Ohr Somayach, South Africa
Encyclopedia
Ohr Somayach in South Africa
is an affiliate of Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem
, a network of Haredi
yeshiva
s and Synagogue
s. Like its parent institution, it focuses on educating baal teshuva
s ("returnees" to Orthodox Judaism
). It has three branches in South Africa - Johannesburg
, Sandton (north of Johannesburg) and Cape Town
.
In Johannesburg, Ohr Somayach operates a full time Yeshiva
, headed
by Rabbi Yechezkel Auerbach. Its Bet Midrash was established in 1990, and its Kollel
, Toras Chaim, in 1996; it also operates the Ma'ayan Bina Midrasha
. "Ohrsom" is its young adults' division.
Ohr Somayach Cape Town is a community located in the heart of Sea Point. Its Bet Midrash is under Rabbi D. Brett.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
is an affiliate of Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem
Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem
Ohr Somayach was founded in 1970. It is a yeshiva based in Jerusalem, Israel, catering mostly to young Jewish men, usually of college age, who are already interested in learning about Judaism...
, a network of Haredi
Haredi Judaism
Haredi or Charedi/Chareidi Judaism is the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism, often referred to as ultra-Orthodox. A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi ....
yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
s and Synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
s. Like its parent institution, it focuses on educating baal teshuva
Baal teshuva
Baal teshuva or ba'al teshuvah , sometimes abbreviated to BT, is a term referring to a Jew who turns to embrace Orthodox Judaism. Baal teshuva literally means, "repentant", i.e., one who has repented or "returned" to God...
s ("returnees" to Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
). It has three branches in South Africa - Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, Sandton (north of Johannesburg) and Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
.
In Johannesburg, Ohr Somayach operates a full time Yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
, headed
Rosh yeshiva
Rosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education...
by Rabbi Yechezkel Auerbach. Its Bet Midrash was established in 1990, and its Kollel
Kollel
A kollel is an institute for full-time, advanced study of the Talmud and rabbinic literature. Like a yeshiva, a kollel features shiurim and learning sedarim ; unlike a yeshiva, the student body of a kollel are all married men...
, Toras Chaim, in 1996; it also operates the Ma'ayan Bina Midrasha
Midrasha
A refers to an institute of Jewish studies for women. In Israel, it is often an Orthodox institution that caters solely to women, and roughly the equivalent of a yeshiva for men. The term is often translated as 'seminary'. In the United States, the term has also been used to refer to...
. "Ohrsom" is its young adults' division.
Ohr Somayach Cape Town is a community located in the heart of Sea Point. Its Bet Midrash is under Rabbi D. Brett.
See also
- Jewish education in South Africa under History of the Jews in South Africa
- Orthodox yeshivas in South Africa