It was Sunday, the 15th of Elul 5657 (1897), when the Rebbe Rashab publicly announced his desire to open a yeshiva. Two days later, following two historic meetings with Rabbonim, elders, and distinguished Chasidim, the Rebbe’s thought turned to action; the yeshiva was opened. During its first year, the yeshiva consisted of 18 students. Later on, on the night of Simchas Torah 5659, it received the now legendary name, “Tomchei Temimim”.
History repeats itself, exactly 125 years later, on Sunday, the 15th of Elul 5782 (2022), a new yeshiva has opened its doors in Vienna, Austria, with a class of 18 students in Shiur Alef.
As the Rosh Yeshiva will serve Rabbi Chaim Fieldsteel, who has most recently been the director of the advanced learner’s department at the “Rohr Jewish Learning Institute” (JLI) and a Maggid Shiur in 770.
Rabbi Yisroel Chasin, who has most recently been a Meshiv at Tomchei Temimim Or Yehuda, will serve as Maggid Shiur. Rabbi Avi Biderman, the Rov of the Vienna “Chabad Haus” community, will serve as Mashpia.
The yeshiva is under the leadership of Chabad Austria led by the head Shliach Rabbi Yaakov Biderman, accompanied by Rabbi Yisroel Netanelov, Rov of the “Beit Halevi” community.
In light of the Halacha “Aniyey ircho kodmin (the needs of your city come first)” the decision was made to accept only local bochurim – from the local Shluchim and community, alongside with Shluchim and Anash of Ukraine, for this school year. However, plans for next year are already in discussion, with the intention of welcoming and serving students from around the world.
The mission statement of the yeshiva, capturing where it came from and where it is heading IYH, can be found in the attached letter, sent by the Rosh Yeshiva to the parents.
