R' Moshe Raice was born in Brooklyn and learned in Kamenitz (Woodbridge, NY) and Beis Medrash Gevoha in the United States; he also learned in Jerusalem at Brisk and in Torah Ohr. His relationship with the yeshiva spans decades, as a teacher, board member, and now as menahel or principal of Kol Yaakov. In addition to his duties in the office, R' Raice has become a mainstay of the beis medrash (study hall), with many students coming to him to discuss questions of a philosophical or pedagogical nature.

R' Yaacov Kapelner, born in London, England, began teaching at Kol Yaakov about 15 years ago. Having learned in a veritable constellation of “Ivy League yeshivas”—Gateshead, Ponevezh, Mir and Lakewood—R' Kapelner is regarded throughout Monsey as a high-caliber scholar. He is of course a much sought-after educator, and gives classes in several local synagogues, as well as serving as a rabbinic judge on local batei dinim, religious courts. R' Kapelner enjoys a close, personal relationship with many of our students; he especially enjoys hosting them at his home.

R' Zvi Hirschberg hails from Brooklyn, NY. A relatively new addition to the staff, R' Hirschberg began teaching here in 2001. His career has been one of continuous learning, spanning 8 prestigious institutions over 30 years. R' Hirschberg's commitment to sharing his considerable fund of Torah knowledge was clearly evidenced by his decision to join two up-start programs, one in Israel and the other in Mexico City, as a member of the “pioneer” groups which established them. It has given him particular satisfaction, he notes, to witness the spiritual growth of the students under his tutelage.

R' Yehuda Friedland is originally from Monsey. He attended Yeshiva of Spring Valley, Mesivta Keser Torah of Central New Jersey in Belmar and Yeshiva Zichron Meilich in Brooklyn. After learning in Jerusalem, Rabbi Friedland returned to Monsey to enroll at Kol Yaakov, where he received ordination. He teaches first level Talmud and gives his students a sound basis for their future independent study. He also has a killer jumpshot (see photo on KYTC page).

R’ Avrohom Moshe Gorelick, born in the Bronx, began teaching at Kol Yaakov in 2008. He learned in Yeshivas Brisk in Jerusalem, as well as in Yeshivas Birchas Yaakov and Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe in South Fallsburg, NY. A true embodiment of the term talmid chacham, or wise student, he continues his own learning in Kollel Moreshes Kehilas Yaakov even as shoulders the responsibility of teaching students in Kol Yaakov. R’ Gorelick’s wit and friendly demeanor have quickly established him as a popular rebbe in our beis medrash.