in Russia in the field of outreach with students and women. I was very impressed by the videos of Torah Live. I think that’s exactly the way of working with people who yearn to have Torah presented to them by means of modern technology.

Mrs. Katz and her husband have licensed 3 presentations (Mezuzah, Brachot, and Kashrut) and are already considering more. Besides being our first Russian presenter, Mrs. Katz is also Torah Live’s first woman speaker. Welcome on board!

If you know anyone that wants to sponsor the translation of Torah Live material into Russian, give us a holler in the comments below, or email to info@torahlive.com.

I’m amused and somewhat embarrassed at the sheer number of doughnuts that disappeared yesterday at the first ever Torah Live staff get-together. Below are some photos you might want to check out….

But first, with 50,899 views so far and counting, view Torah Live’s “Against All Odds” video which will help you experience Chanukah in a new light. (There are seven more when you finish watching that one!)

Wishing you a beautiful and meaningful Chanukah, Rabbi Dan Roth.

View the rest of our Chanukah series here.

Am about to change out from these horrible smelling clothes from today’s camel ride in the desert. Today’s video shoot is for an exciting new film on tevilas keilim – the Torah command to immerse new utensils. Torah Live’s team of six used a video crane mounted with weights to capture the breathtaking dining room table set in the desert. We climbed mountains and dressed up as waiters to serve the public a video fit for a king – The King of Kings.

If you want to get a link to the final film when it is ready, let us know in the comments below!

Rabbi Roth just concluded a three-day marathon of presenting our yet to be released brachot lecture at EYAHT. The students enjoyed the lectures and applied their discerning minds to offering constructive feedback. With their help, we are nearing completion of this presentation. Rebbetzin Miriam Gross wrote us,

In name of EYAHT we would like to thank you for an exceptional presentation. Our girls gained tremendously from attending this Brochot series and reported it was fascinating. Thank you for so generously presenting us with this rare opportunity. Hatzlocho in all your undertakings.

Thank you EYAHT for helping us bring great presentations to audiences around the world. Bring Torah Live to your community – for more info, write to info@torahlive.com.

I am delighted to share with you the thrilling news that Stuart and Stephanie Ronson are sponsoring Torah Live’s Shabbat presentation. The presentation will be an introductory class, covering the importance of honoring and celebrating this holy day, as well as the basic laws of Shabbat – candles, kiddush, challa.

Stuart and Stephanie are the first to have the honor of dedicating one of Torah Live’s 18 upcoming presentations. To to learn more about sponsoring a presentation and other partnership opportunities, write to sponsorthefuture@torahlive.com.

     To date, Torah Live has produced 10 presentations, which have been given at over 180 venues in more than 50 cities worldwide (New York, Atlanta, London, Munich, Sydney, Johannesburg, Jerusalem) to both secular and religious audiences.

     Based on the overwhelming demand for our work, Torah Live intends to create 18 unique and interactive presentations over the coming two years for a broad range of audiences. These dynamic presentations will be used in 40 seminaries and yeshivot in Israel, 300 schools in America, England,South Africa, Israel and Australia by many of the 3,700 rabbis and kiruv professionals who are currently serving worldwide, and will inspire tens of thousands of Jews from various backgrounds.

     Torah Live believes that the communication revolution we are experiencing today is a Divine gift – a powerful tool to achieve unmatched levels of clarity in complex concepts. Join the revolution – to learn more about sponsoring a presentation and other partnership opportunities, write to sponsorthefuture@torahlive.com.

List of Future Presentations:

Businessmen and Professionals
Employee Employer Relationships [Reserved]
Advertising & Honesty
Laws of Loans and Interest

Youth at Risk
Drug Abuse and Addiction
Leadership Qualities [Reserved]
The Making of a Hero: Character Development

Outreach
Living Other Peoples Lives: Overcoming Jealousy
Wisdom of the Hebrew Alpha Bet
The Temple Mount: Past and Present
Jewish Life Cycle: From Cradle to Grave

Seminaries and Yeshivot
Land of Israel: Intrinsic Holiness
Shabbat: Finding Meaning in the Day of Rest [Reserved]
Putting the Holy Back into Holiday: Yom Tov
Higher Living: Emunah and Bitachon

Schools
Judging others Favorably
Spiritual Graduation: Bar & Bat Mitzvah
The King’s Knights: Kiddush Hashem
Ashkenazim and Sephardim: Understating the Roots