Each year, as the month of Elul ushers in a season of reflection and renewal, Ma'ayan is proud to bring the broader Jewish community together for the Ma'ayan Annual Elul Lecture. This free, community-wide event features a scholar illuminating a theme drawn from Jewish text; a meaningful way to begin the year together.
Sponsor a Future Lecture
Sponsoring the Elul Lecture is a meaningful way to honor the memory of a loved one while bringing the community together in Torah learning. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Adena.
A Cherished Tradition
The roots of this lecture stretch back over two decades. For 18 years, Ma'ayan hosted an annual fall lecture in memory of Rosalie Katchen z"l, a beloved friend, former Board member, and Hebraica librarian at Brandeis University. Rosalie was an integral part of Ma'ayan's early years, a woman of learning and deep commitment to knowledge, who served her community with dedication. She is remembered for her creativity, her generosity in sharing Torah, and her belief that Jewish learning is never merely an academic exercise.
In 2019, with the blessing of the Katchen family, Ma'ayan's Board moved forward with a new name for this annual lecture. The event would continue in the same spirit — free, open to the whole community, and held during Elul — but would now offer the opportunity to honor and remember other beloved members of the Ma'ayan family as well.
Families and individuals are warmly invited to sponsor a future Elul Lecture in memory of a loved one. To inquire about sponsorship, please contact Adena.
Past Lectures
Watch recordings of past Elul Lectures on our YouTube playlist
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2025 Dr. Raizi Chechik
Sponsored by Shari and David Katz and Bob Morgan on the occasion of the 10th yahrzeit of Lois Morgan, Leah Hinda bat Shmuel V'Charna Freydl z"l. She was Ma'ayan's premier student, whose love of learning Torah blossomed from the many shiurim she attended. May her memory continue to be a blessing.
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2024 Dr. Malka Z. Simkovich
Sponsored in memory of Dr. Ralph Loebenberg — Raphael ben Mordechai z"l, whose 18th yahrzeit was commemorated on the 13th of Elul, by Risa and Zev Gewurz and family. Dr. Loebenberg loved to participate in Boston's Torah learning opportunities with his children and grandchildren. May his memory continue to be a blessing.
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2023 Dr. Avi Rockoff
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2022 Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz
Sponsored by the Cohn/Novich family in memory of Rabbi Reuven Cohn z"l, a long-time teacher, friend and supporter of Ma'ayan and Jewish learning, in commemoration of his 5th yahrzeit. May his memory continue to be a blessing.
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2020 Dr. Yardaena Osband
Made possible by generous community supporters.
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2019 Yoetzet Halacha Laurie Novick
Sponsored by the Cohn/Novich Family in memory of Rabbi Reuven Cohn z"l, a long-time teacher, friend and supporter of Ma'ayan and Jewish learning. May his memory be a blessing.