Staff Bios — Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Mayan Torah
HANHALA
Rabbi Yoseph Yitzchak Vigler- Founder and Rosh Mesivta
Rabbi Yoseph Yitzchak Vigler, originally from South Africa, is the Founder and Rosh Mesivta of Mayan Torah. He serves as a shliach in Flatbush and has devoted many years to chinuch, teaching, and mentoring talmidim with a deep sense of responsibility and care.
Rabbi Vigler is passionate about developing thoughtful and innovative approaches to education that nurture confident, grounded, and sincere chassidim. His chinuch philosophy centers on recognizing each bochur’s individuality, strengthening self-esteem, and fostering a genuine love for Torah, avodas Hashem, and Chassidus.
In addition to his work in the Yeshiva, Rabbi Vigler is the founder and director of My Extended Family, an organization dedicated to supporting children from single-parent homes. Through his shlichus and communal leadership, he sets the tone for the Yeshiva’s mission and culture.
Rabbi Nochum Labkowski - Menahel
Rabbi Nochum Labkowski was born and raised in Crown Heights and is the son of HaRav Yisroel Labkowski, who has served as a Maggid Shiur for over 55 years.
Rabbi Labkowski invested many years in chinuch, including six years teaching and guiding talmidim at Cheder at the Ohel. As Menahel of Mayan Torah, he is known for giving each talmid individualized attention and for inspiring a genuine love of Torah. His leadership creates an environment where bochurim feel supported, engaged, and empowered, with real geshmak in limud haTorah.
RABBI NACHMAN WILHELM
Rabbi Nachman Wilhelm serves as a Senior Maggid Shiur and member of the Hanhala at Mayan Torah. He previously served for 14 years as Rosh Yeshiva at the Mesivta of Minnesota and is the Founder and Dean of the Online Smicha Program.
He delivers a high-level Iyun Shiur, bringing depth, clarity, and passion for learning that significantly enrich the Yeshiva’s Torah atmosphere.
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Bukiet
Rabbi Bukiet is now in his third year serving as Meishiv and Mashpia Kloli at Mayan Torah. Prior to joining the Yeshiva, he served for many decades as a Maggid Shiur at Mesivta Ohr Elchonon in Los Angeles.
He brings a unique approach rooted in deep love and care for each bochur and leads by personal example through his genuine Chassidishkeit and strong hiskashrus to the Rebbe. It is a true honor to have an esteemed elter chossid guiding and interacting with our bochurim.
RABBI NAFTALI STEIN
Rabbi Naftali Stein serves as Mashgiach and Sgan Menahel at Mayan Torah. With dedication and warmth, he provides steady guidance and support, helping ensure a structured and caring Yeshiva environment.
REB HERSHY FRIEDMAN
Reb Hershy Friedman serves as Menahel Gashmi of Mayan Torah, overseeing all physical and operational needs of the Yeshiva. From maintenance and safety to kitchen and logistics, his diligence allows the Yeshiva to run smoothly and effectively, while ensuring that the bochurim feel cared for and supported in their daily life.
Rabbi Berish Rotenberg
MAGID SHIUR- NIGLEH | AMKUS TRACK
Rabbi Berish Rotenberg was raised and educated in Eretz Yisroel and brings a rich background in learning, teaching, and shlichus to Mayan Torah, where he is now in his third year teaching Nigleh.
After his marriage Rabbi Rotenberg learned at Kollel Mayan Chai in Flatbush under Rabbi Vigler, where he developed his depth in learning and clarity in teaching. He was hand-picked for his rare blend of being a serious talmid chacham together with warmth and approachability, qualities that resonate deeply with his talmidim
Rabbi Rotenberg leads the Amkus Track for bochurim who wish to cover and know well scores of Masechtos in Shas over the years of mesivta.
He also leads the Amkus Track , designed for bochurim who aspire to master many masechtos in Shas during their Mesivta years.
Rabbi Chonon Mann
MAGID SHIUR- FAST PACE BLATT SHIUR
Rabbi Chonon Mann serves as Maggid Shiur of the fast-paced Blatt Shiur in Nigleh. He is a seasoned educator known for his structured, clear, and patient approach to learning.
He helps bochurim develop a deep understanding of complex sugyos while fostering a supportive environment where questions, clarity, and growth are encouraged.
Rabbi Naftali Zaltsman
Rabbi Naftali Zaltzman brings a diverse learning background and a strong connection to Chassidus. Now in his third year at Mayan Torah, he serves as a Maggid Shiur in Nigleh and is a central pillar of the Yeshiva.
With clarity in teaching and a warm connection to the bochurim, he provides both a strong foundation in learning and a mentor they can look up to.
Rabbi Menachem Feldman
MASHPIA BOKER- SHIUR ALEF
Rabbi Menachem Feldman serves as Mashpia Boker of Shiur Alef and has been with the Yeshiva since its earliest days. His warmth and personal connection with the bochurim have made him a steady source of guidance and inspiration.
He was educated at Yeshiva Sydney and Tomchei Tmimim Montreal, and is deeply committed to helping each talmid reach his fullest potential in avodas Hashem and limmud haTorah.
Rabbi Yossi Lesches
Rabbi Yossi Lesches is in his second year serving as Mashpia of Shiur Beis, both in the mornings and evenings. With care and dedication, he builds strong personal relationships with the bochurim, guiding them in their growth in both learning and avodas Hashem.
RABBI ZUSHY VIGLER
During his years as an eltere bochur, Rabbi Zushy Vigler served as a Maggid Shiur in Nigleh, known for his clarity, responsibility, and strong connection to the bochurim.
As Mashpia Erev, he supports the bochurim beyond the classroom, strengthening their avodas Hashem and hiskashrus while serving as a steady, approachable presence during the evening hours.
REB SHMIEL LAIVI GOLDSTEIN
NACHT LAIGER | DORM COUNSELOR
Reb Shmiel Laivi Goldstein serves as Nacht Laiger and dorm counselor. Now in his second year, he ensures a calm, orderly dorm environment and that the bochurim receive the rest they need, always with warmth and care.
ELTERE BOCHURIM & SHLUCHIM
Mayan Torah is blessed with an exceptional group of eltere bochurim and shluchim who serve as the chayus and inner engine of the Yeshiva. Through their initiative, mivtza’im, and personal example, they uplift the ruchniyus and daily atmosphere of the Yeshiva.
This devoted group— Chaim Aron Drew, Mendel Goldstein, Zalmy Engel, Mendel Kaplan, Ari Silberberg, Sholom Ber Abrams, and Avremel Feldman —plays a vital role in shaping the Yeshiva’s spirit.
