Rambam is for Everyone: Inside the Campaign at LEDAS

How do we encourage more people to actually pick up the sefer every day and learn Rambam?

At one late-night farbrengen, that was the question. The Siyum HaRambam had already wound down. An inspiring celebration featuring music, festivities, and an impressive rotation of renowned speakers and mashpiim.

But what now?

“We were discussing that a huge deal was being made — justifiably so — about completing the study of Rambam,” recalls Mendel Shanowitz, now director of the initiative, “we felt that the regular, day-to-day study, however, was not being given the same attention”

So, we set out to change that. More than reminding people that daily study was important, we wanted to turn Rambam into a non-negotiable part of their day — and give them the tools to do so.

Looking for a natural starting point, we settled on yeshivos.

“Why yeshivos specifically?” Shanowitz explains, “Bochurim are surrounded by learning day and night, and don’t have the distractions of a working life. So, its much easier to introduce a bit more learning at that point, with the goal that this Rambam routine will follow them into their life after yeshiva.”

With no time wasted, we immediately secured funding and drafted a campaign package to be sent to yeshivos across the country. There would be organized shiurim, regular tests, and exciting incentives. Overall, the focus was clear: This was not to be a one-and-done, we were here to build lifelong habits.

Now, a year after that pivotal farbrengen, the initial results are here to speak for themselves:

Seven yeshivos, eleven raffle winners,

— and hundreds of young bochurim’s lives changed with the holy habit of daily Rambam; bochurim who now possess the tools and appreciation for the Rebbe’s initiative, enthusiastic and ready to carry it forward with them into their lives and the lives of those around them.

This success, however, is just the beginning; the template for our exponential expansion starting next year. As the Rebbe emphasizes: One who has 100, desires 200.

For now, and for the future, our deepest appreciation goes to the committed shluchim, our ‘boots on the ground’ in the yeshivos, for their dedication and heart; to the hanholos for their consistent support; and to Rabbi Chai Amar for his infectious enthusiasm for Rambam, driving the campaign forward from the very beginning. He was there the whole time with encouragement, inspiration, and crucial financial support.

And most of all: A huge thank you to all those bochurim who participated, pushing themselves to do just that little bit extra every day. Your contributions of pure effort are seen, and are most valuable above all — the foundation, pillar, and reason for everything else.

Join Us:

We’re thrilled to announce the expansion of this initiative to many more yeshivos beginning this upcoming Cheshvon zman. If you are a shliach or menahel interested in enrolling your yeshiva in next year’s campaign, please reach out to Ledas at [email protected]