Yeshiva Heichal HaTorah announced last week the appointment of Avi Epstein as Assistant Director of Student Activities. His responsibilities will include coordinating off-site trips, organizing Shabbatonim and enhancing the ruach and recreational opportunities for the Heichal talmidim.
“With the yeshiva growing, thank God, from a few dozen young men to nearly a hundred, and with the anticipation of our largest incoming freshman class in September, we recognized it was time to bring in a specialist to maintain the spirit and excitement that Heichal is known for,” explained Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Aryeh Stechler.
“Going through such a rigorous schedule, it’s important for the talmidim to have enough downtime and make sure that their breaks are fun and refreshing,” added Mr. Epstein. “The small things add up.”
“Mr. Epstein is an energetic and dynamic mechaneich with an established track record of helping young men attain their full potential,” Rav Stechler added. “He has a strong ability to connect with children, teenagers and young adults and motivate them to excel.”
A native of Monsey, New York, Mr. Epstein studied in Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim for six years, after which he was recruited to the Mesivta of Waterbury, Connecticut, where he served as a mentor and role model for hundreds of boys. There, he created successful in-school programs, curricula and extra-curricular activities, which empowered the boys to increase their self-esteem and helped facilitate their success in and out of the classroom.
“If you believe in someone,” Mr. Epstein said, “they will produce no matter what. Once they begin to maximize their potential, it’s amazing what they will develop into. It’s incredible to see the results.”
After spending the past eight summers at Camp Heller, where he was a popular counselor and then division head, Mr. Epstein will join Camp Merockdim in Monsey as head counselor this summer. Additionally, he currently teaches mornings in the middle school of RYNJ, where he has already made an impact on the students as a very popular Rebbe and Assistant Program Director.
