Ohr Somayach (also Or Samayach or Ohr Somayach International) is a

yeshiva A yeshiva (; ; pl. , or ) is a traditional Jewish educational institution focused on the study of Rabbinic literature, primarily the Talmud and halacha (Jewish law), while Torah and Jewish philosophy are studied in parallel. The stu ...

based in

Jerusalem Jerusalem is a city in the Southern Levant, on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest cities in the world, and ...

founded in 1970 catering mostly to young

Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...

men, usually of college age, who are already interested in learning about Judaism. It is known as a " baal teshuva" yeshiva since it caters to Jews with little or no background in Judaism, but with an interest in studying the classic texts such as the

Talmud The Talmud (; ) is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law (''halakha'') and Jewish theology. Until the advent of Haskalah#Effects, modernity, in nearly all Jewish communities, the Talmud was the cen ...

and responsa. Students are recruited either locally or from other countries where the yeshiva has established branches, such as in the

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and

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History

In 1970, Rabbis Noah Weinberg, Mendel Weinbach, Nota Schiller, and Yaakov Rosenberg, founded Shema Yisrael Yeshiva to attract young Jewish men with little or no background in Jewish studies. The founders of the Yeshiva eventually parted ways due to differences in philosophy of teaching with Rabbi Weinberg founding Aish HaTorah in 1974 and Rabbi Rosenberg founding Machon Shlomo in 1982. In 1973, Shema Yisrael changed its name to Ohr Somayach, the title of a commentary on the Mishneh Torah written by Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk.

Notable faculty

*Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz, rav of the kehila *Rabbi Shlomo Wiener,

rosh yeshiva Rosh yeshiva or Rosh Hayeshiva (, plural, pl. , '; Anglicized pl. ''rosh yeshivas'') is the title given to the dean of a yeshiva, a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and th ...

*Rabbi Nota Schiller, former rosh yeshiva (deceased) *Rabbi Mendel Weinbach, former rosh yeshiva (deceased) *Rabbi Aharon Feldman, rosh yeshiva of Ner Yisrael *Rabbi Nachman Bulman,

mashgiach ruchani A mashgiach ruchani (; pl., ''mashgichim ruchani'im''), sometimes mashgiach for short, is a spiritual supervisor or guide. They are usually a rabbi who has an official position within a yeshiva and is responsible for the non-academic areas of yesh ...

*Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, a former professor of analytical philosophy at

Johns Hopkins University The Johns Hopkins University (often abbreviated as Johns Hopkins, Hopkins, or JHU) is a private university, private research university in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1876 based on the European research institution model, J ...

*Rabbi

Dovid Kaplan Dovid Kaplan () is an Orthodox Judaism, Orthodox Jewish rabbi, Orthodox Jewish outreach, kiruv educator, author, and speaker. He is known for his inspirational and humorous storytelling both in his international speaking engagements and in his ''I ...

, author of ''The Kiruv Files'' and the ''Impact!'' series

Notable alumni

* Moses Michael Levi Barrow (born Jamal Michael Barrow; 1978), better known by his stage name Shyne, Belizean rapper and politician *Rabbi Natan Gamedze *Rabbi Issamar Ginzberg, Graduate of Ohr LaGola: Smicha program * Jonathan Rosenblum, Haredi author and spokesperson *Rabbi Natan Slifkin * Amar'e Stoudemire, basketball player/coach *Rabbi Asher Wade *Dr. Henry Abramson, historian * Joseph J. Sherman, marketing strategist and artist

Programs

*J.L.E. - Jewish Learning Exchange - Summer program includes tours of Israel and lectures *The Shoresh Program: Introduction to

and Jewish thought *Renewal Program: Religious Students Ages 20-30 who need more inspiration. *The Intermediate and Mechina Program: Beginner to Intermediate Talmud learning *The Beis Midrash Program: Advanced learning *Derech: One- or two-year post-high-school program *The Center Program: Intensive learning for college graduates (one- or two-year program) *Ohr LaGolah: Semikhah (ordination) program *Chai Israel: A gap year program consisting of classes, internships, trips, volunteer work and experiences designed to emphasize Israeli culture. Rabbi Dani Zwick is the current program director. *Pisga:One- or two-year post-high-school program for South Africans and Australians.

References

External links

Ohr Somayach home page
{{Authority control Ohr Somayach Orthodox yeshivas in Jerusalem Baalei teshuva institutions