By COLlive staff
Photos by Shalom Ross

Oholei Torah Beis Medrash in Crown Heights has opened the new Shnas Halimudim with remarkable continued growth, welcoming 540 talmidim across its two divisions, an increase of more than 15 percent over last year.

The bochurim come from 247 cities, 29 states, and 18 countries, and 35 different Yeshivos, reflecting the remarkable reach of Oholei Torah and its place as a destination for bochurim from communities around the world.

As enrollment continues to grow, Oholei Torah has continued to invest in strengthening the team of mechanchim who learn with, guide, and support the bochurim throughout their years in Beis Medrash, providing hundreds of bochurim with an environment dedicated to growth in Nigleh, Chassidus, and Chassidishe hanhogo.

Under the leadership of Menahel Rabbi Nissi Deitsch, Shiur Aleph and Beis opened its doors for its second year in the Michelashvili Beis Medrash, building upon a strong first year with an exceptional team of mechanchim dedicated to the learning and growth of every talmid.

The Nigleh faculty includes Maggidei Shiur Rabbi Shmuel Bluming, Rabbi Levi Y. Broner, Rabbi Mendel Broner, Rabbi Lipman Heller, and Rabbi Shmuel Klyne, providing the bochurim with a strong and comprehensive program of learning.

The bochurim are guided in their Chassidishe growth by Mashpiim Rabbi Moishe Teitlebaum, Rabbi Levi Matusof, and Rabbi Fitche Pevzner, while Rabbi Yossi Rubashkin serves as Mashgiach, providing guidance and individual attention throughout the day.

The team of Meishivim includes Rabbi Zelig Klyne, Rabbi Mendy Havlin, and Rabbi Nissim Polter, giving the bochurim additional opportunities to review, clarify, and deepen their learning.

The dedicated staff continues to build Shiur Aleph and Beis into a strong environment where bochurim can develop in their learning, Chassidishe growth, and personal avodah.

Shiur Daled, under the leadership of Menahel Rabbi Elchonon Lesches, continues to flourish in the Raitport Beis Medrash, with the Hanhala and faculty expanding further this year to meet the needs of its growing body of talmidim. As part of this expansion, the new position of Sgan Menahel was added, with Rabbi Dovid Frankel joining the Hanhala in this role and working alongside Rabbi Lesches in overseeing the division and its talmidim.

Three new Mashgichim, Rabbi Mendel Korf, Rabbi Yisroel Korf, and Rabbi Chaim Piekarski, have joined the dedicated team for both Chassidus and Niglah. Each will oversee and care for a group of approximately 150 talmidim, ensuring they receive individual attention, guidance, and support.

Newly appointed Maggidei Shiur Rabbi Yehoshua Blasenstein and Rabbi Meir Shur join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Shlomo Kaplan and Maggidei Shiur Rabbi Avrohom Shneersohn, Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Stern, Rabbi Dov Popack, Rabbi Fishel Oster, Rabbi Avrohom Gerlitzky, Rabbi Shlomo Hurwitz, and Rabbi Mendel Wolvovsky, further strengthening the Nigleh faculty and expanding the breadth of learning available to the bochurim.

The dedicated team of Mashpiim continues to inspire and guide the bochurim in their growth in Chassidus and Chassidishe hanhogo. Two newly hired Mashpiim Rabbi Aharon Rappaport and Rabbi Binyomin Vichetsky join Rabbi Nachman Shapiro, Rabbi Schneur Zalman Vilenkin, Rabbi Shalom Charitonow, Rabbi Mendel Mochkin, Rabbi Yekusiel Feldman, Rabbi Shmuel Shur, and Rabbi Sholom Korf.

The team of Meishivim has expanded as well, with newly hired Meishiv Rabbi Shmuel Morosow joining Rabbi Nochum Chaikin, Rabbi Mendy Silberberg, and Rabbi Yosef Schmukler as Meishivim for Nigleh, together with Rabbi Mendel Eidelman as Meishiv for Chassidus Erev, providing the bochurim with additional opportunities for guidance and assistance in their learning.

Beyond expanding the existing faculty, several new positions have been created this year to further enhance the Beis Medrash program and provide additional layers of learning, guidance, and personal support for the bochurim.

Rabbi Berry Zirkind has joined as Meishiv and Limmud Halacha Coordinator, a new position dedicated to strengthening the opportunities for bochurim to receive guidance in their afternoon learning while developing a strong foundation in practical Halacha.

Rabbi Yossel Gerlitzky has joined in the newly created role of Talmid Liaison and Advocate, serving as an additional resource for talmidim and helping ensure that each bochur receives the individual support and attention he needs.

Further strengthening the learning environment, Rabbi Levi Lebovitz has joined as Head of Kollel, overseeing a group of Kollel Yungeleit who have joined the Beis Medrash to strengthen the one-one-one learning and atmosphere for the bochurim.

The unprecedented size and geographic reach of the Beis Medrash has also required significant expansion beyond the walls of the Zal. Of the 540 talmidim, 93 percent of the student body, totaling 504 bochurim, reside in the Yeshiva’s dormitories. To accommodate the growing need for housing, Oholei Torah has expanded its dormitory capacity with two additional dorm locations on the adjacent blocks, ensuring suitable accommodations for the hundreds of bochurim who have come from across the country and around the world to learn in Oholei Torah.

Beyond providing housing, the Yeshiva continues to strengthen the support and care provided to bochurim throughout their daily lives. R’ Mottel Bronchtain serves as Menahel Gashmi of the dormitory, with R’ Shmuel Edelman and R’ Avremi Pevzner serving as Dorm Counselors and overseeing a team of bochurim Dorm Counselors who provide guidance and support to their fellow talmidim.

As another part of the expanded support structure, the new position of Medical and Talmid Health Liaison has been created, with Rabbi Sholly Weiser serving in this role to help coordinate and address the health needs of the talmidim.

Together, the expanded team of mechanchim and support staff reflects Oholei Torah’s commitment to ensuring that its continued growth is matched by the personal attention and care each talmid needs, both in the Zal and beyond.

Menahel K’lali Rabbi Yehoshua Lustig and Rosh Moissed Rabbi Mendel Blau, together with the Board of Directors, have devoted considerable time and attention to ensuring that both divisions of the Beis Medrash are thoughtfully prepared to accommodate this continued growth, in close collaboration with their respective Hanhala.

Behind the opening of the new Shnas Halimudim was an extensive effort to ensure that the facilities, dormitories, classrooms, and countless logistical details were ready to welcome 540 talmidim. R’ Hersh Meilech Rosenfeld, together with R’ Schneur Zalman Oster, Shaina Rosenfeld, and the entire Operations team, worked tirelessly in the weeks leading up to the opening, coordinating and overseeing the many preparations necessary to have both divisions and the expanded dormitory facilities fully ready for the arrival of the bochurim. Their tremendous work behind the scenes played an integral role in enabling the year to begin smoothly and successfully.

“We have invested significantly in raising the overall standards of the Beis Medrash and developing it into a truly vibrant makom Torah,” said Rabbi Blau. “Our goal is to help every bochur succeed and solidify his path in Torah, avodah, and hiskashrus.”

“The upcoming campus at 402 Eastern Parkway holds tremendous promise for the coming years and will enable the Beis Medrash to continue growing and expanding,” said Rabbi Lustig. “At the same time, we did not wait for the new facility to begin advancing our vision. We have already initiated key elements of the plan, including the new Kollel program and more, strengthening the Beis Medrash today as we prepare for its future.”

With the new Shnas Halimudim now underway, the entire Oholei Torah Beis Medrash looks forward to a year of continued learning, growth, and hatzlacha, as the talmidim and staff work together to reach new heights in Nigleh, Chassidus, and personal avodah.