Clilei Torah (“Crowns of Torah”) is the annual Torah journal of the Young Israel of Greater Cleveland. It was founded in 2015, on Josh Botnick’s initiative, to encourage YIGC members (lay members as well as professional Torah educators) to delve into and share words of Torah on topics that interest them. The first two volumes were published for Shavuos; subsequent volumes have been published in advance of Rosh Hashana.
What is Clilei HaChodesh?
Clilei HaChodesh is published each Shabbos Mevarchim, with two divrei Torah by members. Each month’s issue is available both online and in the lobby of our Beachwood location. While Clilei Torah articles can be any length, Clilei HaChodesh submissions are generally 500-1000 words. Topics may relate to the month of publication but do not have to.
Who can write for Clilei?
Any YIGC member! Men, women, and youth (we’ve had writers as young as Junior High) are invited and encouraged to write. Everyone has something worth sharing.
What can I write about?
Any Torah topic! Did you hear a dvar Torah that inspired you? Share it (with proper attribution)! Notice something in the weekly parsha that you would like to study in more depth? Do you have a novel way to understand a particular Torah question? Is there an area of halacha that fascinates you? These are just some of the ways our past writers have approached their submissions.
We’ll help! We are so fortunate at YIGC to have Rabbi Moshe Berger available to learn with our members. Once you feel comfortable with what you have to say, Rabbi Berger and Sarah Rudolph (Clilei Editor) can help with editorial suggestions to produce a polished piece you’ll be proud to share with fellow YIGC members and beyond.
Wait – what if I don’t want anyone changing what I write?
Virtually all edits are only suggestions. Clilei’s editorial philosophy calls for allowing each writer to review every change, even the minor ones, before publication. (For this reason, it is important to get your submissions in as early as possible – to allow for turnaround time on edits.)
I’m ready to give it a try! How can I get started?
Great! Contact Rabbi Berger at moshe@mmberger.com or (216) 533-5233, or Sarah Rudolph at scdrudolph@gmail.com, to let us know you’re interested and we’ll go from there.
Are there other ways to support Clilei, in addition to writing?
Yes! Contact Ronnie Shulman at rshulman1@gmail.com to become a sponsor of either Clilei HaChodesh or Clilei Torah.
This is such a valuable, inspiring project, allowing shul members to learn and grow together!
