In recent months, a growing number of families from Bergen County and the Upper West Side have begun expanding their search for school options, with many discovering Yeshiva Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (YRSRH), also known as Breuer’s, in Washington Heights. This momentum has been further strengthened by the upcoming integration of Bais Yaakov Bnos Aliya into the Breuer’s girls’ school, creating new opportunities for families seeking excellence in Torah im Derech Eretz education.
Despite its rich history rooted in the kehilla founded by Rav Breuer, zt”l and the Torah im Derech Eretz philosophy of Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch, zt”l, many families in the broader tri-state area have overlooked the school in recent years. Within the Modern Orthodox community especially, Breuer’s has been perceived as the “school for rabbis’ kids” or “just a little too frum.”
Parents from the community are encouraging others to reconsider these assumptions. As one Teaneck father admitted, “I didn’t even think of Breuer’s. It didn’t even make the list.” Today, he can’t imagine his son thriving anywhere else. The transformation has been remarkable—his son gets up every day with a smile, excited to go to school because he knows he is loved and valued there.
Proximity and Accessibility
Many parents seeking a warm, Torah-oriented, Modern Orthodox machmir environment send their children to schools requiring commutes of up to an hour—traveling daily to Passaic or other distant locations. Despite concerns about crossing the “proverbial bridge,” Breuer’s is typically just a 15-25 minute ride from Teaneck or Bergenfield, with return trips often even shorter. The bridge, it turns out, is not the obstacle many imagine it to be.
Personalized Education by Design
Breuer’s maintains its intimate atmosphere intentionally. With class sizes typically fewer than 12 students per grade, each child receives personalized attention within a supportive environment. The administration and staff view their role as true chinuch—not merely conveying content, but nurturing each child’s growth in תורה, מדות, and confidence. While the school plans to expand its yeshiva enrollment, class sizes will remain small and personal.
Torah Im Derech Eretz in Practice
The school remains steadfast in its Torah Im Derech Eretz approach, featuring robust limudei kodesh taught by dynamic rebbeim and morot who cultivate genuine אהבת תורה, alongside a rigorous general studies program that emphasizes Hashem’s role in creation. As one parent noted, “Hashem is found and felt in every interaction. The middos of the staff are truly inspiring.”
Success at Breuer’s is measured by student engagement. When children are smiling and actively participating, the school knows it’s fulfilling its mission. Teachers genuinely invest in their students, seeking not just to educate but to inspire a love of learning. This commitment is exemplified by rebbeim who commute daily from Lakewood because they believe so deeply in the school’s mission and their students’ potential.
Leadership and Vision
Rabbi Yehudah Moller, a descendant of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch himself, leads the school with quiet humility and an unwavering focus on what children need in order to flourish. Mrs. Esty Rogin serves as menaheles of the girls’ school, bringing the same dedication and vision to nurturing young women in Torah and middos. The staff and rebbeim stay current in the area of child development and seek to create an environment where every student can succeed. Students who may not want to be in large classes find themselves embraced and equipped with the tools and attention necessary for both academic achievement and emotional growth.
Strengthening the Torah Im Derech Eretz Vision
The upcoming integration with Bais Yaakov Bnos Aliya of the Upper West Side into the Breuer’s girls’ school stands as a testament to Breuer’s commitment to excellence in secular studies, upholding the torch as the gold standard of Torah im Derech Eretz. This partnership will enhance Breuer’s secular studies program by bringing teachers in English, science and coding who hold advanced degrees and will infuse their subjects with yirat shamayim—consistent with Rav Hirsch’s vision.
“The vision is to get people in the door to experience the reality of what’s there,” a t family explained. “More personalized attention, a wholesome experience, and it’s really not that far away.”
To learn more, visit yrsrh.org.
Eliana Birman is the assistant digital editor for The Jewish Link. She is a rising sophomore at Barnard College and lives in Teaneck.