Could excellence be a tradition? At Shaare Torah School, it certainly feels that way. Founded in 1982 by Rabbi Hillel Haber and his brother Mr. Manny Haber, Yeshivat Shaare Torah started with just nine students. They saw a need for a separate boys Yeshiva High School.
Shaare Torah is more than just a school. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It operates five Sephardic private Jewish day school programs in Brooklyn. These include single-gender elementary schools and high schools. Shaare Torah also runs a preschool program.
Rabbi Hillel Haber, a Syrian Jew from Brooklyn, is the rosh yeshiva. He spent 14 years in Israel studying Torah at Yeshivat Kol Yaakov. Then he returned to Brooklyn and founded Shaare Torah.
Shaare Torah primarily serves Brooklyn’s Sephardic Jewish community. However, it also welcomes students from the Tri-State area. The school is affiliated with Orthodox Judaism.
The girls’ high school at Shaare Torah is known for its excellence. It offers rigorous academics and Torah inspiration. The school creates a warm environment. Every student’s success is a priority. Shaare Torah Girls High School prepares students for college and careers. Students can even earn college credits while in high school. The Judaic Studies program emphasizes both academics and personal growth. A love of Torah is instilled in the students.
The boys’ high school has athletic teams. They compete in softball, basketball and flag football. The school is part of the Metropolitan Yeshiva High School Athletic League.
Shaare Torah encourages graduates to study at yeshivot and seminaries in Israel. Some students continue their studies. Others attend universities like Brooklyn College and Baruch College. These colleges grant credit for study in Israel. Some graduates also join a Kollel after Yeshiva education.
Shaare Torah faced challenges in the past. In 2009, students were injured when a sidewalk grate collapsed. The school also closed temporarily due to the swine flu epidemic. In 2015, the school hosted a rally promoting tax credits for private school parents.
More recently, in June 2024, a bus carrying girls from the high school was involved in an accident. A tree branch fell on the bus injuring several students.
Shaare Torah continues to rise to challenges. It prepares students to maximize their potential. The school instills a belief in themselves. They gain a vision for the future. Shaare Torah provides a nurturing environment. Here, every student can thrive.