Experienced, vibrant rebbeim mold our talmidim. The mesivta recognizes that the rebbe-talmid relationship is critical to the proper development of talmidim. Consequently, our rebbeim shower the bochurim with warmth, encouragement and hadracha. The warm connections they develop with the talmidim are relationships that last a lifetime.
Rabbi Kenigsberg previously served as the general studies principal at Mesivta Yesodei Yisroel, an affiliated yeshiva in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. He has a master’s degree in Mental Health Counselling and is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner working with children who have reading disabilities. He is dedicated to establishing a rapport of genuine warmth and respect toward the students and their families. In addition to facilitating an engaging and creative academic curriculum, Rabbi Kenigsberg teaches several classes and monitors the academic and social/emotional status of every student in Mesivta.
Our Menahel
HaRav Aryeh Reiss, Shlita
Rabbi Aryeh Reiss, a native of Los Angeles, California, is a talmid of the Telshe Yeshiva in Chicago, where he studied for 8 years and developed a lasting and close bond with the Rosh Yeshiva, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Chaim Levin, ל“זצ. Following his years at Telshe, he continued his studies at the famed Yeshivas Brisk in Eretz Yisrael and Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey. Rabbi Reiss spent four kollel years in Eretz Yisrael, learning at the Brisker Kollel, and served as night seder Sho'el Umeishiv for bochurim in Beis Medrash L’Torah.
From there, Rabbi Reiss joined the staff of Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim as a Beis Medrash Sho'el Umeishiv, as well as rebbi in Mesivta Yesodei Yeshurun. His signature warmth and enthusiasm, along with his superior teaching abilities, made him a very successful and beloved rebbi.
“My goal for each and every talmid is to give him the skills necessary to have fluency and confidence when approaching Gemara, Rashi, Tosfos, and Meforshim so that the pshat in the gemara is crystal clear.” “Moreover,” he adds, “I see it as my obligation to inspire in the bochurim an appreciation and a geshmak in their avodas Hashem, a love for learning, and an understanding of how fortunate they are to be B'nei Torah.”
Rabbi Reiss always makes himself available for the bochurim, and the bochurim seek his guidance and counsel in all areas of life. Many of his former talmidim keep in close contact with him even after leaving his shiur.
A talmid of Rabbi Reiss has a rebbi for life.
Rebbeim
Rabbi Zvi Dana
Rabbi Dana began his beis medrash years in Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim and went on to study in Eretz Yisrael under Rav Tzvi Kaplan. He later learned in Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood and spent several kollel years in Eretz Yisrael. At the encouragement of Harav Lander, Rabbi Dana returned to Ohr Hachaim/Yesodei Yeshurun, where he gave a shiur to first-year beis medrash bochurim.
Since joining our mesivta in 2020, Rabbi Dana has focused on helping his talmidim grow in both learning and middos, guiding them to become true Bnei Torah. His warm personality and genuine care leave a lasting impression that continues well beyond their yeshiva years.
Rabbi Yosef Goldfinger
Rabbi Goldfinger began learning in Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim and later continued in Eretz Yisrael under Rav Asher Arieli and Rav Tzvi Kaplan. He spent his kollel years in the Brisker Kollel and subsequently joined Kollel Knesses Yisrael of Eltingville in Staten Island. He has also taught in Yeshiva Zichron Leyma and served as a sho’el umeishiv in Yeshiva Toras Chessed of Lakewood.
Rabbi Goldfinger believes that when a rebbi helps a bochur experience the sweetness of learning, he opens the path for the talmid to reach his highest potential.
Rabbi Aharon Lander
After six years in the Brisker Kollel in Yerushalayim — where he also served as Rosh Kollel of Kollel Zichron Chaim Sender Zev — Rabbi Lander joined our mesivta. A graduate of Mesivta Yesodei Yeshurun, Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim, and Yeshivas Ner Moshe, Rabbi Lander’s ability to impart advanced lomdus raises the horizons of his talmidim.
Rabbi Lander’s great enthusiasm for Torah complementing his personal warmth creates a learning environment filled with energy and inspiration.
Rabbi Tzvi Thaler
A veteran rebbi in Yeshiva Ateres Shmuel of Waterbury’s Beis Medrash, Rabbi Thaler is recognized for his lucid teaching style and strong personal connections with his talmidim. He also serves as maggid shiur for Dirshu’s Daf Yomi B’Halacha in Waterbury.
As a bochur, Rabbi Thaler learned in Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim, Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, and the Mir Yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael. He later joined Yeshivas Heichal HaTorah under Rav Tzvi Kushelevsky and became one of the founding members of the Waterbury Yeshiva in 2000.
Rabbi Moshe Halperin
Rabbi Halperin learned in Yeshiva Gedola of Passaic, Brisk under Rav Avraham Yehoshua Soloveitchik, and Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. He later returned to Eretz Yisrael for seven years in Rav Prager’s kollel in Yerushalayim.
A talmid chacham of clarity, depth, and warmth, Rabbi Halperin is deeply respected by the bochurim for his insight and accessibility.
Rabbi Dana began his beis medrash years in Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim and went on to study in Eretz Yisrael under Rav Tzvi Kaplan. He later learned in Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood and spent several kollel years in Eretz Yisrael. At the encouragement of Harav Lander, Rabbi Dana returned to Ohr Hachaim/Yesodei Yeshurun, where he gave a shiur to first-year beis medrash bochurim.
Since joining our mesivta in 2020, Rabbi Dana has focused on helping his talmidim grow in both learning and middos, guiding them to become true Bnei Torah. His warm personality and genuine care leave a lasting impression that continues well beyond their yeshiva years.
Rabbi Eli Blitz
Rabbi Blitz learned in Yeshiva Gedola of Detroit and spent over a decade in Yeshivas Ner Moshe in Eretz Yisrael, where he developed a close relationship with Rav Yaakov Lieberman. He then continued his learning in Kollel Pagi.
Rabbi Blitz finds great fulfillment in helping each bochur discover his strengths and develop simchas haTorah through a love of learning.
Rabbi Eli Blitz
Rabbi Blitz learned in Yeshiva Gedola of Detroit for Mesivta and Beis Medrash, and then Yeshivas Ner Moshe in Eretz Yisrael for ten years. There he became a close talmid and chavrusa of the esteemed Rav Yaakov Lieberman. He continued learning three more years in Eretz Yisrael in Kollel Pagi. Rabbi Blitz cherishes the opportunity to help each bochur cultivate simchas haTorah and develop their unique strengths.
Rabbi Dovid Darabaner
Rabbi Darabaner learned at Telshe Yeshiva of Riverdale through high school and beis medrash, and continued at the Brisker Yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael under Rav Avraham Yehoshua Soloveitchik. He then spent three years at Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood and was a founding member of Kollel Avreichim in Waterbury.
Before joining our mesivta, he taught 9th grade at Mesivta Yesodei Yeshurun in Queens, where he was admired for his clarity and passion. Rabbi Darabaner is devoted to uncovering each bochur’s unique strengths and instilling a lifelong ahavas haTorah.
Rabbi Elimelech Zimmer
A Queens native, Rabbi Zimmer began his kollel studies in Yerushalayim, first at Kollel Zichron Nosson and then in the Brisker Kollel. After several years in Eretz Yisrael, he moved to Los Angeles, learning in Kollel Los Angeles and teaching in the local mesivta.
Rabbi Zimmer’s pedagogic skills enable our talmidim to master even complex sugyos. His shiurim reflect his dedication to his talmidims' continued shteiging and personal development.
Rabbi Aharon Rotberg
A Lakewood native, Rabbi Rotberg learned at Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yaakov Yosef in Edison and Yeshivas Ner Moshe in Yerushalayim under Rav Shalom Shechter, developing a close connection with Rav Yaakov Lieberman. After marriage, he continued learning in Beis Medrash Govoha and Kollel Tirtza Devorah in Far Rockaway.
Rabbi Rotberg began teaching as s’gan maggid shiur for 10th grade in Mesivtas Chaim Shlomo and completed the Torah Umesorah Mashgiach Training Course under the guidance of Rabbi Zev Brown. His halacha and bekius shiurim emphasize clarity, practical understanding, and personal engagement. With his approachable manner, our talmidim feel especially valued and supported
Rabbi Halperin learned in Yeshiva Gedola of Passaic for his bais medrash years, after which he learned in Eretz Yisroel in the Brisk Yeshiva of HaRav Avraham Yehoshua Soloveitchik.
He then learned in Bais Medrash Gavoha of Lakewood before returning to Eretz Yisroel for seven years of learning in HaRav Prager’s kollel in Yerushalayim. A talmud chacham with tremendous insight, outstanding clarity, and personal warmth, Rabbi Halperin is the ideal person to be our Sho'el Umeishiv.
Faculty
Rabbi Yossi Kenigsberg
Rabbi Kenigsberg is a veteran educator who previously served as General Studies Principal at Mesivta Yesodei Yisroel in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
He is dedicated to fostering an environment of warmth, respect, and intellectual curiosity. In addition to teaching several subjects, Rabbi Kenigsberg monitors the academic and social-emotional wellbeing of each bochur, ensuring every student reaches his potential.
Rabbi Binyomin Rabinowitz
Originally from Toronto, Rabbi Rabinowitz learned in Yeshiva of Twin Rivers and Yeshivas Ner Moshe in Eretz Yisrael, followed by eight years at Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. During the summer, he serves as a division head at Camp Chevra.
As Administrator, Rabbi Rabinowitz plays a vital role in the mesivta’s operations and student life. Living on campus allows him to ensure the bochurim in the dorm are healthy, safe, and thriving.
Mr. Kris Bower
Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, Mr. Bower earned his bachelor’s degree in American and English Literature with a minor in Child Psychology from NYU, followed by a master's in education.
With more than two decades of experience teaching across middle school, high school, and college levels, Mr. Bower strives to inspire his students to think critically, take initiative, and pursue excellence.
Mr. Ezequiel Doiny
Mr. Doiny earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, and studied at Purdue University and Queen’s University in Canada. He has over a decade of experience teaching Math and Physics, including AP Calculus in Hartford Public Schools.
In addition to teaching at MYH, he currently teaches Math at Danbury High School.
Rabbi Moshe Aryeh Robinson
Rabbi Robinson, originally from Monsey, New York, learned in Yeshiva Gedolah of Cliffwood, New Jersey, and holds a bachelor's degree in education. He has taught Math at Yeshivas Ohr Reuven and tutored in both limudei kodesh and general studies.
He is also a musician, coach, and active member of Project Shoresh, a Connecticut-based kiruv organization. His classroom blends enthusiasm, structure, and genuine connection.
Rabbi Kenigsberg is a veteran educator who previously served as General Studies Principal at Mesivta Yesodei Yisroel in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
He is dedicated to fostering an environment of warmth, respect, and intellectual curiosity. In addition to teaching several subjects, Rabbi Kenigsberg monitors the academic and social-emotional wellbeing of each bochur, ensuring every student reaches his potential.
Rabbi Yechezkel Schuck
An alumnus of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, Rabbi Schuck was among the founding kollel members of Yeshiva Ateres Shmuel of Waterbury. He later earned master's degrees in education from Loyola University (Chicago) and in School Psychology from Touro University.
In addition to teaching at the mesivta, Rabbi Schuck works as a school psychologist with Naugatuck Public Schools and serves as an adjunct professor at the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
Rabbi Yehuda Tzvi Selengut
Rabbi Selengut is a respected rebbi, mentor, and community leader. An alumnus of Yeshivas Chaim Berlin — where he was a close talmid of Rav Aharon Schechter ל"זצ — and of Mir Yerushalayim under Rav Refoel Shmulevitz ל"זצ, he brings both depth and enthusiasm to his teaching.
Drawing on his extensive Torah background and his passion for engaging students in meaningful discussion, Rabbi Selengut brings Jewish history to life with clarity, insight, and relevance. His classes inspire an appreciation for klal Yisrael’s past and a deeper understanding of its ongoing story.
Mr. Michael Winkler
Mr. Winkler earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s in Secondary Education with a concentration in History from the College of William and Mary. A Connecticut-certified Social Studies teacher, he has taught in both public and private schools for more than 30 years.
Also, an experienced coach, volunteer reporter, and Civil War reenactor, Mr. Winkler uses his wide-ranging interests to make history engaging and relevant for his students.
An alumnus of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, Rabbi Schuck was among the founding kollel members of Yeshiva Ateres Shmuel of Waterbury. He later earned master's degrees in education from Loyola University (Chicago) and in School Psychology from Touro University.
In addition to teaching at the mesivta, Rabbi Schuck works as a school psychologist with Naugatuck Public Schools and serves as an adjunct professor at the College of Mount Saint Vincent.