Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Yehoishophot Oliver (talk | contribs) at 07:38, 15 May 2007 (←Created page with '{{Chabad}} '''Yeshiva Gedolah Zal''', '''Yeshiva Gedolah''', or colloquially, '''YG''' is a yeshiva, an academy for young Orthodox Jews to ...'). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Yeshiva Gedolah Zal, Yeshiva Gedolah, or colloquially, YG is a yeshiva, an academy for young Orthodox Jews to devote themselves to full-time rabbinical studies. It is located in East Saint Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, the only yeshiva of its kind in the continent. It is under the auspices of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement.

Founding and naming

It was founded on 1 Feb., 1966, under the auspices of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, who vigorously encouraged its founding, and gave guidance and blessings for its development at every stage. He wrote to Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner, "such a Yeshiva must be founded in Melbourne." He declared that the Yeshiva is considered a branch of the Lubavitch Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva network, though not officially under that name. He added the title "Zal", which is Yiddish for "study hall," to Yeshiva Gedolah. When it became necessary to give the Yeshiva an English name, and it was suggested that it be entitled, "The Rabbinical College of Australia," he added the phrase, "and New Zealand." (Indeed, some youth from New Zealand eventually came to study there.) The Rebbe also gave special attention to the students, sending them special letters of encouragement and good wishes from time to time.

Administration

The Yeshiva was originally under the main administration of Rabbi Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski, who also served as the Mashpia there, along with Rabbi Yaakov Eliezer Herzog, the Rosh Yeshiva. In the summer of 1973 Rabbi Binyomin Gavriel Cohen joined the staff as the new Rosh Yeshiva, and the following year Rabbi Avrohom Glick began delivering regular classes in Chassidus. In 1977 Mr. Avrohom Procel, himself a graduate of the Yeshiva, was appointed as financial administrator. In 1984 Rabbi Mordechai Szmerling, also a graduate of the Yeshiva, was appointed as a teacher of Talmud. In 1989 Rabbi Yaakov Winner was appointed Mashpia. In more recent years Rabbi Sholom Ber Engel was appointed as Mashgiach and teacher and Rabbi Shmuel Lesches was appointed as teacher.

Location

At first there was disagreement over the ideal location of the Yeshiva--in a remote, quiet location, or beside the existing Yeshiva College day school. Rabbi Schneerson solved this by suggesting that the Yeshiva be located nearby, but not on the same site as the school.

It began on Goathlands Ave., E. St. Kilda, and then moved to Kalymna Ave., E. St. Kilda. From there it moved to 11 Meadow St., Balaclava. In 1971 a large building surrounded by gardens on 67 Alexandra St. known as The New Alexandra became available for purchase. This property was officially recognized as historically valuable, as it had been built some hundred years earlier, and served as a lodge for distinguished government personalities. Despite the high price, the building was bought under Rabbi Schneerson's name; he also contributed 4,000 Australian dollars to its purchase. He would therefore include it in the list of his properties whose chametz is sold for Passover. After Passover the students moved in and began their studies there. The Yeshiva has flourished there to this day.

Student Shluchim

Before Passover of 1967 student Shluchim (emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe) arrived from the USA, the first of their kind anywhere in the world. These were unmarried students of advanced calibre sent to bolster the Yeshiva by studying and teaching the local students. After the resignation of Rabbi Herzog, the student Shluchim took over as teachers of Talmud in the Yeshiva. They also studied with Jewish university students, many of whom eventually enrolled in the Yeshiva. They opened up an English lending library of Jewish literature.

According to the current system at any given time there are altogether twelve student Shluchim on a two year stay, but six student Shluchim leave each year after completing their two-year period, and six new student Shluchim arrive, usually in the month of Cheshvan. This was done in order to prevent a gap in which no student Shluchim are present. Thus, at any given time there are six student Shluchim in their first year and six in their second. It is customary for the entire Yeshiva to travel to the airport to greet the newly arrived student Shluchim with the traditional boisterous Chasidic joy.

References

Iyei HaMelech, ch. 4, Vaad Lahafotzas HaMayonos, Melbourne, Australia, 1992.