TV Host Avi Gilad Reveals Great-Grandfather Founded Historic Jerusalem Yeshiva

Television presenter Avi Gilad visited the Atarat Kohanim Yeshiva in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City over the weekend, where he disclosed a surprising family connection: his great-grandfather, Rabbi Simcha Winograd, z"l, founded the institution. The yeshiva, now known as Atarat Yerushalayim and led by Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, was established in 1983 as part of efforts to settle Jews in the Muslim Quarter. The building previously housed the Torah Chaim Yeshiva until it was abandoned following violent events in 1929 and 1936, as Gilad recounted in a video from his visit.

Gilad, who has undergone a spiritual journey from a left-wing political stance toward embracing right-wing values and Judaism, recently performed the mitzvah of laying tefillin for the first time since his bar mitzvah during a visit to a Chabad house in New Jersey. Rabbi Yudi Eisenbach explained the significance of tefillin according to the Tanya, which moved Gilad to participate publicly, inspiring others present to do the same. Gilad has expressed deep respect for the religious community, calling them "bearers of the flame of the values of the people of Israel." The yeshiva itself separated from the Atarat Kohanim association around 1991 to distinguish its Torah study from settlement activities, adopting its current name.

This visit and revelation highlight Gilad's personal connection to Jerusalem's religious heritage and his evolving relationship with Jewish tradition and identity.