Rav Jay Marcus is the Founder and Dean of Reishit Yerushalayim / Genesis. As founding Morah D’Asra and Senior Rabbi of the Young Israel of Staten Island for over 30 years, Rav Jay and his wife Barbara were involved in virtually every facet of Jewish communal life on Staten Island.  A student of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt”l, Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l and Rav Ahron Soloveichik zt’l, Rav Jay has studied with, and was profoundly influenced by the greatest teachers of our generation.

For decades, Rav Jay has been called “a pioneer in the rise of Jewish life on Capitol Hill”, and has been lauded for his groundbreaking efforts to teach Torah and Jewish values in Washington D.C.  Rav Jay continues to deliver shiurim and enlighten legislators, politicians and staffers, and was honored in the U.S. House of Representatives for his efforts on behalf of the Jewish members there. 

Rabbi Marcus is past president of the Young Israel Council of Rabbis in Israel, and is beloved and respected as a teacher, builder and leader. Rav Jay and Barbara made Aliyah in 2001, fulfilling a life-long dream of living in Israel (on the Reishit campus!)

office1@reshit.co.il

Rav Benovitz is respected and admired as a committed Rebbi and consummate professional whose insightful shiurim, va’adim and presence has a profound impact on his talmidim and the Yeshiva.

Prior to joining us as Rebbi and Director of Admissions in 2003, Rav Benovitz was Director of Student Activities at DRS/ HALB High School for four years. Rav Benovitz is long-time Director of the NCSY Summer Kollel Program, and has been instrumental to its success and growth.

A graduate of Yeshiva University, Rav Benovitz earned his B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Jewish Education and Administration from Azrieli. A student of Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, he has also taught at both MTA and Bruriah High Schools.

mbenovitz@yahoo.com

Rav Menachem Mendel Blachman was born in Hamburg, Germany, and came to Chicago as a child. He learned in a Lubavitch High School, later coming to Israel to study in the Hevron Yeshiva. He became close with the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Simcha Zissel Brodie zt”l, with whom he learned b'chavruta for over a decade. He later studied at Kollel Pachad Yitzchak, where he became a talmid of Rav Yitzchak Hutner, zt"l. Rav Blachman has been teaching at Reishit since the beginning; inspiring and challenging talmidim with various shiurim in Gemara, Sefer Nefesh Hachayim, Lekutei Amarim Tanya and weekly talks on Parshat HaShavua. He is well known and beloved as a caring and dedicated Rebbe, and in addition to his much anticipated weekly shiurim, is actively involved in the personal and religious growth of his talmidim. In his spare time, Rav Blachman is a Senior Ra”m at Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh, and lectures at Jerusalem 's Nishmat Institute for Women.

rabbis@reshit.co.il

The GRY”B (= Gaon Rav Yakov Blinder, as he is affectionately called!) has been a Rebbi at Reishit since 1995, most recently as Shana Bet Maggid shiur.

Additionally, GRYB gives shiurim on Gemara Methodology and Ramban al HaTorah – which he is currently translating for Mesorah Heritage Foundation/ Artscroll Publishers. He has translated and edited dozens of popular works, including The Stone Edition Tanach (“The GRYBle”) as well as numerous Torah works and Pesach Haggadot.

GRYB earned his B.A. from Yeshiva University in Judaic Studies, and an M.A. in Semitic Languages from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. He also studied for many years at Bais Medrash G'voha of Lakewood, Yeshivas Beis HaTalmud, Yeshivas Mir and Yeshivas Netzach Yisroel in Jerusalem.

blinder@netmedia.net.il

A Reishit alumn (’97-’99), Rav Bronfeld continued his studies at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, Baltimore, and received his M.S. in School Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

Rav Bronfeld is a Maggid Shiur during Morning Seder, and his daily shiurim on contemporary Halacha and in-depth Mishna Berurah are an afternoon seder highlight.

With his boundless energy and open home, Rav Bronfeld has endeared himself to all of his students, and he is an essential part of our Beit Midrash.

Lanz54@yahoo.com

As the Coordinator of our Night Seder Program, and a Rebbi for both first and second year talmidim, Rav Fertig has a profound influence on the Beit Medrash.

Rav Fertig’s shiurim help talmidim develop important analytic skills to tackle the most complex issues in Jewish philosophy, Mussar and Machshava, and reveal the depth and beauty of living a Torah life.

A talmid of Yeshivas Ner Yisrael, Rav Fertig has also learned and taught at Yeshiva Neve Zion.

Rav Fertig is the author of the acclaimed Bridging the Gap , an in-depth and comprehensive guide to important Mussar sugyot and concepts published by Feldheim in 2007.

aviest@netvision.net.il

A resident of Chevron’s Avraham Avinu neighborhood, Rav Simcha’s song-filled and soul-stirring shiurim in Tanach, Shivat Tzion, Tefilah, Massechet Tamid and Chassidut have inspired talmidim at Reishit since 1996. A long time student and musmach of Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt"l (the final of Reb Shlomo’s 36!), Rav Simcha graduated Yeshiva University with a B.S. in accounting and studied at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education. He was the Rabbi of The Eldridge Street Synagogue in New York City, a Judaic studies instructor at Bi-Cultural Day School in Stamford CT, and taught at Midreshet Moriyah and a number of Israeli Yeshivot. In addition, Rav Simcha has founded a number of “Carlebach Minyanim” throughout Israel, and and teaches at The Tiferet Center in Ramat Beit Shemesh. He is the Director of Tourism in the Holy City of Chevron, and is available for individual and private group tours of Chevron, The Old City of Jerusalem, Kotel Tunnels as well as neighborhoods throughout Yehuda and Shomron. For tour information or to be in touch, please call (011-972-0) 52-431-7257 or 02-996-3946.

simchaleah@hotmail.com

Beloved and respected as a dynamic, creative and caring Rebbi, Rav Landau’s devotion to his talmidim is legendary. Whether in Gemara shiur, during “Table Talk” or engaged in a chavruta with his students, Rav Landau can be found in the Beit Midrash, teaching, inspiring and mentoring talmidim throughout the morning, afternoon and until late each night.

Before coming to Reishit, Rav Landau was a Rebbi and Director of Student Activities at Yeshiva University of Los Angeles (YULA) for ten years. Rav Landau learned at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and is a graduate and musmach of Yeshiva University -RIETS, with a B.S. in Computers and a Masters degree in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School.

As a Maggid Shiur and role model, Rav Landau is an inspiring part of the Reishit family.

rabbis@reshit.co.il

Whether teaching Jewish philosophy, Gemara, Parshat Hashavua or learning with talmidim in chaburot, Rav Lipman has earned respect and admiration as a trusted, caring and dynamic Rebbi. As Coordinator of our Ronson Fellows Internship Program, Rav Lipman works closely as a guide and advisor to the participating talmidim. A talmid of Yeshivas Ner Yisrael, Rav Lipman is also a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, with an M.A. in Education. An experienced mechanech, Rav Lipman has held numerous administrative and educational positions in the United States and Israel, most recently at Yeshivat Yesodei HaTorah, Machon Maayan and Tiferet.
His popular insights on the Weekly Portion are published by the OU as Parsha Points to Ponder. In addition, Rav Lipman is the author of DISCOVER: Answers for Teenagers (and Adults) to Questions about the Jewish Faith (published by Feldheim), a user-friendly guide to some of the most difficult questions and issue in Jewish philosophy. He is also the author of the much anticipated TIMEOUT: Pausing to Reflect on Spiritual Lessons from Sports (Devora Publishing, 2008). During the summers, Rav Lipman is Head Counselor of Sportstar Academy in America, and Director of Sportstar in Israel.

ddlipman@aol.com

Whether it be in his daily Halacha or Gemara shiurim, Shana Bet Va’ad, or on In-Shabbatot, talmidim have been benefiting from Rav Ari’s clear, organized and inspiring shiurim since the first year of Yeshiva.

A talmid of Rav Ahron Soloveichik zt”l, Rav Ari published two best selling works of his Rebbi’s Torah: Logic of the Heart, Logic of the Mind, a collection of essays and shiurim; and The Warmth and the Light, Rav Ahron’s insights on Parshat HaShavua.

Rav Ari is a graduate of Yeshiva University, studied at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, and was a Maggid Shiur at BMT before founding Reishit.

office1@reshit.co.il

Since Reishit’s beginning in 1994, Rav Doni has been a dynamic force in the Beit Medrash, shiur room and dorm.

In addition to his daily Gemara shiur, Rav Doni’s inspiring Va’adim challenge and inspire talmidim.

A talmid of Yeshivat Ohr Hachayim and a graduate of Touro College, Rav Doni also studied at Yeshivot Sha'arei Torah, Ohr Yerushalayim and YU’s Gruss Kollel, and was a member of the chinuch staff at Camp Moshava in Pennsylvania for a number of years.

As Director of Student Life and a maggid shiur, Rav Doni’s presence and shiurim are an essential part of the “classic” Reishit experience.

office1@reshit.co.il

As Mashgiach Ruchani, Rav Elie’s guidance, leadership and insight is fundamental to the Yeshiva environment and Reishit experience. His powerful and informative Thursday night Sichot Mussar are a schedule highlight, and encourage talmidim to continue working toward their spiritual, intellectual and personal potential.

In addition to his daily shiurim and student counseling, Rav Elie continues to guide countless talmidim even after they leave Reishit.

A graduate of Yeshiva University and YU’s Gruss Kollel, Rav Elie also studied at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.

Prior to founding Reishit, Rav Elie taught at B.M.T., and has been a long time member of the Chinuch staff at Camp Moshava during the summer.

ravelie@netvision.net.il

As Director of Programming, Rav Judah ensures that the Yeshiva schedule and curriculum is filled with meaningful, educational and fun tiyulim, Chesed projects, guest speakers and activities.

In addition to Gemara shiur, he also teaches Sefer Chovat HaTalmidim and Torat Eretz Yisrael. Rav Judah attended Yeshivat Shaalvim and continued his studies at Yeshiva University, and completed a B.A. in History, and M.A. in Jewish Education.

He also attended City University of New York School of Public Administration, and was a Graduate Fellow at CUNY’s Center for Coexistence.

Before coming to Reishit, Rav Judah was a Rebbi and Director of Student Activities at The Frisch School.

A regular contributor to Arutz Sheva-Israel National Radio, he is also the Rabbi of Camp HASC in Parksville NY during the summer.

Judah.Mischel@gmail.com

As a Rebbi for both first and second year talmidim, Rav Myers is a respected mechanech and role model whose sincerity, warmth and charisma is matched by his comprehensive, in-depth shiurim. Rav Myers’ shiurim cover a wide range of topics, from contemporary Halacha to Sefer HaKuzari, the writings of the Rambam and Gemara Methodology.

A talmid of Yeshivat Har Etzion and Yeshiva Bnei Torah, Far Rockaway, NY, he is also a graduate of both Brooklyn College and Adelphi University, with a Masters in Education. Rav Myers came to Reishit with extensive experience in Jewish education, having spent years teaching at HAFTR and Rambam Mesivta, and is Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Menorat HaMaor in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

In addition, Rav Myers lectures regularly at Tiferet Center in RBS, and teaches in local Elementary and Junior High Schools as well.

myers@012.net.il

Since making Aliyah and joining our Staff in 2005, Rav Perlowitz has been an essential part of Reishit. As an afternoon and night Rebbi, he has forged relationships with countless talmidim, and is a role model, mentor and guide.

Rav Perlowitz came to Reishit with extensive educational and administrative experience, having been a Rebbi and Assistant Principal of both Yeshiva Ohr Chadash in Valley Stream, NY, as well as at Brooklyn’s Zvi Dov Roth Academy.  A talmid of Yeshivat Ohr Hachaim, Rav Perlowitz also attended Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalayim and graduated from Touro Collge.

He earned his MSW from YU’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work, and currently works with Israeli families and youth through the Jerusalem based Kav L’Noar. Before making Aliyah, Rav Perlowitz spent numerous summers as Men’s Head Counselor at Camp HASC.

aviperlowitz@yahoo.com

Rav Mendel began his illustrious career at Reishit as a talmid in of our very first year of existence, and we are proud that he was the first graduate to return to Yeshiva as a staff member. A talented mechanech and trusted confidant and mentor, Rav Mendel is beloved by talmidim and faculty alike.

After his year in Reishit, Rav Mendel continued his studies at Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh and Sho’or Yoshuv in Far Rockaway. Rav Mendel graduated from Queens College with a B.A. in Sociology. Over the years, Rav Mendel has served many different roles at Reishit, from dorm counselor /madrich and Kollel member, to Sho’el U’Meishiv and Night Seder Rebbi.

In and out of the Beit Medrash, in Gemara shiur or B’chavruta, we are fortunate that Rav Mendel plays such and essential and influential role in the growth and development of countless Reishit talmidim.  

Schulman112@gmail.com

Respected and revered as a talmid chacham and devoted Rebbi, Rav Soloveichik has been a Maggid Shiur at Reishit for over a decade.

In his Gemara B’Iyun and Bekiyut shiurim, Rav Soloveichik transmits the mesorah he received from his father, HaRav Ahron Soloveichik zt”l at Yeshivas Brisk, Chicago, and Yeshiva University.

Rav Soloveichik was the founding Menahel of Yeshiva of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and Assistant Rabbi of the Young Israel of Staten Island.

During the summer, he continues to reach talmidim, as Rosh Kollel of Camp Lavi in Pennsylvania. Rav Soloveichik is Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Sholom, Ramat Beit Shemesh, and Rabbinical Director of Lem'aan Achai, the leading local community service and chessed organization.

pcsolo@shemesh.co.il

Rav “Rocky” has been inspiring talmidim at Reishit since 2005 when his family made Aliyah. Prior to their Aliyah, Rav Rocky was a pillar of the Jewish community of Detroit, Michigan, and where he was a Rebbi, youth leader, choir coordinator, camp director and Ba’al Tefillah. In addition to being a Shoel U’Meishiv and night tutor at Reishit, Rav Stewart coordinates Shabbatonim and programs for secular American-Jewish university students through Birthright, Aish HaTorah and Sackler Medical School.

Rav Stewart is a graduate of Yeshiva Toras Chaim in Denver, and studied at Yeshiva Ateres Mordechai in Detroit. He is the Director of Student Activities at Yeshivat Knesset Yisrael in Beit Shemesh, and teaches at a number of Israeli Yeshivot.

An inspiring and passionate mechanech, we are proud that Rav Rocky is part of the Reishit family.

rockest@juno.com

As Av Bayit, Reb Arye, and his wife Tamar, are a constant presence on the Yeshiva campus. A "Reishit legend" during his first tenure at Yeshiva in 2002-3, we are thrilled that Reb Arye has returned as part of our staff. In the dormitory, at Shabbat meals and around the Beit Medrash, Reb Arye adds a special ruach to Yeshiva, and is a role model and trusted mentor to talmidim. The Sufrin's dormitory apartment is always open to talmidim, and he is beloved for his attentiveness and concern for the wellbeing of each student. In addition to learning with talmidim every night, Reb Arye and Tamar host regular chugim, Melave Malkas and Shabbat programs at their campus apartment.  

A graduate with Honors from Yeshiva University with a B.A in Accounting, Reb Arye has served as Director of Y.U.S.S.R's Pesach Program, and coordinated and lead Sedarim in 13 different communities in the Former Soviet Union. For the past two years, he has worked with YACHAD, and was a Division Head at Camp H.A.S.C.  Reb Arye is currently studying for semicha, and will be beginning work for Deloitte & Touche in September 2008. 

rabbis@reshit.co.il

Since joining Reishit in 2000, Rav Willig has anchored our Shana Bet Program. As a maggid shiur, Rav Willig demands serious commitment, hard work and effort from his talmidim, whom he encourages, supports and guides along the way. In addition to his Gemara B’Iyun shiur, Rav Willig leads chaburot in Mishnayot, Tanach, Sefer HaChinuch and Jewish Philosophy during night seder.

A graduate of Yeshiva University, RIETS and Bernard Revel Graduate School with an M.A. in Jewish Studies, Rav Willig also learned at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yaneh and Yeshivas Mir. During the summer, Rav Willig serves as Rabbi in Lawrence NY, and is the Director of the collegiate learning program at Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv in Far Rockaway, NY.

A dynamic talmid chacham and devoted Rebbi, Rav Willig’s relationship with talmidim extends well beyond their time in Yeshiva.

vrwillig@netvision.net.il

As a Rebbi and Sho’el Umeishiv, Rav Moshe is an important part of our Beit Medrash, and his incisive and passionate shiurim and chaburot on Sefardic Halacha and Minhag, Torat Eretz Yisrael and Gemara are an important part of the Yeshiva curriculum.

A graduate of the Hesder Yeshiva program and Kollel at KBY as well as Moreshet Yaakov College in Rechovot, Rav Moshe received Semicha from the Rabbanut-Israeli Chief Rabbinate and a Teacher's Certificate from Israeli Ministry of Education. Rav Moshe also served as an infantry soldier in Tzahal with the Givati Brigade, and currently holds the rank of Captain as an IDF Chaplain.

Rav Moshe worked at Yeshivat Mevaseret Zion, and at Yeshivat Achuzat Yaakov, organizing extra-curricular activities for high school students in Gan Yavneh, and currently teaches at Tiferet Center in Ramat Beit Shemesh as well.

mryeshurun@yahoo.com

Director of YRY American Office
After spending a number of years at Reishit, Rav Chaim is currently the Morah D’Asra of Congregation Israel in Springfield, NJ, and a Judaic Studies instructor at Bruriah High School.  Previously a Sgan Mashgiach at Yeshiva University and Rebbi at JEC and Camp Mesorah, Rav Chaim is respected and beloved as dynamic teacher and guide. Rav Chaim studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion, graduated from Yeshiva University, and studied at YU’s Wurtzweiler School of Social Work and Azrieli Graduate School. As the Director of our American Office, Rav Chaim and his family are Reishit’s address is the United States. Rav Chaim spends at least one week each year at Reishit, and maintains a special relationship with the talmidim at Reishit.

Whether it be through hosting groups of alumni for Shabbat, through organized Shabbatonim, or regularly scheduled shiurim and va’adim, Rav Chaim is an integral part of the long-distance Yeshiva family.

Ravmook1@aol.com