Yeshivas Heichal HaTorah is an Orthodox Jewish yeshiva high school located in Teaneck, New Jersey. The institution owns and operates the Jewish Center of Teaneck, where it is located. Heichal is unaffiliated with Israeli yeshivas under the same name.
History Heichal HaTorah was established by Rabbi Aryeh Stechler, Mr. Avi Goldenberg, and Mr. Yehuda Jacoby. The group met in the autumn of 2012 to establish a yeshiva high school that would open in the fall of 2013. Their objective was to create an institution that combines a classic yeshiva schedule to sufficiently develop students' Torah studies with a rigorous secular studies department to give them the skillset needed for college and the professional workplace. Heichal HaTorah greeted its first class of 17 students on September 4, 2013. It graduated its first class on June 14, 2017. The school has an enrollment of 221 students.Heichal Hatorah, U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved January 7, 2025. In 2017, the school introduced a Tikvah Humanities curriculum into its general studies courses. The course, in partnership with the Tikvah Fund, an educational foundation in New York, implements a neo-classical historical and literary curriculum.
Campus In 2016, Heichal HaTorah moved into its present location at the Jewish Center of Teaneck facility, located at 70 Sterling Place in Teaneck, New Jersey.(June 23, 2016) "Heichal HaTorah Holds Annual Dinner", Jewish Standard. Retrieved January 7, 2025. Special events are held in the school's ballroom.(November 7, 2024) "Heichal HaTorah Greets Prospective Students at Open House", Jewish Link. Retrieved January 7, 2025. The school hosts a townwide () celebration on its campus each year during the Sukkot holiday.(October 31, 2024) "Heichal HaTorah", Jewish Link. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
Curriculum Heichal HaTorah students embark on a two-fold course of study familiar to them from their time in day school. On the one hand, there is a regimen of Judaic studies, with particular emphasis being placed on the Hebrew Bible and Talmud. The latter's importance can be seen from Heichal's encouragement of their students to complete the study of the scheduled (tractate) over the summer recess, with a subsequent () celebration being held for them after the start of the fall semester, during Sukkot. In addition to the above, the school offers a full academic studies program (including some STEM subjects) such as biology, mathematics, English, history, business and finance.(August 26, 2021) "Heichal HaTorah Welcomes New Faculty", Jewish Link. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
Programs Athletic Heichal HaTorah sponsors its own varsity and junior varsity (JV) basketball and softball teams known as the Heichal Hornets. In 2018, the Heichal Hornets won the NCYI JV Basketball League championship. On May 23, 2022, Heichal JV athlete Sachi Zauderer shot a game-winning 3-pointer in the championships, making it to ESPN's SportCenter Top 10.(June 1, 2023) "Heichal HaTorah Takes TBL Division", Jewish Link. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
Vehaer Eineinu (/enlighten us) is a program spearheaded by Heichal's mashgiach ruchani (spiritual guidance counselor) Rabbi Reuven Tzvi Schwechter. The program is focused on incentivizing students to limit their screen time in order to enhance their spiritual lives. The program consists of three tiers, encompassing 4 hours, 8 hours, and 12 hours per week of screen time respectively. There are engaging raffles and programs on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. The Vehaer Eineinu website can be viewed at hhve.org and was developed by Vascad Marketing
Leadership
Rabbi Aryeh Stechler, rosh yeshiva(November 6, 2023) "33 Yeshiva High Schools Take Pledge to Fight College Antisemitism", Jewish Link. Retrieved August 2, 2024. Rabbi Dovid Goldman, Menahel (principal) of Judaic studies Rabbi Dr. Joshua Strulowitz, director of faculty advancements(August 31, 2023) "Heichal HaTorah Welcomes New Faculty for 2023-2024", Jewish Link. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
Former Rabbi Maccabee Avishur, academic dean and principal of general studiesKlein Leichman, Abigail (February 16, 2022) "Much More Inspirational Than Sad", Jewish Standard. Retrieved September 14, 2023. Rabbi Avi Oberlander (died in 2024),(June 22, 2024) "BD'E: Petirah of Rav Avi Oberlander z'l, Menahel at Yeshiva Heichal Hatorah", Yeshiva World News. Retrieved January 7, 2025. former Menahel (principal) of Judaic studies Dr. Seth Taylor, academic dean of students
References
External links Official website YouTube channel