Rabbi Akiva Homnick has almost 30 years of experience as a Rosh Yeshiva, maggid shiur and educator, having run the gamut of students: Anglos and Israelis, High school and post High school, Ashkenazim and Sefardim. Thus, he has acquired the ability to connect with all types of boys, in addition to his advancing them by means of his deep and clear shiurim.
Rabbi Homnick’s musical abilities enable him to affect and uplift the souls of his students through song and frequent musical events, which contribute to the generally inspirational atmosphere in the Yeshiva.
Rabbi Yehoshua Edelstein was born and raised in Jerusalem to an Anglo-Saxon family. He was educated in classic Yeshivot, and currently holds a master’s degree in educational systems management. Rabbi Edelstein embodies a combination of piety and strictness, without yielding on total professionalism. His educational experience includes, among other things, teaching as a Rebbe, preparing students for matriculation exams and educational management. In addition, he is involved in development of lectures and teacher training programs for the Ministry of Education.
Rabbi Edestein’s vision for Chayei Olam is an environment that encourages growth and Yirat Shamayim, while adhering to study programs according to the requirements of the Ministry of Education.
Originally from New York, Rabbi Chanan Fruchter made Aliyah with his family when he was nine. Having gone through the Israeli school system, he has first-hand experience of the challenges faced by Anglo immigrants. In 2011 he established Ohr Moshe, to date the only special-ed Yeshiva high school in Israel catering to Anglo immigrants. Following its success and the establishment of a sister school for girls, he launched Kol Yehuda, a mainstream education yeshiva high school for Haredi boys wishing to incorporate secular studies. Presently he is the Menahel Ruchani at Chayei Olam. Rabbi Fruchter holds a BA degree in Special Education and an MA in Educational Management.