At Yeshiva Shalom Rav we pride ourselves in the diversity of talent we have to offer, including educated people from all walks of life and every corner of the world. This produces a highly charged atmosphere extremely suited to thoughtful yet provocative investigation of the studies pursued and provides a wide resource of knowledge which students will not find in other Yeshivot.

Rabbi Rafael Weingot, Rosh Yeshiva , studied at Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin under HaRav HaGaon Rav Yitzchak Hutner, zt"l, and later became a talmid of one of Rav Hutner's closest students, Rav Shlomo Freifeld, zt"l, Rosh Yeshiva of Shor Yoshuv in Far Rockaway, N.Y.

He has a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College in English Literature and master's degree from Rav Chaim Berlin Rabbinical Academy in Education.  He is a licensed teacher in New York State.                      .

Rabbi Weingot has been involved in education and kiruv for over 25 years. In 1989 he founded the Kollel and Smicha Institute Mishnat Aharon. In 1992 he opened Yeshiva Shalom Rav.  During this time, he supervised the renovation and reactivation of the historic Chernobyl Shul of Tsfat.  He and his wife together founded Sharei Bina Women's Seminary, also in Tsfat.

A descendant of the Maharal of Prague and Polish Chasidim, Rabbi Weingot has a special affinity not only to teaching Talmud, but also to the more philosophical texts. He has a special way to bring to life the writings the Maharal, the Sfat Emet, the Pri Tzadik, and others.

Rabbi Aharon Nikop, Director of Beit Midrash Program, has been associated with Mishnat Aharon and Yeshiva Shalom Rav since 1990 as an avreich, magid shiur, and lecturer. Prior to his arrival in Tsfat, Rabbi Nikop learned for two years (1986-1988) at Yeshivat HaMivtar, under Rabbi Chaim Brovender. Upon their arrival to Tsfat, he and his wife worked as coordinators for the Livnot U'lehibanot Jewish Identity Program.  He is also the Vice-Principal and one of the key lecturers in Sharei Bina Women's Seminary, where he teaches both Jewish Thought and Halacha.

His specialties are in the area of Halacha, Talmudic methodology, and Jewish Philosophy.

Rabbi Nikop has a bachelor's degree from S.U.N.Y Stony Brook in Political Science and a history of political activism on campus and in Jewish organizations. He is often called upon to be involved in the Tsfat community at large as a speaker, rabbinic advisor, personal counselor, and an active member in various community projects (including the neighborhood Eruv).

Rabbi Nikop, received Semicha from HaDayan HaRav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, shlita, son-in-law of the late HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt"l.

Reb Avraham Shimon Weingot, Menahel Ruchani, is a native of Tsfat.  Growing up in the home of his parents, Rabbi Rafael and Rabbanit Tova Weingot, he developed an acute understanding of and dedication to American Jewish youth.

An experienced hiker, camper and outdoorsman, before becoming Menahel Ruchani he spent the previous two years as Shalom Rav's beloved Madrich, taking our students on some of the most awesome hiking and camping experiences. 

Like his father, he has a keen sense of the internal workings of the spiritual development of American youth. He serves as the trusted confidante of many of our students while they begin their journey toward emotional and spiritual growth.
 

Rabbi Dovid Klein, Magid Shiur, Rabbi Klein originally from Baltimore, has a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the University of Maryland and worked in Washington, D.C. for four years as a Research Assistant before moving to Israel in 1981. He has been learning and teaching Torah for almost 25 years. He learned in Yeshiva Ohr Somayach and then in Kollel Meor HaTorah in Jerusalem.  He's been teaching at Yeshiva Shalom Rav since moving to Tsfat in 1995.

Rabbi Klein, who inculcates his students with not only a solid methodology for learning Gemorah but also a deep love for learning, is also an amateur musician and songwriter. Reb Dovid, as his students affectionately call him, known as a man of few words, is also a history buff.      

Rabbi Klein received Semicha from HaDayan HaRav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, shlita, son-in-law of the late HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt"l.

Rabbi Yaakov Gabel, Magid Shiur, received his Bachelor's degree in Latin and Greek Languages and Literature from Colby College in Maine. He went on to receive his Master's degree in that field from the University of Chicago, where he also taught ancient Greek. He also received the Colby Classics Prize twice.

Reb Gabel was introduced to Torah in university, where he began his Torah studies, first part time, and later continued full time learning in numerous Yeshivot in Jerusalem.

Before joining the staff at Yeshiva Shalom Rav, he translated two books for the Breslov Research Institute.

Rabbi Gabel received Semicha from HaDayan HaRav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, shlita, son-in-law of the late HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt"l.

Rabbi Chai Toib, Magid Shiur, originally from France, studied for four years at the Yeshiva High School of Aix Les Bains, near Greuoble, France.  After graduation he went on to the University of Orleans, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Economics and English. Rabbi Toib continued his Torah studies throughout university, and was an accomplished teacher in a number of Talmud Torah Schools for approximately 10 years.  He and his family made aliyah in 1990, and he's been teaching and learning Torah in Tsfat ever since.

Rabbi Toib received Semicha from HaRav Eisenberger, of Kiryat Sanz, Netanya, and from HaRav Shmuel Stern of Bnei Brak

Reb Emanuel Salamon, Magid Shiur, our lone British staff member, has a rich Jewish background, including studying Jewish studies at Jews' College in London from the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and from Rabbi Nachum Rabinovitz, presently Rav of Maaleh Adumin.  Like many of our staff and students, Reb Emanuel is a talented musician.  His musical training includes the Purcell School (London) and the famous Versailles Conservatory (France).

In addition to teaching Gemara and Halacha, Reb Emanuel is Shalom Rav's music teacher. He also has a band that performs at community simchas. He's been with Yeshiva Shalom Rav since its establishment.  

Reb Efraim Heinrich, Magid Shiur, originally an Australian lawyer, received his Pre-law degree with honors from New South Wales and his Law degree from Sydney. Prior to his aliyah to Israel, he practiced law in Australia for 12 years. He's been practicing law part time in Israel for the past 5 years.

Since his arrival to Tsfat, Reb Efraim has been affiliated with Yeshiva Shalom Rav, first as a student and now as a magid shiur.  He currently teaches the beginner Mishnah, Gemorah, and Introductory Halacha Shiurim.