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Yeshiva Ohr Yehuda of Lakewood, NJ, is led by Rav Zvi Bender, a scion of a family that has been at the forefront of chinuch in America for over sixty years. The establishment of the yeshiva came in response to numerous requests from young Lakewood parents who sought a mosad that would combine unwavering adherence to the mesorah with professionalism in all aspects of their children’s chinuch.
Yeshiva Ohr Yehuda is fittingly named for Rav Zvi’s grandfather, Rav Yehuda Elchonon Diskind zt”l, who was a beloved rebbi for over forty years. Rav Diskind’s talmidim – from the Yeshiva of Eastern Parkway as well as the Mirrer Yeshiva – vividly recall his sweet persona, his hasmadah, and his incredible devotion to their hatzlachah. Decades after leaving his classroom, the mere mention of his name conjures up memories of everything from his trademark Rosh Chodesh treats to the great strides that they made during their year under his tutelage. Many maintained a lifelong kesher with him.
Rav Zvi, a son of the legendary Rav Yaakov Bender, rosh hayeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, New York, outlined the yeshiva’s mission to be in consonance with his father’s mehalech of putting the individual needs of each child at the forefront, doing the very best to bring out each one’s potential. The yeshiva is zocheh to have Rav Yaakov serve as its yoshev rosh.
The yeshiva was established in 2011 with one primary class of 14 students and has since grown into a home away from home for over 200 talmidim. In a city that is filled with outstanding institutions, this mosad hachinuch stands out for infusing the students with a stellar chinuch while catering to the individual needs of each and every child.
“We are living in an era of exponential growth of Klal Yisroel,” Rav Zvi Bender says. “However, with growth come challenges. We must never lose focus of each and every yochid.”
No one puts this credo into practice better than Yeshiva Ohr Yehuda.
Rav Zvi has established exceedingly high standards for the academics at Ohr Yehuda, both in limudei kodesh and limudei chol, and has assembled a staff of handpicked mechanchim, each of whom is a star educator with the ability and sensitivity to bring out the best in every talmid.
The yeshiva recently announced the appointment of another outstanding mechanech, Rabbi Gedaliah Weinreb, to serve as s’gan menahel under Rav Bender and first grade rebbi for a new parallel class this coming year. Rabbi Weinreb joins Ohr Yehuda with a wealth of experience, having taught at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, where he is beloved for his chinuch expertise, his love of every child, and his tangible joy and positivity. Rabbi Weinreb is a valuable addition to a staff already filled with talented mechanchim.
The growth of Ohr Yehuda has been carefully monitored by Rabbi Bender, who ensures that expansion is not undertaken at the expense of the yeshiva’s talmidim. This is one of the secrets of Ohr Yehuda’s success, as the mosad has been able to develop and grow without losing the “family feel” that makes it a one-of-a-kind mosad. With this value as its blueprint, the yeshiva is imbuing the next dor with ahavas haTorah, yiras Shomayim, and middos tovos.
The yeshiva’s upcoming annual dinner, to be held at N’eemas Hachaim Hall on Sunday, February 18, will celebrate Ohr Yehuda’s achievements and pay tribute to a special group of honorees.
Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzchok Hisiger will receive the Parents of the Year Award. The Hisigers exemplify the ruach of the mosad and have been so supportive of and dedicated to Ohr Yehuda.
Rabbi and Mrs. Eli Bohm will receive the Harbotzas Torah Award. The derech in which they have raised their wonderful family is evident in their children, and the Bohms serve as sterling examples to all who know them.
Mr. and Mrs. Dovid Murik will receive the Keser Shem Tov Award. The Muriks are noted baalei chesed who extend their kindness and positivity to one and all.
To take part in the dinner and/or to place in ad in the journal, please CLICK HERE.
