Yeshiva Ner Yisrael: Ner Israel Rabbinical College also known as NIRC and known colloquially as Ner, is a yeshiva in Baltimore, Maryland founded in 1933 by Rabbi Yakov Yitzchok Ruderman who was a key disciple of RabbiNosson Tzvi Finkel of the famous Slabodka yeshiva in Lithuania, Europe.
It was founded and named soon after the passing of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan in Europe in 1933 and the name Ner Yisrael (meaning "Light [of] Israel" in Hebrew) was derived from the two names Meir (meaning: "[one that] lights up) and Yisrael (meaning Israel). Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan was also known as the Chofetz Chaim.
It is primarily an American, Lithuanian-style TalmudicHaredi Judaism but non-Hasidic yeshiva. It presently consists of a high school numbering over 200 students, a post-high school beth midrash program numbering about 400 students, and a kollel post-graduate rabbinical division numbering about 200 students.
Apart from its prominence in religious studies, Ner Israel is unique is its agreement with Johns Hopkins University, Towson University, Community College of Baltimore County, Loyola College in Maryland, University of Baltimore and University of Maryland, Baltimore County whereby students can take courses at these schools in a variety of academic fields in training for secular professions. This is a very appealing feature to many Orthodox Jews who seek to have the basis for becoming future professionals. A large percentage of students also choose to pursue law school after receiving an undergraduate degree at NIRC.
It is currently headed by Rabbi Aharon Feldman who serves as the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Herman H. Neuberger who is the president of the college, and Rabbi Beryl Weisbord who is the mashgiach.
To be sure, the success of NerIsrael Rabbinical College is inextricable from the scholarship and reputation of its founding Rosh Yeshiva, or dean, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman — Rabbi Neuberger’s brother-in-law — and of Ruderman’s illustrious successors, Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg and Rabbi Yaakov Kulefsky, all of blessed memory.
And NerIsrael continues to thrive under the tutelage of the renowned Rabbi Aharon Feldman, may he enjoy a long and fruitful tenure.
And Neuberger, assisted by the late president of Agudath Israel of America, Rabbi Moshe Sherer, helped build an entire community, too, moving heaven, earth and the U.S. State Department to transplant hundreds of Iranian Jews to these shores (many of whom were enrolled tuition free at NerIsrael).
Feeds |
Contact