By COLlive reporter
Toronto has an international reputation for its sparkling cleanliness, unrivalled hospitality and stellar mosdos. Now a NEW Lubavitch Mesivta Ohr Temimim is set to open for Elul 5775/6 under the umbrella of Chabad Lubavitch of Southern Ontario.
This ambitious project, encouraged by Head Shliach Rabbi Zalman Aron Grossbaum, is being spearheaded by Rabbi Baruch Zaltzman, Principal of The Shmuel Zahavy Cheder Chabad of Toronto.
The initiative is in response to the overwhelming demand to provide chassidishe families and children, who wish to continue learning in a Tomchei Temimim atmosphere, with an opportunity to obtain a recognized general studies diploma at the same time.
As one would expect from a Mesivta of this caliber, talmidim will participate in weekly farbrengens, guided mivtzoim and an emphasis on chassidishkeit and hiskashrus to the Rebbe.
“Caring for our bochurim’s physical and emotional wellbeing will be of the highest order for “Ohr Temimim,” said Rabbi Zaltzman.
The Mesivta’s philosophy towards General Studies will follow the Rebbe’s directive that these studies should be undertaken in the service of Torah and Mitzvos, therefore the curriculum, lessons and tests will be aligned with this concept. (See sicha 13th of Tammuz 5742.)
To this end, a special Va’ad and staff, selected for their sensitivity to the Rebbe’s values as well as their expertise in curriculum development, will help facilitate a learning experience, tailor-made to the needs of each student. Parents will have an assortment of subjects to choose from, creating a unique learning experience for their child.
Physical health is important to Ohr Temimim students, who will be able to play sports during their breaks, and have after-hours swim sessions amongst other appropriate outlets.
For out-of-town talmidim, whose middos, yiras shomayim and academic goals are in-line with the Mesivta’s ethos, will be able to board in a well-equipped dormitory.
“My vision is to inspire our young bochurim to excel in their limudim and maximize their G-d—given talents,” said Rabbi Zaltzman. “I know who I’m aiming to support and I’m working to create a learning environment that is unique in Chabad circles worldwide. Over the last decade, I’ve listened to parents, both locally and beyond, to hear what they really want for their children. With this information in mind, I’m totally committed to helping our children succeed.”
Mesivta Ohr Temimim Lubavitch is set to open in Toronto for Elul 5775/6 school year. Parents who wish their young bochurim to be considered for a place at Mesivta Ohr Temimim of Toronto can apply at www.ohrtemimim.com or email [email protected].
why did it take so long for someone to make such a program
such a program was clearly needed from long ago
Send an email to [email protected] and will get back you.
Thank you very much for sharing your life journey. I do feel sympathy over the fact that you didn’t have a suitable yeshiva to suit your personal needs. However, like you pointed out in your comment, there are B’H many yeshiva programs today that offer extra-curricular activities to stimulate the interest of each bachur, as well as to provoke interest in the genuine yeshiva style as a whole. It’s true that we can’t go back in time and correct the unfortunate situation which you were put through, however, you should be consoled at least a little bit by the knoledge… Read more »
we want to go as a group
anyone know how meny bochrim they are accepting?
9 hour drive.
weekly buses from crown heights and back.
flights range between $240, depending on how far in advance.
are they announcing the staff some time soon?
i would want to hear a bit about them before i go there.
but the idea sounds cool.
this is a dream becoming reality
how long of a drive is toronto from new york?
cheap flight around the year?
Thank you for those who posted the new sicha. I was wondering why there was limudei kodesh only schools in the first place.
Pittsburgh is a great mesivta who has been doing this for decades…
[Based on the original audio recording 13 Tamuz 5742] 1) During the summer break, children should add in לימודי קודש. 2) The Alter Rebbe uses a very severe remark concerning learning חכמות חיצוניות [i.e. secular studies] “This is מטמא the soul” (not just “איסור” or “פסול” etc.) 3) טומאה contaminates: a. just by contact alone, b. even a newborn child. 4) Yet since it exists, it can certainly be used for good. Just as we can turn over the bad of a רשע into “light”. 5) I won’t call these studies “לימודי חול”, since we need to use such studies… Read more »
Just the kind of yeshuva we were looking for for our son! Hatzlacha rabba
התוועדות יום שמחת תורה תשט”ו זכורה כהתוועדות שבה חל מפנה בעולמה החינוכי של ליובאוויטש. באותה התוועדות של הרבי בהשתתפות קהל החסידים שנקבצו ובאו מקרוב ומרחוק, החל הרבי לדבר בצורה נרגשת על אודות חינוכם הטהור של ילדי ישראל, כאשר יש מוסדות חינוך שבהם מערבים גם לימוד מקצועות חול. הרבי השתמש במילים נוקבות: “חוששים שמא ילך הילד ברחוב, וכשיצטרך לשאול מישהו למקומו של רחוב מסוים – ידבר באנגלית עם “מבטא יהודי” (“אַ אידישן אַקצענט”) ויהיה ניכר שהוא יהודי. ולכן לומדים עמו אנגלית, ושאר חכמות חיצוניות, כדי לטמא את מוחו של הילד. ג’ השנים הראשונות שבהם מתחיל הילד ללמוד, הם הזמן שהוא היסוד… Read more »
The point of this quoted letter is that the Rebbe has no problem with yeshiva boys learning secular subjects. A chassidish yeshiva CAN be 100% and also CAN teach fully English subjects – the best of both worlds!
While there is a growing number of families Who seem to have children who they feel can not sit and learn Torah for an entire day. I believe it’s a tremendous responsibility To take a sicha from the rebbe And use that out for some kind of heter for such a program. This sicha is directed completely on the idea That Since there are people who study limud chole all year. And now in the summer months. They are free of these obligations there for our summer camps need to utilize the opportunity to transform all the possible negative impurities… Read more »
Very exciting! Can someone please translate the Rebbes letter or at least give us a summary for all of us non Yiddish speaking people.
Thanks!!
Is there a correction to the email address? It doesn’t work
The article states that the philosophy of “Ohr Temimim Toronto” is to teach the general studies subjects following the Rebbe’s concept. See the attached sicha. This isn’t a put down on any other school. This is the philosophy toronto decided to adopt and the standard this mesivta is going to live up to. It will take lots of talent, hard work, money and perseverance. But with Hashem’s help it will be accomplished.
This is great news for parents of mainstream kids who want a chassidishe sevivah of a mesivta and may also want an opportunity to get a general studies education and diploma.
There are so many families that just had a sigh of relief.
Amazing!!!
How is this different from what the yeshivos in L.A. or Pittsburgh offer?
B”H! We are very excited about this & interested in looking into it further! Our eldest son is headed off to Mesivta THIS ELUL! Timing and curriculum sound just what he is looking for!
i wish this was around b4 i had to “go thru the system”, unfortunately i didn’t make it thru, but if they had something like this i would have had a chance.
i think that ppl are scared to make such a thing, and maybe that’s why some meny guys like me just “drop out”
we get a drift from the rabbi’s that DO THIS , AND IF YOU DONRT FIT THIS GLOVE THEN TOO BAD”.
well I’m glad my kids will have a chance.
thank you rabbi z.
i always loved you as a principle.
z.d.
Wish there was a Zal like this. It is very unrealistic for many of our boys to be spending five years in Zal until getting smicha. They are coming out with no skills for being gainfully employed if they are not cut out for shlichus or chinuch.
I’m so happy to hear about this!
THIS is what lubacitch needs… A Chasidisher mesivta for boys who don’t want to listen to shiurim for ten hours a day, but want to learn and daven and maximize their talents and interests
Rabbi Zaltzman is the principle of three of our sons. He has constantly impressed us in so many ways. He’s very mesuder, cares for every child, greets them with a smile at the door and always takes the time to give a compliment ,while still being firm on school rules. Many principles should call him for advice.
He really does an amazing job!!!!
The Erlenweins
the article states clearly that there’s a dorm option for out of towners.
who’s gonna be the Hanhala?
Such a shame we only unearthed the Sicha now, we could hava had a Limmud Taharas Hakoidesh track in all Chabad Yeshiva Gedoilos, including 770 all these years. I guess its never too late, can’t wait to attend this track in my local Zal, Smicha and 770 yeshivos.
Can anyone please post a phone number to reach the mesivta
I am sure it is difficult to go against common norms, but i think there are a great many students who struggle in the current system, who will benefit greatly by this framework! I am so happy that someone took the brave decision to offer a yeshiva option, with good standards, that will also provide a secular education, for those who need it.
for a clearer explanation
not in any negative way ח”ו, but is there someone that can explain what exactly does it mean לימוד שאינו לימודי קודש וגם אינו חול
samengly its a limmud that is found IMPORTANT FOR לימודי קודש BUT NOT NECESSARY?
That is great news!
I have been hoping something like this would be started. Best of luck
This is so needed not only in TORONTO. But everywhere else!
Yasher koach to the staff and commitee that made this happen.
This is the call of the hour. It is so important to have a yeshiva which offers todays bochrim the ability to both learn and pursue a parnasa without having to leave the system.
BH it is being run by an experienced and chassidishe principal.
Kol hakavod!
it’s a bout time !
This has been long in coming, looking forward to seeing the results of this very necessary idea!
just what me and my husband where looking for so desperately for our son.
baruch hashem
All mesivtos should offer a dual track – available for those talmidim who desire it. This is an idea way over due! Kol Hakavod for saying it as it is – offering limudei “stam” al taharas hakodesh.
Best of luck!
A mechanech Par Exelon’s. He understands that even nowadays the importance of teaching our children only in Yiddish! Hopefully he’ll do the same in the new high school. Using his innovative wonderful ideas. His school is an example for the whole world to see