YESHIVA B'NEI TORAH

I S R A E L

In September 1992, Rabbi Chaim Ozer Chait started Yeshiva B’nei Torah in Israel.  One year later the Yeshiva moved to Ma’aleh Michmas, a small settlement in the West Bank, northeast of Jerusalem.  We vividly remember the excitement we felt when the Yeshiva began to grow and flourish.  In a matter of three years we had a vibrant high school consisting of eighty students.  The Yeshiva had a special derech in learning and a unique, philosophical approach to yahadut.

For the first time, religious, chareidi students were given the opportunity to complete a high school and a college program. A coordinated army program was in the making.  The atmosphere throughout the student body was bursting with excitement.  In September 2000, the Intifada broke out in the most vicious and horrific way.  The constant barrage of attacks throughout Judea and Samaria put fear into the student body and staff as well.  The murder of a young girl at the entrance to Ma’aleh Michmas placed the school in panic.  Rabbi Chait was determined not to succumb to Arab terrorism at all costs.  The expenses increased drastically to maintain the school.  After the Pesach Netanya massacre occurred, there was no choice but to move to Jerusalem.  The expenses further increased and became overwhelming.  The government was not able to give us the support they have promised due to budgetary cuts.  Rabbi Chait spent more time in America than in Israel in order to keep the school alive, all the while hoping the Intifada would end and the Yeshiva would be able to return to the beautiful peaceful settlement of Ma’aleh Michmas.  That never occurred.  The financial situation was catastrophic.  The teachers always remained devoted and committed to the students. They literally risked their lives traveling to Ma’aleh Michmas, and worked for months without being paid.  Rabbi Chait was committed to pay every teacher.  The school closed in August 2003 with a deficit of approximately $100,000.  Since that time $55,000 has been raised.