Agra D’Pirka: A Learning Program for All Seasons

By Margie Pensak
Posted on 08/25/25

Baltimore, MD - Aug. 25, 2025 -In 2009, when the founders of Agra D’Pirka founded the learning program for balabatim in the Flatbush community - l’ilui neshmas Pesi Rochel Klein, a”h (whose initials spell out “Pirka”) - little did they realize that it would blossom into a nationwide program. Today, Agra D’Pirka provides thousands of shiurim in cities across the USA to over 1,000 lomdim. Over 100 magidei shiur provide cutting edge learning opportunities. As we go to press, Agra D’Pirka is finalizing plans for its newest location in the Five Towns area.

Agra D’Pirka administrator Rabbi Chaim Fuhrer explains, “Agra D’Pirka is an organized morning learning program geared towards local professionals, business owners, college students, retirees, and anyone else who wishes to increase his limud haTorah. It has an impressive roster of magidei shiur at each of its many locations. Currently, Agra D’Pirka has hundreds of shiurim on Torah Anytime and Kol Halashon, enabling limud haTorah beyond the program’s beis medrash walls.”

Rabbi Moshe Hauer at Baltimore Agra D’Pirka - Memorial Day, 2025 (Photo Credit: Rabbi Eli Sofer)

There’s No Vacationing from Torah

As the summer draws to a close, Agra D’Pirka’s Catskills Summer Shiurim program concluded its sixth successful season. The nine weekly Sunday morning shiurim - held at The Lake Forest Shul in Fallsburg - featured an all-star line-up, including Harav Bentzion Gips, Harav Noach Isaac Oelbaum, Harav Yonasan Sacks, Harav Zev Smith, Harav Fischel Schachter, Harav Aharon Kahn, Harav Label Wulliger, and Harav Mordechai Meisels. At least 500 people attended.

“I get excited each summer when I partake in Agra D’Pirka’s Catskill program,” shares Rabbi Sholom Jaroslawicz. “All our locations run from Monday through Thursday with some on Friday. Our Catskill program was initiated to turn Sunday into a learning day. This is what excites me about this time of the year in Agra D'Pirka -- its two months of Agra D’Pirka running a full six days a week."

As Harav Aharon Kahn notes, “The Catskills have become centers of Torah in so many different ways. Whether in yeshivos that transition there for the summer zman or the bungalow colonies or the children's camps, there is more Torah in the Catskills than ever before. It is only fitting that the presence of Agra D’Pirka also be felt. These Agra D’Pirka shiurim present the finest quality Torah to many who may not have had the experience before. For me personally, the shiur provides a rare opportunity to teach Torah in Yiddish. All this is the product of Ezra Klein's visionary commitment to harbotzas Torah.”

Moving on to Elul

Shuli Klein reports, “Bli ayin hara, the Lakewood location has been growing incrementally over the past ten years. The influx of seniors to Lakewood and its environs has fed this influx. We have carpools and attendees from every major development – Pine River Village, A Country Place, Enclave, Fairways – you name it. These new arrivals find fulfillment in their day through the limud hatorah of Agra D’Pirka. The magidei shiur are from the best Lakewood has to offer. Baruch Hashem, we have an unparalleled program, and all are welcome to attend. It is free!”

Agra D’Pirka is gearing up for a special Labor Day program on September 1 with shiurim presented by fabulous popular speakers. Harav Rabbi Yerucham Olshin, Rosh Hayeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha, will speak in Lakewood. Harav Noach Isaac Oelbaum, Rav, Khal Nachlas Yitzchok, will speak in Flatbush; Harav Mordechai Shuchatowitz, the Morah D’Asra of Agudath Israel of Greenspring, will speak in Baltimore. There will also be programs in Kew Garden Hills, Queens, and in Boca Raton.

For more information, contact cfuhrer@agradpirka.org, 212-661-9400.