• Guide to Israel Schools

  • Lev Hatorah—S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program

  • Goal of the Program

    Yeshivat Lev HaTorah aims to nurture the development of well rounded Bnei Torah instilled with a commitment to making an impact on the Jewish people.

    Hashkafa

    Goal of Program
    Yeshivat Lev HaTorah aims to nurture the development of well rounded Bnei Torah instilled with a commitment to making an impact on the Jewish people.

    Attitude towards Israel and Medinat Yisrael
    Lev HaTorah is a Religious Zionist institution. We view the establishment of the State of Israel as the greatest event in modern Jewish history. Our Torat Eretz Yisrael program of tiyulim, shiurim and discussions exposes the talmidim to traditional subjects as well as the complexities of the modern Jewish state.

    Attitude towards University Studies
    We view university study as an essential component for a Ben Torah in the modern world. We strongly encourage our talmidim to pursue their academic studies in an environment that they can continue to grow spiritually.

    Attitude towards Extracurricular Activities
    Lev HaTorah has an extensive extra-curricular program. A number of hours each week are dedicated to chessed projects within the Ramat Beit Shemesh. Students build sukkot for widows, run food-drives, and serve as big-brothers to disadvantaged youth and companions to senior citizens. Students attend weekly chugim hosted by community members and faculty members. We offer workshops in Jewish music, meditation and public speaking. Musically talented students are encouraged to 'jam Jewishly' in our fully equipped music room. In addition, the weekly schedule is designed to enable participation in sporting activities.

    Preparation for Post Israel
    Yeshivat Lev HaTorah provides students with seminars and discussion groups focused on preparation for leaving the yeshiva. As future representatives of Torah on college campuses, our students are prepared with leadership training programs. Once students have left yeshiva, we have an extensive follow up program, including a weekly Machshavot HaLev email to all alumni, frequent personal e-mails and phone calls from Rebbeim to individual alumni, on-line shiurim at www.levhatorah.org, shabbatonim and a winter break learning program for alumni.

    The "Successful" Student
    The successful alumnus of Lev HaTorah is helping Klal Yisrael wherever and whenever he can. He continues to grow in Torah and is a positive influence on his family, friends and community.

    Dress
    Our light dress code requests that students wear regular pants (no jeans or sweatpants) and collared shirts.

    Guidance Personnel
    All of the yeshiva's full-time staff, and the majority of its' part-time staff, live within walking distance of the yeshiva. This means that the Rebbeim often daven Shacharit at the yeshiva, as well as joining the yeshiva minyan for Shabbat and Yom Tovim. The close proximity between the yeshiva and the homes of the Rebbeim helps us forge a warm, family atmosphere. Rebbeim spend more time in the yeshiva, and talmidim have the opportunity to interact with the Rebbeim at their own homes and with their families. All members of the staff are available for quality "shmooze" time with students. Our teachers focus on getting to know our talmidim and guiding their growth according to their unique needs and interests.

    Supervision
    Our talented madrichim provide friendly supervision of dorm life. In general, the yeshiva emphasizes trust and responsibility on the part of the students. Our zero-tolerance policy regarding drinking, smoking and drugs is enforced in order to ensure the health and safety of our students and a productive environment for the yeshiva as a whole.

    Security arrangements The yeshiva maintains contact with the local police and we receive updates regarding the security situation. Travel limitations may be implemented if deemed necessary. We respect the limitations that parents place upon their children.  A fingerprint-access system has been installed in the yeshiva building, which limits access only to authorized yeshiva staff and students.

    Curriculum
    Makeup
    40% of the day is dedicated to Gemara. Learning levels range from basic to intermediate-advanced. Emphasis is placed on building textual and conceptual skills in both Gemara and other essential realms such as Tanach, Halacha and Jewish Philosophy.

    Courses Offered

    Our daily shiurim in Machshava focuses on deep analysis of the most important issues in Jewish thought, including free will, belief in God, ta'amei hamitzvot, and Zionism. Emphasis is placed on developing sophisticated understanding through exploration of a broad array of thinkers, including Midrash, Rambam, Ramban, and Rav Yehuda HaLevy among the classic works, and Tanya, Likutei Moharan, Rav Kook and Rav Soloveichik among more recent sources. A strong Zionistic identity must be based in an honest and thorough understanding of recent Jewish history, which we provide in our weekly Modern Jewish History and Torat Eretz Yisrael class. 
    Our new Halacha curriculum is designed to cover the basic Halachot of Brachot, Tefilla, Shabbat, Kashrut, and Chagim, primarily utilizing the classic Mishna Berura, but also incorporating the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch and Rav Melamed's Pninei Halacha.
    Our Tanach curriculum empowers the student to approach the study of Tanach from a variety of viewpoints, all of which are based on a close reading of the text. At the same time, we are interested in drawing inspiration and internalizing the eternal lessons gleaned from the text.


    Daily Schedule
    No information provided

    Language of Instruction
    Most of our shiurim are given in English.

    Ulpan or Hebrew Class
    Learning the Hebrew language is an important ideal for our students. We require all students to attend a professionally-run Ulpan at the beginning of the year. After Sukkot, we provide Ulpan as a twice-weekly option for all interested students.

    Assessment and Grading
    Achievements are not measured by formal tests or grades rather by personal growth. However, optional tests for self evaluation are encouraged.

    Shana Bet
    There is a formal Shana Bet program. We project that 30% will stay a second year. Shana Bet is highly encouraged.

    Joint Program
    Lev HaTorah is a member of YU's Israel program.
    Staff
    Rav Boaz Mori is the Rosh HaYeshiva.

    Rav Benjy Kwalwasser is the posek and Mashgiach Ruchani of the yeshiva.

    Rabbanim include:

    Rav Michael Cytrin
    Rav Natanel Lebowitz
    Rav Yakov Vidomlanski
    Rav Asher Friedman
    Rav Mordechai Kaplan
    Rav Mordechai Machlis
    Rav Yisrael Herczeg
    Rav Uri Etigson
    Rav Yehoshua Fass
    Rav Shamai Warman
    Rav Yehoshua Paltiel
    Rav Eyal Gottlieb
    Rav Naftali Derovan
    Rav Natan Slifkin
    Rav Dudi Winkler
    Rav Micky Siev
    Nachman Rosenberg
    Dr. David Kallus
    Extra-Curricular Activities
    Interaction with Israelis
    We encourage interaction with Israelis on a number of fronts. We have run joint shabbatonim and programs with the Yeshivat Hesder Petach Tikva and the Yeshivat Hesder Ohr Etzion to encourage our students to get to know religious, idealistic Israeli peers. A series of shiurim on Israeli politics are given to keep students informed. We generally do not encourage student involvement in political rallies.

    Special Informal programs
    Guest speakers expose students to a broad array of personalities and perspectives in the Torah world. Chagigot on Rosh Chodesh, Mo’adim, and occasional musical performances spark our students’ ruchniut.

    Sports Facilities
    The yeshiva is conveniently located near two large public parks, an impressive outdoor basketball facility and a new indoor gym that we rent on Tuesday nights for the talmidim. In addition, we have our own weight room located in one of the apartments.

    Programming for Shabbat and Yom Tov
    Twice a month, the entire yeshiva spends Shabbat together, once in the yeshiva campus, and once “away” in various locales in Israel including Tzfat, Yeshivot Hesder, Hispin (the Golan), Bnei Brak and the Old City of Yerushalayim. Special programming is offered throughout the Bein HaZmanim, including tiyulim and shiurim. Rebbeim in the neighborhood and “friends of the yeshiva” throughout the country open their homes to our students year-round, and especially during yamim tovim.

    Field Trips
    At Lev HaTorah, we view Eretz Yisrael as a living Beit Midrash. Our Torat Eretz Yisrael program instills a love and understanding of Eretz Yisrael.Our twice-monthly tiyulim are a central part of the yeshiva experience. We focus on developing a deep understanding of Tanach, Torah She-B’al Peh, and Jewish History through a first-hand encounter with the terrain and archaeological finds of Eretz Yisrael. Each tiyul is preceded by an introductory shiur to the sites we visit. During our extended three-day tiyulim we concentrate on a more comprehensive understanding of the regions in Israel.
    Eligibility
    Level of Learning Offered
    Intermediate, with options for beginner or advanced levels available

    Hebrew Knowledge Required
    Beginner / Intermediate

    Religious Observance Required
    Full commitment required.
    Population
    Type of American Student
    Lev HaTorah is looking to attract English speaking students from all over the world. About 60% of our students come from “out of town” i.e. outside of the Metropolitan NY area, with the remaining 40% coming from the NY/NJ area. We have graduates from all of the major yeshiva high schools and “community” Jewish high schools. The blend of personalities from different places and backgrounds greatly enhances the program.

    Overall Number of Students (Kollel, Israeli, Foreign)
    81

    Foreign Student Percentage
    No information provided

    Number of 1st Year American Students
    For the 09-10 year, we have 61 Shana Aleph students.

    Number of 2nd Year American Students
    For the 09-10 year, we have 17 Shana Bet students.

    Other Nationalities
    No information provided

    Number of Students per Class
    Lev HaTorah boasts a 1:3 Rebbe:Talmid ratio. We have 5 Morning/Night Gemara shiurim, with an average of 10 students per class. Chaburot average 3-4 talmidim per shiur. An effort is made to provide each student with one chevruta with a Rebbe.
    Accommodations
    Living Quarters
    Students live on the yeshiva campus in our brand new, 4-floor building. The Beit Midrash is on the ground floor; cheder ochel and classrooms are on the 2nd floor, and the student apartments are on the 3rd and 4th floors. Students live in comfortably furnished apartments. Each apartment contains 3 bedrooms with 3-4 students per each large bedroom, a common kitchen, and several bathrooms. There are washer/dryer facilities that are shared by every two apartments. The building contains eight of these apartments. Guests are welcome. The yeshiva has a computer room equipped with internet and email access. Students are expected to use the computer room for appropriate purposes, including sending/receiving emails, checking current events and sports updates. Students have daily access to the computer during their free time, and are limited to 15 minute slots if other students are waiting. Students are not allowed to bring private laptop computers.

    Availability of Private Kitchen Facilities
    Each apartment is equipped with a large refrigerator for student use.

    Facility use during Shabbat and Yom Tov
    The yeshiva is open throughout the year including the long breaks of Bein HaZmanim. Meals are provided every Shabbat.

    Curfew
    The yeshiva emphasizes trust and responsibility on the part of the students. However, a 12:30AM curfew is in place for security and educational reasons. The curfew is extended to 1:00 am on Motzei Shabbat. On “out” Shabbatot, students are required to inform the yeshiva of where they will be going.

    Security Arrangements
    The yeshiva maintains contact with the local police and we receive updates regarding the security situation. Travel limitations may be implemented if deemed necessary. We respect the limitations that parents place upon their children.
    History
    Yeshivat Lev HaTorah, an innovative yeshiva located in the heart of Ramat Beit Shemesh, was founded in 2002 to provide the motivated student with a complete learning experience. Its establishment was inspired by the need for a yeshiva that focuses on building a foundation in all of the realms of Torah while integrating a love for Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael.
    Accrediting Universities
    Lev HaTorah is a Yeshiva University S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program School. Lev Hatorah expects to receive accreditation from Touro and Landers.
    Tuition
    Tuition for the year 2012-2013 year is $23,000 and includes registration fee, dormitory (comfortable apartments) open throughout the year, three meals a day (cook on premises) and tiyulim every other week, e-mail, laundry and recreational services.
    Additional Information
    www.levhatorah.org contains pictures of the yeshiva's campus, activities and talmidim, as well as up-to-date information on yeshiva happenings. It also contains a wide variety of shuirim that can be downloaded.

    Lev HaTorah recruits well mannered, motivated students searching to grow in Torah, Yirat Shamayim and a love for Eretz Yisrael. Our program is suited for students who desire a close Rebbe-Talmid relationship and a warm family atmosphere. The varied schedule is attractive to students interested in exposure to the many facets of Torah.

    At Lev HaTorah we also care about the little things. An afternoon snack. Fresh fruit. Yeshiva sweatshirts. A smile. Warm family environment. Young Rebbeim.
    Contact Information

    Lev HaTorah
    U.S. Office
    Mrs. Beth White
    65 Argyll Avenue
    New Rochelle, N.Y. 10804

    Israel Office  
    Rav Boaz Mori / Rav Michael Cytrin
    Nachal Ein Gedi 37
    Ramat Bet Shemesh Aleph 99000
    Phone: (02) 992-2617
    Fax: (02) 999-4640
    Email: office@levhatorah.org
    www.levhatorah.org 

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