By COLlive reporter
Torah Ohr Academy, a new Chabad Mesivta in Georgetown, Brooklyn, was founded by a group of community-minded individuals who saw the need for an all-boys’ Mesivta program that offers combined excellence in Limudei Kodesh as well as Limudei Chol.
Under the dynamic leadership of Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Mendel Jacobson, the Mesivta will be serving students from Crown Heights, the Five Towns and Georgetown.
The Hanhala consists of Rosh Yeshiva: Rabbi Jacobson and Limudei Chol director and teacher: Rabbi Avner Tarica and Talmid Shliach, Rabbi Dovid Goldschmidt.
Torah Ohr Academy is located at Chabad of Georgetown under Rabbi Avrohom Holtzberg. A full breakfast, hot lunches, and snacks will be served daily. Plans for a van to transport the boys to and from Crown Heights is in the works. Torah Ohr Academy currently has 9 talmidim enrolled with 9 remaining spots available.
“I wanted to open a Lubavitcher Mesivta in Brooklyn with excellent programs in both Limudei Kodesh and Limudei Chol,” Rabbi Jacobson tells COLlive.com. “This is a demographic of boys that has not yet been catered to.”
“This demographic consists of boys who are serious learners. They love learning Gemara and Chassidus and they are also serious about learning algebra and science. They want to be in a Chassidisher environment with like-minded boys. Whatever they are learning, they take it seriously and I want to give them the opportunity to thrive in all their areas of their learning,” he said.
Rabbi Jacobson, son of Rabbi Sholom Jacobson of Vaad L’hafotzas Sichos, has been guiding and teaching teenage boys for over 9 years. Most recently, he ran the Middle school at Lamplighters Yeshiva for three years, where he acquired much wisdom and understanding in running a successful learning program.
“There is a warmth, love, and respect that the boys have for Rabbi Jacobson and Reb Dovid. Rabbi Jacobson ran a program where the boys actually enjoyed going to school,” says Danit Schusterman, the mother of an 8th-grade bochur who has been learning under Rabbi Jacobson and Reb Dovid.
“The boys have been instilled with a love for learning, a love for Chassidus, a love for Torah. They had night Seder that my son actually enjoyed going to, I don’t think he ever missed it. I really want this love for learning to continue on through his Mesivta years.”
“It is very important to us for our sons to have a well rounded and solid education in both Limudei Kodesh and Limudei Chol,” adds Sary Pinson, whose son was also a part of Rabbi Jacobson’s class.
”Our boys have been studying for their math and science regents remotely with Rabbi Avner, who has designed curriculums for Yeshivas nationwide as well as has been teaching for many years. Rabbi Avner moved from Crown Heights to Milwaukee this past year and because our boys learned so well with him when he was here, they have continued learning with him, taking remote daily classes with him since December. The boys have been excelling in their learning with Rabbi Avner.”
Schusterman and Pinson got together and with Rabbi Jacobson have opened Torah Ohr Academy for boys going into 9th and 10th grade. They have teamed up with the Melamed Academy and through an intense online as well as in house learning program, and under the close guidance and teachings of Rabbi Avner, the students will earn an accredited high school diploma.
Rabbi Jacobson adds, “We are a Mesivta for boys that offers an educational program to prepare young men to live their lives as Chassidim in an increasingly challenging world. Our goal for our students is to continue their Torah studies post-Mesivta at leading Chabad Yeshivos following which they will be fully prepared to go out on Shlichus and run successful Chabad houses and/or study in a university and thereafter go on to graduate and professional schools.”
The first open house via Zoom is now full, taking place Tuesday, May 26 at 9pm. To reserve your spot for the next open house via Zoom on Tuesday, June 2 at 9pm please email [email protected]. Torah Ohr Academy has a full program planned should schools not reopen in September. For more, visit www.TorahOhrAcademy.org
“Reb Mendel”, as my son called him, was my sons Rebbi in Lamplighters middle school, and I cannot recommend him highly enough as an educator and role model. He is engaged and truly cares about his students, and really gives them the perspective that being a committed chossid and lamdan is the highest ideal to aspire to. Reb Mendel – wishing you must success, we will be rooting for you!!
I wish them much success!
A rabbi that cares for his students and is willing to do whatever it takes to help them succeed!
There is no one in the world like rabbi mendel Jacobson
Moshiach now
To your comment there is Rabbi Moshe Lieblich. Of Hamesivta he is the best rabbi out there! He cares for each students as if it was his own child. So don’t say there no one out there.
“Reb Mendel” and “Reb Avner” were both teachers to my sons in Lamplighters, and they are both such amazing and dedicated educators. Reb Avner is so incredibly patient and understands children’s needs so well. He has such an evolved and nuanced approach to children’s academics and emotional wellness. Reb Mendel went above and beyond to make the classroom a fun, vibrant, friendly community. My son loved going to school every day. He would stay late to farbreng with the boys, and he even hosted a special Friday night meal at his home for all of his students. My son was… Read more »
While Limudei Choil can be fun to learn as well, Limudei Koidesh is KEY