For more than twenty years, Rabbi Leib (Lawrence) Kelemen has been guiding men and women, baal habatim and talmidei chachamim, in classical mussar work, modeled precisely on the ‘Vaad’ used in Lithuanian yeshivos. He received the mesorah directly from Rav Shlomo Wolbe, who received it from Rav Yerucham Levovitz, who received it from the Alter of Kelm, who received it from Rav Yisroel Salanter. Continuing the mesorah, Rabbi Kelemen’s close talmidim lead Mussar Vaadim in cities across North America under the umbrella of the IOMV (International Organization for Mussar Vaadim).
A new Vaad for men is forming in Brooklyn, aiming to launch in Elul.
The goal of the Vaad is to facilitate slow, permanent change. In that vein, we typically work on a midah for 2-3 years at a time, using structured learning, avodas (exercises) and charting. The Vaad meets monthly for one hour to discuss avodas, to learn together and for Q&A.
The Vaad source material is the sefarim and writings of Rav Wolbe or Rav Yerucham (along with other Ba'alei Mussar), and they are provided in both Hebrew and English. Vaad members will be required to learn from these sources for 10 minutes per day. In addition, Vaad members are required to learn twenty minutes of Mesilas Yesharim daily. The avodas are assigned to the Vaad exactly as Rav Wolbe assigned them to Rabbi Kelemen. They are small by design and typically can be woven into the Vaad member's schedule without taking up very much time.
The IOMV runs a website for easy access to recordings of the Vaad meetings (in case a Vaad member misses one or for review purposes).
Once a new Vaad is launched, no new members may join the Vaad. The Vaad members begin a journey of midos work and growth together that would be impossible for someone from the outside to join in the middle. The IOMV is committed to keeping the Vaad in operation for the very long term, even if there is natural attrition in membership over the years.
The IOMV is also committed to the continued mussar growth of our Vaad leaders, and facilitates weekly conference calls and numerous in-person conferences with these Rabanim and Rabbi Kelemen in both Israel and America throughout the year.
The cost of the Vaad is $100 USD per month, or $1100 USD for the year if paid upfront.
The IOMV offers reduced tuition beyond this discount based on need, and no one is ever turned away due to the inability to pay. All payments are considered contributions and you will receive a tax receipt.On Wednesday, July 23, there will be a free information session (no commitment to join the Vaad) to delve deeper into the workings of the Vaad and to answer any questions that you may have. It will take place at 7pm in the basement of
Congregation Bais Eluzer Faltichen Skvere (Rabbi Katz), 1516 E 24th St.
If you are interested in the free information session, please fill out the form below. If you have any questions prior to signing up, please email Yosef Weissman at yweissman@iomv.org.
