What is a Kollel - and why does it matter in a growing Jewish community?

For many people unfamiliar with traditional Jewish communal structure, the word kollel can sound foreign, abstract, or even intimidating.

Sometimes the reaction is candid: “Is that simply a group of men sitting in a room studying ancient texts?” Others may wonder whether such an institution has relevance in a modern, growing Jewish city.

The truth is that a kollel is one of the most quietly transformative institutions a Jewish community can have — especially outside major population centers.

At its core, a kollel is an advanced center of Jewish learning, where scholars devote significant time...