Our Staff

Rav Boaz Mori received Semicha from RIETS and a BA in Mathematics from Yeshiva University. Before founding Yeshivat Lev HaTorah, he taught at BMT, Har Etzion, Shaarei Mevasseret Zion & Machon Gold and served as Head Counselor of Camp Simcha, Rosh Chinuch at Camp Moshava and Camp Rabbi at IBA. As Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Boaz combines profound scholarship with enthusiasm and warmth. An intense learning session with a student may be followed that night by a gravity-defying hand stand at the wedding of an alumnus. He inspires his students and staff alike with his deep belief in each person’s potential greatness, and his uncanny ability to recognize their unique talents more clearly than even they themselves can. Rav Boaz is both a principled institution-builder and a down-to-earth educator par excellence.

Rav Cytrin received Semicha from the Meretz Kollel, a BA from the Plan II Liberal Arts Program at the University of Texas (Austin), and has an MA in Education from Teachers College of Columbia University, and served in the IDF. Before making aliya, Rav Cytrin was Principal of Judaic Studies at the Yavneh Academy in Dallas. A Licensed Tour Guide, Rav Cytrin delights in sharing his enthusiasm for the history of Eretz Yisrael with his students. Rav Cytrin founded Or l’Doron, an organization that promotes high-level Torah learning for the Ethiopian Jewish community.

Rav Kwalwasser received Semicha from RIETS, a BA in Judaic Studies from Yeshiva University and an MS in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School. Rav Kwalwasser models community involvement – before founding Lev HaTorah he built a thriving beit knesset in Beit Shemesh and now spearheads the Chasdei Shiloh tzedaka organization. In addition, Rav Kwalwasser recently published a book: Or L’Amim, a Light Unto the Nations, analyzing the Torah’s concern for the destiny of both Jews and non-Jews.

Rav Bagno learned and taught in Yeshivat Shaalvim. He served in the army’s Rabbanut unit during his tenure in the IDF. He studied with Rav Asher Arieli in Yeshivat Mir for almost a decade, and most recently taught at Bar Ilan. He is the founding Rabbi of the Mishkan Shilo community in Ramat Shilo, and the Rosh Kollel of Lev HaTorah’s Rabbinic Leadership and Semicha Program.

Rav Yehuda Odeser, a researcher for several institutes of halachic guidance, is a Beit Shemesh resident, and father to seven children. Since the advent of Lev LaChayal, Rav Odeser has inspired and prepared our future chayalim for Torah-observant army service. Rav Odeser received Semicha from Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed, and was ordained as a Dayan by Rav Kalav, the Rosh Kollel Psagot. For many years, he taught and inspired in Beit Shemesh as the Rosh Kollel Shaalei Torah. In addition to his passionate service to Am Yisrael in the Beit Midrash, Rav Odeser continues to volunteer in the IDF’s armored corps reserves.

Rav Charnoff graduated summa cum laude from Yeshiva University with a BA in psychology and received semicha from YU’s RIETS rabbinic program. He obtained a Master’s Degree from the Azrieli School of Jewish Education and completed YU’s Certificate Program in Experiential Jewish Education. Before moving to Israel, Rav Charnoff served for six years as the first ever OU-JLIC Rabbi at Queens College where he established vibrant Orthodox life on campus, consistent Shabbat and holiday programming, multiple daily Torah learning opportunities, and a warm home on campus, engaging over 500 students and alumni each semester. Over 400 of Rav Charnoff‘s shiurim are currently featured on YUTorah.

Rav Siev received Semicha from RIETS, a BA in History from Yeshiva University, and an MS in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School. Rav Siev is an editor for the Steinsaltz English Talmud Series, and many of his shiurim have been featured on Yeshivat Har Etzion’s Virtual Beit Midrash and on www.yutorah.org.

After high school, he served as a combat medic in the IDF, and then studied at the yeshivot in Eli, Dimona the Meretz Kollel, where he received his Semicha. After many years dedicated to learning, Rav Dudi served as a Ram and as a beloved Av Bayit at Yeshivat Lev HaTorah. In 2011, he and his family began a three year stint of Shlichut in Melbourne, Australia, where he had a tremendous impact on the community there as the Rosh Kollel of the Religious Zionist community. Rav Dudi returns to Lev HaTorah this year, thrilled to be learning with Lev students and directing Lev LaChayal.

Rav Ely’s personal warmth, comedic yet organized teaching style, and ability to relate to others, endear him to both talmidim and colleagues.

Rav Beasley has been lecturing passionately about Tanach in different venues in Israel and abroad for almost twenty years. His essays on new methodologies in Tanach study appear regularly in Tradition magazine, and he edited Yeshivat Har Etzion’s groundbreaking parsha series Torah MiEtzion. He loves to help students enjoy learning and discover new insights. When not teaching, he is writing his doctoral dissertation at Bar Ilan on Second-Temple-era Tanach study, or playing hockey with his five sons.

A student of HaRav Yoseph Dov Soloveitchik, ZT’L, Rav Berzon is a builder of various Torah institutions, including Shaarei Mevasseret Zion and MMY. He has over 10,000 shiurim online at www.yutorah.org.

Author of the 9-volume “Dalet Amot” series in contemporary Halacha, Rav Enkin addresses halachic issues relevant to the weekly parsha, upcoming holidays and popular news stories.  Special emphasis is given to lesser known halachic rulings and customs.

Rav Epstein is a graduate of Yeshivat HaKotel, Yeshivat Mir and Rav Tzvi Kushelevsky, and has taught in numerous educational settings both in Israel and in the UK.

Rav Uri received Semicha from RIETS, a BA in Philosophy from Yeshiva University, and an MA in Jewish Philosophy from Bernard Revel Graduate School.

In addition, he is a licensed psychodrama therapist. During his service in the IDF, Rav Uri served as a hospital chaplain, giving support and encouragement to wounded soldiers. In his philosophy classes, Rav Uri guides students into the depths of Jewish Thought with both rational and mystical perspectives.

Rav Fass received Semicha from RIETS, has a BA in Biology from Yeshiva University, an MA from Azrieli Graduate School, and an Honorary Doctorate from Yeshiva University. As Director of Nefesh b’Nefesh, Rav Fass has revolutionized the attitude towards aliya in North America, and turned what was once a ‘distant dream’ into a real possibility for many idealistic Jews. He is a master educator and a model of Jewish leadership; his home is open to the entire Yeshiva on Shabbat afternoon for a popular Parsha shiur.

Rav Asher received Semicha from RIETS, a BA in Philosophy from Yeshiva University and is completing an MA in Clinical Sociology at the University of North Texas. Rav Asher empowers his talmidim to become independent, sophisticated learners, capable of understanding Torah ideas, developing them and sharing them with others. He has published in the fields of Philosophy of Education and Chumash, and was a two-time fellow with ATID. As Director of Student Welfare, Rav Asher works with talmidim throughout the year to help them achieve their goals.

Rav Yehoshua Gerzi is a passionate educator, helping people achieve greater levels of clarity to live a life of happiness and success. Rav of the Pilzno community in Ramat Shilo, he is a highly sought-out speaker and author of Arba Yesodot.

R’ Shuie has been studying for Semicha from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate in the Lev HaTorah Kollel for the last five years, and is in his final year for his BA in Education from Orot College. R’ Shuie has developed and is charge of the Shiur Bet Bekiyut Gemara program.

Rav Hartstein’s shiurim feature a unique mixture of fascinating halachic analysis and hilarious delivery. Rav Hartstein earned a BS in Marketing from YU, Semicha from Rav Aharon Soloveitchik, zt”l, and an MS in Management Engineering from the University of Bridgeport. Rav Hartstein worked for the Israeli Defense Ministry and served as a Telecom executive for over 15 years. Currently, he serves as CEO of Five Star Caterers of New York and when he is not traveling, Rav Hartstein teaches Business Ethics and his popular ‘Lessons From the Lev’ series at the Yeshiva.

Rav Eitan is a home-grown talent, having attended Lev HaTorah as a Shana Alef talmid, participating in the Lev LaChayal program and now a member of the Lev HaTorah Kollel.

Rav Ariel Horovitz joins our Night Seder after many years of learning full-time at Yeshivat Mir.

A seasoned, award-winning educator, Rabbi Shimshon Jacob has spent the last twenty years working in the formal and informal Jewish Education world.  Having taught at both the Elementary and High School levels, while functioning as the Youth Rabbi for numerous communities, Rabbi Jacob is all about helping students develop their passion and excitement for Judaism and spirituality.  After making Aliyah four and a half years ago with his wife and four kids, (joined by a fifth child 1.5 years ago) they settled in Katamon, Jerusalem where Rav Shimshon has been engaged with various causes in the Jewish community.  Rav Shimshon’s out-of-the-box approach to teaching the Yeshiva’s beginning Gemara shiur has surprised and delighted his talmidim.

out-of-the-box approach to teaching the Yeshiva’s beginning Gemara shiur has surprised and delighted his talmidim.

Rav Mordechai received Semicha from RIETS and a BA in Psychology from Yeshiva University. His own passionate approach to spirituality sets a tone of powerful inspiration during tefilot. In addition, Rav Mordechai is a Tour Operator and runs tours throughout Israel for groups and families. He works with GEERZ mounting biking program and is involved in various programming for youth, both in Israel and abroad. Talmidim are attracted to Rav Mordechai’s sincerity, ruchniut, and warmth.

He thrives when being challenged by his talmidim, and relishes the moment when he sees the spark of understanding in the eyes of his talmidim.

Rav Machlis received Semicha from Yeshivat Torah v’Daat and has been teaching for 25 years. He and his family host around 100 guests in their home each Shabbat, exposing his guests to the beauty of Torah and a vision of true Jewish unity.

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Rav Naiman is a Torah student and teacher, writer, certified health coach and lecturer, creator and presenter of The Healthy Jew Course, walker, hiker, runner, and forager. He is also a husband and proud father of two.

His modesty, honesty, and unique perspective on addressing fear resonates with audiences worldwide.

Rav Paltiel received Semicha from the Meretz Kollel and a BA in Jewish History from Yeshiva University. In the IDF, he served in the armored corps. Rav Paltiel’s mentorship has enabled many students to develop the skills and confidence to become strong learners and strong Jews. A master pedagogue, he is the author of The Longer Shorter Way: A Guide to the 7 Habits of Successful Torah Study. A talented counselor, Rav Paltiel is also a certified Neuro-Linguistic Psychology practitioner.

Rav Pollack grew up in Los Angeles attended YULA and loves to play basketball. He earned his bachelors in philosophy from YU , his MA in Jewish education from Azrieli and Semicha from RIETS.

Rav Rabinowitz

Rav Rayman

Rav Schachter received his Semicha from RIETS, a BA in Economics from Yeshiva University and an MS in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School. Before making Aliyah in 2022, he was a beloved Rebbi in Yeshivat Frisch for 20 years, and led the Bnai Yeshurun teen minyan in Teaneck for over 15 years.

Rav Simi

Rav Jake received Semicha from RIETS and a BA from Yeshiva University. Before teaching at Lev HaTorah, he served as a Shoel U’Meishiv at Yeshivat Shaalvim and taught at Reishit Yerushalayim. Over the summers, Rav Jake served as Rosh Moshava and Rosh Kollel at Camp Stone and currently is Sgan Rosh Moshava at Camp Moshava, Indian Orchard, PA.

Rav Shamai received Semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He teaches in Mitzpe Yericho at both the kollel and high school, in addition to teaching for many years in yeshiva programs for Americans.

A Lev HaTorah alumnus from 2009-2011, Rav Noam served for three years in the elite sniper unit of the Givati Brigade.  Following his completion of a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from Bar Ilan, Rav Noam joined the Lev HaTorah Kollel.

His open and relatable personality enables talmidim of all backgrounds to connect to and learn from him, both inside and outside of the Beit Midrash.
Rav Wittenberg is a proud alumnus of Lev HaTorah (2003-2004). He received a BA in Economics from Brandeis University, Semicha from YU, and his MS in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School. He is also a trained plumber and leads weekly bike rides with the Geerz organization.

He and his family made Aliyah in 1996 and moved to Ramat Beit Shemesh in 1998 with 30 other families.

Given the task to establish a neighborhood around Lev HaTorah, Mr. Naiman spent the first 5 years creating relationships with the city and builders, while helping over 150 families prepare for their move to Ramat Shilo. He was also intimately involved in the design and eventual completion of Lev HaTorah’s first building.

These last 10 years have been filled with unprecedented growth for the Yeshiva. With our staff and budget tripling, Mr. Naiman uses his organizational skills to keep our campus up-to-date while creating procedures and policies to allow our continued healthy expansion.

The next 5 years will IY”H include the addition of our Lone Soldier homes, the full integration of our new Hesder and Kollel programs as well as the design and construction of our main building!

He went to Yeshiva University where he received a BA in History. While at YU, Marc founded Torah Letzion an organization which has assisted hundreds of students who needed financial aid to study in yeshiva or seminary.

Before making aliyah, Marc worked at the Yeshiva of Central Queens as Director of Alumni Affairs, and most recently at RIETS as a Senior Development Officer. Marc is very excited to have returned to Israel and to combine his love for the Yeshiva with his passion for fundraising, to bring the Yeshiva to its next level.

Previously, as Principal of Judaics at King David School Manchester, UK, He led technology integration and training, while driving the relevance of Torah through engaging lectures and developing numerous digital learning games. Alongside my educational expertise, he brings a background in Marketing and PR, leveraging this skill set to craft compelling content. Sammy conducted extensive training across Europe, organized impactful conferences for Judaics teachers, and assisted schools in digitizing their Judaic curricula. Sammy holds dual BA degrees in Humanities and Education and a teaching qualification. He spent my Yeshiva years studying at Yeshivot Ohr Sameach, Kerem B’Yavneh, and Aish HaTorah.

R’ Kobi’s talmidim enjoy a wide range of discussion topics driven by the text of the Talmud.