Ohr Somayach

Ohr Somayach, Monsey, also known as The Ohr Somayach Tanenbaum Educational Center, is an accredited college of Judaic studies with a variety of full and part time learning programs. Its college curriculum is designed to provide Jewish male students with an appreciation for and understanding of Jewish classical texts. Many classes also explore Jewish philosophy and related issues from a traditional and religious perspective. Its diverse student body hail from across North America and most countries with a Jewish population. Its popular outreach division is called Legacy retreats and are served by a separate website .

Ohr Somayach is built on a campus which includes a beit midrash and a beautiful residence facility. It is currently constructing a large retreat and conference center with an adjacent gymnasium.

For many students, Ohr Somayach is their first exposure to full-time Jewish and Torah study. However, higher-level classes are offered with the aim of helping more advanced students the skills necessary for self-sufficiency in Talmud study.

History

In 1979 Ohr Somayach established an American campus in Yonkers, NY. After a year and a half the institution recognized that it was impractical to continue and closed its doors in Yonkers. Rabbi Ezriel Tauber together with a group of dedicated lay leaders recognized the potential of such a venture and purchased land in Monsey NY to relaunch the full time Judaic learning center. They maintained the name Ohr Somayach and enlisted Dean Rabbi Yisroel Rokowsky to spearhead the new operation. They chose Monsey, New York, because of its proximity to New York City (approximately northwest of the city) as well as the Jewish local infrastructure that ensured easy availability of kosher food and amenities. Monsey since grew to become the home of many Haredi and Hasidic communities, whose residents often provide students with Shabbat hospitality.

Faculty

• Rabbi Yisroel Rokowsky, co-Rosh Yeshiva, is a talmid of Rabbi Berel Soloveitchik of Jerusalem.
• Rabbi Yisroel Simcha Schorr, co-Rosh Yeshiva, is an alumnus of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and Bais Medrash Elyon. Rabbi Schorr is currently the senior editor of the English Artscroll Talmud, and teaches the highest level shiur in the Beis Midrash Program. He also gives a weekly class on the Parsha Hashavua.
• Rabbi Avraham Braun, Menahel ("Principal"), who received smicha from Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, formerly director of Beer HaGolah Institute of New York.
• Rabbi Naftali Reich, Executive Director, a graduate of Gateshead Talmudical College with smicha from Beth Medrash Gevoha in Lakewood, NJ. Rabbi Reich started the outreach division, “Legacy,” and gives lectures in hashkafa (Jewish philosophy) and Hasidic thought.

Ohr Somayach, Monsey, also known as The Ohr Somayach Tanenbaum Educational Center, is an accredited college of Judaic studies with a variety of full and part time learning programs. Its college curriculum is designed to provide Jewish male students with an appreciation for and understanding of Jewish classical texts. Many classes also explore Jewish philosophy and related issues from a traditional and religious perspective. Its diverse student body hail from across North America and most countries with a Jewish population. Its popular outreach division is called Legacy retreats and are served by a separate website .