Agra D’Pirka is an organized morning kollel program geared towards local professionals, business owners, college students, retirees, or anyone who wishes to increase his morning limud haTorah.  The program, founded by R’ Ezra Klein of Brooklyn, runs from Monday through Thursday with an outstanding roster of Maggidei Shiur at each location.  There are currently Agra D’Pirka programs thriving in the communities of Boro Park, Flatbush, Queens, Lakewood, Miami, Williamsburg, Monsey, and now in Baltimore. 

R’ Ezra Klein is thrilled to be introducing the program to Baltimore.  “I visited the community,” he explains, “and I saw that there is definitely a need for this program.  It’s a huge community with thousands of families.  We are confident that they will take advantage of what Agra D’Pirka has to offer.” 

R’ Eli Sofer moved to Baltimore about a year ago and says it’s a community of dedicated koveyah ittim.  “I know they will appreciate a program like this,” he comments.  “And those who already know about it are really looking forward.”

Rabbi Heber’s shul, he says, is the perfect venue for Agra D’Pirka.  “It’s located in the Park Heights area,” he says.  “which is a central location.  It’s also a shul with a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.  There are already early morning and evening shiurim, as well as a night kollel and ongoing chavrusa learning at the shul.  This program will not only fill in the gap of late morning shiurim but will also bring the Torah learning up a notch to the next level.” 

The Baltimore program will be unique in that it includes a special segment of time for shiur review and preparation.  The first shiur, to be given by Rabbi Yankel Herskovitz, will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.  The shiur will be on Gemorah Maseches Sukkah.  Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for chavrusa review with Rav Herskovitz serving as sho’el u’maishiv. 

Finally, the second shiur will be given on a rotating basis from 10:40 to 11:40 AM and will feature a cross section of outstanding community Rabbonim as maggidei shiur on a variety of intriguing and enlightening topics.  Among those giving the shiur will be Rav Yissochor Dov Eichenstein, Rav Zvi Mordechai Feldheim, Rav Yissocher Frand, Rav Pinchas Gross, Rav Moshe Hauer, Rav Dovid Heber, and Rav Yaakov Hopfer.  Even those who cannot attend regularly will benefit greatly from the Torah wisdom of these inspiring Rabbonim, the pride of the Baltimore community. 

R’ Mosi Treuhaft is among the many who are eagerly anticipating the opening of Agra D’Pirka.  “There are 4,000 frum families living in Baltimore,” he says.  “We are considered the third or fourth largest kehilla in America.  This program will bring a yeshiva atmosphere to the balabatim in our community.”   

Agra D’Pirka is available to men of all ages and all backgrounds.  Rabbi Herskovitz’s Gemorah shiur will be given on a high level, says R’ Eli Sofer.  “But he will deliver the information in a clear format that is easy to comprehend.  In this way, it will be enjoyed and understood even by those who are not accustomed to Yeshiva style learning.” 

The program is not just for those who are retired, Mosi points out. “There’s an ever-growing number of young people who work on flexible schedules,” he says.  “They will now have the opportunity to arrange their days so that they can spend their mornings learning.”

As the KAYTT shul gears up in preparation for the grand opening of Agra D’Pirka, Rabbi Heber is delighted to welcome the program.  “Baltimore is well known for its many shiurim and chaburos ‘yomom v’layla’,” he says.  “This new program will allow balabatim to begin their workday with limud haTorah presented by wonderful maggidei shiur.  It’s a tremendous zechus for us that it will be taking place in our kehilla.”

And Rabbi Feldheim, who is among the maggidei shiur to be featured in the program, feels that Agra Dpirka will no doubt be warmly received in this area.   “The Baltimore community,” he says, “is a symphony that harmoniously projects a love for Torah, for Yiddishkeit, and for each other.  Virtually not a shul exists without a kol Torah that resonates through the late hours of the night. “

So Agra D’Pirka should certainly fit right in.

“Baltimore is a city of growth and shteiging,” he adds.  “This program is one that talks the language of the Baltimore balabos.”

For more information about Agra D’Pirka in Baltimore contact R’ Eli Sofer at 917 755 1572.