The nationally acclaimed Torah University at Kol Ami was established by our Adult and Family Education Committee in 1996. Torah University has been recognized as one of the most creative educational programs taking place in the entire country. The faculty at TU is varied and diverse - including both clergy and lay people from the congregation and our community. A number of the courses and events are planned in collaboration with Kol Yeladim Religious School, Kol Ami's Sisterhood, Tampa Rabbinical Assembly, and the Jewish Theological Seminary. The wide array of courses scheduled each year offer numerous options for those interested in virtually every aspect of Jewish learning - from language to text to synagogue skills. These days, the buzz word in educational circles has to do with "family education". At Kol Ami, we are proud that since its very inception, Torah University has been open to all members of the congregation as well as to the entire community. The program enthusiastically encourages families - grandparents, parents, and children alike - to come together to study Torah in concert. Torah University is based on the premise that studying and learning about our rich Jewish legacy is the obligation, as well as the distinct privilege, of all. Credits are assigned to each course and are carefully recorded in our office. While graduation takes place when a student has attained 100 credits, the true power of the program can be witnessed in the religious commitment expressed in the lives of our students. We invite you and your family to become involved with Torah University.

Torah Welcome

There is a true story told of a famous American rabbi and his father, who was from Europe. The rabbi himself was a man of modest means and similarly, his father barely got by on a meager pension in the country where he lived. Since the two lived so very far apart, it was rare that either was in a position to travel the great distances in order to visit. Obviously, this situation caused a great deal of anguish for the entire family - the father, the rabbi, his wife, and the many children who, as time went on, even had trouble remembering what their grandfather looked like. Fortunately, after a period of years, with a little help from his son and a little mazel, the father was able to muster the resources to purchase a plane ticket. Naturally, everyone in the family was thrilled that the generations would soon be reunited, albeit for a brief visit. As he came down from the plane, the grandfather embraced his son, his daughter-in-law and his numerous grandchildren. The sight of this loving reunion caused many at the airport to take notice. It was clear to observers that this was the long awaited reunion of an important Jewish family. Everyone watched closely to hear what the old man would say to his son at this important moment. Immediately after concluding the very warm embrace, the father looked his son in the eyes, and the first words out of his mouth were, "So, what are you learning?" And while some observers seemed mystified by the question, these words represent a most fundamental Jewish lesson. Our tradition teaches, talmud torah keneged kulam (Mishna Peah 1:1), that studying Torah is the most important of all of our callings. In the story at hand, the words of the sage grandfather reflect the awareness that wherever Torah learning and spiritual growth are in place, then all else is necessarily secure. The grandfather knew that as long as his son was making Torah a part of his daily life, then all else would fall into place. As individuals, as families, and as communities, we Jews know that coming closer to God through Torah represents a life-long pursuit...and that is what Torah University is all about. We at Kol Ami take pride in offering an ongoing program of Jewish intellectual and existential pursuit that is like no other throughout the country. We hope that each member of our community will be a learning Jew - constantly striving to acquire a deeper understanding about God and self, about sanctity and holiness, and about transcendence and immanence. We pray that your involvement will run deeper than merely receiving this booklet, but rather, that you will make Torah University a part of your life and the life of your family. My prayer for each of us is that in the upcoming year, when someone approaches me or you and says, "What are you learning?" that we will each have a substantive answer to share.