Overview
In the Yeshiva of Rochester you will find a tight knit atmosphere, a genuine, straight forward attitude, a down to earth approach to life and, of course, fantastic Rabbeim.
In the far reaches of upstate New York, a six-hour drive northeast from Lakewood or Brooklyn, lies a hidden gem of a yeshiva.
The Talmudical Institute of Upstate New York—or Yeshiva of Rochester— was the first external affiliate branch of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. It was founded in 1974 by Rabbi Dovid Harris and Rabbi Menachem Davidowitz, a talmid muvhak of the venerated Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Henoch Leibowitz, zatzal. Today, the yeshiva boasts a Yeshiva Ketana, Mesivta, Beis Medrash and Kollel.
In its wholesome and intimate embrace, isolated from big-city commotion and distraction, talmidim are able to learn with hasmada and develop into dedicated, quality bnei Torah with a deep love of ameilus b’Torah and sterling middos.
Empowering
each student
The yeshiva allows each student to benefit from the personal attention of the hanhala and rebbeim. “Almost all bnei Torah can only reach their potential through a true rebbi-talmid relationship. This relationship will develop in a more meaningful way in asmaller setting,” says Rabbi Polatoff.
Ingraining a
Love of learning
He continues: “The students know that we have high expectations for them, and they strive to meet and very frequently exceed our expectations. Success breeds success; they quickly realize they can accomplish, and, when they do, they become motivated to accomplish even more.”
An example
to live up to
The Mesivta and Beis Medrash are housed in the same building, and each high school boy is paired with a Chavrusa from the Beis Medrash. Throughout the year, the Mesivta and Beis Medrash bachurim jointly participate in various extracurricular learning programs, including pre-Shacharis Iyun Tefillah, Mishnayos, mussar learning and the completion of Mesches Megilla.
These programs provide various rewards for completion, including trips and celebratory siyumim. Over the course of the year, the high school boys and Beis Medrash bachurim become very close, giving the high school boys a constant model of the products of the yeshiva and demonstrating to what they can aspire.
These programs provide various rewards for
completion, including trips and celebratory siyumim.
Over the course of the year, the high school boys and
Beis Medrash bachurim become very close, giving the
high school boys a constant model of the products of
the yeshiva and demonstrating to what they can aspire.
Rochester's
lasting impact
The city of Rochester’s Torah population may be small, but Rochester stands disproportionately large where it counts. It empowers generations of talmidim with a passion for and competence in limud haTorah, a core of middos tovos, and a mussar approach of reflection and constant growth.
“Yeshiva of Rochester puts the right emphasis on the important issues and doesn’t stress dress style but rather how to respect other people and how to conduct a proper way of living.”
— DEBBY BAUER, MOTHER OF 9TH AND 12TH GRADE TALMIDIM
