Faculty
You and Your Rebbe
Sha'arei Mevaseret is known for its warmth, its sense of achdut and the close personal relationships unique to the Yeshiva. To us, these are not merely phrases, but values which embody the very essence of what our Yeshiva is all about.
A major ingredient in the Yeshivat Sha'arei Mevaseret Zion experience is the special family spirit that pervades YSMZ. We view the development of relationships among Talmidim and staff to be integral to the process of learning and growing. The Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbeim and members of the administration make a point of knowing each Talmid personally.
Our Rebbeim are themselves inspiring role-models, and give of their time to the Talmidim both inside and outside the Beit Midrash. They are not merely teachers for a year, rather they become chaverim for life. Made possible by the low Talmid-Rebbe ratio, relationships with Rabbeim extend beyond the classroom to include Shabbat visits, personal conversations and ongoing correspondence long after alumni have returned to their respective countries.
Our Talmidim come from different schools, cities and even countries around North America and the world, and forge long-lasting friendships. Whether as chavrutot, roommates or by experiencing their year in Israel in the same Beit Midrash, they create a strong bond, a common sense of purpose and destiny, and unforgettable memories for a lifetime.
Faculty Profiles
 |
Rabbi Azarya Berzon, Rosh Yeshiva Education: Smicha - RIETS, YU; MA - New School
for Social Research; BA - Queens College The Rosh Yeshiva has been a Ram at Yeshivat Birkat Moshe (Ma’aleh Adumim) and Sha’alvim and learned directly under Rav Soloveitchik. He presents a very “lumdish” shiur, using a Brisker methodology. He uses his expansive knowledge in Shas/Poskim to expose his Talmidim to sugyas in Kol HaTorah Kulah and his energy in shiur is passionate and inspiring. Talmidim develop a strong Derech HaLimud from the Rosh Yeshiva that enables them to take apart a Gemara with direction and confidence. The Rosh Yeshiva and his wife Charnie live in Har Nof. |
 |
Rabbi Shimon Isaacson Education: Master of Law (Taxation),
JD - New York University; BA - Yeshiva University; Graduate -
Meretz Kollel, Mevaseret Zion A master of tax law who could have become a partner in a major law firm, Rav Isaacson uses his incredible mind to give an unbelievable shiur that clearly and concisely conceptualizes and breaks down the Gemara. His charisma and lucidity keep everyone attentive, and he forces participation in shiur, which sharpens the minds of his Talmidim. Besides his morning shiur, Rav Isaacson gives a very rigorous B'kiyut Shiur of which much of the Yeshiva takes advantage, as well as a very in-depth practical Hilchot Shabbat Shiur that covers much of the 39 Melachot and Hilchot Muktzeh, and a powerful Hashkafa/Mussar Shiur. Rav Isaacson and his wife Sharon live in Ramat Beit Shemesh and have 7 children. |
Rabbi Mordechai Burg Rabbi Burg spent eight years learning under Rav Yehuda Parnes shlit”a, including the last three years as the Rosh Yeshiva’s personal chevrusa. He earned degrees in both Judaic Studies as well as Education from the Lander College for Men. Rav Mordechai brings a dynamic, youthful energy to our staff. |
|
Rabbi Chananya BerzonEducation: Smicha - Yeshiva University;
Smicha - Chief Rabbinate of Israel; BA - YU; MA - YU; Doctorate
from Ministry of Education in Judaic Studies |
|
Rabbi Lavey Freedman Education: Yeshiva University, Pre-Med Major |
|
R' Yehuda Mirsky Education: Graduate Yeshivat Hesder Midbara
Ke’Eden, Mitzpeh Ramon 1999 - 2005, YSMZ Kollel |
|
 |
Rabbi Eli Ozarowski Education: BA – YU; Smicha – RIETS; MA - Azrieli Graduate
School for Jewish Education; Kollel Elyon at YU Rav Eli Ozarowski gives a great class in controversial Halachik issues, most of which pertain to medicine. Some examples of his classes are abortion issues and IVF. The classes prompt a lot of thought and discussion and bring worldly and Torah knowledge under the same roof. |
R' Yaakov Pizem Education: YSMZ 2000-01, BA Univ. of
Penn., YSMZ Kollel |
|
 |
Rabbi Chaggai Raviv Education: Smicha, Graduate Hesder
- Yeshivat Sha'alvim Rav Chaggai Raviv, a fantastic speaker with contagious warmth, gives the Hebrew shiur to Shana Aleph Talmidim, which is an incredible opportunity for Talmidim to improve their Hebrew while growing in their Limud. He is the pulpit Rabbi of a large congregation in Ramat Bet Shemesh and a former Sho’el U’Meishiv in Sha'alvim. He also gives a dynamic Nach shiur in the afternoon and learns one-on-one with some of the Talmidim. He has earned a reputation of forming extremely close relationships with graduates and has had Shana Bet students forgo the “Shana Bet” shiur to stay in his shiur for a second year. Rav Chaggai Raviv lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife Ayala and 3 sons. |
 |
Rabbi Shmuel Zucker Education: Smicha - Mirrer Yeshiva; Graduate
- Gateshead, Beer Yaakov |
R' Eliyahu Wexler Education: Keren Byavneh, Derech HaTalmud,
Mir, Ner Yisrael, YSMZ Kollel, Smicha Meretz Kollel, BA Empire State
College |
|
Administration: |
|
 |
Rabbi Yedidya Berzon Education: Smicha - Rav Hirschsprung;
Graduate Hesder - Yeshivat Har Etzion Rav Yedidya Berzon has an encyclopedic knowledge of Shas/Poskim and is known for having an impeccable photographic memory. He is able to quote Gemarot, Rishonim and Achronim from memory, without hesitation – it’s an unbelievable experience. He constantly has Talmidim over to his home for meals and Shabbat as well as on Chaggim. He is in a constant state of Ruach, keeping the Beis lively and exciting. He does an amazing job of sustaining relationships with Talmidim even after Yeshiva, frequently touching base with them during his trips to America. Rav Yedidya lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife Davida and his 6 children. |
 |
Shlomo Chayen Education: Ma’alot; Meretz Kollel |
Madrichim |
|
| Our madrichim comprise a group of Israeli and American young men (some of them are YSMZ alumni!) who devote their time to ensuring that the basic needs of our Talmidim are met at all times. Madrichim live in the dormitories with the Talmidim, learn with our Talmidim in the Beit Midrash during the day and are also involved in Tiyulim, educational programs and fun projects planned for the Talmidim throughout the year. Madrichim are chosen for their maturity, responsibility and enthusiasm and they truly care for our Talmidim as a big brother or close friend. | |
