Our Mission

Going back to our earliest days in America, the Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary (KYRS) has sought to build on the heilige yesoides and traditions of the Pupa Rav, Reb Yakov Yecheskiyahu, zt"l. Broadly stated, the mission of the institution is to instill in our students a foundation of Torah, Yiras Shumayim and Middes that will guide them throughout their lives.

After completing KYRS’s rigorous undergraduate program, students are fully prepared to enter Kollelim, or graduate programs in Talmudic studies and Halucha, or to undertake lifelong learning either with daily chavrisas or by attending daily shiurim geared to balebatim. In this way, our alumni can become productive members of the community while at the same time follow the teachings and customs of our Rebbes in facing the challenges of present-day society.

In addition to entering various business-related fields, many of our former students have become dayunim, school menahelim and administrators, melamdim, mashgichim, etc. B”H, as the Pupa community continues to grow, both here and abroad, there is also a growing demand for competent personnel to administer and staff our many educational and other community programs. We are proud to report that the Yeshiva program is an excellent training ground for these programs.

The actual educational philosophy of Kehilath Yakov is based on a careful blend of "Lumdis," or analytical and advanced critical thinking, and a thorough knowledge of the Shilchen Orech and the practical application of Halacha as well as the important teachings of Chassides.

Our unique derech in learning is based on the methods established by the Arugas Habosem, who was one of the most distinguished disciples of the famous Ksav Sofer zt"l, the Pressburger Rav. This program of learning is designed to produce a well-rounded Ben Torah who is committed to growing in Torah and Yiras Shumayim.

As Bnei Torah, our tradition is that limid HaTorah is a vital part of a person’s daily life. The learning that one acquires during the formative undergraduate years will literally guide him throughout his life. It is the earnest hope of the Hanhulah and the Board of Kehilath Yakov that the Mesoirah transmitted to students in our educational program will have an effective impact on their lives as they mature and extend the Shalsheles of the Mesoirah to the next generation.

We believe that our historical sense of purpose and heilige Mesoirah going back to the Arugas Habosem and the Ksav Soifer, zy”a, enabled the institution to rise above the continuing moral decay in the society surrounding us, as well as the serious financial decline in recent years. Despite these challenges, we hope to continue disseminating the teachings of our Rebbes, so that our young graduates are fully prepared to forge ahead and establish their homes dedicated to the yesoides of Torah and Chassides that they were taught in the Yeshiva.

In order to accomplish this broad vision, the educational program of Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary has the following objectives:

• To instill in our talmidim a foundation of Torah, Yiras Shumayim and Middes Toivos that will guide them throughout their lives.
• To train our talmidim to become proficient in important areas of Gemura, Shilchen Orech, Missar and Chasides.
• To prepare talmidim for graduate learning in Kolelim when they complete the Kehilath Yakov program.
• To produce balebatim Bnei Torah who will remain committed to lifelong learning of Torah.
• To follow the teachings and practices of our heilige Rebbeim in facing the awesome challenges of today’s society.
• To encourage talmidim to pursue careers in the field of chinuch.