Heichal HaTorah was established by Rabbi Aryeh Stechler, Mr. Avi Goldenberg, and Mr. Yehuda Jacoby. The group met in the autumn of 2012 to establish a yeshiva high school that would open in the fall of 2013. Their objective was to create an institution that combines a classic yeshiva schedule to sufficiently develop students' Torah studies with a rigorous secular studies department to give them the skillset needed for college and the professional workplace. Heichal HaTorah greeted its first class of 17 students on September 4, 2013. It graduated its first class on June 14, 2017.[2] The school has an enrollment of 221 students.[1] In 2017, the school introduced a Tikvah Humanities curriculum into its general studies courses. The course, in partnership with the Tikvah Fund, an educational foundation in New York, implements a neo-classical historical and literary curriculum.[3][4]
Campus
In 2016, Heichal HaTorah moved into its present location at the Jewish Center of Teaneck facility, located at 70 Sterling Place in Teaneck, New Jersey.[5] Special events are held in the school's ballroom.[6] The school hosts a townwide Simchat Beit HaShoeivah (lit.'Rejoicing of the Water-drawing House') celebration on its campus each year during the Sukkot holiday.[7]
Curriculum
Heichal HaTorah students embark on a two-fold course of study familiar to them from their time in day school. On the one hand, there is a regimen of Judaic studies, with particular emphasis being placed on the Hebrew Bible and Talmud. The latter's importance can be seen from Heichal's encouragement of their students to complete the study of the scheduled masekhet (tractate) over the summer recess, with a subsequent siyum (lit.'completion') celebration being held for them after the start of the fall semester, during Sukkot.[7] In addition to the above, the school offers a full academic studies program (including some STEM subjects)[6] such as biology, mathematics, English, history, business and finance.[8]
Programs
Athletic
Heichal HaTorah sponsors its own varsity and junior varsity (JV) basketball and softball teams known as the Heichal Hornets. In 2018, the Heichal Hornets won the NCYI JV Basketball League championship.[9] On May 23, 2022, Heichal JV athlete Sachi Zauderer shot a game-winning 3-pointer in the championships, making it to ESPN's SportCenter Top 10.[10]
Sinai Schools
Heichal HaTorah is one of a number of schools in North Jersey and New York City where Sinai Schools operates. Sinai runs independent programs for its special needs students, who attend school at various locations in Bergen and Essex counties in New Jersey, and in Queens and the Bronx in New York. Sinai students are given specialized and personalized education, including art, music, speech, and occupational therapies. Housed in various other educational facilities, the Sinai students are able to interact with the host school's own students at lunch, recess and at some after school programs, as well as for the bus rides to and from school.[11]
Vehaer Eineinu
Vehaer Eineinu (lit.'Enlighten our eyes'/enlighten us) is a program spearheaded by Heichal's mashgiach ruchani (spiritual guidance counselor) Rabbi Reuven Tzvi Schwechter. The program is focused on incentivizing students to limit their screen time in order to enhance their spiritual lives. The program consists of three tiers, encompassing 4 hours, 8 hours, and 12 hours per week of screen time respectively. There are engaging raffles and programs on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.[12]
