Staff & Faculty
Menahel
Rabbi Ami Zeiger
A native of Philadelphia, Rabbi Ami Zeiger learned in Yeshivas Bais Moshe of Scranton, in Eretz Yisroel by HaRav Dovid Soleiveitchik ztz”l, and in Bais Medrash Govoha. In 2016, after having taught in mesivta for six years, Rabbi Zeiger opened Yeshiva Gedola of South Bend with four talmidim. Rabbi Zeiger’s dynamic, dedicated, and tireless leadership has given the Yeshiva its unique Torah atmosphere and he is chiefly responsible for the overall simcha and sense of belonging that our bochurim and hanhala alike feel towards the Yeshiva.
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Rabbi Yehuda Menchel
After having learned in Scranton and in Providence, Rabbi Menchel first was a Rebbi in Boston and then joined our hanhala five years ago. Rabbi Menchel is renowned for his dynamic shiur and animated learning style, and it is he who lays the foundation for our talmidims’ lifelong quest for aliyah. His booming kol torah is heard early in the morning with his pre shacharis kollel, and is no less powerful at night with his many chavrusas, both with talmidim and with members of the Kehilla.
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Rabbi Moshe Meisels
A talmid of Telshe Cleveland, Rabbi Slomowitz and R’ Dovid Soloveitchik, Rabbi Meisels brought his contagious Ahavas Hatorah and magnetic personailty to YGSB three years ago. In his role as Mashgiach, Rabbi Meisels collaborates closely with Rabbi Zeiger to look out for the needs and well being of our talmidim. When he is not giving shiur or surrounded by his many talmidim in the bais midrash, Rabbi Meisels is undoubtedly shmoozing with a bochur about his day or taking care of a dormitory need.
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Rabbi Yaakov Eliyahu Rayman
Rabbi Rayman grew up in Lakewood NJ and attended the Belle Harbor Yeshiva for seven years beginning in 9th grade, followed by 5 years in the Mirrer Yeshiva. Rabbi Rayman’s multiple roles in Yeshiva reflect his breadth in Limud HaTorah and deep grasp of the different learning styles and kochos of talmidim. YGSB and its talmidim are incredibly fortunate to have Rabbi Rayman as the image and example of how a talmid chacham and yarei shamayim carries himself.
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Rabbi Faivel Magid
In the short time that Rabbi Magid has been with YGSB, he has already become a fixture in our Yeshiva and bais medrash. Commuting from Detroit on a weekly basis, he is a Rebbi par exellence and a role model of dedication to teaching Torah. With his calm nature and sharp understanding of people, Rabbi Magid is a go-to address for talmidim and Rebbeim alike. It is a pleasure to observe the 11th grade shiur in action, with Rabbi Magid’s talmidim deeply engrossed in his shiur and clearly enjoying every minute.
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Rabbi Daniel Feldman
Rabbi Feldman is the image of what a 12th grade Rebbi should be. The quintessential ben torah, yet also geshmak and bochur friendly, Rabbi Feldman connects to his talmidim through a remarkable blend of daas Torah and openmindedness. With his astute understanding of talmidim and ever creative mind, Rabbi Feldman actively engages his talmidim in his lomdishe shiur. Outside of the shiur room, Rabbi Feldman is equally dedicated, and he is the destination for bochurim looking for hadracha and chizuk.
REBBI
Rabbi Dovid Margulies
HaRav Dovid Margulies, is well known for his wide breadth of Torah knowledge, as well as his thought provoking Shiurim. Born in Washington Heights, he was a member of the first group of selected Kollel Yungerleit to join the Chicago Community Kollel. Coming to South Bend to be a Maggid Shiur in the the 1980’s, he has three decades of experience teaching talmidim. With his vast storehouse of Torah and passion for Chinuch, Rabbi Margulies has had great success educating and shaping Bnei Torah. His commitment to talmidim extends well beyond the classroom, as he makes a point of building rapport with Talmidim and facilitating their personal growth.
REBBI
Rabbi Yaakov Bechhofer
Harav Yaakov Bechhofer is an esteemed and beloved Rebbi in the Yeshiva. Originally from Washington Heights, he spent 15 years learning in Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, Baltimore, where he was zocheh to develop a personal kesher with Harav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman zt”l, Harav Yaakov Weinberg zt”l and and HaRav Yaakov Kulefsky zt”l. Coming to South Bend in the 1980’s to spread Torah, Harav Bechhofer has been teaching Yeshiva bochurim for decades. He brings a warmth and steadiness to the Yeshiva, and his wide breadth of knowledge in so many areas of Torah makes him an invaluable resource to talmidim and Rebbeim alike.
GENERAL STUDIES PRINCIPAL
Rabbi Levi Goldwasser
Rabbi Goldwasser joined our hanhala in 5785, bringing 10 years of educational experience to YGSB. In addition to being our general studies principal, he is also the 8th grade Rebbi at South Bend Hebrew Day School. Rabbi Goldwasser attended Ohr Reuven in Monsey, BMG of Eretz Yisrael (“Lakewood East”), and then moved to South Bend to join our local Kollel. Our excellent general studies program may be attributed to Rabbi Goldwasser’s indefatiguable work ethic and dynamic personality.
MATH TEACHER
Robert Haas
Robert Haas has been a Mathematics high school teacher for 26 years (4 at Marian High School and 22 at Mishawaka High School). He has a BA in Mathematics and a BS and MA in Education. He is AP certified and HLC certified to teach both Dual Credit and ACP courses through IU. He has taught for 22 years at YSB in the afternoons.
PHYSICS & CHEMISTRY TEACHER
Mike Mcguire
Mike Mcguire has a very impressive background that the students find fascinating. He earned a B.S. in forestry from Michigan State University, as well an M.A. in Education from the University of Phoenix. He was a science teacher at Mishawaka High School. There he taught Biology, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, and an engineering class on Environmental Sustainability through the Project Lead the Way organization. Mike has been a teacher here since 2017 and loves to share his passion for the sciences with the students.
SPANISH & ENGLISH TEACHER
Joshua Miller
Señor Miller has a love for languages. Originally from the small-town Middlebury, Mr. Miller moved out to Mishawaka Indiana to attend Bethel College (now a University) and be part of the Men's Varsity Soccer Team for 4 years. From studying in Spain to doing mission's work in Mexico with his team, he advanced his knowledge of Spanish and was able to practice his language skills. In 2015 Mr. Miller graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Spanish Education and has been teaching ever since. Being in his sixth year of education in South Bend Community School Corporation, 3rd year at Yeshiva, he has found his passion and purpose in life - education and lifelong learning.