Yeshiva Torah Vodaas
Encyclopedia
Yeshiva Torah Vodaas is a yeshiva
located in the Kensington
neighborhood of Brooklyn
, New York
.
and Louis Dershowitz to provide a yeshiva
education centering on traditional Jewish sacred texts to the children of families then moving from the Lower East Side
to the Williamsburg
section of Brooklyn
. The two friends contacted prominent local Rabbi Zev Gold
of Congregation Beth Jacob Anshe Sholom
and together they formed a board and established the yeshiva in Williamsburg as an elementary school. Rabbi Gold was elected as the yeshiva's first president; he suggested the name Torah Vodaas after the yeshiva founded in Lida
in 1896 by Rabbi Yitzchak Yaacov Reines
, which combined secular studies with Jewish studies and traditional Talmud
study. That yeshiva closed in 1903. The founding members of the yeshiva soon offered the principalship of the institution to Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz
. From 1922 to 1948, the yeshiva was headed by Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz. Under Mendlowitz's leadership, a mesivta
(yeshiva high school) was opened in 1926. Later he opened a Yeshiva Gedola as well. The Yeshiva later moved to 452 and 425 East 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218, where it is located today.
" historically influenced the yeshiva's philosophy, but today it is strongly influenced by the haredi or, ultra-orthodox philosophy. However, Torah Vodaath is one of the few major haredi yeshivohs that allow its students to attend college while studying at the yeshiva. The great majority of the yeshiva's graduates go on to work in fields that are not related to the torah education that they received in yeshiva.
is Rabbi Yisroel Belsky
, who is also a posek
for the Orthodox Union
. The yeshiva has had many prominent roshei yeshiva
, including Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Pam
, Rabbi Shlomo Heiman
, Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz
, Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky
, Rabbi Shachne Zohn, Rabbi Zelik Epstein
, Rabbi Gedalia Schorr
, Rabbi Elya Chazan and Rabbi Reuvain Grozovsky
.
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...
located in the Kensington
Kensington, Brooklyn
Kensington is a neighborhood in the center of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It is the area south of Prospect Park and the Green-Wood Cemetery. It is bordered by Coney Island Avenue to the east, Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue to the north, McDonald Avenue and 37th Street to the...
neighborhood of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
History
The Yeshiva was conceived in 1917 by friends Binyomin WilhelmBinyomin Wilhelm
Binyomin Wilhelm was the founder of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas.Born in Lodz, Poland, he was the oldest son of a Radoshitzer chassidic family. In his teens he left by himself to the United States. He first peddled a pushcart, until he had made enough money to rent a store...
and Louis Dershowitz to provide a 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...
education centering on traditional Jewish sacred texts to the children of families then moving from the Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
to the Williamsburg
Williamsburg
Williamsburg may refer to:*Williamsburg, former name of Kernville , California*Williamsburg, Colorado*Williamsburg, Florida*Williamsburg, Dunwoody, Georgia*Williamsburg, Indiana*Williamsburg, Iowa*Williamsburg, Kansas*Williamsburg, Kentucky...
section of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. The two friends contacted prominent local Rabbi Zev Gold
Wolf Gold
Rabbi Wolf Gold was a rabbi, Jewish activist, and one of the signatories of the Israeli declaration of independenceBorn in Stettin, Germany he was a descendant on his father's side from at least eight generations of rabbis. Gold's first teacher was his maternal grandfather, Rabbi Yehoshuah...
of Congregation Beth Jacob Anshe Sholom
Congregation Beth Jacob Ohev Sholom
Congregation Beth Jacob Ohev Sholom is an Orthodox synagogue located at 284 Rodney Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York...
and together they formed a board and established the yeshiva in Williamsburg as an elementary school. Rabbi Gold was elected as the yeshiva's first president; he suggested the name Torah Vodaas after the yeshiva founded in Lida
Lida
Lida is a city in western Belarus in Hrodna Voblast, situated 160 km west of Minsk. It is the fourteenth largest city in Belarus.- Etymology :...
in 1896 by Rabbi Yitzchak Yaacov Reines
Yitzchak Yaacov Reines
Yitzchak Yaacov Reines יצחק יעקב ריינס , was a Lithuanian Orthodox rabbi and the founder of the Mizrachi Religious Zionist Movement.-Life:...
, which combined secular studies with Jewish studies and traditional Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
study. That yeshiva closed in 1903. The founding members of the yeshiva soon offered the principalship of the institution to Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz
Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz
Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz was an early leader of American Orthodoxy and founder of key institutions such as Torah Vodaath, a Yeshiva in Brooklyn, and Torah U'Mesorah, an outreach and educational organization. He is credited by many to have pioneered authentic Jewish education in the United...
. From 1922 to 1948, the yeshiva was headed by Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz. Under Mendlowitz's leadership, a mesivta
Mesivta
Mesivta is an Orthodox Jewish yeshiva high school for boys. The term is commonly used in the United States to describe a yeshiva that emphasizes Talmudic studies for boys in grades 9 through 11 or 12; alternately, it refers to the religious studies track in a yeshiva high school that offers both...
(yeshiva high school) was opened in 1926. Later he opened a Yeshiva Gedola as well. The Yeshiva later moved to 452 and 425 East 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218, where it is located today.
Philosophy
"Torah im Derech EretzTorah im Derech Eretz
Torah im Derech Eretz is a philosophy of Orthodox Judaism articulated by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch , which formalizes a relationship between traditionally observant Judaism and the modern world...
" historically influenced the yeshiva's philosophy, but today it is strongly influenced by the haredi or, ultra-orthodox philosophy. However, Torah Vodaath is one of the few major haredi yeshivohs that allow its students to attend college while studying at the yeshiva. The great majority of the yeshiva's graduates go on to work in fields that are not related to the torah education that they received in yeshiva.
Rosh Yeshiva
One of the current roshei yeshivaRosh 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...
is Rabbi Yisroel Belsky
Yisroel Belsky
Yisroel Belsky is a prominent rabbi in the United States and a world recognized posek, who has served with the Orthodox Union since 1987. He resides in Brooklyn, New York. He is one of the lead roshei yeshivas in Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. He also serves as the chief rabbi of Camp Agudah, since the...
, who is also a posek
Posek
Posek is the term in Jewish law for "decider"—a legal scholar who decides the Halakha in cases of law where previous authorities are inconclusive or in those situations where no halakhic precedent exists....
for the Orthodox Union
Orthodox Union
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America , more popularly known as the Orthodox Union , is one of the oldest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. It is best known for its kosher food preparation supervision service...
. The yeshiva has had many prominent roshei yeshiva
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...
, including Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Pam
Avraham Yaakov Pam
Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Hakohen Pam was the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in Brooklyn, New York.-Biography:...
, Rabbi Shlomo Heiman
Shlomo Heiman
Shlomo Heiman was a Rabbi, Talmudist, and Rosh Yeshiva of the most prominent yeshivas in Europe and America.-In Europe:In 1892, Reb Shlomo was born in Paritsh, Minsk in Belarus. His father was Rabbi Michel Heiman. When he was 12 years old, he went to Kaminetz yeshiva to study under R' Baruch Ber...
, Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz
Dovid Leibowitz
Dovid Leibowitz was a leading rabbi and disciple of prewar Europe's Slabodka Yeshiva in Lithuania who went on to found the Rabbinical Seminary of America as its first Rosh yeshiva in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, New York...
, Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky
Yaakov Kamenetsky
Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky , was a prominent rosh yeshiva, posek and Talmudist in the post-World War II American Jewish community....
, Rabbi Shachne Zohn, Rabbi Zelik Epstein
Zelik Epstein
Zelik Epstein, also known as Zelig Epstein , was a prominent Orthodox rabbi and rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah-Grodno, a private, Talmudical institution in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York, containing a high school, Beis Midrash, and Kollel...
, Rabbi Gedalia Schorr
Gedalia Schorr
Rabbi Gedalyahu Schorr , also known as Gedalia Schorr, was a prominent rabbi and rosh yeshiva. He was regarded as the "first American Gadol" , an expression coined by Rabbi Aharon Kotler...
, Rabbi Elya Chazan and Rabbi Reuvain Grozovsky
Reuvain Grozovsky
Refael Reuvain Grozovsky was a leading Orthodox rabbi, Jewish religious leader and rosh yeshiva known for his Talmudic analytical style.-Early years:...
.
Notable Alumni
- Rabbi Yisroel Belsky, currently a Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva (see above)
- Rabbi Aaron Brafman, Menahel of Yeshiva of Far RockawayYeshiva of Far RockawayYeshiva of Far Rockaway is a Haredi yeshiva located on 802 Hicksville Road, Far Rockaway, Queens in New York City. It comprises a high school and beis medrash, or seminary. The school was founded by the current rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yechiel Yitzchok Perr, and by the late Rabbi Nachman Bulman...
- Shlomo Carlebach (musician)
- Judge Noach DearNoach DearJudge Noach Dear is a New York State Civil Court Judge . Appointed to the T&LC in 2002, Dear was slated to serve a seven year term...
- Rabbi Moshe HeinemannMoshe HeinemannRabbi Moshe Heinemann is an Orthodox rabbi and Posek who heads the Agudath Israel of Baltimore synagogue and is the rabbinical supervisor of the Star K kashrus certification agency...
, rabbinical supervisor of the Star-KStar-KStar-K Kosher Certification, also known as the Vaad Hakashrus of Baltimore, is a kashrus certifying agency based in Baltimore, Maryland under the administration of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, with the involvement of many other rabbis . It is one of the largest kashrus certification agencies in North... - Rabbi Levi Yitzchak HorowitzLevi Yitzchak HorowitzLevi Yitzchak HeLevi Horowitz was a rabbi and the second Rebbe of the Boston Hasidic dynasty founded by his father, Rabbi Pinchas Horowitz...
, the Bostoner Rebbe - Rabbi Shmuel KamenetskyShmuel KamenetskyShmuel Kamenetsky is a Haredi rabbi and co-founder and rosh yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. He is one of the best-known living Haredi Litvish Jewish gedolim outside Israel and the best-known son of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky , one of America's greatest Torah...
, Rosh Yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of PhiladelphiaTalmudical Yeshiva of PhiladelphiaThe Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, known as "Philly", is a Haredi Litvish yeshiva. Its roshei yeshiva are Rabbi Elya Svei, Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rabbi Yehudah Svei and Rabbi Sholom Kaminetsky... - Rabbi Aryeh KaplanAryeh KaplanAryeh Moshe Eliyahu Kaplan was a noted American Orthodox rabbi and author known for his "intimate knowledge of both physics and kabbalah." He was lauded as an original thinker and prolific writer, from studies of the Torah, Talmud and mysticism to introductory pamphlets on Jewish beliefs and...
, Jewish thinker and author - Rabbi Sholom KlassSholom KlassRabbi Sholom Klass was the co-founder, publisher and editor of The Jewish Press, a large Jewish circulation newspaper.He also authored Tales from our Gaonim and the Halachic work Responsa of Modern Judaism ....
, publisher of The Jewish PressThe Jewish PressThe Jewish Press is an American weekly newspaper, geared toward the Modern Orthodox Jewish community. It describes itself as "America's Largest Independent Jewish Weekly." The newspaper has a politically conservative viewpoint and editorial policy.... - Rabbi Norman LammNorman LammNorman Lamm is a major American Modern Orthodox rabbi, scholar, author and Jewish communal leader. He is presently the Chancellor of Yeshiva University....
, Chancellor of Yeshiva UniversityYeshiva UniversityYeshiva University is a private university in New York City, with six campuses in New York and one in Israel. Founded in 1886, it is a research university ranked as 45th in the US among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2012... - Rabbi Bernard LevyBernard LevyRabbi Bernard Levy was a pioneer of Kosher certification in the United States.-Education:Bernard Levy grew up in the 1920s, outside of New York City. At the age of ten, a young Berel decided to leave home and move in with his uncle. The move enabled him to attend the Yeshiva Torah Vodaas...
, head of OK Labs - Rabbi Yerucham OlshinYerucham OlshinYerucham Olshin is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and one of the rosh yeshivas of Beth Medrash Govoha, an Orthodox yeshiva located in Lakewood, New Jersey...
, a Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash GovohaBeth Medrash GovohaBeth Medrash Govoha is a Haredi yeshiva located in Lakewood Township, New Jersey. It is commonly known as BMG, or Lakewood Yeshiva....
, Lakewood, New Jersey - Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Pam, later Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva (see above)
- Rabbi Nesanel QuinnNesanel QuinnNesanel Hakohen Quinn was the renowned principal of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in Brooklyn, New York, for nearly 80 years.-Biography:...
, later Menahel of the Yeshiva - Rabbi Sholom RivkinSholom RivkinRabbi Sholom Rivkin , was an Israeli-born American rabbi. He was the last Chief Rabbi of St. Louis, Missouri, and the last chief rabbi of one of only a few cities in the United States that has ever had a chief rabbi. He held the post of Chief Rabbi from 1983 until 2005 and was Chief Rabbi Emeritus...
, Chief RabbiChief RabbiChief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
of St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St... - Rabbi Nosson SchermanNosson SchermanNosson Scherman born 1935, Newark, New Jersey) is an American Haredi rabbi best known as the general editor of ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications.-Biography:...
, owner and general editor of ArtscrollArtScrollArtScroll is an imprint of translations, books and commentaries from an Orthodox Jewish perspective published by Mesorah Publications, Ltd., a publishing company based in Brooklyn, New York... - Rabbi Gedalia Schorr, later Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva (see above)
- Gene SimmonsGene SimmonsGene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
(born Chaim Witz), the lead singer of KissKISS (band)Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
. - Rabbi Elya SveiElya SveiRabbi Elya Svei was the Rosh Yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia together with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, and was internationally known for his incisive, brilliant and clear shiurim , and his ability to offer sage advice to thousands of Jews worldwide...
, Rosh Yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia - Rabbi Yaakov WeinbergYaakov WeinbergShmuel Yaakov Weinberg, known as Yaakov Weinberg was an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, Talmudist, and rosh yeshiva of Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore, Maryland one of the major American non-Hasidic yeshivas...
, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Ner Israel - Michael WyschogrodMichael WyschogrodMichael Wyschogrod is a Jewish German-American philosopher of religion, Jewish theologian, and activist for Jewish-Christian relations...
, philosopher