(COMMUNICATED CONTENT)

by Debbie Maimon

If beginnings are any indication, Mesivta Kesser Torah of Baltimore which opened its doors in Elul with 21 ninth graders, is joining the ranks of Baltimore’s finest mosdos. Over the course of just a few weeks, the yeshiva’s offering of exemplary chinuch for high school talmidim, and periodic shiurim for the parent body and Baltimore residents, has garnered a valued presence in the city.

Supporters of Kesser Torah, led by co-founders Rabbi Tzvi Mordechai Feldheim and his son, Rabbi Avrohom Feldheim, envision the new mosad filling a significant need in the Baltimore community and beyond. The warm endorsement from local rabbonim and from baalei batim who have joined the yeshiva’s board of directors, attest to a shared belief in the bright future of Baltimore’s newest mokom Torah.

“Their vision, experience and talent will go far in building a high-caliber institution,” predicted Rabbi Chaim Schwartz of Baltimore. “Rabbi Tzvi Mordechai Feldheim’s time-honored derech halimud and the innovative, creative methods of his son, Rabbi Avrohom, combine the best of the leading approaches in chinuch today,” he noted.

Housed in the beautiful and spacious Etz Chaim Center, Mesivta Kesser Torah’s presence in the building is marked by a captivating display of the Torah dynasties of recent generations gracing the hallways. Portraits of Torah giants and manhigei dor, framed by their renowned yeshivas and classic seforim, proclaim the timelessness of the Torah studied inside the yeshiva’s classrooms.

The goal of Mesivta Kesser Torah, says Rabbi Tzvi Mordechai Feldheim, is to find the unique balance that will build on each bochur’s strengths, develop his abilities and his personality, and promote his success. “Success not only in learning,” the Rosh mesivta added, “but in strengthening good character, and gaining proficiency in subjects that will enable a talmid to become a productive member of the community.”

It is a vision that resonates deeply with the parent body.

“The Feldheims understand chinuch,” remarked Rabbi Mendel Reischer, a parent in the yeshiva who is also a rebbi in Torah Institute and serves as English principal in Bais Medrash and Mesivta of Baltimore. “There’s wisdom in knowing how to strike a balance between firmness and love, structure and spontaneity. That is just one area where this yeshiva excels.”

Rabbi Feldheim made his mark as a master mechanech in the two decades he served as menahel and 9 th grade rebbe at Yeshivas Toras Chaim of Denver. His harbotzas Torah includes many hundreds of shiurim disseminated over Torah Communication Network to a wide audience of varied ages and backgrounds.

In great demand as a speaker, Rabbi Feldheim has been asked to address mispallelim Friday nights in shul, and to give divrei hisorerus before the yomim noraim. He has also given special addresses to the mothers of the yeshiva students, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity within the parent body.

The younger member of the team, Rabbi Avrohom Feldheim, brings to his current post years of experience as rebbe and mashgiach in the Mechina of South Florida where he designed his own professional, highly visual teaching materials that target a broad range of student needs. In addition to teaching a bekius shiur in the new yeshiva, Rabbi Feldheim shoulders a broad array of administrative functions, from overseeing state accreditation requirements to conferencing once a week with each talmid, ensuring that all of their needs are being met.

“It’s an exciting time, watching the yeshiva launch itself on a strong path,” he commented. “We have a great group of 21 talmidim, almost all homegrown products of our local mosdos, that have fused into a cohesive chevra.”

Mesivta Kesser Torah bochurim will have the benefit of a full yeshiva schedule even as they enjoy the advantages of residing at home, Rabbis Feldheim note, with parental and community involvement playing an important role in the yeshiva’s success.

The hanhala’s encouragement of parental engagement with the yeshiva has led to a highly successful Thursday night program at the yeshiva at which fathers of talmidim come to learn with their sons during night seder. Capped by a stimulating shmuess by Rabbi Tzvi Mordechai Feldheim, this event consistently draws a strong attendance.

The mesivta boasts a well-structured, state-accredited secular studies department led by Rabbi Moshe Dovid Robinson, a talented educator who holds a Masters in Education. The faculty has designed a unique language arts program that draws on the 13 principles of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter.

Parents are praising the yeshiva’s approach of aligning secular studies with Torah values, as well as the use of leading educational techniques to aid student progress. This includes using cutting-edge computer-based programs that enable individualized instruction.

Mr. Scott Leder, father of talmid Moshe Shmuel, shared that many of his early hopes and expectations about the yeshiva “have not only been met, but surpassed.”

“First of all, the student body is special,” he noted. These are kids who want to learn, coupled with a refined display of mentschlechkeit. You don’t always get that blend. Also, Kesser Torah has a special flavor. The rabbeim are top notch – but it’s more than that. They’ve hired secular studies teachers who are competent and charismatic. They too command the boys’ respect.”

“Overall, I’d say the yeshiva’s specialty is that they’re not just committed to teaching students… they’re raising them. A world of difference there….What more can a parent ask?”

Photo Credit: Uri Arnson Photography