Faculty
Rabbi Shmuel Silber
Dean
Rabbi Shmuel Silber has served as the Rav of Suburban Orthodox Congregation since 2003. His passion for on-going, advanced adult learning led to the inception of the Institute for Jewish Continuity, an in person and online learning center, dedicated to providing inspiring and intellectually invigorating Torah learning to all levels of learners. The Institute currently offers Torah learning opportunities to participants across the globe. Rabbi Silber has served as an adjunct professor for John’s Hopkins University and has delivered classes and lectured for several local institutions. He has served as a Scholar in Residence in the United States, Israel, Canada, and South Africa.
Prior to joining Suburban Orthodox, Rabbi Silber was the Assistant Rabbi of Congregation Shomrei Torah, in Fair Lawn, NJ. Rabbi Silber received Semicha from Yeshiva University and a Masters degree in Secondary Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School. Rabbi Silber and his wife Aviva B’H have six children.
Rabbi Uri Grosberg
Menahel
Rabbi Grosberg obtained both his BA and Semicha from Yeshiva University. He received Semicha while in Gruss Kollel, the Israeli arm of Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). He also received Semicha from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, ZT”L, while studying in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Grosberg began his classroom education career teaching in Yavneh Academy, while residing in Dallas Texas. After moving back to the East Coast, Rabbi Grosberg assumed the position of Director of Judaic studies at HHNE, Hebrew High School of New England in West Hartford CT. He supervised the Judaic staff, taught and implemented programs for the students and developed curriculum. Most recently, Rabbi Grosberg was the Principal of General Studies at the Mesivta of Waterbury, where he worked hard ensuring the success of every student.
Rabbi Elie Levi
Director of Student Life
Judaic Studies Teacher
Judaic Studies Teacher
Born and raised in Baltimore, Rabbi Elie Levi is a musmach of Ner Yisroel and holds a Masters of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University. He taught limudei Kodesh at Beth Tfiloh in both the Middle School and the High School for many years before joining YMC. Rabbi Levi is well known for his warmth and connection to students as well as his broad scholarship and ability to make learning both challenging and fun. In addition to his work within the classroom, Rabbi Levy has helped students prepare for Chidon HaTanach and gives shiurim & classes to adults at several of the shuls in our community. He enjoys learning a wide range of Torah topics with his talmidim and when not teaching, can be found spending quality time with his family.
Mrs. Allison Kronthal
Office and Operations Manager
Born a Baltimorean, Mrs. Allison Kronthal lived all over Maryland before finally settling down in her hometown. A James Madison University alum, Mrs. Kronthal graduated with her bachelor’s in Biology. It wasn’t until her final year at JMU that she decided she wanted to teach. After receiving her Masters for teaching, Mrs. Kronthal joined Walt Whitman High School, located in Bethesda, Maryland, where she taught Biology, Forensics, and Physics, and was the Advisor for the Robotics Club. Four and half years later, Mrs. Kronthal decided she wanted to pursue something different. When she was hired as an administrator for YMC, she didn’t know what to expect, for it was a very different type of school than what she had previously experienced. Within a few months, Mrs. Kronthal fell in love with the community. She’s excited to see how the school will grow and what accomplishments the school will gain in the years to come.
Rabbi Tzvi Atkin
Judaic Studies Teacher
Originally from Edison, New Jersey, Rabbi Atkin came to Baltimore to study in Yeshivas Ner Yisrael. While there, he received a Masters in Talmudic Law. Additionally, he earned a Masters degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Aside from teaching in YMC, Rabbi Atkin also teaches Judaic classes to the middle school of Ohr Chadash Academy. During the summer, he serves as Assistant Director of Camp Sports Kollel, a program combining Torah learning and sports for Yeshiva students returning from Yeshiva in Israel.
Rabbi Shimon Barkin
Judaic Studies Teacher
Rabbi Barkin was born in Cleveland, Ohio where he attended grade school. He then spent some years in Yeshiva of Passaic followed by some years of learning in Yeshiva in Israel and eventually earned his Rabbinic ordination. The diverse group of yeshivos helped Rabbi Barkin develop a love of Torah knowledge and a strong sense of wanting to share that with klal yisroel. This drive is what led him to his career of teaching high school boys in Talmudical Academy 19 years ago. He loves to give back and continues to sustain connections with many former students.
Dr. Alan Eidensohn
Math/Photography Teacher
aeidensohn@yeshivasmekorchaim.org
Dr. Alan Eidensohn graduated high school from Talmudical Academy in Baltimore. He was educated at Brooklyn College and the University of Pennsylvania Dental School. Dr. Eidensohn practiced dentistry for 30 years and has been teaching various sciences in schools in the area for over 10 years. He enjoys working with students of all ages. His other activities include photography, music, and learning.
Rabbi Shraga Goldenhersh
Judaic Studies Teacher
sgoldenhersh@yeshivasmekorchaim.org
After studying in Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, Rabbi Shraga Goldenhersh received his Bachelors of Science from Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business and Semicha from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchonon Theological Seminary. He attended the Ner Israel Rabbinical College while earning his law degree at the University of Maryland.
Mrs. Yaffa Hill
English/History Teacher
Born and raised in Baltimore, Mrs. Yaffa Hill first decided she wanted to become a teacher when she was in sixth grade. After high school, Mrs. Hill attended Bais Yaakov Machon Raaya seminary in Israel, during which time she trained for and earned a degree in teaching Judaic studies. Upon her return to Baltimore, she enrolled in Towson University, where she majored in both English and Secondary Education and earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Maryland Teaching Credential. She taught in a variety of schools — including public school, Yeshiva of Greater Washington, and Bais Yaakov High School — before transitioning to YMC for its first year. She works diligently to create innovative and engaging lesson plans that will help her students develop both academic and personal skills for higher education and the future.
Mr. Josh Hurewitz
Woodworking Teacher
Coach Chaim Katz received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He has been involved in athletics for more than three decades and has been coaching basketball in the Baltimore Jewish Community since 1982. Coach Katz is a Jewish basketball fixture across the globe. Having learned from some of the brightest minds to teach the game, he in turn has mentored both coaches and players in the United States and abroad across all levels including High School, Professional and the College ranks. Coach Katz teaches P.E., coaches our sports teams, and serves as the Director of College Guidance. He has served in this position at two different institutions, as well as being responsible for academics, academic counseling and recruitment for the Goucher college basketball program over the course of his twenty plus year association with the university.
Coach Chaim Katz
College Counselor/PE Teacher/Coach
Coach Chaim Katz received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He has been involved in athletics for more than three decades and has been coaching basketball in the Baltimore Jewish Community since 1982. Coach Katz is a Jewish basketball fixture across the globe. Having learned from some of the brightest minds to teach the game, he in turn has mentored both coaches and players in the United States and abroad across all levels including High School, Professional and the College ranks. Coach Katz teaches P.E., coaches our sports teams, and serves as the Director of College Guidance. He has served in this position at two different institutions, as well as being responsible for academics, academic counseling and recruitment for the Goucher college basketball program over the course of his twenty plus year association with the university.
Mrs. Rivka Kern
English/History Teacher
Originally from Connecticut, Mrs. Rivka Kern moved to Baltimore in 2018. She received her Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan and her Master’s in Teaching from UMGC. She is currently certified to teach at the secondary level. Over the past ten years, Mrs. Kern has taught English, Math, and Social Studies at the elementary, middle, and high school levels both in Baltimore and abroad, and she is very excited to teach American Literature at YMC.
Rabbi Shmuel Kimche
Judaic Studies Teacher
Rabbi Yossi Kohen
Student Activities & Recruitment Coordinator/Judaic Studies Teacher
ykohen@yeshivasmekorchaim.org
Rabbi Yossi Kohen is a Baltimore native who currently runs the popular Camp Yedidim for boys. He attended Yeshivas Aderes Hatorah for seven years and holds an MBA from University of Baltimore. Rabbi Kohen is passionate about providing constructive scholastic and extracurricular activities for Orthodox youth, and has experience working for NCSY and coordinating the local Jewish football league (JFL). Rabbi Kohen is looking forward to continuing working with the students and the YMC faculty to build and strengthen a positive learning environment and strong sense of teamwork at YMC.
Mr. David Pearl
Music Teacher
David Pearl is a musician, educator, and mentor who has worked with many notable artists including Yosef Karduner, Avraham Rosenblum, and the Baal Shem Tov Band. David studied music performance at the University of the Arts after which he received his B.A. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from Temple University. David continued his counseling studies at the graduate level at Chestnut Hill College. With a background in Special Education, David employs a process oriented exploratory teaching style which offers each unique student a safe space to express themselves through music.
Mr. Uri Rabinowitz
Judaic Studies Teacher
Uri Rabinowitz grew up in Baltimore and then learned under the world-renowned staff at Yeshivas Toras Moshe in Yerushalayim. On his return to Baltimore he completed his Bachelors in Liberal Arts at Excelsior College while teaching Judaics in Ohr Chadash Academy middle school. He currently teaches at Yeshivas Mekor Chaim and is working towards his Masters in Counseling Psychology.
Mr. Lev Avraham Rosenstock
Art Teacher
Lev Avraham Rosenstock was born and raised in Baltimore and attended the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) as a photography major from 1988-1992. After MICA, he worked as a Baltimore freelance photographer for over 20 years, specializing in editorial, marketing and public relations, and design and publications photography. During a stint as a freelance photographer for the Baltimore Jewish Times, Lev Avraham was introduced to the Baltimore frum community, and at age 40, was inspired to become shomer Shabbos and moved from his Charles Village home of 15 years to the Park Heights community. Mr. Rosenstock combines his art background with his life experience of becoming a baal teshuva to conjoin principles of art with principles of the Torah. Lev Avraham and family are devoted shul members of Congregation Tiferes Yisroel. The goal for the class is to inspire each boy to allow his inner-artist to shine through, with the hopes that through self-expression, he will be better able to create the greatest masterpiece of all- himself!
Mr. Steven Sandler
Math Teacher
Steve Sandler has bachelor’s degrees in business administration and electrical engineering from Towson University and Johns Hopkins respectively. In addition to doing a lot of private tutoring, Mr. Sandler has a fun part-time job that he has done for many years. He is a statistician for a number of different television and radio outlets at professional and college sporting events such as the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens. Mr. Sandler is excited to teach at YMC. He has taught math (from pre-algebra through calculus) for a number of years, both in middle school and high school. His last school was Mesivta Kesser Torah. Mr. Sandler is looking forward to doing everything he can to help YMC grow and flourish. For him, it will start with giving his students the best math education possible.
Mr. Moshe Wealcatch
Math/Science Teacher
Mr. Wealcatch has been a multi-faceted educator for nearly 20 years. Early in his career, he developed a novel program for teachers that simplifies the instruction of <i>L’shon HaKodesh</i> for elementary schoolers. This highly-successful program has been used (and is currently in use) in many classrooms around the world. After teaching a variety of subjects in middle-school, Mr. Wealcatch parlayed his Bachelors of Science and pre-med background to focus on instruction of the high school sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Physiology. He teaches in a practical and easy-to-understand way using visuals, slide presentations, interactive virtual labs, and hands-on labs. He aims to spark a student’s inner curiosity about the wonders of nature and foster any latent interest in one of the many fields of science. However, his ultimate goal is for students to discover the “wow” in Hashem’s amazing natural world and in doing so, develop a more profound appreciation for the Master Creator.