Where we are currently holding
April 2019
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Sept 2018
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
June 2018
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
Tractors roll in and construction gets underway.
Dec 2017
PREPARATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION
Ohr Somayach begins physical preparations for the start of construction and fences off the area that will be the construction site.
Dec 2016
UPDATED PLANS
The plans for the new Beis Midrash complex are updated and pre-construction preparations continue.
July 2016
INAUGURATION EVENT
Ohr Somayach now has 11 departments and over 400 students. The groundbreaking of the new Beis Midrash and dining facilities was in July 2016.
2009 - 2011
NEW DEPARTMENTS - PISGA & JINTERNSHIP
In Jan 2009 Pisga, a customized yeshiva year for South African and Australian post high school students, opens. In June 2011, Ohr Somayach launches another groundbreaking program, JInternship, which provides a learning program integrated with a working internship.
July 2007
MENTOR MISSIONS
Mentor Missions enables Bnei Torah to make a difference in the lives of unaffiliated Jewish students by creating lasting relationships through unique and inspiring trips, programs and events. This pioneering program has grown to include hundreds of mentors who have made a significant difference in the lives and decisions of hundreds of unaffiliated Jewish college students. These mentors empower our students to change their outlook of a Torah lifestyle by demonstrating their success living a Torah lifestyle while balancing a career.
Jan 2006
JEWISH LEARNING LIBRARY
The Jewish Learning Library publishing arm of Ohr Somayach was founded. Since then we have published a dozen sefarim.
May 2004
YEMEI IYUN
The Annual Nationwide Yom Iyun programs were launched. Ohr Somayach Senior Lecturers travel North America on an annual basis, inspiring and informing thousands.
Jan 2003
OHR SOMAYACH DIGITAL AUDIO LIBRARY
With 1000s of shiurim from luminaries such as the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Nota Schiller, Rabbi Mendel Weinbach zt"l, Rabbi Nachman Bulman zt"l, Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz, Rabbi Uziel Milevsky zt'l, the Ohr Somayach Digital Audio Library remains a heavily used and valuable resource until today.
June 1997
JLE IN LONDON
JLE in London opens a new center in Golders Green. With over 1000 weekly attendees the JLE rapidly becomes the largest Jewish Social and Educational Center of its kind in Europe.
1996 – 2001
NEW DEPARTMENTS – CENTER & DERECH
In September 1996 the Center for Torah studies opened for young men with intellectual capabilities and motivation who sensed the disparity between their mastery of secular and Jewish subjects, and who needed to attain the ability to independently study Jewish classics. In September 1998 the Derech Institute – for motivated post-high school students who may or may not have had a strong formal Jewish education – opened.
August 1993
RUSSIA
In June 1993 Ohr Somayach opens OhrDessa schools and orphanage. They continue as part of Ohr Somayach until 1999 when they become independent.
1992 - 1993
OHRNET / WWW.OHR.EDU
Understanding the need to remain at the forefront of the hi-tech educational world, in 1993 Ohr Somayach established its own website. At the same time our email publications were incorporated into an online weekly publication – OHRNET.
1998
CANADA
Ohr Somayach in Toronto opens its doors.
1986
OHR LAGOLAH
In order to translate Judaism into the language of today, to relay our heritage to a modern generation, educators today need more than just knowledge. They need skill, and they need training. In 1986 Ohr Somayach established the pioneering rabbinic, leadership and teaching program Ohr Lagolah. Since its foundation hundreds of graduates have found meaningful positions as rabbonim, mechanchim, campus rabbis and in community kollelim, inspiring thousands of young Jews to investigate, connect to and grow in their Judaism.
1984 – 1993
MULTI-LINGUAL IN JERUSALEM
Over the next decade Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem opens departments in foreign languages. The French speaking department opens in 1984 and becomes autonomous in 1986. In 1992 both Spanish and Russian departments open, run as part of Ohr Somayach for the next 15 or so years, before becoming independent in the early 2000s.
1979 - 1983
FURTHER INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
In 1979 Ohr Somayach Johannesburg opens its doors. In 1981 a Jewish Learning Exchange opens in both New York and Los Angeles. The Ohr Somayach UK branch starts operating in 1983/84.
1979 - 1983
MONSEY
The yeshiva in Yonkers moves to Monsey. In April 1983 Joseph Tanenbaum purchased land for an Ohr Somayach campus in Monsey. OS Monsey becomes autonomous in June 1987.
Sept 1978
OHR SOMAYACH COLLEGE FOR WOMEN
Ohr Somayach College for Women opens and subsequently merges with Neve Yerushalayim two years later.
1978 - 1981
ZICHRON YAAKOV
In June 1978 the Givat Ada community moves to Zichron Yaakov in where it continues to function as a branch of Ohr Somayach before becoming independent as Ohr Yaakov Yeshiva in 1981.
August 1977
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
The first branch of Ohr Somayach to open outside of Israel opens in Yonkers, NY.
April 1977
NEW CAMPUS DEDICATED ON RECHOV SHIMON HATZADIK
In 1977, with the building expertise, financial support and guiding hand of Mr. Joseph Tanenbaum zt'l, of Toronto, the Yeshiva built its large and beautiful new campus at its present location in the Maalot Dafne neighborhood of Jerusalem.
1974 - 1975
EXPANSION
In 1974 the Hebrew speaking Israeli Department opens, and runs as a department of Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem for 28 years before becoming independent in 2002. Also in 1974 an Ohr Somayach Community for married couples and bochurim was founded in Givat Ada. The award- winning magazine "Shma Yisrael" was first published in 1975.
Sept 1972
OHR SOMAYACH OPENS
In 1972 a group of young and experienced educators from the United States founded Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem.
Glassman Jewish Learning Exchange (JLE)
A two week summer and winter program.
Combining extensive touring of Israel (both on and off the beaten track) and classes by our
highly acclaimed staff concentrating on what it means to be Jewish.
Mechina
The renowned introductory program of Ohr Somayach is geared for college age/young adults and is multi-leveled and combines classes on Jewish philosophy, Torah text and Jewish living with hands-on Talmud learning. With both short and long term learning options available, students can join at any time.
jInternship
jInternship is a unique opportunity to develop Jewish identity and knowledge (in
the Mechina program) together with exciting work experience in top Israeli business, high tech,
and social services
The Center for Torah Studies
A one year program for college graduates or students who are committed to mitzvah observance and are seeking a deeper understanding of Judaism and have a strong will to become independent in textual understanding before returning to their career or general studies.
Derech Institute
A one year program for post-high school students who are committed to
mitzvah observance and are interested in becoming independent in Talmud skills and dealing
with basic issues of Judaism.
Intermediate Beis Midrash
For graduates of the Mechina program or for new students who
are committed to observance of mitzvos and are interested in increasing their learning skills.
Pisgah
A customised Yeshiva year for the South African & Australian post high school students.
Main Beis Midrash
For graduates of the Intermediate, Derech and Center Programs or for new
advanced students who are seriously committed to growth in learning and Judaism.
Executive Renewal Program
Take time for yourself and come learn in Jerusalem. The Executive Renewal Program is for busy achievers and is available with a men's and women's program.
Mentor Missions
A program designed for business executives and professionals to mentor
JLE students in Israel and when they return to their respective universities.
Ohr Lagolah Hertz Institute for International Teacher Training
A two year Kollel and leadership training program for advanced students who either have rabbinic ordination, are candidates for semicha or are advanced students who want to receive a teaching degree granted by the State of Israel Ministry of Education, or who wish to go into professional outreach work.
Contact us today to find out more 718-644-9037 buildinggenerations@ohr.edu
