Yeshiva Shaar Hamelech to Open This Elul in Lakewood

New Bais Medrash-Level Yeshiva in Lakewood to be Led by Rav Yitzchok Schuster. For years now, bochurim have been following up their mesivta years by either moving on to their yeshiva’s bais medrash or by joining any number of bais medrash programs across the tri-state region. That transition, everyone knows, is a crucial one. A bochur grows significantly during his formative mesivta years, transforming from a young high schooler into a bonafide ben Torah seeking additional aliyah. That aliyah is experienced most effectively in a bais medrash atmosphere where a bochur receives hadracha and guidance, while hearing riveting shiurim that allow him to master the sugyos being studied, enhancing his learning both in iyun and in bekius.

Recognizing the opportunity to impact bochurim at this vital stage in their growth as bnei Torah, Rav Yitzchok Schuster has undertaken the founding of a new yeshiva, Yeshiva Gedolah Shaar Hamelech, which is set to open in Lakewood, NJ, this coming Elul.



Excitement is already building in anticipation of the opening of this yeshiva, which promises to serve as the perfect environment in which bnei aliyah seeking to benefit from a close rebbi-talmid relationship can thrive, bridging the gap between their mesivta stage and their subsequent period of learning in Eretz Yisroel.

Rav Schuster has embarked on this ambitious project, catering to both in-town and out-of-town bochurim, after careful deliberation and consulting with leading mechanchim and roshei yeshiva, including his own rebbi, Rav Meir Stern, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic, from whose counsel and advice the yeshiva will benefit.

Rav Schuster will be serving at the helm of Shaar Hamelech, building on many years of experience in the field of chinuch and harbotzas Torah. Rav Schuster has drawn from the wisdom of his own yeshivos and rabbeim, learning at Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic, Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, Yeshivas Kodshim in Yerushalayim under Rav Tzvi Kaplan, and then back at the kollel of the Passaic Yeshiva. A decade and a half ago, Rav Schuster settled in Lakewood and joined Bais Medrash Govoah. He subsequently joined the hanhalos of Yeshiva Nesivos Hatorah, Bais Medrash of Great Neck and other mosdos haTorah, making an impact there, eventually returning to kollel at Bais Medrash Govoah, plumbing the depths of the Yam Hatalmud with tremendous dedication and yegiah.

Ultimately, the calls for Rav Schuster to return to the field of impacting bochurim grew louder and louder, as Rav Schuster has had success in the past connecting with bochurim and keeping that kesher alive and vibrant for years after. Those who are familiar with his unique ability to influence and inspire young bnei Torah told Rav Schuster that the time had come for him to take a leadership role by establishing a yeshiva where bochurim would benefit from his guiding hand. Thus, Shaar Hamelech is being built on a foundation of many years of high-level limud haTorah, chinuch expertise and an understanding of what it takes in today’s day and age to produce high caliber bochurim who are well-rounded, excelling in their limudim and emerging as individuals with unbending hashkafah, providing them with the yedios and Torah outlook that will be utilized for decades to come.

“Strong bochurim, who are committed to their learning, benefit from a close kesher with their rabbeim,” observes Rav Schuster, “and that is one of the priorities to be in place at Shaar Hamelech. Every bochur is an olam molei, a world unto himself, worthy of being showered with chizuk and support.”

The hanhalah of the yeshiva is endeavoring to form a cohesive chaburah of likeminded bochurim to create an avir in which they will all flourish.

For more information about Yeshiva Gedolah Shaar Hamelech, call 732.370.1073 or 732.597.6753 or email shaarhamelechlakewood@gmail.com.