חנוך לנער על פי דרכו
גם כי יזקין לא יסור ממנו
גם כי יזקין לא יסור ממנו
Caring for Each Neshama Like It’s Our Own Child
Guidance
at heichal HaTorah
The warmth and care at Heichal is something you cannot find anywhere else. The careful attention and detail given to each student in guiding them through their academic needs and their overall growth is immeasurable. At Heichal, a student’s confidence soars since he is celebrated for what makes him special. Rabbi Stechler’s guidance and insight are unmatched. He does not sit behind a desk; he is actively involved in the daily life at Heichal, making him a true part of the community. As a parent of a Heichal alumnus, I can confidently say that Heichal is a place where every boy feels valued and inspired to reach his potential.
PARENT OF A HEICHAL ALUMNUS
The warmth and care at Heichal is something you cannot find anywhere else. The careful attention and detail given to each student in guiding them through their academic needs and their overall growth is immeasurable. At Heichal, a student’s confidence soars since he is celebrated for what makes him special. Rabbi Stechler’s guidance and insight are unmatched. He does not sit behind a desk; he is actively involved in the daily life at Heichal, making him a true part of the community. As a parent of a Heichal alumnus, I can confidently say that Heichal is a place where every boy feels valued and inspired to reach his potential.
PARENT OF A HEICHAL ALUMNUS
Feeling the pressure from your science test? Need some help writing that essay? Unsure about summer plans? High school can be a whirlwind of choices and challenges, but don’t worry! The Heichal Guidance Department is here for you!
We’ve got a dedicated team with diverse expertise ready to lend a helping hand. Talmidim can easily schedule meetings or just drop by the guidance offices for a casual chat. We take pride in being closely connected with each student, ensuring that every boy feels seen and supported. You’ll get to know the guidance team, and they’ll know you too!
Academic Support When You Need IT
Academic success is a key focus for us! We provide support in planning, studying, note-taking, and anything else to help you shine in your studies. If you have learning challenges, we create a personalized Student Plan and collaborate with teachers and rebbeim to offer accommodations like extra time on tests and assistive technology. We’ve got your back!
We also prioritize communication with parents and are available for phone calls, emails, or in-person meetings. Plus, we connect with outside service providers, such as therapists and tutors, to ensure you have all the resources you need.
“WE ARE INVESTED IN EVERY TALMID’S EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL,
SPIRITUAL, AND ACADEMIC GROWTH.”
Dr. Ariel Klein
Dr. Ariel Klein is the Director of Guidance here at Heichal. With years of experience in various leadership roles and a background in school psychology, he’s the perfect person to help you navigate both academic and emotional challenges. Dr. Klein is approachable and fun, making his office a popular hang-out spot for students.
He earned his Master’s degree in School Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and completed doctoral coursework at Rutgers. Dr. Klein also has a rich educational background, having graduated from Yeshiva University and spent time learning in Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Zion.
If you ever have questions or need to talk, Dr. Klein is just an email away. Remember, we’re all invested in your growth—emotionally, socially, spiritually, and academically!
DR. BENJY LEIBOWITZ
Rabbi Dr. Benjy Leibowitz received semicha from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, his Master’s and Psy.D. in School Psychology degrees from Rutgers Graduate School of Professional Psychology, as well as a Master’s degree from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. Benjy has gained work experience in several clinical and school-based settings. As a psychologist,
Benjy currently works in a private practice primarily treating teenagers and young adults providing both comprehensive psychological evaluations and therapeutic interventions. He has worked as a school psychologist in Marlboro High School, Princeton High School, and most recently Tenafly High School.
Personalized Growth
חנוך לנער על פי דרכו
Guidance Department
We believe that it is our responsibility to ensure the social, emotional, and spiritual development of each child. Our guidance department comprises senior rebbeim and experienced professionals who meet with students regularly to discuss and address any challenges they may be confronting and help plan for their futures.
Our yeshiva is small enough to afford each student personal attention, while large enough to maintain a robust roster of professionals equipped to navigate the numerous challenges and opportunities of the high school years.
The adolescent years are filled with questions and challenges, especially in today’s technology-driven and open society. At Heichal, we are fortunate to have both a Mashgiach and a Mashpiah, who dedicate hours each day to meet individually with our talmidim.
Rav Daniel Schwechter, former Mashgiach of Westchester Day School and now the Mashgiach of Heichal, is renowned for his ability to inspire high school boys and connect them with Hashem in profound and meaningful ways. Through masterful mashalim and intricate pieces of chassidus, Rav Schwechter effectively reaches the hearts and souls of all our talmidim. Rav Schwechter leads our team of Mashgichim.
Rav Chaim Marcus, Rabbi of Springfield, NJ, and formerly a senior rebbe at Bruriah High School, serves as the Heichal Mashpiah. Both parents and talmidim often seek his private counsel, drawn by his world-renowned compassionate advice on raising children and navigating the challenges of growing up in today’s world. His inspiring divrei Torah resonate throughout Heichal’s bais medrash, infusing our tisches with exciting ruach.
HHeichal provided a warm home that made me excited about the life I was going to lead in my future.
Heichal instilled in me constant hope and optimism for my success, even when I was not at my best. The level of achdus among the Rabbeim and students is something I will cherish for life.
HEICHAL ALUMNUS
RAV AVI EPSTEIN
9th GRADE MASHGICHIMRabbi Avi Epstein, known as RavAv, is a passionate educator dedicated to inspiring and empowering students to reach their potential. He has a robust educational background, having spent significant time at Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim and the Mesivta of Waterbury, where he developed programs to enhance students’ self-esteem and academic success. Currently, he serves as the Dean of Student Life, Director of Admissions, and 9th Grade Mashgiach, continuing his commitment to student growth. Additionally, he has contributed to the smooth operation of camps through his involvement with Camp Shoresh and Campify. Overall, RavAv is a transformative figure in education and a source of inspiration.
RAV ZEV SENTER
10th GRADE MASHGICHIMAfter studying in Israel for three years at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, Rav Zev Senter earned his B.S. in Accounting from Lander College, where he learned under the guidance of Rav Eliyahu Soloveitchik and Rav Yonason Sacks. He currently serves as a rebbe at Heichal HaTorah and is also the director of Camp Shoko. Rav Senter is known for his dedication to both his students and campers, fostering an environment of growth and learning.
Rav Chaim Marcus
11th GRADE MASHGICHIMRav Chaim Marcus is the Heichal Mashpiah and teaches an Iyun shiur to seniors. He studied under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein zt”l at Yeshivat Har Etzion and earned his semichah at RIETS, Yeshiva University. In addition to serving as the morah d’asrah of Congregation Israel of Springfield (CIS), Rav Marcus was the Senior Halacha Rabbi at Bruriah High School for Girls for nearly two decades and leads the Semichat Chaver program at CIS. “It is an honor that Rav Marcus, one of the most influential and inspirational rabbis in our community, has chosen Heichal to continue his illustrious chinuch career,” remarked Rav Stechler.
Rav Daniel Schwechter
12th GRADE MASHGICHIMRav Daniel Schwechter is the Heichal Mashgiach and an Iyun rebbe. He learned in Yeshivat Reishit for one year under Rav Chaim Soloveitchik and at YU under Rav Baruch Simon. Rav Schwechter holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Yeshiva University. He received semichah from Rav Schachter after three years in his kollel, two of which were spent in the satellite kollel at the DRS Beis Medrash under Rosh Kollel Rav Shmuel Marcus. After receiving semichah, he became a rebbe at Westchester Day School and eventually served as Mashgiach Ruchani. Rav Schwechter is also the rav of a teen minyan on Shabbos and is renowned for his commitment and connection with all types of talmidim.
The Israel Guidance program focuses on the year following graduation, aiming to help each talmid find a yeshiva in Israel that supports their continued Torah learning and growth in Avodas HaShem. Rav Komet, Rav Schwechter, Rav Zakutinsky and the Rosh Yeshiva collaborate closely with yeshivos in Israel to assess their suitability for our talmidim. Heichal invites representatives from various yeshivas to visit our institution and engage with our talmidim in person.
Heichal maintains a policy of not promoting any specific yeshiva; instead, we assist our talmidim and their parents in identifying two yeshivas that align with each talmid’s educational needs, learning styles, and hashkafic outlooks. We also emphasize the importance of considering whether learning in Israel is in the best interest of each talmid. Many of our students continue their studies at a Bais Medrash in America, with plans to learn in Israel later in life.
They study at Ohr Hachaim, Ner Yisroel, and Shaar Hatorah.
Heichal Graduates attend the following Yeshivos in Eretz Yisrael:
Rav Daniel Schwechter
Rav Daniel Schwechter serves as the Heichal Mashgiach and an Iyun rebbe. He studied at Yeshivat Reishit for a year under Rav Chaim Soloveitchik and at YU under Rav Baruch Simon. Rav Schwechter holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Yeshiva University and received semichah from Rav Schachter after three years in his kollel, including two years in the satellite kollel at the DRS Beis Medrash under Rosh Kollel Rav Shmuel Marcus. Following semichah, he became a rebbe at Westchester Day School and later served as Mashgiach Ruchani. Rav Schwechter is also the rav of a teen minyan on Shabbos and is renowned for his commitment and connection with all types of talmidim.
RAV ELI ZAKUTINSKY
Rav Eli Zakutinsky is a 12th grade Iyun and Bekius Rebbe at Heichal HaTorah and serves as the Israel Guidance Counselor. He has a distinguished learning background, having studied at Yeshivas Shaar HaTorah and the Mir Yeshiva, where he learned under renowned Torah scholars Rav Asher Arieli and Rav Akiva Friedman.
Rav Dovid Komet
A close talmid of Rav Meir Twersky, shlit”a, Rav Dovid Komet has also studied under Rav Hershel Schachter, shlit”a, and at Kollel Elyon. He holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Yeshiva College and has served as a Meishiv at RJJ Yeshiva of Edison. Over the past two decades, Rav Komet has built a stellar reputation as a master mechanech and talmid chacham. After many years as the tenth-grade rebbe and Pre-Calculus and Calculus teacher at Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School, he served as Menahel of MAYHS for three years. Currently, he is the S’gan Menahel of Shaarei Tzion in Piscataway, NJ. Rav Komet is well-respected for his sincere and warm personality, coupled with a sharp sense of humor, allowing him to form lifelong relationships with his talmidim. He serves as our tenth-grade rebbe and Honors Mathematics teacher at Heichal.
Early in junior and senior year, parents are invited to Heichal for “Yeshiva and College Night,” where they can learn about the college application and admission process. Heichal facilitates standardized testing for all students, including SATs and ACTs.
Each student and their family will meet with the College Guidance Coordinator to develop a personalized plan for college applications and admissions, including creating a competitive high school resume that highlights extracurricular activities.
Additionally, Heichal organizes career fairs, individual guidance sessions, and professional mentorships to support each student in planning their career aspirations.
Colleges Heichal recommends:
Touro’s Lander College Honors Program
Yeshiva University’s Honors and Masmidim Programs
Yeshivas Ner Yisroel and Johns Hopkins Program
During the first week of Freshman year, all students receive explicit instruction in essential high school readiness skills from our expert teachers and faculty.
This gives students a head start on high school, empowering them to hit the ground running. It’s an exciting bonus to the skills training already seamlessly woven into the 9th grade curriculum, setting them up for success from day one.
As a parent of a new 9th grader, we were uncertain about what to expect. We had heard about the legendary warmth in the halls and classrooms of Heichal HaTorah, but we weren’t sure how quickly our son would acclimate. Fast forward to mid-October, and our experience has exceeded our wildest expectations. Every Rabbi, teacher, administrator, and faculty member has been nurturing and supportive from day one. Each decision made by the staff is guided by one principle: what is best for the Talmid.
We consistently witness this dynamic, as this culture is embedded in the very foundation of this institution. We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the Heichal family and have no doubt that this environment will be the ideal place for our son’s growth.
YOSEF GOLUBCHIK, HEICHAL PARENT
Key Skills Covered:
Motivation & Attitude
Taking Notes
Classroom Participation
Writing Skills
Organizing & Planning
Self-Care
Presenters include:
Mrs. Goldenberg
Rav Goldman
Rabbi Heller
Mrs. Herzfeld
Dr. Klein
Dr. Benjy Leibowitz
Rav Stechler
Dr. Strulowitz
Big Brothers Program
Starting high school can be a challenge, but the Heichal Big Brothers make it fun!
The Heichal Big Brothers Program features 12th grade volunteers dedicated to supporting 9th grade students. Each Freshman is paired with a personal Big Brother, thoughtfully matched based on personality and interests. Big Brothers serve as mentors and advisors, engaging informally through lunch chats, gym games, and class guidance, as well as through structured programs like team-building activities, sponsored meals, and trips. This experience has become a highlight for both Freshmen and Big Brothers, fostering lasting connections that often continue well beyond graduation.
As a new Heichal parent, I am truly impressed by the love and care extended to each Talmid. This yeshiva exemplifies what a Torah institution should be. Despite being a formal institution, it feels like a big family. The warmth and thoughtfulness in everything they do is exceptional.
MICHAL FEUER, HEICHAL PARENT
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