Rosh HaYeshiva
Rav Michael Yammer
Rav Yammer is a Sha'alvim Hesder alumnus who was appointed Ra"m in 1988. Rav Yamer's highly engaging shiur is one of the foundational elements of the Yeshiva. For over two decades overseas student's have benefitted from the methodological tools they acquired in Rav Yamer's shiur. In addition to being an outstanding talmid Chacham, Rav Yamer's keen understanding of people has motivated his students to seek out his advice, even long after their stay at Sha'alvim.
Dean/Menahel and Ra"m
Rav Aryeh Leibowitz
Rav Leibowitz attended Sha'alvim for two years before studying at Yeshiva University. There he earned his B.A. from Yeshiva College in Modern Jewish History and Philosophy, his M.A. and Ph.D. from Yeshiva's Bernard Revel Graduate School in Medieval History an Talmudic Literature, and Semicha Ordination from Yeshiva's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Currently, he serves as a Ra"m for Shana Alef. Rav Leibowitz has written a number of Torah and scholarly articles in journals including Tradition, Hakirah, and Yeshurin. He is also the the author of Hashgachah Pratis: An Exploration of Divine Providence and Free Will (2009), Eynecha Pekuchos (Hebrew, 2014), The Early Rishonim: A Gemara Student's Guide (2015), The Neshamah: A Study of the Human Soul (2018), and The Later Rishonim: A Gemara Student's Guide (2020).
Mashgiach Ruchani
Rav Ari Waxman
After studying at Sha'alvim's Overseas Program, Rav Waxman served as a tank gunner in the machal program and then returned to the U.S. to continue his studies at Yeshiva University, completing a B.A. in economics. As a close student of his grandfather, Rav Dovid Lifshitz zt"l, Rav Waxman received Semicha from RIETS and earned an M.S. from Yeshiva University's Azrieli School of Jewish Education. Shortly thereafter, Rav Waxman and his wife made aliyah, returning to Sha'alvim. Four years later, Rav Waxman was appointed Mashgiach of the Overseas Program. As Mashgiach, Rav Waxman forged deep relationships with the talmidim and soon became a central icon of the yeshiva. Rav Waxman currently serves as Menahel of the program where his vision continues to shape Yeshivat Shaalvim.
Ra"m
Rav Noam Koenigsberg
Rav Noam Koenigsberg studied at Yeshivat Shaalvim from 1989-1992 and went on to receive a BA from Yeshiva University in Jewish Studies and an MA in Jewish Philosophy from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. He then returned to the Shaalvim Kollel from 1994-1998 and then moved to Gush Katif, where he served as a Ra"M in Yeshivat Torat Hachaim and in Gush Katif's Midrasha for women. Later, after first serving as the Av Bayit at Sha'arei Mevaseret Zion, Rav Noam returned to Shaalvim, where he currently serves as a Ra"m for the overseas program. Through it all, he has been a stalwart staff member of the NCSY Kollel.
Ra"M
Rav Yosef Nusbacher
Rav Nusbacher studied in Yeshivat Sha'alvim in 1987 and then returned to the U.S. to continue his learning at Yeshiva University as a close talmid of Rav Michael Rosensweig. Concurently, Rav Nusbacher completed a B.S. in computer science and an M.A. from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. In 1992 Rav Nusbacher and his wife returned to Israel where Rav Nusbacher completed his Semichah studies at Yeshiva University's Gruss Kollel. In 1993 the Nusbachers returned to Sha'alvim and Rav Yosef became a Ra"m of the second year talmidim. With an outstanding analytical mind and a sharp sense of humor, Rav Nusbacher sends his talmidim on their way towards becoming high caliber lamdanim and bnei Torah.
Ra"M
Rav Eliyahu Reich
Rav Reich learned at Sha'alvim from 1990-1992. He then returned to the U.S. to continue his studies at Yeshiva University where he learned under Rav Michael Rosensweig while studying for his B.A. in Jewish studies and M.A. from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. In 1995 the Reichs made Aliyah, coming back to Sha'alvim where Rav Eli continued learning in the kollel and finished his Semichah studies while giving a chabura to talmidim in the Overseas Program. Standing out as an emerging Talmid Chacham, Rav Reich joined the staff in 2002. His analytical and engaging shiurim are very popular among the students.
Ra"M
Rav Yehuda Turetsky
Rav Turetsky brings a wonderful combination of warmth, excitement, and intellectual breadth and sophistication to the yeshiva. After attending Shaalvim, he returned to Yeshiva University, where he received a B.A. in Psychology, M.S. in Jewish Education, and Semicha as a member of the Wexner Semicha Honors Program. As an alumnus of YU's prestigious Kollel Elyon, and a close student and former shiur assistant to Rav Michael Rosensweig, Rav Turetsky gives an engaging and stimulating shiur to his talmidim. He was also a longtime senior staff member at NCSY Kollel, where he served most recently as Director of Educational Programming. He has given shiurim and presentations throughout North America and has published articles on a wide range of topics, including Gemara, Medical Halacha, Jewish Education, and the Sociology of the Modern Orthodox community. He made aliyah in 2012 along with his wife, Dr. Ilana Turetsky, and their two children.
Rosh Yeshiva Emeritus and Ra'm Shana Gimmel
Rav Yechezkel Yakovson
Following four years of study at Yeshivat Kol Torah, Rav Yakovson came to Yeshivat Sha'alvim in 1973 to continue his Torah studies while incorporating army service as a tank commander within the Hesder framework. Rav Yakovson began giving shiurim in the Yeshiva in 1983 and in 2004 was appointed Rosh HaYeshiva. Rav Yakovson's sterling character and clear shiurim have gained him a reputation as a respected Rebbi and Rosh HaYeshiva.
Mashgiach Shana Alef
Rav Chaim Cohen
Rav Chaim came to Sha'alvim from the Skokie Yeshiva as a talmid in the Overseas Program in 1991. He married in Yerushalayim after two years at Sha'alvim and joined the Sha'alvim Kollel. Emerging as one of the outstanding students, Rav Chaim was given the unique opportunity of learning b'chavruta with the Rosh HaYeshiva at that time, Rav Avraham Avidan Shlit"a for three years, and in 1997 received Semicha from Rav Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg Shlit"a. Throughout his years in the Sha'alvim kollel, Rav Chaim was respected as a talmid chacham, mechanech, and role model for the boys attending the Overseas Program. In addition to his work with the talmidim at Sha'alvim Rav Chaim is also the editor of Oztar HaTehillim, a compilation of sources from the Gemorah and Midrash according to the pasukim of Tehillim.
Mashgiach
Rav Nosson Rich
Rav Rich spent two years studying in Yeshivat Sha'alvim, following which he attended Yeshiva University where he received his B.A. in Mathematics. Upon receiving semicha from RIETS, he continued his learning there while he served as the Rabbinic Intern at Congregation Beth Aaron in Teaneck. After teaching in TABC for a few years, Rav Rich made aliya with his family. Before coming to Sha'alvim, Rav Rich was a popular Rebbe in Torat Shraga. Rav Rich is well known for his in-depth shiurim as well as his popular Halacha shiurim found on YUTorah.org
Mashgiach Shana Bet
Rav Ezra Shapiro
Rav Ezra learned in Sha'alvim from 1988-1990 at which point he joined Tzahal in the framework of the Machal program. Rav Ezra completed a B.S. in computer science and returned to Israel, learning at Yeshiva University Gruss kollel and receiving Semichah from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg Shlit"a. In 1996 Rav Ezra was appointed mashgiach of the second year students and through his wisdom, warmth and devotion he has helped many of Sha'alvim's students maximize their potential in yeshiva while effectively preparing for life after yeshiva.
Mashgiach Shana Gimmel and Bekiyut Rebbe
R' Binyamin Hutt
Following High School at the Skokie Yeshiva, Rav Hutt spent two and half years learning in Sha'alvim. Subsequently, he continued to learn under the guidance of Rav Parnes shlit”a while completing a degree in management from Touro’s Lander College For Men. Rav Hutt then made aliyah with his wife in 2008, to Shaalvim. Here he served as a shiur assistant, Mashpia, and is currently a Bekiyus Rebbe for the first year students. His students truly enjoy his unique synthesis of metaphor, example, and articulate explanation which make his classes both thought provoking and memorable. Most recently Rav Hutt founded and manages Hakol Torah, an international organization that promotes and incentivizes learning Torah on Shabbos Kodesh.
Bekiyut Rebbe
Rav David Lebor
Rav Lebor first arrived at Sha'alvim as a post-high school talmid in 1972. Following his learning at Sha'alvim, Rav Lebor returned to the U.S. in 1975 to continue his yeshiva studies at Yeshivat She'ar Yashuv while simultaneously studying accounting at Queens College, receiving his CPA. After making aliyah in 1978, Rav Lebor returned to Sha'alvim to join the Sha'alvim Kollel and serve as Madrich of the Overseas Student Program. From 1982-1983 Rav Lebor served as Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Orot HaGalil in Chatzor HaGlilit after which he returned to Sha'alvim as a Ra"M and Sgan Mashgiach of the yeshiva. Rav Lebor served as a Lieutenant in the Israeli Army as a Rav Zvai (Chaplain) of a tank battalion. In 1997 the Lebor family spent a year on shlichut, where Rav Lebor was Rosh Kollel of the Torah Mi-Tzion Kollel in Chicago. Besides giving a daily shiur in Gemara Be-Iyun, Rav Lebor gives a popular weekly class to the overseas students on the Jewish family.
Bekiyut Rebbe and Shoel U'Mashiv Shana Gimmel
Rav Daniel Rosenfeld
Rav Rosenfeld studied in Shaalvim for two years before attending Yeshiva University, where he became a talmid of Rav Rosensweig, later becoming the shiur assistant. He received a B.A. in Jewish Studies, an M.S. in Jewish education, and semicha as a fellow of the Wexner Semicha Honors program. Rav Rosenfeld then made aliyah and learned in the Eretz Hemdah Kollel, during which time he earned his Yadin Yadin semicha from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. In addition to Shaalvim, Rav Rosenfeld currently works for the Eretz Hemdah Kollel and Beit Din. He lives with his wife and family in Yad Binyamin.
Bekiyut Rebbe
R' Rapha Margolies
Rav Rapha Margolies, originally from Chicago, learned in Yeshivat Lev Ha-Torah and then Sha’alvim, and has been a member of the kollel since 2011. He received semicha ordination from Rav Zalman Nechemya Goldberg shlit”a, and continues to study halacha in-depth. He studied Jewish Education at the Moreshet Yaakov Institute. He has also completed the intensive Kosharot course in kashrus, and has served as a mashgiach kashrus. Rav Rapha is currently a shoel u’meishiv for the overseas program. His passion, knowledge, and relatability enhance and inspire the lives of his students.
Mashpia
Rav Zach Frisch
After graduating from Na'ale High School, Rav Zach joined the Yeshiva as an Israeli Talmid. After his Shana Bet, he served in the IDF’s Hesder Combat Engineering unit. Upon completing his military service, Rav Zach returned to Yeshiva where he continued his Torah learning, while simultaneously completing a BA in education and receiving smicha from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg. Currently, Rav Zach serves as a mashpia, and gives multiple shiurim throughout the week including a daily Tanya Chabura and a shiur on Torat Eretz Yisrael during night Seder. Rav Zach also runs the Yeshiva's social media and Shiluv Integration program. He and his family live on the Sha'alvim campus.
Shoel U’Mashiv
Rav Yitzy Goldstein
Born and raised in Far Rockaway, NY, Rav Yitzy attended Yeshiva of Far Rockaway for high school. Following high school he continued learning there for three more years in the beis medrash program. Afterwards, Rav Yitzy learnined in the Mir Yeshiva in Yerushalaim for seven years. Currently, Rav Yitzy serves as a a Shoel U'mashiv in the yeshiva and gives a weekly va’ad to shana alef talmidim. He and his family live on the Sha’alvim campus.
Afternoon Shiur Rebbe
Rav Ari Kahn
Rabbi Ari Kahn received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University's RIETS, where he studied with Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. He graduated Yeshiva University with a BA in psychology and an MS degree in Talmud. Rabbi Kahn is a renowned speaker, and has lectured worldwide. He has authored hundreds of articles on the weekly parasha and holidays with a readership in the thousands, Rabbi Kahn is also the author of Explorations, an in-depth analysis of the weekly Torah reading, and Emanations, an in-depth analysis of the Jewish holidays. A new series - Echoes of Eden - is currently in progress. Drawing upon the vast reservoir of rabbinic literature, Rabbi Kahn combines the mystical explorations of kabbala and chassidism with a highly-intellectual and broad-minded approach to Torah study. He applies psychology, literature and Jewish history to the understanding of esoteric midrashim and the Zohar.
