Born in the spiritual afterglow of the Six Day War and founded at the Rebbe’s directive, Yeshivas Ohr Temimim of Kfar Chabad quickly became a powerhouse of transformation. Under the tireless leadership of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gafni, it guided more than 1,000 young men on their journey to Yiddishkeit, many of whom became devoted Chassidim and Shluchim.
During the covid pandemic, Ohr Temimim was forced to close its doors for in person learning, (continuing with daily on-line classes with Rabbi Tuvia Bolton, who gives his blessings for this new development) and has remained closed since.
Now, that flame is being rekindled.
With Rabbi Gafni’s full blessing and heartfelt backing, Yeshivas Menachem of Kfar Chabad is carrying forward the mission he devoted his life to: a yeshiva that changes lives, revives souls, and brings the Rebbe’s vision to life. Directed by Rabbi Yankel Gottwald, Yeshivas Menachem is both a fresh start and a continuation of sacred work that began more than half a century ago.
“This is Rabbi Gafni’s yeshiva. The Rebbe’s yeshiva. Our yeshiva,” said the organizers.
The mission of Yeshivas Menachem is deeply personal to its director, Rabbi Gottwald. Raised in a small Austrian town in a family that wandered from one Christian sect to another, he felt an unshakable pull toward the Jewish people from a young age. After years of searching across the world, even working as a missionary, his path led him to Eretz Yisrael, where he poured his heart into a letter to the Rebbe, asking if he should live as a Ben Noach or become a Jew. His heart cried for the latter, and his life was forever changed.
Today, together with his wife Rus, herself a ger from a deeply devout Christian family, Rabbi Gottwald leads Yeshivas Menachem, hosting powerful Shabbosim, shiurim, and farbrengens for bochurim from all backgrounds. Thousands are touched each year by the yeshiva’s energy and message.
But the work is at a crossroads. To grow into its full potential, Yeshivas Menachem urgently needs a permanent home in Kfar Chabad. A new campus will ensure that the yeshiva can expand, inspire, and once again become the powerhouse of transformation envisioned by the Rebbe and carried forward by Rabbi Gafni.
Currently, the yeshiva is in the middle of a major fundraising campaign to secure this home. Alumni of Ohr Temimim, friends of Rabbi Gafni, and all those touched by the Rebbe’s vision are invited to take part.
Now is the time to help us build the future.
Now is the time to reignite the flame.
Join the campaign. Donate. Be part of the next chapter of the Rebbe’s yeshiva.
If Rav Gafni is connected with the rededication of Ohr Temimim it will be a success.
Didn’t cRabbi Moshe Blumberger restart the Yeshiva like 10 years ago?
There’s definitely a need for a Bal Teshuva Yeshiva like Rav Gafni’s Yeshiva, and especially in Kefar Chabad.
Yeshiva is not just to teach Torah, it’s to teach you how to serve Hashem, not only in theory but in practice. it’s so much more impactful to see it up and close by the chassids in Kefar Chabad.
B”H
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