Leadership & Staff
Our all-star team is composed of seasoned educators, mentors, and community builders who bring decades of experience in Torah education, olim integration, and youth leadership.
Each member of our staff is chosen not only for their professional excellence, but for their ability to connect deeply with students, guiding them with warmth, wisdom, and vision.
Rav Shimon Kronenberg
Founder & Rosh Yeshiva
Rav Shimon Kronenberg supplies the passion and drive behind the development and mission of Yesodei Yisrael. Born and raised in Monsey, New York, Rav Shimon graduated from Yeshiva University High School for Boys then studied at Yeshivat Shaalvim and Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim where he majored in Judaic Studies at Touro University. Prior to making aliyah with his family, Rav Shimon developed a reputation as a sought after Rebbe and personal development guide at Yeshiva Heichal Hatorah in Teaneck, New Jersey. Rav Shimon has also developed and held leadership roles in a number of informal educational programs, including NCSY Summer Programs and Que & A Beit Shemesh.
With his extensive experience in chinuch and creative youth development, Rav Kronenberg excels in building deep and meaningful relationships with his Talmidim, guiding them to grow into confident Bnei Torah and active contributors to their communities. In addition to his passion for Chinuch and organizational development, Rav Kronenberg is the founder and CEO of The Yashar Group LLC, an integrated facility management company. Rav Shimon lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife, Talia (Yudin), and their children, Rachel, Shira, Michalie, Eliana, Yitzchak, and Chaim.
Rav Jeff Wohlgelernter
Mara D'asra
Rabbi Jeff Wohlgelernter was born and raised in Long Island, NY. After learning in Ner Israel Rabbinical College for six years and getting a degree in psychology from Johns Hopkins University, Rabbi Wohlgelernter came to Eretz Yisrael to learn under the great gaon Rabbi Moshe Shapiro z”l. While there, he met his wife Shoshana, and married in America. After working in Kiruv in Australia for 2 years, they became the Rabbi and Rebbetzin of a startup shul in La Jolla, California. 34 years later, they left behind a congregation of nearly 300 families, an eruv, a mikvah, 2 high schools and a beautiful building to return to live and teach Torah in Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Wohlgelernter is the Rov of Beis Medrash Mishkafayim (BMM) in Ramat Beit Shemesh, and Mashgiach Ruchani at Ashreinu. Rabbi “Wogi,” as he is affectionately known, is an enthusiastic teacher whose goal is to inspire his talmidim to seek more.
Rav Elie Levi
Executive Director & Menahel
Rav Elie Levi is a distinguished Talmud Chacham and an expert in Chinuch program development. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Rav Levi Learned for two years at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh before returning to the United States to continue his learning at Yeshivas Ner Yisrael. There, he received semicha from Rav Heineman while simultaneously earning a master’s degree in education from Johns Hopkins University.
With nearly two decades of experience in Chinuch and community leadership, Rav Levi has built a reputation for his ability to connect deeply with both students and parents. He is also a certified mohel, shochet, sofer, and shatnez checker, reflecting his diverse expertise in the practical implementation of Torah and Mitzvos. Most recently, Rav Levi served as the Assistant Menahel at Yeshiva Mekor Chaim in Baltimore, MD where he played a pivotal role in the development and growth of the Yeshiva. Rav Levi lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife Esther and children Daniel, Akiva, Malka, Ari and Tova.
Rav Bentzi Raice
Afternoon Menahel
Rav Bentzi grew up in Monsey and worked as a plumber for three decades. He made Aliyah nine years ago, continuing his trade in Eretz Yisrael for the first seven years after the move while learning and teaching Torah. In recent years he has transitioned to full time chinuch. Now he shares the beauty of Chassidus with high school and gap-year students, guiding them to find meaning and inspiration in Jewish thought. Rav Bentzi's family is happily rooted in Israel: his three oldest children are married here, and he is blessed with four grandchildren. When not teaching, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, often with a good cup of coffee in hand.
Rav Ari Green
Rebbe
Rav Ari Green was born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Toronto, Canada. He made aliyah at the age of 16 and is a graduate of esteemed institutions such as Mir Yeshiva, Bais Yisroel, Jerusalem Kollel, and Ner Le’Elef. He holds a BA from FDU New Jersey and his extensive chinuch career includes teaching at Yeshiva Nefesh Hatalmid, Ohr Moshe, and Yeshiva Sha’arei Mevaseret Zion, as well as co-founding the Lev Modiin Outreach Center.
Rav Green combines extensive Torah wisdom with a relatable and innovative approach to education. Outside the classroom, Ari loves playing guitar, composing music, camping and fishing. His musical and athletic talents provide additional avenues for meaningful connections with students, solidifying his role as a trusted mentor and guide in their spiritual and personal development here in Israel. Rav Ari lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife Tehila and children, Rachel Meira, Ovadia, Moshe, Maayan, Daniel and Akiva.
Rav Zev Sheff
Rebbe
Rav Zev Sheff brings with him a wealth of experience and dedication to Chinuch and Torah education. Born in Passaic, New Jersey, Rav Zev made Aliyah with his family in 2006 at the age of nine. He has had the Zechus to learn in several renowned institutions, including Yeshivas Bais Yisrael and Kollel Ohr Lagolah, where he is currently completing his Semicha degree.
Rav Zev is deeply involved in youth programming and education for Olim within the greater Beit Shemesh community. He serves as head of staff and programming for Bnei Hashra’ah, a vibrant youth organization based in Ramat Beit Shemesh, and as an Avreich in the very popular Hakshiva Bnei Aliyah program. Additionally, Rav Zev is a sought-after guitar teacher, blending his passions for music and personal growth to inspire his students. Rav Zev lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife, Temima, and their children, Tiffy and Shaya.
Rav Ari Deutscher
Night Seder Rebbe
Rav Ari Deutscher was raised in Brooklyn, New York. Always a trailblazer, Ari made aliyah after learning at Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr Yisroel and receiving a BA in psychology from Brooklyn College. Beginning with his position as av bayit at Ohr Yerushalayim, Ari and the Deutscher family earned their reputation as warm and welcoming to all talmidim. Very few know better than Rabbi Deutscher how today’s teenagers think and feel and how to relate to their challenges and frustrations. His classes are always challenging and thought provoking. Rav Deutscher lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife and four children
Rav Avishai Alge, MSW
Guidance Counselor
Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Avishai has been in Israel ever since graduating high school. While learning in various yeshivas and kollelim in eretz yisroel, he pursued an undergraduate degree in psychology from Touro College. From there, he spent the next 5 years teaching in post high school yeshivas for Americans. He later pursued his Masters degree in Social Work, from Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler school of Social Work. For the past few years he has been working mostly with teens from Anglo backgrounds. He now lives with his wife and kids in Neve Shamir
Rav Natan Kotler
English
Rabbi Natan Kotler serves as a Military Rabbi in the IDF and brings a unique blend of Torah scholarship and real-world experience to his teaching. A graduate of Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh (KBY), he holds an M.Ed. in Educational Counseling from Orot Israel College. Rabbi Kotler teaches in the English department of Machon Meir. Over the past decade, he has authored more than 350 articles published in the Machon Meir Torah Journal as well as respected periodicals such as Hama’yan and Machanecha (for the Military Rabbinate). His writings and shiurim span a wide range of topics, including the lives and teachings of Gedolei Yisrael, Talmud, morality and halacha, the ethics of warfare according to the Rambam, mutual responsibility in halacha and Jewish thought, postmodernism and Judaism, and insights into the Parshah and Moadim. Rabbi Kotler lives in Jerusalem with his wife and children.
Mr. Aaron Nitkin
Math
Mr. Aaron Nitkin brings both professional expertise and personal insight to his role at Yesodei Yisrael. A certified educator with three years of experience teaching Math and English through Israel’s Ministry of Education (Misrad HaChinuch) delivering curriculum-aligned instruction in both subjects to both middle school and high school age students. His ability to make complex concepts accessible and relatable helps students build confidence and competence, especially as they adjust to a new educational system.
Originally from Rockville, MD, Aaron made Aliyah in 2006 and understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating into Israeli society. As a father of two wonderful boys, he brings patience, compassion, and a deep appreciation for the aliyah journey into his teaching. Outside the classroom, Aaron is a passionate musician who enjoys playing guitar and a strong advocate for fitness and healthy living. His positive energy and personal experience make him a relatable and encouraging presence as he supports talmidim in both their academic and personal growth.
Mr. Ari Epstein
Ulpan
Aryeh Epstein is a veteran educator with approximately 30 years of experience, specializing in teaching Hebrew to new Olim and preparing students for their matriculation exams. He began his teaching career serving as a soldier-teacher in the IDF. Mr. Epstein lived and taught for 9 years in the Jewish community of Hong Kong before returning to Israel 12 years ago. He grew up in Jerusalem and is currently living in Ramat Beit Shemesh and teaches at several Yeshivot in the area, helping students connect to the Hebrew language and their Jewish heritage.
Mr. Daniel Climer
Ulpan
Daniel was born in Israel and spent his formative years there until his family relocated to South Africa at the age of 14, where he completed his high school education. Upon his return to Israel, he immersed himself in Torah study at several yeshivot and kollelim. In the realm of public service, Daniel completed his National Service (Sherut Ezrachi) as a Medic with Magen David Adom (MDA). He is a veteran educator, having served as an educator and taught Ulpan (intensive Hebrew) at Yeshivat Or Moshe for several years. Daniel is married and is the father of two children.