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3,300 years ago, you stood by Har Sinai together, this Shavous remind them what they received.
Share "Blueprint", a short film about the beauty and relevance of Toarh, with unaffiliated Jews you know and then offer to learn with them for even 10 minutes.
We all feel that asking someone to learn with you is very hard...and it can be. Nonetheless, most of what's hard about it stems from our own fear of rejection (…apologies for being so upfront!). The reality is that many people are open and would be interested in learning with you…if you would only ask!
Project Inspire has received many reports of people who have been successful with this.
Here are some pointers:
1. Realize that the fear of the thing is worse than the thing itself. Even if they say no, they will probably be touched rather than offended if you are sensitive, respectful and offer to learn with them if they would like. Mention that you would be honored to learn with them if they would be interested in learning with you.
2. At this time of year, you can say that “it is a custom on Shavuos for people to learn together to celebrate the giving of the Torah. I was wondering if you would like to do that with me. People learn any topic that they are interested in. Would you like to learn with me for even just 10 minutes before or after Shavuos – whatever topic you would like or else I can suggest one.”
3. Send them “Blueprint” (send it by clicking here, watch it by clicking here) - the 7 minute film and see if they like it. Then you can offer to learn with them.
4. Discuss what they are interested in or offer to find out some topics. You might want to go to aish.com together to see what would interest them. This discussion can be extremely valuable because it can give you ideas for future topics to learn as well. Whatever they are interested in, note it down and learn about it together on future occasions!
5. Offer to learn for just 10 minutes – this makes it less overwhelming for them.
6. In particular, you might want to pick a topic that might be pertinent to their lives right now, e.g. relationships, friendship, happiness, dating, raising children. Aish.com is packed full of such articles.
7. Perhaps look at “the 48 Ways to Wisdom” on aish.com and find a title that you think might be of interest. The benefit here is that if they like it, it’s easy to suggest doing it again next week.
In addition, you might want to see the choices offered on kiruv.com (http://www.kiruv.com/forYourInspiration/movies/blueprint.asp).
8. Look at your activity as "learning together" rather than "teaching" him.
9. Sometimes it might even be better to avoid the issue of “learning Torah” altogether, and simply say: “I saw a fascinating article that I thought you might enjoy. I'd like to discuss it with you. Why don't I e-mail or fax it to you and we can read it together? I think you will enjoy it.” This can also be done via e-mail altogether (i.e. even the request).
10. If they enjoy the "session," offer to do it again!
Wishing you much success and let us know how you get along!
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