Yeshiva Gedola of Carteret

(L-R) Rabbi Yaakov Mayer and Rabbi Azriel Brown with Rabbi Aharon Feldman in 2006.

The yeshiva was founded in 2006 by Rabbi Azriel Brown and Rabbi Yaakov Mayer, both graduates of the Mir yeshiva in Jerusalem, and Yeshivas Ner Yisroel of Baltimore, talmidim of Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg the son-in-law of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman, and Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky, a very close Student of Reb Shlomo Heiman.[1][2]

With the backing of Rabbi Aharon Feldman, Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky, and Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, among numerous others, Rabbis Brown and Mayer decided to open a yeshiva in the suburban north Jersey town of Carteret. Carteret had previously boasted a Jewish community with two synagogues in the 1950s but its Jewish presence had dwindled since then, to the point that it was no longer able to support the remaining synagogue, a Jewish community center, which closed in 2002. Garson Gruhin and Lou Raiman, remaining board members of the Jewish community center, worked hard to preserve Jewish life in Carteret. Garson Gruhin along with his son Mark I. Gruhin, Esq., arranged to transfer the former synagogue and community center building and an adjoining five-bedroom rabbi's residence to the yeshiva.[2]

Exterior view of the main building – formerly a Jewish community center

The yeshiva opened in September 2006, starting with a small group of 14 students. Initially, Donya Brown and Chani Mayer, wives of the founders, handled the food preparation and bookkeeping for the fledgling institution, and each family hosted all the students in their home for one Shabbos meal. As enrollment grew and the students began staying in the Yeshiva full-time, the Browns and Mayers took an active role in each student's education, and personal growth, helped them with shidduchim (marriage proposals), and even hosted their sheva brachos (festive meals held during the week after the wedding).[2]

In 2015, Rabbi Yaakov T. Biderman became the executive director of the yeshiva. Biderman is an alumnus of the Yeshiva, who was intimately involved in its operations as a student and remained involved throughout the years in between. He also founded the Alumni Association in August 2013, with the help of Zecharya Michelsohn.

In 2017, a Mesivta was added.[3]

Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Roth is The Rosh Mesivta.[4]

In 2021, the Roshei Yeshiva started their new Yeshiva Gedola, with a First-Year Beis-Medrash from the graduating Twelfth Grade class. Rabbi Brown is giving Shiur to the First-Year Beis-Medrash First-Seder & Rabbi Mayer is giving the Bais-Medrash Shiurim Second-Seder. The Yeshiva currently has close to 40 students.[5]

In 2021, the Yeshiva suffered massive amounts of damage from Hurricane Ida.[6] It did not receive assistance from FEMA.[3]

Program

Partial view of the beis medrash (study hall) during seder in 2011

The yeshiva is an all-male Lithuanian (Litvish)-style Talmudic college. Currently, it consists of a mesivta (high school) program.

The Mesivta's studies are broken into two portions. The first half of the day is focused on Talmudic texts and rabbinic literature, mussar (Jewish ethical literature) and practical halacha (Jewish law). The afternoon is focused on general studies, including math, history, science, language arts, computers, business economics, public speaking and more. The evening is once again focused on Talmudic texts and rabbinic literature, mussar (Jewish ethical literature) and practical halacha (Jewish law).

Rabbi Mayer answering a student's question.

• Rabbi Yaakov B. Mayer, Rosh Yeshiva
• Rabbi Azriel Brown, Rosh Yeshiva
• Rabbi Yaakov T. Biderman, Executive Director
• Rabbi Heshy (Yisroel Tzvi) Fireworker, Mashgiach Ruchani
• Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Roth, Rosh mesivta
• Rabbi Eliyahu D. Teitz, General Studies Principal

• Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky
• Harav Reuven Feinstein
• Harav Aharon Feldman
• Harav Eliyahu (Elya) Brudny

• Rabbi Avrohom Biderman
• Mr. Nachum Futersak
• Dr. Alan Goldsmith
• Mr. Leon Mayer
• Rabbi Dovid Merkin
• Rabbi Naftali Miller

In December 2008, the yeshiva celebrated a Hachnasas Sefer Torah, the traditional festivity upon the completion of a new Torah scroll. Several hundred guests came to Carteret for the procession, including several eminent Torah figures. Noe Street was barricaded off to outside traffic as the crowd wound its way to the yeshiva building accompanied by live music and dancing.[1]

In September 2011, the yeshiva held a kesivas osios (Torah scroll-writing ceremony) in Lakewood for another new Torah scroll, that was to be dedicated after Sukkos 2011. The Hachnosas Sefer Torah took place in Carteret.[7]

In October 2012 the yeshiva building experienced substantial damage from Hurricane Sandy. The flooding reached nearly 2 feet (0.61 m) above the main floor, as well as damaged dormitory houses. One dormitory, hit by the flood and by an explosion from a neighboring building, was condemned by the township. Total damage was estimated at close to $200,000.[8]

• Official website
• Alumni association page and form

40.5811°N 74.2219°W / 40.5811; -74.2219