Yeshivas Ner Yisroel facts for kids
| Motto | Building Greatness One Talmid at a Time |
|---|---|
| Established | 1933 |
| Founder | Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman |
|
Religious affiliation
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Orthodox Judaism |
| Chairman | Rabbi Aharon Feldman |
| President | Rabbi Boruch Neuberger |
| Principal | Rabbi Beryl Weisbord |
| Location |
,
,
United States
39°23′18″N 76°45′17″W / 39.38833°N 76.75472°W |
| Campus | Rural, 100 acres (40 ha) |
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|
Ner Israel Rabbinical College (ישיבת נר ישראל), also called NIRC or Ner Yisroel, is a special Jewish school called a yeshiva. It is located in Pikesville, Maryland. This school focuses on teaching Jewish religious texts.
Ner Israel was started in 1933 by Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman. He was a student of a famous rabbi named Nosson Tzvi Finkel. Today, Rabbi Aharon Feldman leads the yeshiva. He was also a student of Rabbi Ruderman.
This yeshiva is for boys and men only. It teaches Talmud, which is a central text in Judaism. The school has three main parts:
- The Mechina, for high school students.
- The yeshiva, for students who have finished high school.
- The Kollel, for married students who want to continue their advanced studies.
Ner Israel is known for letting its students also study other subjects. Students can take night classes at nearby universities. This helps them get a professional education in fields like banking or law. About half of the graduates become rabbis or teachers. The other half become professionals in various jobs.
Contents
A Look at Ner Israel's History
Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman founded Ner Israel in 1933. He started it with just six students in a local shul (synagogue). The yeshiva was named after Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin Salanter. Rabbi Salanter started a movement focused on improving one's character.
Rabbi Ruderman wanted Ner Israel to be like the Slabodka Yeshiva in Lithuania. That was the school where his teacher, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel, taught.
Key Leaders Through the Years
Rabbi Dovid Kronglass was the first mashgiach ruchani (spiritual guide) of the yeshiva. He also taught classes and made important religious decisions. He served until he passed away in 1972.
Rabbi Herman N. Neuberger became the president of Ner Israel in 1940. He was a student at the yeshiva himself. He led the school for many years until his death in 2005. His son, Rabbi Sheftel Neuberger, took over as president in 2005. Rabbi Sheftel Neuberger passed away in 2021.
Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg was a very important teacher and leader at Ner Israel for almost 50 years. He became the Rosh Yeshiva (head of the yeshiva) in 1987 after Rabbi Ruderman passed away. He led the school until his own death in 1999.
Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky then served as Rosh Yeshiva from 1999 until his death in 2000. Many other respected rabbis have also taught at Ner Israel over the years.
The high school part of the yeshiva, called the Mechina, started in 1957. Rabbi Yosef Tendler became its principal in 1964 and served until his death in 2012.
Who Leads Ner Israel Today?
Rabbi Aharon Feldman is the current Rosh Yeshiva (dean) of Ner Israel. He is also a member of an important council of leading rabbis. Rabbi Feldman studied at Ner Israel in the 1950s. He became the Rosh Yeshiva in 2001.
Rabbi Boruch Neuberger is the menahel (president) of the yeshiva. He followed his father, Rabbi Sheftel Neuberger, in this role. Jerome Kadden is the executive director.
Rabbi Beryl Weisbord is the mashgiach ruchani (spiritual guide) of the yeshiva.
For the high school, Rabbi Simcha Cook is the menahel. Rabbi Yosef Neuberger is the Mashgiach, and Rabbi Azriel Hauptman is the principal for general studies.
The Campus and Its Buildings
The Ner Israel campus is called "The Beren Campus." It is very large, almost 100 acres. The yeshiva moved to this location in 1968. It is just outside the Baltimore City limits.
The campus has two main study halls. One is for the high school students. The other, much larger one, is for the older students and also serves as the main prayer area. There is also a smaller study hall.
About 250 students are in the high school. Around 300 students are in the undergraduate program. And about 200 married students are in the advanced Kollel program.
The campus also has a large dining hall and three dormitories for students. There is also housing on campus for teachers and some married students. This area is known as "Yeshiva Lane."
Ner Israel's Reach Beyond Baltimore
In 1959, a branch of Ner Israel was started in Toronto, Canada. Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg was its Rosh Yeshiva for a few years. This yeshiva in Toronto still exists but is no longer connected to Ner Israel in Baltimore.
Ner Israel also sends its graduates to lead Jewish communities across the United States. Some have even started their own schools.
Students at Ner Israel take part in special projects. "PROJECT YAHUD" is a fundraising effort during spring break for a religious school in Israel. "PROJECT SEED" is a summer program where students teach in smaller Jewish communities around the world.
How Ner Israel is Recognized
Ner Israel is a college that is recognized by the state of Maryland. It is accredited by a group called the Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools.
The yeshiva has agreements with several universities nearby. These include Johns Hopkins University and Towson University. This allows undergraduate students to take night classes at these universities. They can study many different subjects. Students can also get college credits for their religious studies at Ner Israel. There is also a special program for students who want to study medicine, in partnership with Stevenson University.
The high school, called "Israel Henry Beren High School," is also an accredited high school in Maryland.
What Students Learn at Ner Israel
The main focus of studies at Ner Israel is the Talmud and other important Jewish religious books.
Studying Talmud Tractates
The yeshiva has a nine-year cycle for studying different parts of the Talmud, called tractates. Each year, students focus on a different tractate. Some of the tractates they study include Bava Kamma, Yevamos, and Gittin. Sometimes, other tractates like Succah are studied in the spring.
The way Talmud is studied at Ner Israel is based on a method called the Brisker method. This method helps students understand the deep meaning of the texts. Students have daily lessons, called Shiurim, on the Talmud.
Students also spend half an hour each day studying Musar literature. This type of literature helps students improve their character and spiritual growth.
Kollel Avodas Levi
The Kollel Avodas Levi is a special part of the yeshiva for older, often married, students. They do very advanced studies. This Kollel started in 1959. It was named after Rabbi Ruderman's book, "Avodas Levi."
Most of the students in the Kollel study in small groups called chaburas. Each group focuses on a specific topic and is led by an experienced student. Ner Israel can also give Semicha (rabbinic ordination) to qualified students. This means they become official rabbis.
Rabbi Ezra Neuberger, son of Rabbi Herman Neuberger, is the dean of the Kollel.
High School Exams
In the Mechina High School, students study two Talmudic tractates each year. One is studied in great detail, and the other is covered more quickly. At the end of the year, students take a big exam on the entire tractate they studied quickly. This is called the "Masechta Bechina." Passing this exam is a big achievement because of how much information is in each tractate.
Advanced students can also study the detailed tractate on their own. Those who finish it are honored at a special dinner at the end of the school year.
Kashrus Training Program
Students in the Kollel Avodas Levi can join a special program with Star-K. This program trains them to become experts in Kashrus supervision. Kashrus is about making sure food follows Jewish dietary laws.
Degrees and Certificates
Ner Israel offers different degrees:
- A Bachelor of Talmudic Law (after four years of study).
- A Master of Talmudic Law (after six years).
- A Doctorate in Talmudic Law (after ten years, which includes writing a commentary on Jewish texts).
The yeshiva can also give Semichah (rabbinic ordination).
Since 1962, Ner Israel has had a "Machon" program. This program trains religious teachers for Jewish schools and communities. Students in this program earn a special teaching certificate.
Student Life and Community
Students from Around the World
In the 1970s, many young Jewish men came to the United States from Iran. This was because of political changes and war in their home country. Rabbi Herman Neuberger helped over 1,000 young Persian men come to the U.S., and many of them studied at Ner Israel. Today, Ner Israel still has a special prayer service on Shabbat for Persian students.
Many students from South America also attend Ner Israel. This is partly because of Camp Or Haner, a summer camp for South Americans held at Ner Israel. Many campers are inspired to stay and study at the yeshiva. These students often return to their home countries and help strengthen Jewish life there.
Helping the Community
Ner Israel students often help out in the community. They lead prayers at a nearby retirement community. Also, several rabbis from the yeshiva visit communities once a year for a special weekend of encouragement. This is called "The Baltimore Shabbos of Chizuk." Many students also visit older people at a nearby hospital on Fridays.
Notable Alumni
Many people who studied at Ner Israel have become important leaders and professionals. Here are a few examples:
- Jeff Ballabon – a political consultant.
- Moishe Bane – President of the Orthodox Union.
- Rabbi Tzvi Berkowitz – a teacher at Ner Israel.
- Rabbi Aharon Feldman – the current Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Israel.
- Rabbi Yissocher Frand – a popular teacher and speaker at Ner Israel.
- Hershey Friedman – a Canadian businessman and giver to charity.
- Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt – the Chief Rabbi of Moscow.
- Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky – a Rosh Yeshiva in Philadelphia.
- Aaron Twerski – a law professor.
- Rabbi Noach Weinberg – founder of Aish HaTorah.
