Ohr Somayach, South Africa

Ohr Somayach in South Africa is an affiliate of Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem, a network of Haredi yeshivas and Synagogues. Like its parent institution, it focuses on educating baal teshuvas ("returnees" to Orthodox Judaism). It has branches in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Johannesburg's main campus, in Glenhazel, was founded by Dayan Boruch Rapoport, Rabbi Shmuel Moffson and Rabbi Larry Shain it includes a full-time Yeshiva, headed by Rabbi Yechezkel Auerbach. Its Bet Midrash was established in 1990, and its Kollel, Toras Chaim, in 1996; it operates the Ma'ayan Bina Midrasha. In other locations, Ohr Somayach has a minyan in nearby Savoy Estate, while the Sandton branch (est 1991) under Rabbi Ze’ev Kraines, is a “Shtiebel-like” shul and Bet Midrash, and also houses a nursery school. The Shaarei Torah Primary School is based on the main campus.

Ohr Somayach Cape Town is a community located in the heart of Sea Point.

"Ohrsom" is the young adults' division with its own Shul in Glenhazel, as well as a satellite campuse in Sandton. The Sunny Road Shul is an affiliated community, comprising mainly young families.

The Meshech Chochmah Professionals' Beis Medrash Programme (PBM), developed locally, is designed to give the "professional working person, at any level of ability, the opportunity to gain the skills needed for independence in Torah learning" from Hebrew language through Shulchan Aruch with Rishonim. The Chavruta-based programme revolves around Maseches Makkos, and entails “a structured, cumulative, modular syllabus” over 5 years (4 terms per year, each of 2 months, with 15 shiurim and 1 test).

See also

• Jewish education in South Africa under History of the Jews in South Africa
• Orthodox yeshivas in South Africa

External links

• Ohr Somayach International
• Ohr Somayach Johannesburg
• Ohr Somayach Sandton
• Ohr Somayach Cape Town
• ohrsom.com
• Ma'ayan Bina
• Meshech Chochmah Professionals' Beis Medrash