The rebbeim at Yeshiva Ohavei Torah deliver the shiur in a manner that it talks directly to every talmid in the class. Observing the rebbeim in action, either during delivery of the shiur or the animated one-on-one discussions with talmidim during the evening Chazorah seder, gives one a sense of open-ended commitment of the rebbeim toward their talmidim.

Beyond just the progress in learning achieved by the talmidim through their rebbe’s hands-on involvement, the nature of the rebbe’s commitment is in itself a profound lesson in Chashivus Hatorah, and is a powerful motivator that drives them to achieve.

This relationship is strategically nurtured throughout the year with creative venues for hashpa’ah and connection beyond the confines of the classroom. Several weeks into the Winter Zman, a special Shabbos is designated for the classes to each spend a Shabbos together with their rebbe. The Yeshiva Shabbos in the mountains, the Melave Malkas, and even the year-end three-day trip, are all accompanied by the rebbeim, who are active participants in the fun and camaraderie of the experience.

Administration

pechter
Rabbi Chaim Pechter
menahel
The Menahel, Rabbi Pechter is an alumnus of the Mirrer Yeshiva Central Institute, Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, Yeshivas Brisk Yerushalayim and Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. Before assuming his position as Menahel in 2004, Rabbi Pechter served as a rebbe for 16 years at Yeshiva Tiferes Torah of Staten Island.
What are the parameters of a Yeshiva’s obligation to its talmidim? At YOT, we believe there are none. The fundamental precept that there must be no limit knows to what a Yeshiva would do for a talmid goes hand-in-hand with our core principle that there is no limit to what a talmid can accomplish with proper nurturing and positioning. We are prepared to turn over the world to provide a talmid with whatever he needs to succeed.For a bochur, the combination of having a clear recognition of his strengths and being afforded whatever it takes to succeed is tremendously liberating. By the same token, it obligates him to the utmost degree, demanding performance and a level of excellence that is on par with his abilities.”
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tescher
Rabbi Naftoli Tescher
Sgan Menahel
The Sgan Menahel, Rabbi Tescher is an alumnus of Yeshiva and Mesivta Torah Temimah, Yeshivas Kamenitz and Yeshivas Brisk Yerushalayim. Rabbi Tescher joined the Ohavei faculty in 2009. As S'gan Menahel, Rabbi Tescher's title encompasses many facets. Perhaps, the common denominator is his readiness to do anything and everything for the boys. This ranges from providing a listening ear for a heart-to-heart shmooze, to helping prepare for an upcoming farher, to cheering on the boys at the annual ski trip, and everything in between.This open-ended, selfless commitment endears him to the bochurim. They see him not only as being on their team but rather as their biggest fan, who often believes in them more than they do. Rabbi Tescher serves as the Shaul Umayshiv for the 12th grade preparing them for a Bais Medrash level shiur. He is also hands-on as a late night Rebbe on various sugyas.
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tesser
Rabbi Yaakov Tesser
Executive Director
A young, dynamic natural people's person, Rabbi Tesser brings to his position as Executive Director a well-rounded business and leadership skill set developed over his former career as a Director of Purchasing and Business Development. When not engaged in his Yeshiva duties, Rabbi Tesser serves as Rabbi at Young Israel of Aberdeen, New Jersey.
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handelman
Mrs. Judy Handelman
administrator
A fixture at the Yeshiva practically since its inception, Mrs. Handelman’s title of Administrator falls short of doing justice to her myriad roles in Yeshiva. In the most heartfelt words about Mrs. Handelman, expressed by the YOT graduates each year at graduation, they each offer their own perspective, reflecting on yet another facet of Mrs. Handelman’s dedication. From her genuine care and concern, to her uncanny ability to notice when a bochur is down, to dispensing gentle chizuk and advice with the binah yeseirah that only a mother possesses, and of course, her doting over their achievements. All this comes on top of Mrs. Handelman’s regular obligations, presiding over the Yeshiva’s administrative operations, fundraising projects and events, and serving as a protective gatekeeper for Rabbi Pechter.
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Rebbeim

kaufman
Rabbi Dovid Kaufman
Rebbe, Ninth Grade
Menahel, Secular Studies
Rabbi Kaufman is an alumnus of the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland, Yeshiva Bais Binyomin of Stamford and Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. Before assuming his position as Rebbe in 2005, Rabbi Kaufman served as a rebbe for 7 years at Mesivta of Long Beach.
As the ninth grade rebbe my role begins with welcoming the boys into the Yeshiva, acclimating them to the culture and the rigors of Yeshiva Ohavei Torah. I continue to guide them along the first steps of their development setting the goals that that we look forward to them achieving here at the Yeshiva."
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pelberg
Rabbi Zvi Pelberg
Rebbe, Tenth Grade
Rabbi Pelberg is an alumnus of Yeshiva Ner Israel Rabbinical College of Baltimore where he earned semicha. He has served as a rebbe at Ohavei since 2000.
The goal for the tenth grade in our Yeshiva is to develop a deep bond between the rebbe and the talmidim. This bond serves as the vehicle to inspire them to become true bnei Torah and Ovdei Hashem. Teaching them skills to be proficient in Gemara and giving them a geshmak for learning is the best method to instill Tefilah transforms them into becoming Yirei Shomayim."
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goldfeder
Rabbi Yehuda Goldfeder
Rebbe, Eleventh Grade
Rabbi Goldfeder is an alumnus of Yeshiva Ner Israel Rabbinical College of Baltimore, Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, Yeshivas Ohr Samayach Yerushalayim and Kollel Halichos of Yerushalayim. In addition to earning his semicha from Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, Rabbi Goldfeder holds a Teachers Training Degree from Torah Umesorah. He joined the staff in 2001.
The curriculum is certainly challenging and the expectations are high. While we make it clear to the talmidim exactly what we expect from them, we also make it clear that we have full confidence in their ability to get there. The talmid knows full well that the hanhala stands behind him every step of the way, and that we are ready to provide him with whatever it is he needs to achieve."
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shulman
Rabbi Binyomin Shulman
Rebbe, Twelfth Grade
Rabbi Shulman is an alumnus of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, Yeshivas Brisk Yerushalayim and Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. Before joining Ohavei in 2011, Rabbi Shulman served as the twelfth grade rebbe at Ohr Simcha of Engelwood.
The objective is for every boy in the class to absorb the shiur, to internalize it, and to shteig from it. If there's a bochur in the class who did not connect to the shiur then my job is not considered done."
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karp
Rabbi Ely Karp
Second Seder Rebbe, Twelfth Grade
Rabbi Karp is an alumnus of Yeshiva Bais Moshe of Scranton, Yeshiva Rabbi Jacob Joseph School of Edison, Yeshiva Gedolah of Paterson and Yeshivas Brisk, Yerushalayim. He joined Kollel in 2004 and became second seder Rebbe in 2011.
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rottenberg
Rabbi Leib Rottenberg
Second Seder Rebbe, Twelfth Grade
Rabbi Rottenberg is an alumnus of Yeshiva and Mesivta Torah Temimah of Brooklyn,Yeshivas Brisk, Yerushalayim and Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood. He assumed his position at Ohavei in 2011. Rabbi Rottenberg is also a bekius Rebbe.
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neumann
Rabbi Ephraim Neumann
Bekius Rebbe, Tenth & Eleventh Grade
Director of Special Affairs
Rabbi Neumann is an alumnus of and Yeshivas Mir, Yeshivas Brisk and Yeshivas Volozhin, all in Yerushalayim as well as Yeshiva Sharei Torah- Manchester, England. He first joined the staff at Ohavei in 2008.In his role as Director of Special Affairs, Rabbi Neumann can be likened to that of a personal trainer. His steady innovation of fresh ideas and strategies drive the bochurim to new levels of shteiging.Retzifus Learning, Shiur Soundbites and other extracurricular learning programs help the bochurim develop their inherent geshmak in the joy and thrill of limud haTorah. Rabbi Neumann is also a bekius Rebbe.
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zeilingold
Rabbi Moshe Zeilingold
Mashgiach Ruchni
Rabbi Zeilingold is an alumnus of Yeshiva and Mesivta Torah Temimah of Brooklyn, Yeshiva of Gateshead, England Yeshivas Mir, Yerushalayim and Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood. He assumed his position at Ohavei in 2008. Rabbi Zelingold is also a bekius Rebbe.
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noble
Rabbi Zechariah Noble
Rebbe of Special Studies
Rabbi Noble is an alumnus of Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, Bais Medrash L'Torah of Monsey, and Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim.
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geldwerth
Rabbi Yaakov Geldwerth
Night Seder Rebbe
Rabbi Geldwerth is an alumnus of Yeshiva Toras Chaim of Lakewood, Yeshivas Brisk Yerushalayim and Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood. He assumed his position at Ohavei in 2014. Rabbi Geldwerth's creative hands-on learning style provides unique opportunities for the boys to experience the joy of broad Yedios Hatorah whetting their appetites to become true talmidei chachamim. From his lively, hands-on Pre-Yom Tov chaburos to offsite learning initiatives on the boys own time, the talmidim naturally gravitate to Rabbi Geldwerth's endearing personality. His effusive geshmak in a sugya radiates the fulfilment that comes from mastering a sugya.
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saslow
Rabbi Shimon Saslow
Night Seder Rebbe
Rabbi Saslow is an alumnus of Yeshiva and Mesivta Torah Temimah of Brooklyn, Yeshivas Brisk Yerushalayim and Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood. He joined Ohavei in 2001.
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saslow
Rabbi Yaakov Pechter
Night Seder Rebbe
The son of our distinguished Menahel, Rabbi Yaakov Pechter is an alumnus of the Philadelphia Yeshiva, Yeshivas Brisk Yerushalayim and Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood. A recent addition to our Night Seder staff, Rabbi Pechter brings with him a healthy dose of energy and enthusiasm, along with an innate ability to identify the strengths of each talmid. His remarkable rapport with talmidim is the key to his success in providing the support, guidance and direction they each need to achieve their maximum potential.
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dreyfuss
Rabbi Esriel Dreyfuss
Rosh Kollel, Kollel Nefesh Chaya
Rabbi Dreyfuss is an alumnus of Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, Yeshivas Brisk Yerushalayim and Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood. He joined Ohavei in 2001.Before assuming his position as Rosh Kollel in 2006, Rabbi Dreyfuss served as a Rosh Kollel at "The Alumni" of BMG in Lakewood.
The integration a high-caliber Kollel of accomplished yungeleit lends a vibrancy and vivacious energy to the learning and to the entire atmosphere in the Bais Medrash. The yungeleit interact with the bochurim and are available for guidance in learning or in discussing a personal matter. But, the ultimate benefit of the Kollel is the intangible and unquantifiable – the hashpa'ah by 'osmosis.' The up-close exposure and interaction with down-to-earth, avreichim, whose achievements and zest for learning are such a natural part of their geshmak, has a life altering impact on the impressionable bochurim."
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Reb Chaim understands a bochur and has the ability to identify his strengths. Over the years he has proven his expertise in nurturing the individual strengths of each talmid to his utmost potential.”
Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky
Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva of Philadelphia