Rav Moshe Taragin Scholar in Residence
at Congregation Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, NJ
HAR ETZION WELCOMES MTA!
What opportunities are there for special-needs high school graduates who also want to have a year in Israel - and a fulfilling life after that?
Rav Kahn was Scholar in Residence Shabbat Parshat Yitro in Brookline, giving shiurim Friday night, Shabbat morning and seuda shlishit, as well as Sunday morning in Newton. For details.
The community was also invited to a melave malka and shiur in memory of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l - "The Torah wasn't Given to Heavenly Angels," motzaei Shabbat, February 11th at the home of Raphi '93 and Yonit Schorr - Thank you Raphi and Yonit for your hospitality!
Revisiting Gush Katif
In September 2005 - a month after 8,600 residents of Gush Katif were evicted - talmidim of Yeshivat Har Etzion and their ramim volunteered to rebuild Gush Katif Greenhouses. Now, six years later, enjoy seeing the fruits of their labour. Tu Bishvat Sameach!
"In all thy ways, acknowledge Him" (Mishlei 3:6)
Har Etzion alumni Dr. Yisrael Strous '98 Kollel and Rabbi Dr. Ari Zivotofsky '80 have apparently disproved the claim that the process of stunning animals before slaughter is humane and minimizes their suffering. "Introducing stunning, as we know from the experience in psychiatry on humans, defeats the objective of more humane slaughter,” they wrote. The “stunning bill” which was already passed in the lower house in the Netherlands, was delayed in the upper house due to much lobbying – including academic input, such as the Strous-Zivotofsky research. Read more.
February 2012Here is his planned schedule: Tuesday, February 7 – SAR; Wednesday, February 8 – Yeshivah of Flatbush; Thursday, February 9 – Frisch; Shabbat in Boston; Monday, February 13 – Fuch Mizrachi School Cleveland; Tuesday, February 14 - Ramaz. Contact Rav Kahn by email or phone 216-702-7922.
Thursday January 19th, 24 Tevet
Har Etzion was honored to host President of Yeshiva University Richard Joel here at yeshiva. Following shacharit, President Joel joined our overseas students for a festive breakfast, and from there continued on to visit the Midrasha students at Migdal Oz.
To see pictures of the visit
MAJESTY AND HUMILITY - The Thought of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, by Reuven Ziegler.
Rav Ziegler '86 will be speaking about his new book at the YU Seforim Sale, as well as in Boston and Ra'anana. Read more.
January 2012and Menahel HaRuchani Daniel Rhein
Sunday Morning Shiur and Breakfast
with Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein
"Leadership in Times of Crisis:
Moshe Rabbeinu in Egypt"
Sunday Jan 8, 2012 at Fifth Avenue Synagogue, NYC
For more information
and Rav Daniel Rhein
"Memories of Moreinu Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l"
Sunday, January 8th, at 7:30pm
at the home of Ron and Cheryl Nagel 9444 Oakmere Road, Los Angeles, CA
and
Wednesday, January 11th, at 7:30pm
at the home of Nathan and Michele Herrmann 123 Gailcrest Circle, Thornhill, Ontario
We hope to see you there!!
Shabbat Parshat Vayechi (Jan 7, 2012)
at Congregation Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, NJ
Rav Rhein can be reached at 201-289-3682
on the topic of:
“Leadership and Vision”
took place at the yeshiva on Wednesday and Thursday, December 21-22, 2011, (25-26 Kislev) between 8:45 -16:00. Click to see the schedule.
Recordings have been uploaded to our hebrew audio website. Enjoy!
Harav Aharon Lichtenstein
with Rav Chaim Sabato
On Monday evening, January 2, at 8 PM, Yediot Sefarim in cooperation with The Jerusalem Great Synagogue, is sponsoring a program - in Hebrew – with Harav Aharon and Rav Sabato. Israel's Justice Minister, the Hon. Yaakov Neeman will give words of greeting. The program is in celebration of their recently published book Mevakshay Panecha. Call to reserve a spot...
Yishar Koach to our MTA Alumni
These are some of the MTA alumni (Midreshet Torah veAvodah) who are madrichim at Bnei Akiva Machane on Mossel Bay, Dec 2011. Alu VeHatzlichu!!
Back row L to R: Josh Gordon, Netanel Block, Jonty Tuchten, Danny Mirvis, Neal Daskal, Oren Katzeff, David Gordon, Matthew Tucker. Middle row L to R: Asher Marcus, Kevin Levy, Daniel Lazarus, Michael Glass, Yehuda Rabinowitz, Daniel Winer. Front row L to R: Jonathan Sidney, Dovi Flax, Elan Milwid, Josh Victor, Dani Freidus. Click to enlarge picture.
Shabbaton with Rav Mordechai Friedman
Some forty alumni as well as the broader Columbia community spent Shabbat Parshat Vayeshev (Dec 16-17) with Rav Mordechai at Columbia University.
"Not only did we enjoy a fascinating shiur on Kindles and Shem Hashem… it was also a great opportunity to catch up with each other. Thank you so much."
Shiur with Esti Rozenberg and Dr. Tovah Lichtenstein
Mothers and Sons in Sefer Bereishit:
An Inter-generational Dialogue
Following the annual Migdal Oz shabbaton, held this year on Parshat Vayera in Teaneck, NJ, alumnae, parents and supporters of Migdal Oz enjoyed a discussion of parent-child relationships in Sefer Bereishit, at a Sunday brunch graciously hosted by Laurence and Daniela Schreiber. To listen to the shiur (introduced by Etzion Foundation's Development Associate Sharon Rifkind and Migdal Oz alumna Ilana Barta).
What's New in England
In London to speak with prospective talmidim, Shabbat Parshat Toldot found Rav Mordechai reconnecting with alumni at an Oneg Shabbat hosted by Har Etzion parents Jacob and Vered Schimmel, 6 Oakfield Road. A festive Shabbat lunch was enjoyed at Ner Yisrael.
For more information, email alumnus Ben Thwaites or Adam Gaventa.
Melave Malka for Gush Alumni with
Rosh HaYeshiva Harav Aharon Lichtenstein
Eli Weber, Director of Overseas Talmidim
Motzaei Shabbat November 12th at 8 PM
Cong. Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, NJ
Shiur by Harav Aharon Lichtenstein
"Minhag Yisrael: On the Nature and Scope of Custom in Jewish Law"
Congregation Netivot Shalom (811 Palisade Ave. Teaneck, NJ)
Sunday morning, November 13, 2011 at 8:45 AM
immediately following Shacharit services at 8:00 AM
For details, Rav Nati Helfgot '81
What's New In EnglandTuesday November 7th found Rav Yair Kahn lecturing on Faith and Morality, to the Orthodox Society at Cambridge, and later enjoying a guided tour of the Cairo Geniza. From Cambridge Rav Yair moves on to Manchester where he will address the Yavneh Boys and Girls, alumni and their parents. Back to London from Thursday through Shabbat, with shiurim at Immanuel College, Kinloss Kollel, Hasmonean Mishmar, Alei Zion, Ner Yisrael, and more. For the complete itineray and contact information
Varieties of Jewish Experience, by Rosh HaYeshiva Harav Aharon Lichtenstein
Torah MiEtzion New Readings in Tanach - Bereshit, by Yeshivat Har Etzion
In His Mercy, by Rav Ezra Bick
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION, including links to significant discounts!
Listen to an interview with Rav Reuven Ziegler on five recent Har Etzion volumes that should be on your bookshelf ! 
New Incoming Overseas talmidim have arrived... in spite of the hurricane! 
Sunday Sept.18th, 9:45am
Yom Iyun Jointly Sponsored by
Jewish Center - Kehilath Jeshurun - Yeshivat Har Etzion
Dedicated in Memory of Menachem ben Bezalel Stern z”l
Ve-taher Libeinu – “Purify Our Hearts”
The Teachings of Harav Amital zt”l on the Days of Awe
with Harav Baruch Gigi, Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein, Rav Menachem Leibtag
Location: The Jewish Center 131 W. 86 St. New York, NY 10024
Yeshivat Har Etzion - its rabbis, students,
alumni and friends, assembled at the yeshiva
on the 26th of Tammuz, Thursday July 28th, 5pm - 9pm,
for an Erev Limud veZikaron to honor his memory.
Recordings of the event
Aliya le-kever on Friday the 27th of Tammuz, at 11am.
Complete details of the Erev Limud
Interview with Harabanit Miriam Amital (hebrew)
Interview with Rav Shlomo Brin (hebrew)
Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l
Memorial Evening in South Africa
Thursday night, 28 July, The Beit Mordechai Campus Kollel and Friends of Gush SA hosted an evening of learning in memory of HaRav Yehuda Amital zt”l. The Kollel had the great privilege of having Rav Pini Cohen as their guest speaker for the evening. Rav Pini went on MTA in 1994 to Yeshivat Har Etzion and has been studying in the Yeshiva ever since. Rav Pini had the great Zechut of sitting next to HaRav Amital zt"l for more than 10 years and in that time, they developed a very special bond. Mincha: 5.15 Yhortzeit Program: 5.30 Maariv: 6.15. For more information
Tzetchem leShalom
Shiur Bet enjoyed a barbecue at the home of Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Mosheh and Dr. Michal Lichtenstein, on Wednesday 11 Tammuz, in anticipation of their upcoming induction into the army, at the end of July.
Yishmor Hashem tzetchem u-voachem mei-ata ve-ad olam.
From Vilna to Har Etzion
The Vilna Gaon Exhibition at Yeshivat Har Etzion Library - Revelations of Eliyahu in Torah and Redemption officially opened on the evening of the 18th of Sivan, 20.6.11. This exhibit was made possible through the generous loan of many special items from the private collection of Mr. Yeshayahu Vinograd of Yerushalayim, to whom we are very grateful. The opening event, including both a tour of the exhibit by Head Librarian and Curator Aharon Bejell, as well as an Erev Iyun with three special lecturers, was well attended, with over 120 participants from the Gush Etzion area and beyond. For the full story and links to recordings and video
What's Happening in South Africa
Rav Moshe Taragin had an inspiring Shabbat reconnecting with alumni at the Mizrachi Shul of Johannesburg, Shabbat Parshat Shelach, June 18th.
Rav Taragin was one of 9 international speakers attending Johannesburg's community project Sinai Indaba. On Sunday June 19th, he discussed Secularism, Palestinian State and Iran - Israel's Way Forward, together with Rabbi Lawrence Perez and Jonathan Rosenblum, as well as spoke alongside Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein on The Employer-Employee Relationship. Later in the day, Rav Taragin shared his insight - "Does Religion Stifle our Humanity?" "It was a big kiddush Hashem - 3000 people gathering to learn Torah! reports Rav Taragin.
What's Happening in USA
Rav Doniel Schreiber will be spending Shabbat Parashat Naso (June 4th) as the scholar-in-residence at Bais Medrash of Bergenfield. Har Etzion bogrim are invited; please let us know if you plan to attend.
Housing and meals can be arranged - RSVP with CTL's Program Coordinator Rabbi Yehoshua Lindenbaum by email to yehoshua3@yahoo.com or call 201-787-0521.
What's Happening in USA 2
Rav Moshe Taragin will be spending Shabbat Parashat Naso (June 4th) as the scholar-in-residence at Congregation Beth Aaron in Teaneck, NJ. Rabbi Taragin will be speaking three times over Shabbat, at an oneg 9:15 Friday night by the Rothwachs home, on the topic of "Singing Torah's Beauty While Bearing Its Weight", at 7:00 p.m. on "The Power and Perils of Chumra" and between mincha and maariv, approximately 8:20 p.m. on "Moving Talmud Torah Forward Into The Future." Looking forward to seeing you.
In Salute to the Volunteers of Machal
Yeshivat Har Etzion joins Toldot Yisrael (http://www.toldotyisrael.org) in presenting the stories of volunteers from around the world who came in 1948 to help build and defend the State of Israel. "The people of Israel and the State of Israel will never forget, and will always cherish, this unique contribution made by you -- the volunteers of Machal." - Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, 1993
Aryeh Halivni '93 (Eric Weisberg) is the Executive Director of Toldot Yisrael, dedicated to recording and sharing the firsthand testimonies of the men and women who helped found the State of Israel. The movie featured here is the third episode in the "Eyewitness 1948" short film series produced by Toldot Yisrael and the History Channel. Take a moment, it is well worth it!
Talmidei HaYeshiva in Poland
30 talmidim traveled on a Shorashim Masa to Poland, together with Rav Beni Kalmanson, Rav Shalom Berger, Rav Shlomo Brin and Rav Yair Kahn. The 10 day journey included exploring Jewish life in Poland before the war, meetings with some extraordinary people and dialoguing with the current Polish Jewish community. Read more.
Hearing the Cry
Smile! A group of Har Etzion talmidim in costume, loaded with musical instruments and good cheer, visited home-bound seniors and their caregivers this week during a special pre-Purim party at the Jerusalem branch of Yad Sarah. "We came with the intention of making others happy and walked away happy ourselves! It was wonderful realizing that we had succeeded in bringing smiles to their faces!" To read a review of this event
Roshei Yeshiva Overseas
The first week of April will find Rosh HaYeshiva Harav Baruch Gigi shuttling between NY, NJ, Chicago and Toronto, giving shiurim to alumni and meeting with parents and the general community. Shabbbat Tazria, April 2nd 2011, he will spend with alumni on the Columbia University campus.
Harav Gigi spent the first week of March 2011 in South Africa, giving shiurim and reconnecting with alumni in both the Johannesburg and Capetown communities. Read more.
What's Happening - Australia
Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein will be attending the Third Conference of the Religious Zionist Organisations of Australia in Sydney, from Thursday March 31st thru Sunday April 3rd.Shabbat 4:30pm, at the Bondi Mizrachi, Harav Mosheh will deliver a shiur for the community at large on "Challenges Facing Contemporary Modern Orthodoxy." See photo.
Monday April 4th - Harav Mosheh will give a Shiur Klali - public lecture on "The Halachic Obligation for Ethical Behaviour" at the Bet Midrash in Melbourne. For more detailed information on Melbourne events
What's Happening in North America
We are happy to announce the Gush Alumni Shabbaton at NYU on Feb. 26, Parshat Vayakel with Rav Danny Wolf and Rav Danny Rhein in association with the Yeshivat Har Etzion Center for Torah Leadership (CTL). Details with Rabbi Yehoshua Lindenbaum at yehoshua3@yahoo.com. Rabbi Wolf will also be speaking at the Bialystoker Synagogue on Presidents Day and at Rinat on Sunday the 27th. Read more.
What's Happening - S Africa
Rosh HaYeshiva Harav Baruch Gigi will be spending the first week of March in South Africa, giving shiurim and reconnecting with alumni in both the Johannesburg and Capetown communities. For more information please contact Rabbi Jonathan Glass .
or call 27-785-312-166.
What's Happening in North America
Rav Yair Kahn will be meeting with prospective students, parents and alumni in the New York area during the second week of February. His stops will include Yeshiva of Flatbush Frisch, SAR, Ramaz and Maimonides. Shabbat Parshat Teztaveh, Rav Yair will be hosted by Congregation Ahavat Torah in Englewood and the Gontownik Family. Read more.
Roshei Yeshiva Overseas
Rosh HaYeshiva Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein spent the past two weeks meeting with prospective students, parents and alumni in several major cities across the United States and Canada, including Cleveland, Bergenfield, Chicago, Toronto and Boston.
Sunday morning Jan 9th, he met with the Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon of Yeshiva University and spoke on "Rethinking Contemporary Modern Orthodoxy."
To contact Harav Mosheh Read more
What's Happening in North America
Rav Daniel Rhein met with prospective students, parents and alumni - his stops included the New York area beginning Sunday January 2nd, Los Angeles Thursday January 6th, Bergenfield, NJ, Shabbat Parshat Bo, Southfield, Michigan on Monday the 10th, and on to Toronto - together with Harav Mosheh on Tuesday the 11th. Read more about this and other trips by our Ramim.
What's Happening in North America
Rav Moshe Taragin will be in the New York, Chicago, and Thornhill areas this coming week, to meet with prospective students and their parents.
2 Shabbatonim this coming shabbat Parshat Vayechi! With Rav Mordechai Friedman on the Upper West Side, and Rav Moshe Taragin in Teaneck. Read more about this and other trips by our Ramim. To contact Rav Taragin, Rav Friedman
What's Happening - S Africa
Rav Pini Cohen and Rav Doniel Schreiber are acting as Rosh Kollelim for the B'nei Akiva Summer Camp in Mussel Bay, South Africa. Rav Pini is there until Friday the 17th, 10 Tevet, and Rav Doniel will be leaving for there on Sunday the 19th of December for about 8 days.
To contact Rav Pini Cohen
To contact Rav Doniel Schreiber
What's Happening in North America
Rav Moshe Taragin will be in the New York, Chicago, and Thornhill areas this coming week, to meet with prospective students and their parents. He will also be speaking on "Tefillah From the Depths of Experience" on Motzaei Shabbat Dec 11 at 7pm, at the Young Israel of North Woodmere. Read more about this and other recent trips by our Ramim. To contact Rav Taragin
What's Happening - Australia
Rav Menachem Leibtag recently visited the Torah MiTzion's Kollel in Melbourne. This year's shlichim are all Har Etzion Hesder talmidim - Isaac Landes, Roi Herman, Elad Roth, and David Baris. The "Torah MiTzion Kollel" program establishes centers for the study of Torah and promulgates the connection between Torah and Israel. The initiative for this program originated from the Beit Medrash of Yeshivat Har-Etzion, with the support of its Roshei Yeshiva - Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Yehuda Amital zt"l. Read more
Roshei Yeshiva Overseas
The annual Yeshivat Har Etzion Alumni Shabbaton with Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein took place on October 29-30, Shabbos Parshat Chaye Sara at Congregation Rinat Yisrael in Teaneck, New Jersey.
This past summer, Rosh HaYeshiva Rav Baruch Gigi visited South Africa for a month with his family. “Our bogrim in Johannesburg are very active in strengthening the Jewish community in general and raising the level of Torah in particular,” notes Rav Gigi with pride. Read more
What's Happening - England
Rav Mordechai Friedman ’79 visited England in November where he met with bogrim and interviewed an impressive group of prospective students for next year. He said a record number of bogrim turned out for both his visit and the previous visit by Rav Yair Kahn ’77. “The atmosphere over Shabbat was electric,” says Rav Friedman.
What's Happening in Canada
Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon will be speaking be"H at the Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, Toronto, on Motzaei Shabbat Nov 13th on "Who will be a Jew - Conversion and the Jewish Future" and on Sunday, Nov 14th on "The Gaza War Two Years After: Halachic Dilemmas of Israeli Soldiers in Battle". For more information.
What's Happening in USA
Rav Doniel Schreiber will be representing the yeshiva at the Israel Nite events for prospective students held in New York City in mid-November.
Rav Schreiber will also be Scholar-in-Residence at the Young Israel of Woodmere, at a Gush Leadership Shabbaton on Shabbat Parshat Vayishlach Nov. 20th. Read more about this and other recent shabbatonim.
What's Happening - England
We are happy to report that Rav Mordechai Friedman will be interviewing prospective talmidim in London from Tuesday Nov. 9 through Tuesday Nov. 16. Rav Mordechai will be spending Shabbat with bogrim, including a seuda shlishit open to prospective talmidim. Parents and prospective talmidim can also meet him at the home of Jacky and Vered Schimmel – Thursday night, Nov. 11, 9:00 pm – 6 Oakfields Road, London, NW11. Monday, Nov 15th, he will be giving shiur and interviews at Yavne-King David in Manchester. To reach Rav Mordechai by phone, call 0753-439-0215.
What's Happening in USA
Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon will be speaking be"H at the Riverdale Jewish Center, 3700 Independence Avenue, on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 pm. For more info: 1718-548-1850. The topic is "Halachic Dilemmas of Israeli Soldiers in Battle: A First-Hand Account". Open to men, women and teens.
Rav Doniel Schreiber will be representing the yeshiva at the Israel Nite events for prospective students held in New York City in mid-November. To contact Rav Schreiber
What's Happening in USA
The Annual Yeshivat Har Etzion Alumni shabbaton with our Rosh Yeshiva, Harav Aharon Lichtenstein, will be held this year Shabbat Parshat Chayei Sara, October 29-30th, in Teaneck, NJ. For more information.
Rav Doniel Schreiber will be representing the yeshiva at the Israel Nite events for prospective students held in New York City in mid-November. To contact Rav Schreiber
What's Happening in England
We are happy to announce that Rav Yair Kahn will be visiting with bogrei haYeshiva in London this week. Meet him at the Hendon Beis, Thursday night, after 10pm maariv; Friday night at Ner Yisrael, in the main shul, followed by a tish at 9pm in the Shaar Yaakov Beis HaMedrash downstairs. Motzaei Shabbat Kodesh bogrim are invited to a Melavah Malkah at 9.15 pm at the home of Rabbi & Mrs. Daniel Roselaar – 28 Kings Close NW4. For more information
What's Happening in USA
Rav Danny Wolf spoke on Sunday August 29th at 10 am at the Riverdale Jewish Center, 3700 Independence Ave, Bronx, NY, on Ribit in a Modern Economy: Perspectives on Heter Iska.
What's Happening in Israel
The most elite instructional institution in the IDF - The IDF Command and Staff College ("Pum") - visited Yeshivat Har Etzion on June 9, 2010. Brigadier General Commander Noam Tivon explains why:
To view a video of this visit
What's Happening in Israel
5 years ago - 10 Av 5765 - the forcible evacuation of the Gush Katif settlements began. 9000 people were uprooted from their homes. 18% of these remain unemployed. Two days before the evacuation began, Gush Katif rebbeim turned to Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon, Ram and Head of the yeshiva's Halacha Education Center, for help, and he has been helping ever since. Read, see and hear about Rav Rimon's efforts on their behalf.
What's Happening - complete archive
What's Happening
This year’s Yom Ha’Atzma'ut festivities were particularly special and memorable for a group of several dozen Har Etzion students.
And back at the yeshiva, talmidim and ramim enjoyed a wonderful mesiba.
