Bircas HaTorah Shana Alef Admissions
Request information or an admissions conversation about whether Bircas HaTorah is the right fit for the student.
Admissions Inquiry
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Bircas HaTorah Shana Aleph
Serious Shana Aleph in Yerushalayim
A warm, structured, growth-oriented yeshiva for post-high-school bochurim ready for serious learning, personal attention, accountability, and real development as a ben Torah.
Students, parents, rabbeim, menahelim, and Israel guidance counselors are welcome to inquire.
Bircas HaTorah admissions information and inquiry page, administered by Raphael Kirzner.
An honest fit conversation
Serious Learning With Warmth and Structure
Bircas is serious but warm. Gemara learning is central, the environment is structured, and the rebbeim aim to know each talmid personally.
Students are expected to take responsibility for seder, shiur, tefillah, and their own growth. A student does not need to be the strongest learner in his class, but he should be ready to work, learn productively with a chavrusa, accept guidance, and participate in a real yeshiva schedule.
The program is not intended as a party year, tourism program, or casual drifting experience. The purpose is meaningful Torah learning, accountability, personal development, and growth as a ben Torah.
Fit checklist
Bircas May Fit a Student Who
- Wants to grow seriously
- Is ready to work during seder
- Can learn productively with a chavrusa
- Values warmth and personal attention
- Is willing to accept structure and guidance
- Wants a real yeshiva experience in Jerusalem
The first conversation is a fit check, not a judgment. Students, parents, rabbeim, menahelim, counselors, and other trusted adults may contact admissions.
The learning environment
What Makes Bircas Different
The official Post High School program describes a structured, serious beis medrash where talmidim are expected to work, ask real questions and develop clarity in their own learning—within a warm environment where rebbeim know the talmidim personally.
Structure
Serious Seder and Shiur
Seder matters, shiur matters and a student is expected to participate in a real yeshiva program rather than drift through the year.
Skills
Learning How to Learn
The goal is not passive listening. Talmidim are encouraged to enter the sugya, ask questions and build independent clarity.
Attention
Known Personally
Bircas emphasizes individual attention so a talmid’s progress, challenges and potential do not disappear in the crowd.
Yerushalayim
A Warm, Focused Yeshiva in the Jewish Quarter
Bircas HaTorah is located above the Cardo in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City, close to the Kotel and central Yerushalayim. The setting is distinctive, but the purpose of the year remains focused Torah learning, personal development and growth as a ben Torah.
Individual attention
Personal Guidance and Direction
Every student arrives with his own background, abilities, questions and goals.
Personal relationships with rebbeim can help a bochur understand where he is, where he wants to go and how to make meaningful progress during the year.
Parents and prospective students are invited to discuss whether Bircas HaTorah is the right fit before beginning the admissions process.
People and guidance
Meet Bircas HaTorah
The yeshiva’s official staff page identifies Rabbi Nissim Tagger as Rosh Yeshiva and Rabbi Raphael Kirzner as Director of Development. Current Bircas recruitment materials identify Rabbi Gavriel Leventhal as the primary contact for Shana Alef and Shana Gimmel inquiries. Raphael Kirzner administers this inquiry page and supports admissions follow-up.
Rabbi Nissim Tagger
Rosh Yeshiva
Rabbi Raphael Kirzner
Director of Development and administrator of this inquiry page
“I know Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah and Hagaon Rav Nissim Tagger. He is doing amazing work and producing wonderful Bnei Torah.”
Rav Asher Weiss — Dayan and Posek
View verified endorsements on the official Bircas HaTorah website
A direct conversation
Speak Directly About Program Fit
Choosing a Shana Alef yeshiva is an important decision for both the student and his parents.
Submit the short form below to request program information and speak with Rabbi Gavriel Leventhal, Rabbi Akiva Flax as backup program contact, Raphael Kirzner, or another designated member of the Bircas HaTorah admissions team about:
- The student’s current background
- What he hopes to gain from Shana Alef
- The Bircas learning environment
- Program expectations
- Admissions and next steps
- Whether Bircas appears to be an appropriate fit
Admissions inquiry
Bircas Shana Alef Admissions Inquiry
Complete this short form to request information or an admissions conversation. The purpose of the first conversation is to understand the student and discuss whether the program may be an appropriate fit.
WhatsApp Rabbi Gavriel Leventhal
Email Rabbi Akiva Flax — Backup Program Contact
Email Raphael Kirzner — Page Administrator
Primary Shana Alef contact: Rabbi Gavriel Leventhal, +972-54-846-4144. Backup program contact: Rabbi Akiva Flax, akivaflax@bircas.org. General yeshiva office: +972-2-627-1647 · inquiries@bircas.org
Admissions process
What Happens Next
Submit Your Information
Complete the short admissions inquiry form with the student’s basic information and goals.
Speak With Admissions
Rabbi Gavriel Leventhal, Rabbi Akiva Flax as backup program contact, Raphael Kirzner, or another designated member of the admissions team will contact you to learn more and answer initial questions.
Discuss Program Fit
The conversation will help both the family and the yeshiva consider whether Bircas HaTorah is an appropriate option.
Begin the Admissions Process
Families wishing to continue will receive the relevant application information and next steps.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Shana Alef program intended for?
The page is intended for post-high-school bochurim and their parents who are considering a serious yeshiva year in Yerushalayim.
Can parents speak with someone before applying?
Yes. Parents may submit the admissions form and request a conversation about the program and the student’s potential fit.
Is this a tour or casual travel program?
No. Bircas HaTorah is presented as a serious yeshiva option focused on Torah growth, guidance and direction.
Where is the yeshiva located?
Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah is located above the Cardo in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City, close to the Kotel and central Yerushalayim.
What is emphasized in the learning program?
The official program emphasizes serious seder and shiur, high-level Gemara, learning how to learn, individual attention and personal growth within a warm beis medrash environment.
How do we begin?
Complete the admissions inquiry form. Rabbi Gavriel Leventhal, Rabbi Akiva Flax as backup program contact, Raphael Kirzner, or another designated member of the admissions team will follow up regarding the next step.
Admissions
Choosing the Right Yeshiva Starts With an Honest Conversation
Begin with a focused fit inquiry on this page. Students, parents, rabbeim, menahelim, counselors, and other trusted adults are welcome to ask questions before a full application is started.