Congregation Shaare Shalom’s Home Alone Summer Series

With many men home alone in Brooklyn in the summertime, or just enjoying a more relaxing schedule, Congregation Shaare Shalom introduced The Home Alone Summer Series with newly appointed Rabbi Avi Harari. The weekly series has been a wonderful opportunity for the congregants to get to know the Rabbi, while enjoying a delicious dinner and class. With a different topic every week, Rabbi Harari has captivated the attendees with its diversity. The simple concept has kept the Shaare Shalom congregation close during the summer months.
“I immediately felt comfortable in the warm atmosphere of Shaare Shalom. It is a kahal (congregation) that has grown so much under Rabbi Joseph Dweck, and I hope to continue it forward in all aspects of growth and avodat Hashem (service of G-d),” said Rabbi Harari.
Born in Brooklyn, Rabbi Harari studied several years in yeshivot in Israel and at Yeshivah University, and currently teaches Tanakh (Torah) and Talmud at the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School. He and his wife have three children—two boys and a baby girl.

“The Rabbi’s smooth and effortless delivery translates to an easy explanation of the topic discussed, making his classes so enjoyable,” said Joey Shomer.
Moshe Hazbany added, “The weekly Monday night class at Shaare Shalom has allowed those spending most of the summer in Deal to stay connected to our shul and committing time to learning Torah. Over the course of the summer, I had an opportunity to bond with my fellow congregants through Rabbi Harari’s thought-provoking and insightful shiurim (classes). This program offers only a glimpse of what lies ahead in Shaare Shalom’s exciting future.”
“Monday night is the night of the week when many men, who spend most of the summer with their families in Deal, spend the night alone in Brooklyn. Providing them with a ready dinner and a class is an obvious draw,” said Rabbi Harari, adding, “A few years ago, I ran a similar set of classes during the summer at Magen David of New York, and judging by its success, I knew it would work at Shaare Shalom as well.” The topics of the classes range from Torah and Livelihood to The True Meaning of the Kaddish.
“Rabbi Avi Harari has captivated all that have attended his class. He has been excellent in engaging his audience. His topics are well presented with subjects that are pertinent to today. The dinners offered before the classes have been great and have given our congregants an opportunity to mingle,” said Salomon Cohen.
“Although this class was intended for the ‘home alone’ men, a good 50% of the attendees were men that don’t go away. It’s really very exciting what’s happening here. We plan to expand on these types of programs in the coming year,” said Moses Maya.
Please visit the Congregation Shaare Shalom website at shaareshalom.com to learn more about the fall class schedule.