Every child matters. Some say it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes an extraordinary yeshiva, with a gifted and devoted rosh yeshiva and staff, to inspire every talmid to discover his inner greatness.
Warm and welcoming, Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim is a makom Torah, a nurturing place where the values and morality of Torah form the fabric of daily life. The Yeshiva seeks to inculcate high-school bachurim with a love for Torah learning and Yiddishkeit, while providing them with the knowledge and experience they need to learn a trade or profession and become successful and contributing members of the community.
Graced by Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen as rosh yeshiva, Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim offers each talmid an opportunity to grow as a ben Torah while at the same time recognizing that the traditional academic path is not always geared to each student. Seeking to establish a quality yeshiva option that would address the needs of these students, a group of community askanim approached Rabbi Oppen and offered the position of rosh yeshiva to the distinguished rav, who, together with his Rebbetzin and family, are treasured members of our community.
“Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen has been involved in enhancing and building chinuch foundations in the Five Towns/Far Rockaway area and beyond for over 30 years,” noted Avi Englard, who serves on the yeshiva’s board of directors. “He is an inspiration and role model for all who know him.”
Rabbi Oppen studied in Israel at Yeshivas Bais HaTalmud, Yeshivas Beit HaKerem, and Yeshivas Ner Moshe. He holds a BA in Human and Community Service and an MS in social psychology. Having studied at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, he obtained certification in their “Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership” program. Additionally, Rabbi Oppen is an AAPC and Refuah Institute-certified life coach.
Rabbi Oppen has proven himself to be a tremendous talmid chacham, a committed educator, and an efficient administrator, with a keen understanding of today’s high school students, teachers, colleagues, and parents alike. Highly respected by his colleagues, parents, talmidim, and the general community, he has built long-lasting personal connections with his talmidim.
Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim offers each talmid a customized program crafted according to his interests.
“Every talmid at our Yeshiva is a metzuyan,” said Rabbi Boruch Oppen, the Yeshiva’s menahel. “Through individualized schedules and matching students to a relevant internship program that will provide hands-on experience, our students master the necessary skills and proficiency in their professions of choice. Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim is committed to the development of a well-rounded contemporary bachur by empowering each student with the skills to succeed in Torah learning and in general society. The yeshiva works toward this goal by cultivating an affinity to learning and by building a strong sense of self-esteem.”
Passionate about helping students learn, Rabbi Boruch Oppen is the author of Lessons Learned From My Children. He received semichah from his rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Ahron Kaufman, and earned a master’s degree in educational leadership. A gifted rebbe and administrator, Rabbi Boruch Oppen’s dynamic classes have inspired children, teenagers, and adults.
Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, Rabbi Boruch Oppen, and their staff believe in embracing every talmid at his level and catering to his specific goals. They aim to empower their talmidim by helping them realize their own gifts, appreciate their inherent worth as bnei Torah, and by providing the tools to succeed in their various paths. Within the framework of a Torah-true environment, Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim has created a fulfilling and meaningful high school experience, helping their talmidim succeed and contribute in any area they choose.
With mornings immersed in limud Torah, the talmidim begin their day with a solid seder of davening and shiurim. Contingent upon each bachur’s personalized schedule, he works toward proficiency in his chosen field by spending the afternoon in internship and earning his GED in New York State.
“Our goal is to imbue each talmid with a warm and caring Torahdik outlook, everlasting ahavas Torah and yiras Shamayim, as well as establishing a strong work ethic,” Rabbi Boruch Oppen noted.
“Since the inception of the Jewish nation, education has been at the forefront. Throughout the generations, Jewish people have been learning to balance their Jewish pride within society. Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim offers students an opportunity to branch out into the world with life skills and experience while maintaining a firm grasp of Torah and love of Yiddishkeit.”
“Every child has to feel that he or she counts, no matter who, when, or where,” stated Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen. “It’s a talmid’s right and need to feel a sense of belonging, respect, and value. When a talmid feels success, it will breed success. This is our mission and goal at Ateres Eitz Chaim—to provide each talmid with the tools and guidance he will need to be a respected, successful ben Torah.”
You are cordially invited to experience this outstanding makom Torah firsthand. The open house will take place at the Yeshiva on Sunday, January 8 at 9:00 a.m. For more information, please refer to their ad in this issue of the 5TJT.
Rochelle Maruch Miller is a contributing editor for the Five Towns Jewish Times. She is a journalist, creative media consultant, lecturer, and educator, and writes for magazines, newspapers, websites, and private clients. She welcomes your comments at Rochellemiller04@aol.com. Read more of Rochelle Miller’s articles at 5TJT.com.
