About Us
The RRG Beit Midrash Program’s mission is to build a warm, open, and meaningful Jerusalem community through engaging and interactive Torah learning, Shabbat and holiday celebrations, lectures from world-class educators and speakers, and Jewish music.
Since 1985, we’ve engaged thousands of English-speaking students and olim in Jerusalem — including overseas students, olim, lone soldiers, and bnot sherut — offering them a unique space to grow Jewishly, build lifelong friendships, and most importantly, feel at home in Jerusalem.
Our Core Programming
Torah Café Mt. Scopus is the only English-speaking Jewish home on the Hebrew University campus. Each week, students gather for a free lunch, engaging classes, chavruta learning, and guest speakers in a warm, welcoming environment.
Torah Café Nachlaot @ The Base brings together young olim and students in their 20s — including lone soldiers and bnot sherut — for weekly evening gatherings featuring interactive Torah learning, world-renowned guest speakers, and delicious dinners. Programming is held at the Michael Levin Base, in the heart of Nachlaot near the Machane Yehuda Shuk.
Lev Ha’Ir, our newest location in Nachlaot, offers larger monthly programming that combines Torah learning, music, food, and community-building — reaching even more young adults across Jerusalem.
Shabbatons Around Israel offer immersive, inspirational Shabbat experiences in communities across the country. These weekend retreats bring participants together to celebrate joyful Shabbatot, meet new people and families, and explore the richness of Jewish life around Israel.
Holiday Programs are celebrated at all our locations with music, excitement, and creativity. These events help participants connect personally to the message of each holiday while celebrating in a welcoming, communal setting.
To contact RRG Beit Midrash staff, please click here.
Since 1985, we’ve engaged thousands of English-speaking students and olim in Jerusalem — including overseas students, olim, lone soldiers, and bnot sherut — offering them a unique space to grow Jewishly, build lifelong friendships, and most importantly, feel at home in Jerusalem.
Our Core Programming
Torah Café Mt. Scopus is the only English-speaking Jewish home on the Hebrew University campus. Each week, students gather for a free lunch, engaging classes, chavruta learning, and guest speakers in a warm, welcoming environment.
Torah Café Nachlaot @ The Base brings together young olim and students in their 20s — including lone soldiers and bnot sherut — for weekly evening gatherings featuring interactive Torah learning, world-renowned guest speakers, and delicious dinners. Programming is held at the Michael Levin Base, in the heart of Nachlaot near the Machane Yehuda Shuk.
Lev Ha’Ir, our newest location in Nachlaot, offers larger monthly programming that combines Torah learning, music, food, and community-building — reaching even more young adults across Jerusalem.
Shabbatons Around Israel offer immersive, inspirational Shabbat experiences in communities across the country. These weekend retreats bring participants together to celebrate joyful Shabbatot, meet new people and families, and explore the richness of Jewish life around Israel.
Holiday Programs are celebrated at all our locations with music, excitement, and creativity. These events help participants connect personally to the message of each holiday while celebrating in a welcoming, communal setting.
To contact RRG Beit Midrash staff, please click here.
Rabbi Reuven Grodner, RRG Beit Midrash Founder and Co-
Director
Rabbi Reuven Grodner studied under Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, ztz”l and received his Smicha and M.A. from Yeshiva University in 1965. After serving in the rabbinate in the United States for a period of 18 years, he made Aliyah in 1984. Since 1985 he has served as director of the Beit Midrash Program at the Hebrew University which was named in March of 2010, “The Rabbi Reuven Grodner (RRG) Beit Midrash”.
Rabbi Grodner is the author of The Spirit of Mishnaic Law (2 volumes), Shabbat: A Day of Delight, Ahl Ha'tfillah, Shiurim of Rav Soloveitchik ztz”l on Prayer, and The Talmud Anthology.
"My love for the our programming is fueled by the young men and women who enhance their commitment to Am Yisrael, Torat Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael through the study of text in our warm communal atmosphere".
To contact Rabbi Grodner, click here.
Rabbi Grodner is the author of The Spirit of Mishnaic Law (2 volumes), Shabbat: A Day of Delight, Ahl Ha'tfillah, Shiurim of Rav Soloveitchik ztz”l on Prayer, and The Talmud Anthology.
"My love for the our programming is fueled by the young men and women who enhance their commitment to Am Yisrael, Torat Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael through the study of text in our warm communal atmosphere".
To contact Rabbi Grodner, click here.
Rabbi Yonatan Udren, RRG Beit Midrash Co-Director
Rabbi Yonatan Udren, who joined the Beit Midrash Program in 2010, is originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Hamivtar under Rosh Kollel Rav Shuki Reich and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin. He also earned an MA in English Creative Writing from Bar Ilan University.
Rabbi Udren has taught in many different formal and informal settings in Israel and the US, including Yeshivat Orayta and Aardvark Israel. He is the creator of the Sparks from the Fire Podcast and is a Times of Israel blogger.
Rabbi Yonatan lives in Beit El with his wife Dena and their five children.
“It’s an incredible gift to witness our participants connect — to Torah, to Shabbat, to a warm and welcoming community — and to see them begin to find their place, and themselves, here in Jerusalem.”
To contact Rabbi Udren, click here.
Rabbi Udren has taught in many different formal and informal settings in Israel and the US, including Yeshivat Orayta and Aardvark Israel. He is the creator of the Sparks from the Fire Podcast and is a Times of Israel blogger.
Rabbi Yonatan lives in Beit El with his wife Dena and their five children.
“It’s an incredible gift to witness our participants connect — to Torah, to Shabbat, to a warm and welcoming community — and to see them begin to find their place, and themselves, here in Jerusalem.”
To contact Rabbi Udren, click here.