With hundreds of alumni now gracing the ranks of some of the foremost Yeshivos and kollelim, accomplished educators and young leaders in all facets of the community, the prototype of the YOT talmid has a clearly established identity both in terms of the individual,as well as in the broader context of Klal Yisroel. It is an identity that embodies individuality, self-confidence and ambition.
Leading mechanchim, marbitzei Torah and lay leaders have pointed to the exceptional hallmark of shleimus and well-roundedness as the defining characteristics of the Ohavei Torah graduate; a balanced and encompassing drive for excellence and perfection in all areas of one’s development as a wholesome and productive ben Torah.
The dynamics behind this phenomenon are the pioneering approach and methodology of Yeshiva Ohavei Torah in fostering well-rounded growth and development. A multifaceted and strategic chinuch model that nurtures the encompassing and robust foundations for a talmid to excel and succeed on whatever path life will ultimately take him.
“I think Ohavei Torah is the right fit for a family that’s looking for excellence in education, for growth in middos, for maturity and taking responsibility for one’s actions. It’s the place for a boy who wants to take life seriously and develop lifelong skills – skills that will be utilized and further developed throughout his life and career.”
Rabbi Zvi Bloom, Parent & Executive Director, Torah Umesorah
“This Yeshiva is right for anybody who wants to work and is willing to accept that not everybody is the same. We all grow together and develop together with the understanding that the goal is not to be exactly like each other, but rather to be the best we can be. In fact, we complement each other and try to help each other out. So, if you’re willing to work and willing to accept, this Yeshiva is for you.”
Ari Kleinhendler, Lakewood, Student
The rebbeim and teachers at Ohavei have built me up so that if I decide I want to go with a learning track, they have given me four years of excellence in learning, and if I want to follow the English track they have given me the knowledge, the Regents, the AP credits, the SATs and all the requisites needed to make it in the business world as well.”
Yisrael Meir Schuster, Monsey, Student
“The thing that surprised me most was how accessible Rabbi Pechter was to everyone. From the day I came in to Yeshiva, he was always there for me as friend. True, as a menahel and a rebbe, we look up to him and respect him, but at the same time, he remains a friend through and through, someone I can go to with any problem or any question because in the end, his whole life is centered around helping the bochurim – including me personally. I sat with him each day and he would learn with me. Which other menahel takes the time out of his day to learn with a bochur?”
Menachem Lobell, NYC, alumnus
"The Rosh Hayeshiva, Harav Pechter's goal is to produce talmidim who are Ohavei Torah and Lomdei Torah – talmidim who can go out into the world fully equipped to continue their education in whatever field they choose. Through their dedication to limud haTorah, the talmidim become gedolei Torah, with many of them choosing to remain fully devoted to learning as a result of the geshmak they developed."
Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva of Philadelphia
"My son, who graduated many years ago, has been extremely successful. I believe it's entirely attributable to the incredible foundation he got at Ohavei Torah.Rabbi Pechter's derech halimud and his approach to secular education was something we could not find elsewhere."
Y. David Scharf, NYC, Parent
"We were impressed by the way Ohavei focuses on Limudei Kodesh, Limudei Chol, together with development in middos!"
Yisroel Fulda, Far Rockaway, Parent
"Coming from Passaic, we had many choices. But we specifically, and very purposefully, chose Ohavei."
Adam Jacobs, Passaic, Parent
"I was accepted to 3 the three other Yeshivos I applied to but I chose Ohavei because of the great rebbeim and the structure of the Yeshiva."
Zevi Krinsky, Passaic, Student
"I came to the Yeshiva and I saw the guys. They seemed like the guys I would want be with when I get older"
Akiva Yagudaev, Queens, Student
"Our son came to Ohavei in the tenth grade. We switched from his previous Yeshiva to give him more of a challenge"
Nathan Sobelman, Bayswater, Parent
"They put something inside of you that makes you want thrive. You want to learn. You want to achieve."
Yosef Gross, Monsey, Student
"We'd interviewed at other schools; but we wanted someone who really gets our son."
Rabbi Matthew Hoffman, New Rochelle, Parent
"There are many options for schools that are strong in academics and schools that strong in Torah teaching, but not so many in both."
Rabbi Dr. Chaim Levsky, Riverdale, Parent
"The rebbeim here are really warm. They show you the joy and satisfaction that comes from high level learning and proper davening."
R' Boruch Spektor, Passaic, Alumnus
"The rebbeim here are really the best. They devote themselves fully to each and every boy, going above and beyond for them."
Yona Jacobs, Passaic, Student
"They do their job of preparing boys to be men; give them proper hashkafos and priorities with Torah being the backbone of their essence."
Avi Koplowitz, Passaic, Parent
Meet our Rebbeim
Rabbi Chaim Pechter
menahel
Rabbi Yaakov Tesser
Executive Director
Rabbi Esriel Dreyfuss
Rosh Kollel, Kollel Nefesh Chaya
Rabbi Ephraim Neumann
Rebbe, Ninth Grade
Rabbi Zvi Pelberg
Rebbe, Tenth Grade
Rabbi Yaakov Pechter
Rebbe, Eleventh Grade
Rabbi Ephraim Sussman
Rebbe, Twelfth Grade
Rabbi Naftoli Tescher
Sgan Menahel
Rabbi Ely Karp
Second Seder Rebbe, Twelfth Grade
Rabbi Leib Rottenberg
Second Seder Rebbe, Twelfth Grade
Rabbi Zechariah Noble
Mashgiach Ruchni
Rabbi Shimon Saslow
Night Seder Rebbe
Rabbi Ari Leizer
Night Seder Rebbe
Rabbi Mendy Pechter
Night Seder Rebbe
Rabbi Aaron Muehlgay
Menahel, Secular Studies
