Our Stories

He cared for me like a father. Originally from Iran, Yosef Shemtov felt a warm acceptance by all in the Yeshiva, and especially the Rosh Hayeshiva. “What particularly attracted me to the Yeshiva was the Rosh Hayeshiva, he treated me as a father does his son.” As a bochur in Yeshiva from 1981-1986, R. Shemtov felt that he was “home.” Upon turning 20, R. Shemtov consulted with the Rosh Hayeshiva about leaving the Yeshiva and starting the next steps in his life’s journey. “I immediately felt the love and concern from the Rosh HaYeshiva. “He said if I want to pursue a parnassah, he would introduce me those who can mentor me and steer me appropriately, which he did.”

“ I learned in yeshivos in the Northeast and Israel, and then was drawn to Miami.” R. Motty Shulman recounts that “right when I met the Rosh Hayeshiva, I knew this was the right fit. I was drawn by his remarkable depth and breadth of Torah and intellectual honesty.” Motty attended Yeshiva from 1994-2000.

“I was a lifer,” Yisrael Abisror states. “I attended Yeshiva Elemetary School (YES), Mesivta and then Bais Medresh from 2012-2018”. It was after a night shiur with the Rosh HaYeshiva that R. Yisrael decided that staying in Miami for Bais Medresh was the right decision. “I wanted to learn from the Rosh HaYeshiva. It was his way of thinking, his clarity and ability to pull something out of everything.” It was also the way The Rosh HaYeshiva was careful with everything he said and his insistence on authenticity.

“Dream Big” R. Mordechai Yaffe was motivated by the Rosh HaYeshiva’s words and actions. “I was in Yeshiva from 1976-1981. We were always encouraged to dream big…in shiur, in our avoda and in our personal pursuits.” 42 years since leaving Miami R. Yaffe continues to be encouraged by the Rosh HaYeshiva’s hashpoah and encouragement.