We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Dr. Hal Levy as the new Principal/Menahel of Yeshiva Har Torah. Rabbi Levy’s arrival comes at a time of exciting growth, as he looks to build on the school’s strong infrastructure with fresh energy and a dynamic vision for the future. His innovative approach aligns perfectly with our mission-driven institution, dedicated to excellence in both Jewish and General Studies.
Rabbi Levy’s selection follows an extensive national search, conducted in partnership with Prizmah, the Center for Jewish Day Schools. The unanimous recommendation of the Search Committee, comprised of key lay leaders and in consultation with our administrative team, speaks to Rabbi Levy’s outstanding qualifications and his potential to help YHT become an even better school.
With over 15 years of experience in educational leadership, Rabbi Levy brings a wealth of knowledge and insight from his time at both elementary and high school yeshivot/day schools. His background includes serving as General Studies Principal at Hadar High School for Girls in Boca Raton, FL, where he played a pivotal role in curriculum development, strategic planning, and faculty training. Prior to that, he held key positions at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston, N.J., and taught at Manhattan Day School and Yeshiva of Central Queens.
Rabbi Levy’s deep commitment to Torah U’Madda, paired with his warmth and engaging personality, is sure to inspire our students, teachers, and broader school community. He will help oversee Yeshiva Har Torah’s educational program, which proudly serves 820 students and employs over 140 dedicated staff members, all housed in two state-of-the-art facilities in the heart of Little Neck, NY.
Our newest building, purpose-built for our Pre-K through 2nd grade students, was completed in a record-breaking 11 months and opened for service last summer as an early learning center. This 42,000-square-foot, cutting-edge building sits on a 2-acre campus, providing a nurturing and engaging environment for our youngest learners. Our original 75,000-square-foot building, which used to house all grades, now provides optimal space for our 3rd through 8th graders, allowing us to accommodate the school’s continued growth while enhancing the learning experience for all.
YHT is conveniently located near thriving Jewish communities including West Hempstead, Franklin Square, Great Neck, Queens, Roslyn, the Five Towns, and beyond. Parents often make the deliberate choice to enroll their children at YHT, because they recognize the exceptional value we provide. Every aspect of our school is filled with intentionality, from the faculty we hire and the families we accept, to the curriculum we select and the buildings we design.
Rabbi Levy is particularly excited to collaborate with YHT’s exceptional educational leadership and faculty to create an even stronger foundation for the future. He will be working closely with Rabbi Gary Menchel, our longtime Head of School, and the rest of the leadership team, ensuring a smooth and collaborative transition as we continue to build on the great work that has been done at YHT.
Rabbi Levy and his family will be relocating to West Hempstead, further strengthening their connection to the local community. Three of his children are already proud students at Yeshiva Har Torah: Amichai, who is in Pre-K in our new Universal Pre-K (UPK) partnership with the West Hempstead Union Free School District, Noam, in 1st grade, and Shalom, in 5th grade. Rabbi Levy shared, “I am thrilled to see my children thriving at YHT, and I can’t wait to join them and contribute to the community.”
As we embark on this next chapter of Yeshiva Har Torah’s growth, we are confident that Rabbi Levy, together with Rabbi Menchel and our outstanding leadership team, will continue to lead our school to even greater heights. We can’t wait for you to meet him!
