Ner Yisroel History
Yeshivas Ner Yisroel was founded in 1933 by the Rosh HaYeshiva, Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Harav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman zt”l, with the goal of developing a high-level, Slabodka-style yeshiva geared specifically towards the contemporary American bochur.
In 1938 Harav Naftali Neuberger zt”l joined the Yeshiva and after becoming Harav Ruderman’s brother-in-law he joined the Rosh HaYeshiva in running the Yeshiva. Harav Neuberger took achrayus for the gashmius of the Yeshiva, enabling Harav Ruderman to focus solely on the ruchniyus. Following Harav Neuberger’s petira in 2005, his son, Harav Sheftel Meir Neuberger zt”l was appointed Menahel of the Yeshiva.
The Yeshiva has always had Gedolei Torah at its helm. In 1946 Moreinu Harav Dovid Kronglas zt”l joined the Yeshiva and was a maggid shiur and Mashgiach for the next twenty five years. Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Harav Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg zt”l joined the Yeshiva in 1945 following his marriage to Rebbetzin Chana Weinberg. In 1956 the Rosh HaYeshiva Harav Weinberg founded the Mechina. In 1964 Harav Yosef Tendler zt”l was appointed Menahel of the Mechina and led the Mechina for almost fifty years. In 1987, following the petira of the Rosh HaYeshiva Harav Ruderman, Harav Weinberg was appointed Rosh HaYeshiva and his son in law, Harav Beryl Weisbord shlita was appointed Menahel Ruchani. In 1999, following the petira of Harav Weinberg, Moreinu Harav Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky zt”l was then appointed Rosh HaYeshiva and he led the Yeshiva until his petira in December 2000. In Elul 2001, Moreinu Harav Aharon Feldman shlita returned to the Yeshiva to become the Rosh HaYeshiva.