Out-of-the-Box Yeshiva Makes Its Mark On Lakewood

Shlomo* has struggled with learning but calls this his year of “firsts” – his first time really learning a daf Gemara, and his first siyum that he can call his own. Shimon and Levi never went to yeshiva but are now able to review Gemara together.

Rebbeztin Rischel Kotler once said about Chaim that one day he will learn at BMG alongside her son, Rav Malkiel. Chaim’s family finally saw her words coming to fruition as he had a steady chavrusa at BMG through our program.

After 7 months of learning, Naftali said, “I feel very close to Hashem and I want to be religious. I have already started keeping Shabbos.” And Reuven, a ger who never went to yeshiva, was seen teaching Gemara to a family member after learning with us for two years.

This is Yeshivas Meshivas Nafesh, a one-of-a-kind program that helps adults in Lakewood become independent in their learning. Over time, they develop into bnei Torah; making a difference that lasts generations.

This past Sunday marked their inaugural fundraiser, a parlor meeting hosted by R’ Yosef Tesler. Many friends and supporters came out on a cold night in support of Meshivas Nafesh, which has serviced 20 people since inception, and currently has 12 talmidim. Guests were treated to a hot, delicious buffet by Glatt Bite, with comfortable, background music by Yehuda Litchman. And the energy of the night was captured on camera by Rabbi Motti Sweet (see pictures below).

Rav Shabsi Raitzik, rosh yeshiva of YMN, addressed the gathering by explaining how the name, Meshivas Nafesh, reflects how the learning of Torah gives the talmidim a new life. It reconnects each soul with its source. Rav Zev Kilstein, menahel of YMN, shared a list of successes over the last two and a half years, and expressed a vision to open a campus with a full-day program to assist people of all backgrounds.

The highlight of the evening was guest speaker, Rav Shmuel Felder, posek at Bais Medrash Govoha, who answered relevant and timely halachic questions. Guests remarked that they do not recall the last time that he attended such a function. Truthfully, Meshivas Nafesh has a soft place in Rav Felder’s heart. For years, he has guided the hanhalah, and stressed the need to continue their work, even in the face of difficulty.

A big thank to the host committee for all their help with spreading the word and everything else they did: Michoel Tal, Bentzy Rosenberg, Menachem Tauber, Yossi Stern, Shmuel Dovid Fried, and Eliyohu Pinchus Koppenheim.

Meshivas Nafesh has the honor to have rabbeim such as Rabbi Yaakov Baddouch, Rabbi Aryeh Rosenbaum, Rabbi Yisroel Golumbeck, Rabbi David Rosenthal, Rabbi Sholom Schreiber, Rabbi Bentzion Bilitzky, and Rabbi Menachem Oelbaum. As well, YMN has associate rabbeim who occasionally mentor, such as Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Cohen, Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Lewin, Rabbi Ben Litchman, Rabbi Naftali Prager, Rabbi Yisroel Serebrowski, and Rabbi Rephael Baruch Schiff.

The cost of operations often increases due to the arrival of new students. As of now, more than $5,000 is needed each month, which mostly goes towards paying the rabbeim (yungeleit, bnei Torah of modest means, or professional rabbeim). See below for ways to donate. [Some sponsorship opportunities are: Sponsor a student for half a month for $200; Sponsor the yeshiva for a day for $300; Sponsor a student for a month for $400; Sponsor the yeshiva for a week for $1,500]

To join the yeshiva as a student, or to receive this year’s collection of Chanukah divrei Torah, or for anything else, please contact Rav Zev Kilstein, menahel of YMN, at 561-558-3520 or [email protected]

Ways to Donate

Grant or Fund: Please use tax ID #83-4411630 and note it is for account #3395

Click HERE to donate by Credit Card. 

Zelle: Please send a donation to [email protected] and note it is for account #3395

Mail a check: Please make it out to Tiferes Yaakov and mail to Zev Kilstein at 5 Texas Drive, Jackson NJ 08527