עבדו את ה’ בשמחה
Every Day at Heichal is Awesome

Student Life

at heichal HaTorah

Our son actually does love being in school! He comes home from school very happy and frequently has a story about some surprise student life activity that was offered that day. His Rebbeim, and older students, are warm and inspiring role models for him. The Heichal administration and Rav Stechler make the parents and students feel like they’re part of one big family.

PARENT OF A HEICHAL ALUMNUS

Our son actually does love being in school! He comes home from school very happy and frequently has a story about some surprise student life activity that was offered that day. His Rebbeim, and older students, are warm and inspiring role models for him. The Heichal administration and Rav Stechler make the parents and students feel like they’re part of one big family.

PARENT OF A HEICHAL ALUMNUS

The Atmosphere Here in Heichal is Electric!

It’s hard to articulate but it’s very different from middle school. Every one of my guys wants to be here. We want you to be excited about coming to yeshiva every single day. We have a number of ways we get to this goal. We care about your interests. Love sports? Have other hobbies? Which club will you partake in? We have over 30 clubs to choose from each semester. Everyone gets involved.
Every September, to start off the yeshiva year, we go on an amazing opening day trip. In past years, we have gone rafting, kayaking and had a blast at a really fun Aqua Park. While these trips are fun, the real goal of the trip is for you to meet your new classmates and rebbeim.
In order to reward you for all the hard work you’re going to put in, we have in place two recreational trips. In January after midterms, we rent out a massive water park. IT IS SO MUCH FUN! Another exciting trip that the boys look forward to is a ski/snow tubing trip around Rosh Chodesh Adar. You’re going to love it!

“AT HEICHAL, WE BELIEVE THAT LEARNING IS NOT LIMITED TO THE FOUR WALLS OF A CLASSROOM.”

At Heichal, we believe that learning is not limited to the four walls of a classroom. We are truly excited about our amazing educational trips. Every grade goes on an outing corresponding to what they were learning in their General Studies subjects. We visit historical places in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, PA and museums in NYC.
We schedule an awesome event about once a month. Special events including dvrei chizuk from world-renowned rabbanim, to an inspirational evening with world famous in-yeshiva musicians. Sometimes we will just surprise you, and you won’t know what hit you. Maybe a special breakfast, an ice cream day, ice coffee to get you started and maybe a big time surprise by one of our many in-yeshiva programs. In the past, we have brought the entertainment to us: rock climbing wall, laser tag, ice skating and axe throwing. Once we even closed down the block around Yeshiva for a 300-foot zip line!! We have many more exciting programs planned for the upcoming year.
Another great aspect of student life at Heichal are the Shabbatons, which include yeshiva-wide Shabbatons, grade Shabbatons and neighborhood Shabbatons. There is no Shabbos like a Heichal Shabbaton!

“EVERY ONE OF MY GUYS WANTS TO BE HERE.”

The boys that are in this Yeshiva are outstanding. Their middos, their concern for others, and their mentchlechkeit are exceptional. Our goal is to mold these young men into well rounded Bnei Torah. My top priority here is to make my talmidim happy every single day.
Heichal is incredible. We have rebbeim that truly care about each talmid, our faculty is world-class, and our administration is fully invested in every talmid’s success. Heichal is truly remarkable.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Rav Avi Epstein

Rav Avi Epstein

Rav Avi Epstein is known as an energetic and dynamic mechanech who has the ability to connect with and motivate students. Avi grew up in Monsey, New York and studied in Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim for six years.
At the Mesivta of Waterbury, Rav Epstein served as a mentor and role model for hundreds of boys. He created and implemented both in-school and extracurricular programs and activities, which empowered the boys to increase their self-esteem and helped facilitate their success in and out of the classroom.
At RYNJ, he was a popular middle school rebbe and assistant program director. This past summer, Rabbi Epstein served as director of Shoresh Day Camp.

Student Life

At Heichal, every talmid loves coming to Yeshiva every day.

Why? Because there are so many fun activities and extra-curricular activities and clubs happening all the time.
In the beginning of the year and at the end of the year, the Yeshiva goes away to hotels and camps to spend a meaningful and fun Shabbos together. Every 4-6 weeks, the talmidim have a crazy fun activity at Yeshiva, such as ziplining or axe-throwing, or a recreational trip to Top Golf or a beautiful hike.
Once a month, world-famous singers, such as Eitan Katz and Mordechai Shapiro inspire Heichal with a meaningful kumzitz or a wild dance set that lights Heichal on fire.
The Selichos Kumzitz, Tehillim-a-thon, Simchas Bais HaShoeivah, Purim Chagigah and Tomchei Shabbos Pesach Packing Day are some of the yearly highlights. Constant inspiration from Gedolei Yisroel, such as Rav Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva of YU, Rav Yerucham Olshin, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govah of Lakewood, and the Bostoner Rebbe, is a critical part to the Heichal experience.

Shabbatonim

Shabbatonim are unique opportunities for bonding between talmidim and their friends and rebbeim, and are considered an integral part of the Heichal experience. Several times throughout the year, we gather in Monsey, Passaic, or Bergenfield for an “In Shabbos.” The davening, meals, onegs, and sedarim during those weekends create a joyful and uplifting environment that carries forward to the yeshiva and beyond.
Additionally, twice a year, the entire yeshiva travels to a special location for a Shabbos of fun and inspiration. Whether the setting is a camp in the mountains or a giant mansion, the change of scenery and fresh air inspire our talmidim to build a more meaningful connection to Hashem.
Highlights of our Shabbatonim include lively singing and dancing, a Leil Shabbos Tisch, delicious seudos, words of Torah and inspiration from the Rosh Yeshiva, rebbeim, and select talmidim, a gala Motzei Shabbos barbecue, picturesque hikes and an array of sports and tournaments. Many of our rebbeim live in the same communities as our talmidim, and invite them over for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals. This serves to strengthen the integral rebbe-talmid bond.

Clubs

Heichal talmidim have extensive time during the yeshiva day, during the recreational afternoon break at 2:20 PM to 3:10 PM, and during the dinner break on Mondays and Thursdays, to pursue and develop their extracurricular interests. The wide array of clubs, from astronomy to ulpan, and athletics, from basketball to weight lifting, are sure to help every talmid develop a hobby or interest that can be a healthy and fun outlet to enjoy for his high school years and beyond.

competitions

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

Students work in teams to invent technology based on the theme of that year’s competition. The Lander College Science Olympiad competition includes yeshiva high schools throughout the metropolitan area.

TORAH BOWL

The team will have meets with 3 other schools to compete in answering questions on the assigned Chumash and Rashi. Meetings/practice take place during breakfast on Wednesday. Torah Bowl is a team competition against other metropolitan area yeshiva high schools. Teams of four students compete at a time, and questions are based on a pre-designated portion of Torah and Nach. Students study on their own to prepare for the Torah Bowl.

JERUSALEM SCIENCE CONTEST

The topic of this year’s competition is nanotechnology and associated Torah topics. Interested students are provided with textual materials, as well as videos to learn from. Winners can earn scholarships and prizes.

Sports

EXERCISE

Exercise is scheduled for one hour every day. Our talmidim may choose to spend this hour in a variety of ways, including basketball, football, hockey or soccer in our regulation-size gym, ping pong in the student lounge, weight and aerobic training in our fitness gym, and twice a week, swimming in our gorgeous heated pool.

HEICHAL HORNETS

JV and Varsity Basketball Teams

Our competitive all-star Heichal Hornets play in the Young Israel Basketball League. Our JV and Varsity basketball teams, the Heichal Hornets, compete in the Young Israel Basketball League. Last year, our JV team capped off an unforgettable season with a thrilling victory in the league championship. The Hornets are coached by Coach Omer Ginzburski, who has coached professionally in Israel, and is currently the Assistant Head Coach at Touro College.

JV and Varsity Basketball Teams

Our Heichal Hornets softball teams play in the Yeshiva Spring League.

INTRAMURALS

Basketball and Hockey Intramurals are held for all grades throughout the year.
Heichal has partnered up with Zion Sports Academy to allow our boys to participate in a professional AAU travel basketball team that does not conflict with our yeshiva day.

HEICHAL SPORTS CLUB

Tennis
Volleyball
Track
Fitness
Bowling
Golf
Skiing

Graduation

Heichal HaTorah is as good as it gets when it comes to providing a wholesome Torah and secular education par excellence to its students, each boy on his own level. Heichal achieves this by nurturing the boys in multiple ways; helping them develop healthy mindsets, good learning habits and excellent middos, whilst taking care of them physically with nourishing, delicious meals and exciting treats, and giving the boys opportunities to practice and develop sports, music and other extra-curricular activities. Heichal’s dedicated team really does treat each boy as a whole, and my husband and I are thrilled and honored to have them partner with us to raise and educate our son in the best possible manner.

ESTHER LAMM, HEICHAL PARENT

Attending Heichal was the best decision of my life, BH, and it really put me on the correct path for life, with Rebbeim, teachers, and administrators like no other. I am forever indebted to Heichal.

YOEL SCHMUTTER
HEICHAL STUDENT
Throughout the year, Heichal hosts many large events for our talmidim and the entire community, including The Selichos Kumzitz – a meaningful singing Selichos experience, Tehillim-a-thon – together Heichal talmidim recite and sing all of Tehillim, Simchas Bais HaShoeivah and Summer Mega Siyum, the crazy and famous Purim Chagigah, and Tomchei Shabbos Pesach Packing Day – when our boys pack 1,000 boxes for those less fortunate to enjoy Pesach. These are some of the most special programs of the year.

Educational Trips

At Heichal, we firmly believe that learning should not be limited to a classroom setting. Last year, each grade went on its own educational trip, corresponding to the material they were learning in their General Studies subjects. Freshmen went to New York City for a visit to the American Museum of Natural History. Sophomores went on a full day trip to Philadelphia, where they toured Liberty Hall and other historical sites. Juniors went on an action-packed overnight trip to the D.C. area, where they spent time in the Spy Museum, the Holocaust Museum, Ford’s Theater and the Air and Space Museum.

Recreational trips

As part of our goal of developing a well-rounded student, we embark on a number of outings throughout the year, both for the Yeshiva as a whole and for individual grades as well. These trips allow students and their rebbeim the opportunity to relax outside the four walls of the Yeshiva, and help foster camaraderie among old and new friends. This year, our annual “opening-of-the-year” trip took place at Dutch Springs Aqua Park. Our talmidim had a great time reconnecting with their classmates, meeting new students and spending time with their rebbeim in an informal environment. During the winter months, Heichal rents out an indoor water park, and travels to Jack Frost Ski Resort.

Special Days

Every six weeks, Heichal includes a special programming day at Heichal just to energize the student body, this includes: building a giant zip-line in the street around Heichal, building a giant ice skating rink in Heichal parking lot, renting an axe throwing truck and bubble soccer in the Heichal gym.

In addition to the excellent education, there have been so many opportunities for fun! In just two months, he’s been to a bowling outing, a Friday night oneg, a Simchas Bais HaShoeivah, a Shabbaton, a hike and a barbecue. Looking forward to the years ahead!

HEICHAL PARENT

Heichal Chessed Crew

Students take part in a wide range of chessed opportunities ranging from assisting Tomchei Shabbos and Yad Leah to visiting elderly individuals.

Being a rebbe in Heichal is a personally enriching experience. The warmth and friendship in the hallsof the yeshiva coupled with the bochurim’s deep bikush (desire) for aliyah is inspiring and tremendously motivating.

DANI STAUM, HEICHAL REBBE

Singers

Music, song, and dance are powerful methods of awakening our spirits and souls as Jews. Singers who have performed at Heichal include Zusha, Eitan Katz, Joey Newcomb, Beri Weber, Uri Davidi, 8th Day, Yoni Z, Mordechai Shapiro, Dudi Knopfler, Melich Krohn, and Yosef Karduner. These events, from kumsitzes to chagigahs and concerts are powerful opportunities for the talmidim and rebbeim to bond while opening their hearts to Hashem. The exuberance and achdus displayed during these special events is inspiring to all and a hallmark of the Heichal experience.

I am always amazed by the bein adam l’chaveiro at Heichal. The guys are consistently thoughtful and caring when they interact with each other which creates a great environment where everyone is comfortable being themselves. It definitely makes my job as the Guidance Director a lot easier!

ARIEL KLEIN
DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE

Gedolei Yisroel

Throughout the school year, Heichal talmidim are fortunate enough to meet and hear from a broad variety of world-renowned Torah personalities, from Rav Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva University to Rav Yerucham Olshin, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood, NJ. There is no better way to imbue in them a strong feeling of ahavas yisrael and pride in their Jewish identity that they will maintain far beyond the walls of our Yeshiva.

Our son Aryeh is a Heichal 10th grader. From the moment in 8th grade when he received his acceptance letter until today, Rabbi Stechler and the Heichal administration have been a constant source of motivating and inspiring programming, all designed to discover and develop the growth potential in the boys as they forge their unique paths in Limud Torah and Avodas Hashem.

IRA AND TOVA SHULMAN
HEICHAL PARENTS