Yeshiva University High School for Boys, MTA, is thrilled to welcome several new rebbeim to its already outstanding and dedicated team. Each one brings his own unique teaching style, and all are excited to meet their new talmidim next week!
Rabbi Yehuda Balsam is joining MTA as the Rosh Beis Midrash and a full-time rebbi. He attended Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe, MTA, KBY, Mir, Yeshiva College, and RIETS, and he received s’michah from Rav Mordechai Friedlander (of Yerushalayim). Rabbi Balsam has worked in several camps and summer programs, and he is currently a leading member of the chinuch staff at Camp Morasha and Morasha Kollel. Rabbi Balsam joins MTA from DRS, where he taught for the past 23 years. Rabbi Balsam lives in North Woodmere with his wife Chavie and their four children.
MTA is also pleased to have Rabbi Zaki Dayan join their team of rebbeim. Rabbi Dayan serves as the Assistant Rabbi at Fleetwood Synagogue and is a member of YU Kollel Elyon, where he began his studies in the Fall of 2023. Raised in Flatbush, he studied at Yeshivas Aish Gesher in Jerusalem for two years before earning his rabbinical degree from RIETS. Rabbi Dayan is married to Gabrielle and they have two daughters. Rabbi Dayan is passionate about teaching Torah and is looking forward to joining the MTA team as a bekius rebbi.
Rabbi Yaakov Fuchs is joining MTA as a Tanach rebbi. Rabbi Fuchs grew up in Woodmere, where he graduated from DRS Yeshiva HS, and he spent much time in his formative years learning under Rav Moshe Weinberger. After spending two years at Yeshivat Shaalvim, Rabbi Fuchs graduated from Yeshiva College majoring in History, while learning under Rav Mayer Twersky. He is currently pursuing s’michah at RIETS and simultaneously working towards his master’s degree at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. Rabbi Fuchs has a lot of experience in the world of informal chinuch, serving as a madrich on NCSY Kollel for two summers, as well as a division head, rebbi, and staff maggid shiur at Camp Mesorah. During the academic year, he has served as an Advisor Coordinator for NCSY, and is currently one of the directors of NCSY’s new Pivot program for yeshivah high school boys.
Rabbi Yitzy Lanner is another young, relatable rebbi, who was born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida. Rabbi Lanner graduated from Katz Yeshiva High School and then spent two years studying at Yeshivat Shaalvim in Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Lanner then attended Yeshiva University, where he received an MS in Psychology and spent all three years learning in Rav Mayer Twersky’s shiur. Currently, he is pursuing s’michah and a master’s degree in education through the Azrieli graduate program. Rabbi Lanner will be joining MTA as a machashavah rebbi.
Rabbi Yoni Sonnenschein is returning to MTA as a full-time rebbi and Athletics Director. He grew up in Baltimore, and after attending Yeshivat Shaalvim for two years, he came to study at Yeshiva University. He received his s’michah from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Issac Elchanan Theological Seminary, and a certificate in mental health counseling from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. He had the z’chus to learn under Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger, and Rabbi Baruch Simon. He is currently finishing up a master’s degree in Social Work. Rabbi Sonnenschien lives in Teaneck with his wife and son.
With this illustrious group of young, dynamic rebbeim, MTA is bringing their learning to new heights in The Heights!
