Kol Yaakov Torah Center
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Kol Yaakov Torah Center is an Orthodox, Jewish, Charedi biblical school designed to introduce the beginner to a variety of skill developments and knowledge of the multiple aspects of Torah Judaism placing them in the path of independent scholarship in the field of advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic studies.
It is based in Monsey, New York in rural Rockland County (35 miles Northwest of Manhattan).
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[edit] History
Kol Yaakov Torah Center was founded in 1981 by Rabbi Leibel Tropper after he left Ohr Somayach in Monsey. He was at Shema Yisrael Yeshiva when it split into Aish HaTorah and Ohr Somayach. When Ohr Somayach sent Rabbi Braun and Rabbi Rokowsky to Monsey, he went with them, but only stayed a short while before being asked to leave, and starting his own school nearby.
He subscribed to Ohr Somayach's philosophy of teaching all of Judaism while learning the Talmud. Unlike Ohr Somayach, Monsey he is of the opinion that students should dress charedi as soon as possible, whereas the former institution will only allow students to wear black hats with permission from faculty.
Kol Yaakov is an intense Charedi environment that operates from a "Torah only" philosophy. As contrasted with the Torah Im Derech Eretz philosophy of Modern Orthodoxy, Kol Yaakov generally takes an oppositional stance to secular teaching or culture. Notably, the staff at Kol Yaakov is exclusively Charedi. Kol Yaakov does not have classes that address basic questions about Judaism as does Aish HaTorah. Rather, its educational program operates as does the typical Lithuanian Yeshiva by focusing on Talmud and other textual study.
[edit] Description of Kol Yaakov's program
They have daily lectures and classes to provide answers to both basic and challenging questions and set up study programs for anyone who wants to delve into the world of Jewish learning.
The Program is divided into four major categories:
1. Introductory 2. Intermediate 3. Advanced 4. Bais Achiezer Rabbinical Training Program
Since its inception in 1981, the Kol Yaakov Torah Center has been an institution focussed on educating Jews with limited background.
At the Kol Yaakov Torah Center, the Bible and the Talmud are the main teaching tools and subjects.
Thousands of young men from United States and abroad have passed through its doors. They have come to hear the eternal echo and beauty of Torah Judaism.
Many of these young men have already searched elsewhere for guidance and meaning. With the Torah as their guide, they come to find out how their own heritage can enrich their lives and give purpose to their other educational and professional pursuits. One underlying principle that makes Kol Yaakov unique is not to succumb to the temptation of compromising academic excellence in order to make Torah more palatable, for the ultimate goal is to educate and bring these young men into the sphere of Torah Judaism. A professional career integrated with traditional Jewish values is a common goal among Kol Yaakov students. Graduates of Kol Yaakov who want to continue learning more intensively enjoy the unique advantage of being able to study in virtually any mainstream yeshiva.
Kol Yaakov presents a steadfast commitment to Torah Judaism in an appealing, non-coercive and accessible setting. Students who come to learn to Kol Yaakov are provided with intellectually challenging and satisfying ways to explore the vast depths of Jewish knowledge and wisdom.
Kol Yaakov's rabbinical staff helps the students acquire skills in Torah studies, Jewish Law, Talmud and Jewish Philosophy, and also give them spiritual guidance with a view to actualizing the humanity and Torah greatness within themselves.
Kol Yaakov maximizes the opportunity for personal growth by providing individualized attention designed to meet the needs of each student. Kol Yaakov's full time programs provide classes for the Winter, Spring and Summer terms on all levels from introductory to advanced. Day, evening and Sunday classes are also available for the part-time students.
Kol Yaakov is an accredited College. It provides an opportunity for students to acquire a clear perspective on their Jewish Heritage, and at the same time obtain a few more credits towards a degree.
The full day's schedule begins with Morning Prayers at 7:30 am and culminated with Evening Services at 9:45 p.m.
Kol Yaakov is currently completing its 25th year and has been a fully accredited educational center since 1984. Kol Yaakov's success has been unusual in expediting the mainstreaming of students to the conventional and more mature Torah Community. Some 2,000 students have crossed the threshold of Kol Yaakov's door.
The student body is usually about 90 percent Baal Tshuva and people from frum families are in the minority. Out of 25 students there are usually about 15 - 20 regular students and rest turn over 90 percent every few months. He also has about 15 residents who are fans of his and come to the yeshiva or support it in other ways.
The educational administration of Kol Yaakov has an individually structured program, with little collective structure. Guided by the spirit of Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetsky ZT"L, Kol Yaakov aims to mainstream its' students into the black hat world. The focus is primarily on the individual and all skill development is one on one. Reinforcement is through classes and peer pressure.
[edit] Faculty
- Rabbi Leibel Tropper a is founder of Kol Yaakov Torah Center. A native of Broklyn. He served as an educator at Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem. He returned to the United States in 1980 to help found Ohr Somayach, Monsey, Kol Yaakov, Horizons.edu and eternaljewishfamily.org web sites.
- Rabbi Sovid Stefansky is Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Yaakov Torah Center in Monsey. Rabbi Stefansky has a fabulous house near Ohr Somayach because his father is a successful real-estate developer who paid for his home in cash. He has been with Tropper from the very beginning.
- Rabbi Dovid Wolpin, received his ordination at the Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. He is brother to Rabbi Nosson Wolpin, editor of the Jewish Voice magazine publish by Agudath Israel.
