American Friends of Yeshivat Hakotel

Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl

POSEK OF THE YESHIVA

Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl is the former Chief Rabbi of the Old City of Jerusalem and Rabbi of the Ramban Synagogue in the Old City. A prolific author, he has written over ten books on Parashat Hashavua and Chagim.

Rav Nebenzahl is considered by many to be the leading student of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach as well as his chavruta for over forty years.

Aside from his role as Posek of the Yeshiva, Rav Nebenzahl delivers shiurim in Parshat Hashavua, Hilchot Shabbat and Rambam Yad Hachazakah, and delivers a weekly shiur and question-answer session to Shana Bet.

Rav Baruch Wieder

ROSH HAYESHIVA

Rav Baruch Wieder was born and raised in Netanya and is a graduate of Yeshivat Bnei Akiva Netanya. He later studied in Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav under Rav Zvi Yehuda HaKohen Kook Zt"l.

Rav Wieder continued his learning in Yeshivat Hakotel. After completing the Hesder Program and receiving Semicha from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, he joined the Kollel where he served the Rosh Kollel Rav Yaakov Katz.

He currently serves as both Rosh HaKollel and Rosh HaYeshiva.

Moti Jerbi

CEO, DIRECTOR GENERAL

BA in Education and Communications and Media, and is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Israeli Army, responsible for protecting Israel's southern borders. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Mr. Jerbi builds personal relationships with many students.

Rav Reuven Taragin

DEAN OF OVERSEAS STUDENTS

Rav Reuven Taragin, a Wexner Fellow and Musmach of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate completed a B.A. in Science and Philosophy at Yeshiva University and an M.A. in Jewish History and Education at Touro College (Israel). Rav Taragin has also been deeply involved in informal education programming including NCSY shabbatonim and the creation of the YUSSR summer program.
Rav Taragin is responsible for the quality and message of the overall program and the welfare of each of its students. Despite his many responsibilities, Rav Taragin manages to develop a deep kesher with each of the talmidim both while they are in yeshiva and afterwards (he maintains personal contact with each one of the yeshiva's alumni).
He is well-known for his shiurim in Gemara, Tanach and Machshava, his inspiring talks, signature tisches, and the personal advice he offers to talmidim.
Rav Taragin is the Rosh Beit Midrash at Camp Moshava (I.O.), and Rav of Kehillat Eretz Chemdah in Katamon and has also taught at Yeshivat Har Etzion and Nishmat and Be'er Miriam.
Rav Taragin is also the founder and director of the Yeshivat Hakotel Community (Five Towns, Teaneck...) Education Conferences which bring together tens of community educators who work with thousands of parents to help them best educate their children.

Rav Uri Goldstein

DIRECTOR OF OVERSEAS PROGRAM

Uri Goldstein studied Political Science in Yeshiva University, and received smicha from RIETS. In addition to his responsibilities at Hakotel, Rav Uri serves as Rav Beit Sefer of Orot Banot school in Beit Shemesh. Before making Aliyah in July 2016, Rav Uri was Rabbi of Congregation Ahavat Achim in Fair Lawn NJ for ten years, and assistant Rabbi at Park East Synagogue in NYC. Along with his wife, Dr. Julie Yanofsky Goldstein, Rav Uri established and directed the Jewish Learning Initiative (now JLIC) at UCLA. The Goldsteins reside in Beit Shemesh with their five children.

Rav Jesse Horn

RAM

Rav Jesse Horn is a Ram known for his methodological and Brisker approach to Gemara, creative Shiurim in Tanach, and warm personality. In shiur, he teaches Talmidim to rigorously read and dissect texts, to ask major questions on the Sugya, and to develop and analyze the answers and approaches offered by the Rishonim. He works extensively with them during seder helping develop their own skills.
Being a constant presence in the Beit Medrash, along with having a warm personality and an ability to understand Overseas Talmidim, Rav Horn forges particularly close relationships with his Talmidim.
Rav Horn also teaches in MMY and has taught in many other seminaries including Shaalvim for Women and Midreshet HaRova. Additionally, Rav Horn also sends out a Halachik email weekly to almost one thousand readers.
Rav Horn earned a B.A. in Judaic Studies and M.A. in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University and received smicha from Yeshiva University/RIETS. Rav Horn resides in Neve Daniel along with his wife and children.

Rav Ari Cutler

RAM

Rav Cutler's daily Gemara shiur teaches students the necessary methodology and skills to be confident in building a sugya with in-depth analysis of Rishonim and Achronim. The shiur is known for its culture of chevra, confidence to build sugyot by student-led chaburot and connection to Torah. His unique 'vaad' is a highlight for the talmid's week in building their Avodat Hashem. Rav Cutler takes pride in his close relationships that he develops with talmidim.

Rav Cutler is also known for his passionate sichot, guidance delivered, and Halacha and Machshava Shiurim (with a focus on Machshevet Rav Soloveitchik and Rav Kook).

Rav Cutler is the Founder and Director of the Yeshivat Hakotel Leadership Program which features mentoring and practical experience in community and youth leadership.

Rav Ari Heller

RAM

Rav Heller received a degree in Education from Herzog Teacher's College and Semicha from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. He also holds a Teacher's and Master's Degree in Judaic Studies from Israel's Ministry of Education.

Rav Heller's gemara shiur is unique in that it provides talmidim with solid foundations in both the textual and conceptual aspects of learning. He is also known for learning b'chavruta with each of his talmidim. Rav Heller gives numerous other shiurim in yeshiva including Nevi'im Rishonim and Chassidut.

He oversees the Machal Program and provides the boys with emotional and practical support and advice throughout the process.