Yeshiva Ohel Moshe
Yeshiva Ohel Moshe is a Bensonhurst-based, Orthodox elementary school that was opened in 1927.
Under the leadership of the late Rabbi Eliyahu Machlis,[1] Yeshivah Ohel Moshe was known for its "Open Door" policy when accepting students and congregants alike. Since 1927, thousands of students have graduated from Yeshivah Ohel Moshe elementary school, with enriched connection to their Jewish roots and lifelong bonds with their educators and peers. Yeshivah Ohel Moshe was revolutionary in their policy of accepting all, with many of their students receiving education at little or no tuition costs.
The school and the synagogue, both referred to as Yeshivah Ohel Moshe,[1] are housed in the same building for almost 73 years. They are located at 7914 Bay Parkway in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.
Today, Yeshivah Ohel Moshe elementary school remains active with many students from grades Kindergarten through eighth grade.
Yeshivah Ohel Moshe has the approbation and Rabbinical Haskama of Rav Avraham Yaakov Pam ZT"L and Rabbi Shmuel Kamentzsky Shlita.
Rav Pam ZT"L, famed Rosh Yeshivah of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, gave a speech at a Yeshivah Ohel Moshe parlor meeting just months before his Petirah.
The Shul (Synagogue) at Yeshivah Ohel Moshe has daily Minyanim 365 days a year, which includes two daily Minyanim for Shacharis, one for Mincha and one for Maariv.
Rabbi Dov Machlis, the youngest son of Rabbi Eliyahu Machlis ZT"L, has been the Rav of the Shul since his father's Petirah. Rabbi Dov Machlis hosts a daily Shiur as well as two Shiurim on Shabbosim (Saturdays) and two on Sundays.
The Shul & The Community
The Shul at Yeshivah Ohel Moshe remains an effervescent, well-known synagogue to Brooklyn dwellers. One of the largest Shuls in the neighborhood, it draws a generous crowd for daily Minyanim and is especially packed for Shabbos and Yom Tov prayers. Following Shabbos day davening, the Rav, Rabbi Dov Machlis, hosts a Kiddish meal in the ballroom for the Shul congregants. Rabbi Machlis also hosts many community parties and events at Yeshivah Ohel Moshe, including outdoor carnivals and barbeques. Yeshivah Ohel Moshe has also hosted many food distribution programs, where hundreds of boxes of food are given out to families before the high holidays. Recently, Yeshivah Ohel Moshe has also been giving out approximately $50,000 before the holidays to families who dedicate their lives to Torah learning and may benefit from monetary assistance.
Many Rebbeim and young men in Kollel spend their days learning Torah at the Yeshivah Ohel Moshe Shul. Additionally, the Yeshivah Ohel Moshe ballroom, La Masiba, is often rented out for Simchos (celebrations) for families of the community and at large. There have been countless Kiddushim, Brisim, Bar and Bas Mitzvos, engagement parties, Siyumim, graduations and other events hosted at Yeshivah Ohel Moshe.
Rabbi Dov Machlis gives a daily Shiur as well as two Shiurim on Shabbosim (Saturdays) and two on Sundays.
On Shabbos afternoon, there is a Pirchei group and Bnos group at Yeshivah Ohel Moshe for children from the neighborhood.
For Shul events, Zmanim or further information, Yeshivah Ohel Moshe can be contacted for a copy of their latest monthly calendar.
The Yeshivah
Yeshivah Ohel Moshe was founded as a school for boys in the Sons of Israel building in Brooklyn, eventually moving to the Jewish Community House with Dr Zuckerbrau as principal.[2] In 1933, Rabbi Moshe Berman took over responsibility for the school.[2] It obtained a New York State Regents charter in 1935.
In 1949, Yeshivah Ohel Moshe relocated as a school and Shul to a brand new structure at 7914 Bay Parkway in Bensonhurst. Upon completion, Rabbi Eliyahu Machlis assumed the healm of the Yeshivah & Synogogue.
The school operates Kiruv (outreach) programs, and has students "from Russia to Albania, from Israel to Iran, from Syria to [American born students] in Brooklyn."[3] Amongst the thousands of Yeshivah Ohel Moshe graduates there have been many with illustrious careers, including former Chief Rabbi of the Brooklyn Sefardic community, Chacham Shaul Kassin ZT"L as well as Rabbi Shimon Eider ZT"L, renowned Halachic Posek and author of many Seforim.
Yeshivah Ohel Moshe remains as a beacon of spiritual light for the Jewish community at large.
Upon the petirahs of Rabbi Eliyahu Machlis ZT"L and Rebbetzin Sara Machlis A"H, their children Rabbi Dov Machlis and Rebbetzin Shifra Stone have assumed their parents' roles as Menahel and General Studies Principal, respectfully.
Rabbi Dov Machlis and his wife are the longtime Rav and Rebbetzin of the Shul and are actively involved in day-to-day responsibilities.
Recent celebration of the school's 90th anniversary included the completion of the writing of a Sefer Torah.[4] Within a few years of this momentous event, another Sefer Torah was written and completed, with both Sifrei Torah being sponsored by the congregants and former students of Yeshivah Ohel Moshe.
Yeshivah Ohel Moshe is currently celebrating its 95th year since the school's establishment in 1927. In the approximate century since its founding, Yeshivah Ohel Moshe has had thousands of graduates with most of them furthering their Jewish education and leading Orthodox Jewish lifestyles.
The Machlis family
- Rabbi Eliyahu Machlis
The late Rabbi Eliyahu Machlis served as Rosh Yeshiva and Dean of the yeshiva[3] and Rabbi and spiritual leader of the Ohel Moshe congregation until his passing in 1990.[5]
Prior positions held by Rabbi Eliyahu (Leon)[6] Machlis include:[1]
- Elementary school principal, Hebrew Academy of Cleveland
- Spiritual mentor of a Talmud Torah program in East Flatbush
- Rabbi of a Shul in Staten Island
- Rebbetzin Sora Machlis
Rebbetzin Sora Machlis, late wife of Rabbi Eliyahu Machlis, served for many years as General Studies Principal.[3]
Rabbi Dov Machlis
Their son, Rabbi Dov Machlis is the present Menahel.[7]
- Rebbetzin Shifra Stone
Their daughter, Rebbetzin Shifra Stone is the present General Studies Principal.
Yartzeits
The Yartzeits of Rabbi Eliyahu and Rebbetzin Sora Machlis are 21 Teves (1990/5750)[5] and 17 Tamuz (1992/5752), respectively.
References
- ^ a b c Rabbi Mordechai Machlis (January 26, 2017). "My Abba: Rav Eliyahu Machlis, zt'l". 5 Towns Jewish Times.
- ^ a b Abelow, Samuel Philip (1937). History of Brooklyn Jewry. Scheba publishing Company. pp. 137–139.
- ^ a b c "Memorial Breakfast To Be Held In Memory Of Rabbi & Rebbetzin Eliyahu Machlis, Z"L". The Jewish Press. May 29, 1998. p. 83.
- ^ "SIYUM SEFER TORAH" (PDF). The Jewish Press. March 31, 2017. p. 28.
- ^ a b "Highlights of Moshiach".
- ^ (an obituary signed by "RABBI LEON MACHLIS") - "Deaths". The New York Times. January 2, 1979.
- ^ Michael Gold; Sean Piccoli (January 21, 2020). "Girl, 11, Dies in Unexplained Fire in Brooklyn". The New York Times.