Ready to explore a place of Torah Midos and Excellence? Rambam Mesivta stands before us a testament to Jewish education and community. Founded in 1991 Rambam Mesivta is a private Jewish High School. It is located in Inwood New York.
Rambam Mesivta’s story began with a vision. The vision was to create an all-boys Mesivta program. This program would blend religious Jewish studies with college preparatory academics. Students come from diverse communities. They come from Queens Brooklyn Five Towns West Hempstead and Greater Long Island.
Rav Zev Meir Friedman is the Rosh HaMesivta. Rabbi Yotav Eliach serves as Principal. He is the author of “Judaism Zionism and the Land of Israel”. Eliach’s parents also had notable careers. His father was a former principal of Yeshiva of Flatbush High School. His mother Yaffa Eliach was a historian and author.
In 2006 Rambam Mesivta formed a partnership with HAFTR High School. It was called the “Torah Institute”. The goal was to pool resources. They wanted to raise standards in both religious and secular education. This led to Rambam’s sister school Midreshet Shalhevet. The partnership ended due to financial issues. Shalhevet ultimately closed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
In the fall of 2022 Rambam Mesivta moved to a new facility in Inwood. The school had previously been located on Frost Lane in Lawrence. Rambam had paid rent to Brandeis Hebrew Academy. The new building on Mott Avenue is a six-minute walk away.
Rambam Mesivta has received recognition for its excellence. It was honored with the National Blue Ribbon School Award. It won in both 2015 and 2021. This award recognized high scholastic performance. It also recognized high attendance and graduation rates. Rambam was the second yeshiva on Long Island to receive this award. It is the only one in the state to win twice.
Athletics are an important part of Rambam Mesivta. Teams include hockey basketball flag football soccer tennis and softball. Hockey is currently the strongest sport. The Varsity team has made the playoffs several times. In 1997 the Rambam varsity basketball team won the MYHSAL championship. They defeated Flatbush at the Meadowlands Arena. Rambam’s softball team also won MYHSAL championships in 1996 and 1997.
Academic teams also thrive at Rambam Mesivta. The Yeshiva League Chess team is very strong. Other teams include Mock Trial Robotics Debate and College Bowl.
Rambam Mesivta encourages student involvement in Jewish activism. Students raised money for schools in Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami. They also raised money for victims’ families after the 2014 Har Nof synagogue attack. Rambam students protested Polish actions against a historian documenting Polish collusion with the Nazis.
The new building includes a beis medrash. This hall is dedicated to Torah study. There is also a STEM lab for science technology engineering and math. The school also features larger classrooms and a state-of-the-art gym. A Holocaust center showcases challenges and sacrifices of survivors.
Rambam Mesivta stands as a beacon of Jewish education. It blends tradition with modern academics. The school fosters activism and academic excellence. It is a place where students grow intellectually and spiritually.