North Shore Hebrew Academy High School (NSHAHS) in Great Neck welcomed Elnatan Mori, an IDF commander and combat medic who served on the Gaza front lines after October 7, on Friday, January 30. Elnatan spoke about leadership in combat, caring for wounded soldiers, and maintaining moral clarity in difficult circumstances, drawing on his deep emunah.
The auditorium audience listened closely, with many students staying afterward to ask questions about faith and their potential roles in am Yisrael.
Elnatan was joined by his father, Rav Boaz Mori, Rosh HaYeshivah of Lev HaTorah in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Rav Boaz is an NSHA alumnus and served as Youth Director at Young Israel of Great Neck (YIGN) from 1987 to 1990.
The visit was organized by Rabbi Yehuda Chinskey, NSHA Halachah Department Chair and GNS Teen Rabbi (NSHA alumnus 2008–2010), along with Great Neck activist Dr. Paul Brody. Also present were Rabbi Yosef Naor, Director of Programming; Rabbi Avi Miller, Judaic Studies Principal; Rabbi Jeffrey Kobrin, Rosh HaYeshivah; Rav Boaz Mori; Elnatan Mori; and Lev HaTorah alumnus Joey Brody (2018–2019).
The program extended over Shabbos Shira, with Rav Boaz and Elnatan serving as Scholars-in-Residence at Great Neck Synagogue (GNS) and YIGN, delivering divrei Torah. A “Father & Son Tisch” was hosted by Jonathan and Ilana Kroll and their son Joey on Shabbos night. On Motza’ei Shabbos, Rav Boaz visited Dr. Paul and Drora Brody’s home.
Several Great Neck students have attended Yeshivat Lev HaTorah for gap year or Shanah Bet. The connection continues with Gavi Spinner, son of GNS Chazzan Yitzy Spinner, currently in the Lev L’Chayal program and scheduled to draft into the IDF in March.
Founded in 2002, Yeshivat Lev HaTorah expanded in 2008 with Ramat Shilo in Ramat Beit Shemesh. In 2014, Rav Boaz launched Lev L’Chayal to support students and alumni serving in the IDF. Directed by Rav Dudi Winkler, it is recognized as the first Anglo Hesder yeshivah.
Under construction on the Lev HaTorah campus is the Beit Daniel Residence for Hesder Lone Soldiers of Lev L’Chayal, named in memory of Captain Daniel Perez hy”d, murdered on October 7. The facility will provide housing and support for soldiers on leave. Dedications are available to honor loved ones.
Rav Boaz also founded Midreshet Lev, the women’s seminary of Lev HaTorah, now in its second year.
The visit strengthened ties between Great Neck and Israel. For more information about Lev HaTorah’s programs, contact Rav Boaz Mori via WhatsApp at +972-50-452-8797 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..