Yeshiva University High School for Boys, MTA, is thrilled to welcome several new rebbeim to its already outstanding and dedicated team.
Rabbi Yehuda Balsam, Rosh Beis Medrash
Rabbi Yehuda Balsam joins MTA as the rosh beis medrash and a full-time rebbe. He attended Tiferes Moshe, MTA, KBY, Mir, YU and RIETS and he received semicha from Rav Mordechai Friedlander (of Yerushalayim). Rabbi Balsam has worked in several camps and summer programs, currently a leading member of the chinuch staff at Camp Morasha and Morasha Kollel. Rabbi Balsam joins MTA from DRS, where he taught for the past 23 years. Rabbi Balsam lives in North Woodmere with his wife Chavie and their four children.
Rabbi Zaki Dayan, Rebbe
MTA is also pleased to have Rabbi Zaki Dayan join their team of rebbeim. Rabbi Dayan serves as the assistant rabbi at Fleetwood Synagogue and is a member of YU Kollel Elyon, where he began his studies in the fall of 2023. Raised in Flatbush, he studied at Yeshivas Aish Gesher in Jerusalem for two years before earning his rabbinical degree from RIETS. Rabbi Dayan is married to Gabrielle and they have two daughters. Rabbi Dayan is passionate about teaching Torah and is looking forward to joining the MTA team as a bekius rebbe.
Rabbi Yaakov Fuchs, Rebbe
Rabbi Yaakov Fuchs is joining MTA as a Tanach rebbe. Rabbi Fuchs grew up in Woodmere, where he graduated from DRS Yeshiva HS, and spent much time in his formative years learning under Rav Moshe Weinberger. After spending two years at Yeshivat Shaalvim, Rabbi Fuchs graduated from Yeshiva College majoring in history, while learning under Rav Mayer Twersky. He is currently pursuing semicha at RIETS and simultaneously working towards his master’s degree at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. Rabbi Fuchs has a lot of experience in the world of informal chinuch, serving as a madrich on NCSY Kollel for two summers, as well as a division head, rebbe, and staff maggid shiur at Camp Mesorah. During the academic year, he has served as an advisor coordinator for NCSY, and is currently one of the directors of NCSY’s new Pivot program for yeshiva high school boys.
Rabbi Yitzy Lanner, Rebbe
Rabbi Yitzy Lanner is another young, relatable rebbe who was born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida. Rabbi Lanner graduated from Katz Yeshiva High School and then spent two years studying at Yeshivat Shaalvim in Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Lanner then attended Yeshiva University, where he received an master’s in psychology and spent all three years learning in Rav Mayer Twersky’s shiur. Currently he is pursuing semicha and a master’s degree in education through the Azrieli graduate program. Rabbi Lanner will be joining MTA as a machshava rebbe.
Rabbi Yoni Sonnenschein, Athletic Director, Rebbe
Rabbi Yoni Sonnenschein is returning to MTA as a full-time rebbe and athletics director. He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and after attending Yeshivat Shaalvim for two years, he came to study at Yeshiva University. He received his semicha from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Issac Elchanan Theological Seminary, and a certificate in mental health counseling from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. He had the zechus to learn under Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger and Rabbi Baruch Simon. He is currently finishing up a master’s degree in Social Work. Rabbi Sonnenschien lives in Teaneck with his wife and son.
