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 Rabbi Nosson 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 Talmudic Haredi 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.

External links

• NIRC Official Homepage (http://www.nirc.edu) (limited information)
• Entry (http://www.universities.com/Schools/N/Ner_Israel_Rabbinical_College.asp) on universities.com
• Students review (http://www.studentsreview.com/MD/Ner_Israel_Rabbinical_College.html)
• Degrees Offered at NIRC (http://www.micua.org/nerisrael.htm)