Religious Zionist Yeshivas Announce New Leadership Ahead of Elul

As the Jewish month of Elul approaches, several Religious Zionist yeshivas across Israel have completed a series of leadership appointments. These include new heads of yeshivas and instructors (ramim), alongside retirements of veteran educators and preparations for opening new institutions.

At Yeshivat Zemerat HaAretz, a Breslov yeshiva, Rabbi Ephraim Abdian, the head of the kollel and rabbi of the Nitzan settlement, was appointed as the new yeshiva head, with Rabbi Ephraim Shapira, son of Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira, joining as well. Rabbi Daniel Polk was named head of Yeshivat Sanhedrin in Rehovot, replacing Rabbi Yehonatan Hayat. Rabbi Shay Shaulyan, a graduate of Yeshivat Ateret Kohanim, became a ram at Yeshivat Ma'ale Eliyahu.

Rabbi Yedidya Pleiser from Yeshivat Kedumim replaced Rabbi Shlomi Shapira as a second-year ram at Yeshivat Ramat Gan. Rabbi Shlomi Shapira moved to Yeshivat Nachalat Binyamin in Malachei HaShalom for about two years, a move approved by yeshiva heads Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira and Rabbi Ben Zion Elgazi. In Jerusalem, veteran rabbis Rabbi Eitan Shendorfi and Rabbi Ovadia Achituv retired, along with longtime high school director Rabbi David Simchon.

Rabbi Eliyahu Amsalem was appointed head of the rabbinical court program at Yeshivat Tiferet Yisrael in Yad Binyamin, with blessings from yeshiva heads Rabbi Moshe Amsalem and Rabbi Zion Luz. Additionally, 21 new yeshivas and preparatory programs are currently being established, with instructor appointments ongoing and dependent on student enrollment. Last year, 11 yeshivas were planned but only six opened by the first of Elul.