RABBEIM

The Hanhalah at Mercaz Hatorah is comprised of dedicated talmidei chochomim drawn from renowned yeshivas, who work in partnership with the Rosh HaYeshiva to provide a curriculum compromising high Talmudic scholarship with a strong emphasis on mussar. The growth and development of each talmid’s intellect and character is the goal. This goal is achieved through the yeshiva’s demanding curriculum presented in a warm and nurturing environment by the gifted mechanchim with extraordinary middos.

RAV SHMUEL ZEV DICKER

Rosh HaYeshiva

The Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Dicker, grew up with the Belle Harbor Yeshiva and now is continuing his father’s great legacy. Following closely in his father’s footsteps, the founding Rosh Yeshiva R’ Levi Dicker Zt’L, the Rosh Yeshiva has taken all the endearing qualities of his father while adding his own unique touch and personal character. The Rosh Yeshiva is famous for his endless patience, kind demeanor, and his “sixth sense” which allows him to clearly see how a Talmid is feeling or what he needs. He also has a tremendous ability to make the most complicated sugyas accessible to all talmidim. With his trademark patience, he can often be found reiterating a svara many times over if that’s what it will take for a Bachur to fully grasp and appreciate the Gemara. The Rosh Yeshiva’s ahavas hatorah and complete dedication to the Bachurim and the Yeshiva creates an atmosphere at Belle Harbor that is warm and peaceful and an optimal setting for growth and hasmadas hatorah.

Rabbi Yosef Goldstein

9th Grade Rebbi / Menahel

Rabbi Goldstein – Our effervescent menahel is a fast moving ball of energy but when it comes to speaking with a Talmid who needs him the world seems to stop. His deep love for each Bachur is apparent in the devoted way he advocates for them and gives each one endless amounts of personal time. Not only is the boys’ Ruchnius of paramount importance to Rabbi Goldstein, he also makes sure that they are not lacking in any gashmius. Like a father, he will happily spend his own money, give up hours of his day, and work as hard as possible to make sure every detail is perfect when it comes to his Bachurim. This doesn’t stop once the boys leave either. Rabbi Goldstein has a lifelong kesher with each bachur and helps tremendously with their shidduchim, parnassa, and any advice that is needed.

Rabbi Michoel Marcus

lOth Grade Rebbi

Rabbi Marcus grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Torah Temima, Brisk, and then Lakewood. He has been with us for 12 years and his supreme dedication to instilling in his Talmidim a Cheshkas Hatorah is a trademark that stays with his students long after they’ve left these walls. Rabbi Marcus is a truly eidel and ehrliche Ben Torah whose mentchlichkeit and calm outlook leave a huge impression on everyone around him. He respects the needs of each individual Talmid and forms a kesher with them that stays for many years.

Rabbi Yehoshua Cogan

11th Grade Rebbi

Rabbi Cogan grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Torah Temima, the Mir, and our own Yeshiva Mercaz Hatorah. His unique combination of hasmada, excitement, fun, and seriousness lets the Bachurim grow while still being entertained and having great enjoyment from their learning! His favorite part of being a Rebbi here is watching the boys from when they leave his class and observing their growth thoughout Yeshiva as each Rebbi leaves his imprint, and shepping true nachas as they become more mature and real Bnei Aliyah. He fondly tells us how “the boys growth is exponential, it makes me love each and every day here. People ask how I can possibly drive three hours a day to teach here and I tell them that if they could see the Bachurim I get to spend the day with and am fortunate to teach, they would see it’s all worthwhile.”

Rabbi Aaron Chaim Lapidoth

Shoel U'meishiv

Rabbi Lapidoth is our first seder Sho’el Umaishiv. He grew up in the beautiful suburbs of New London, Connecticut and then went to Long Beach Yeshiva for High School, Kol Torah in E’Y for Beis Medrash, and then Torah V’daas in Brooklyn for his smicha. Rabbi Lapidoth received his original smicha from Rav Pam and his Yadin yadin from R’ Kahanow; he is also a Talmid Muvhak of Rav Yisroel Belsky Z’TL. It is rare to find such a great person and huge Talmid Chachom who is so disarming and approachable like Rabbi Lapidoth. The Bachurim flock to him for advice, encouragement, and difficult kashes in learning. He takes everything in stride, dealing with each person and situation calmly and with his big friendly smile. At the Yeshiva kumzitzes or mesibos he can be seen playing on his accordion with a true ruchniusdikeit and Simchas Hachaim. Rabbi Lapidoth’s likes to fondly say that the best aspect of Mercaz Hatorah is “the special way the boys are like a family, they really take an interest in and care for each other”. He very much enjoys the strong “spirit of achdus” that abounds in the Yeshiva and the warmth and friendliness amongst all the different shiurim. When the boys leave the Yeshiva, Rabbi Lapidoth proudly declares “they are ready to take ranks in Klal Yisroel as Chashuva Bnei Torah”! Well with a Rebbi like Rabbi Lapidoth guiding them, that’s not much of a surprise!

Rabbi Avraham Cooper

Shoel U'meishiv

Rabbi Cooper grew up in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from Torah V’daas and Beis Medrash Gavoah. Mercaz Hatorah has been extremely fortunate to have Rabbi Cooper for over 18 years already; a mechanech who perfectly combines a sharp sense of humor with a down to earth and practical outlook on life. With over 4 decades of experience in chinuch, Rabbi Cooper always seems to know exactly what to say to get the point across in a way that the Bachurim remember and accept. His golden method of limud is by building up the Bachurim and forming a mutual respect and understanding with his Talmidim. The bachurim feel secure opening up to him and he in turn respects each boy’s individual needs and capabilities. Rabbi Cooper feels that the best way to overcome today’s nisyonos is by having a truly thrilling and stimulating learning experience which in his shiur happens every day. He is also a firm believer in “al pi darko” and will not rest until he feels that each boy is being reached in the best way possible. As Rabbi Cooper enthuses, “It takes truly great people to let someone else grow under them.”

Rabbi Benzion Dicker

Shoel U'meishiv

Rabbi Dovid Glucksman

Shoel U'meishiv

Rabbi Glucksman grew up in Far Rockaway, NY and is a graduate of Darchei Torah, Mir Yeshiva in E’Y, and our very own Mercaz Hatorah. Being an alumni allows him a special rapport with the boys and his gentle demeanor and warm personality always leave the boys feeling encouraged and uplifted. His eidelkeit and humility enables him to reach out to anyone and everyone and help them in all aspects of growth. Rabbi Glucksman especially enjoys watching boys grow and develop in torah and forming a close relationship with each one.

Rabbi Yerachmiel Hiller

Shoel U'meishiv

Rabbi Hiller grew up in Far Rockaway, NY and graduated from Siach Yitzchak, Scranton, and Reb Tzvi Kaplan. He learned in Kollel Knesses Yisroel in Staten Island uner Rav Yisroel Solomon. R’ Hiller’s geshmak is new and fresh every day. His desire for limud Hatorah and emes is contagious and the Bachurim feel lucky to have an example of a Rebbi who is so focused and passionate on growing in learning and dveikus bashem. Rabbi Hiller is the epitome of a Rebbi who truly teaches by example. His special koach is making the shiur of the Rosh Yeshiva come alive to each Talmud.

Rabbi Yehoshua Rosenblum

Night Seder / Shoel U’meishiv

RABBI MOSHE FISH

Shoel U’meishiv

Rabb Fish is a Shoel Umeishiv in the Beis Medrash. He is an alumnus of the Yeshiva and eidim of the Rosh Yeshiva zt”l. In addition to Belle Harbor, Rabbi Fish learned both in Rav Tzvi Kaplan’s Yeshiva and in Beis Medrash Govoha.

RABBI NOSSON LEMBERGER

Shoel U’meishiv