In 2020, Ohr Yisroel opened its doors with 24 students, as guests of the Lubavitch on the Palisades school. Fast forward four years later, Ohr Yisroel is a fast-growing, accredited high school poised to move into a brand new building of its own. After two years in Tenafly, and another two years in a rented space in Ridgewood (previously occupied by Naaleh), the school leadership is excited to announce the purchase of a new home for their talimidim at 150 Kotte Place, in Hackensack, on the edge of the Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) campus.
The new space is a 40,000 square-foot, three-story building, situated on four acres of land. The building is already outfitted for classrooms, but the yeshiva is embarking on a two-phase renovation project to create custom-made spaces to meet the needs of its student body. The first phase includes adding classrooms, a large beis medrash, office spaces, a cafeteria, comfortable student lounge, and modern exercise facility. Phase two will feature a state-of-the-art, expanded athletic center and space for its college/post-Israel program.
Ohr Yisroel Principal Rabbi Asher Yablok envisions the yeshiva as the students’ “home away from home. The new space will immediately and dramatically benefit the talmidim’s experience. It’s a fully-functioning college facility even before any of the construction begins. There are significant indoor and outdoor spaces and a large parking lot for convenience.” In addition to the vast space, the new location’s proximity to Cedar Lane, with its kosher stores and eateries, makes the yeshiva an attractive destination for students right in the heart of Teaneck.
Head of School Rabbi Scott Friedman built on that message of creating a home and community for Ohr Yisroel students: “The new space is going to be modern, warm and welcoming. The boys will have full-access to the building, 24/7, cementing the idea that this is their second home.”
Executive Director Rabbi Yitz Greenman, founder and former executive director of Aish HaTorah New York as well as numerous other Jewish organizations, gave hakarat hatov to longtime personal friends and generous donors, Lori and David Moore, for their significant pledge founding the Moore Family Academy, as the new building will be known (David is currently chairman of AIPAC and former chairman UJA Federation). Rabbi Greenman noted that they look forward to partnering more with the community as the school continues to grow and put down roots in its new home.
Ohr Yisroel acquired the new building as a result of its collaboration with FDU for a combined program in which Ohr Yisroel students can take classes, in its own building, for up to 18 college credits with FDU. After graduation (and two years in yeshiva) students can continue to take FDU college classes and be based in Ohr Yisroel’s building, potentially needing only 30 credits to complete their degree. This unique arrangement allows talmidim to continue learning in their yeshiva while completing their degree, affording them the best of both worlds in a familiar, thriving environment.
A unique aspect of Ohr Yisroel has always been its approach to limudei kodesh. Rabbi Friedman explained: “We provide relationship-based chinuch. Our focus is on creating a relationship with Hashem and a rebbe. We give shiur without grades or homework so the pressure is removed and the focus is on connecting to Hashem and Torah. Removing that stress enables that organic relationship to develop. A low talmid-to-rebbe ratio, about 10-1, enables talmidim to receive maximum attention which fosters enjoyable learning.” The belief is that connecting with learning and davening when they’re young will lead the way for those practices to be a part of students’ lives going forward.
Assistant Principal of General Studies Wendy Rothwachs echoed this sentiment: “At the heart of Ohr Yisroel is your child. We want school to be a positive experience and for students to grow to be contributing members of Klal Yisrael.”
When the school first opened four years ago, all of its general studies classes were online, partly because of covid and partly because that was its chosen model. Over the last two years though, Rothwachs and her team have made significant changes to the academic programming, creating a robust general studies program with all in-person classes taught by talented, experienced faculty.
Rothwachs elaborated on the expanded educational opportunities and its FDU partnership. “Students have access to FDU classes in the Ohr Yisroel building starting in 10th through 12th grades. There is a robust STEM program and numerous AP course options, including self-study for AP—if students have a particular interest they can pursue that subject, studying on their own.” The school is proud to have hired more public school teachers through the Teach NJ program. “These teachers come to Ohr Yisroel after their classes at public school,” explained Rothwachs.
Rabbi Yablok emphasized the specialized, individual nature of the Ohr Yisroel classroom. “Each grade has two to three sections, enabling proper student placement. Now, combined with proper facilities, students can benefit from the forward-thinking programming we’ve designed, making Ohr Yisroel a serious destination for Bergen County students.”
Another out-of-the-box element at Ohr Yisroel is its residency policy. In the morning limudei kodesh portion of the day students are not penalized for their attendance. This reflects the mission of focusing on building an authentic relationship with Hashem. In this spirit, there are a few Shacharit options available every morning—regular minyan and a davening shiur where talmidim delve deeper into the text and topics of tefillah. In keeping with this theme, there are no grades given in Judaic studies subjects.
In the afternoon’s general studies classes, however, attendance is mandatory and grades are given. The system works, explained Rabbi Friedman, as “students are going on to learn in yeshiva in Israel and getting into the colleges of their choice.”
The new space affords the opportunity for even more enriching programming down the road, such as a masmidim-type program, with additional learning opportunities; hosting roshei yeshiva to come and speak to talmidim, and additional shabbatonim.
Ohr Yisroel has a post-Israel yeshiva housed in Passaic. Upon the completion of the second phase of construction, that program plans to move into the new facility and will dovetail with the FDU college credit program.
The new building has its own separate entrance, as it sits on the edge of the FDU campus in Hackensack. Ohr Yisroel students will have the best of both worlds—access to FDU facilities and private access to Ohr Yisroel’s personal campus.
Rabbi Yablok concluded, “We finally have a space we can call our own … where we can become what we always dreamed of being.”
Work has already begun on the new space and the school plans to move into the first floor of the building in the next few months—and continue working while classes are in session. The school is now fundraising for the second phase of the construction. To participate in this exciting opportunity and partner with Ohr Yisroel, please reach out to Rabbi Greenman at 917-596-4361.
