“Who would have thought helium balloons held such significance?”
Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah stands before us. It is an Ultra Orthodox yeshiva. Rabbi Shimon Green founded it in 1989. It resides in Jerusalem’s Old City Jewish Quarter.
Rabbi Green established Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah with two aims. He wanted high-level Talmud study accessible. He also wanted students of all backgrounds to study in an intensive atmosphere. The yeshiva started in the original Etz Chaim Yeshiva building. This was in front of the Old City’s Hurva Synagogue. It began with just a few students.
Student numbers grew. In 2000, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah moved to its current location. It is on Ohr HaChaim Street above the Cardo.
In June 2010, Rabbi Nissim Tagger became Rosh HaYeshiva. Rabbi Asher Baruch Wegbreit became Mashgiach Ruchani. Since then the Post-High School Yeshiva Program grew. The yeshiva expanded to incorporate the original Jerusalem Heritage House site. This became the Gershon Burd Building. The Gershon Burd Building expansion was scheduled to open in early 2020.
Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah attracts students from various places. These include New York. They also include Johannesburg Jerusalem Toronto England Los Angeles Memphis and Antwerp.
Some students pursue college degrees. They do this through the Rechtschaffen Institute of Judaic Studies. This institute is affiliated with several colleges. These are Touro College Excelsior College Thomas Edison University Charter Oak University and Empire State College. The yeshiva offers a semicha program. Rabbi Dov Sendler administers it. Many alumni return home. They continue Torah education in local yeshivas. Other graduates attend major universities.
Bircas HaTorah began as a yeshiva for adults. These adults had academic backgrounds. It became known as a place for rigorous Torah study. The original campus had only two classrooms. These were in the Old Churva Shul.
In 2005, the Yeshiva became a major attraction. Shana Aleph students sought an intensive program. They wanted student-centered learning in a warm atmosphere. The Shana Bet program launched in 2009. Students came from the United States Canada Europe and South Africa.
Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah is now a prime Torah learning destination. It welcomes students worldwide of every age. It is minutes from the Kotel Ha’Maaravi and Jaffa Street. The yeshiva combines Old City beauty with a modern feel.
The Rosh Yeshiva focuses on each student’s best interests. There is individual attention from the rebbeim. The yeshiva accepts students for who they are. Bircas HaTorah offers students a unique opportunity. Young and old students engage together. The yeshiva helps each one find their path.
The Gershon Burd Building honors the former executive director. Gershon Burd passed away tragically. He was known for his hidden acts of kindness. He secretly paid for helium balloons for children. He also secretly covered tuition for needy students. He even paid for counseling for families. This new building houses the Rabbi Motty Berger Beis Medrash. It also houses the Harary & Levy Learning Centre.
Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah stands as a testament to accessible Torah learning.