Our Staff

Rav Cytrin received Semicha from the Meretz Kollel, a BA from the Plan II Liberal Arts Program at the University of Texas (Austin), and has an MA in Education from Teachers College of Columbia University, and served in the IDF. Before making aliya, Rav Cytrin was Principal of Judaic Studies at the Yavneh Academy in Dallas. A Licensed Tour Guide, Rav Cytrin delights in sharing his enthusiasm for the history of Eretz Yisrael with his students. Rav Cytrin founded Or l’Doron, an organization that promotes high-level Torah learning for the Ethiopian Jewish community.

Rav Yehuda Odeser, a researcher for several institutes of halachic guidance, is a Beit Shemesh resident, and father to seven children. Since the advent of Lev LaChayal, Rav Odeser has inspired and prepared our future chayalim for Torah-observant army service. Rav Odeser received Semicha from Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed, and was ordained as a Dayan by Rav Kalav, the Rosh Kollel Psagot. For many years, he taught and inspired in Beit Shemesh as the Rosh Kollel Shaalei Torah. In addition to his passionate service to Am Yisrael in the Beit Midrash, Rav Odeser continues to volunteer in the IDF’s armored corps reserves.

After high school, he served as a combat medic in the IDF, and then studied at the yeshivot in Eli, Dimona the Meretz Kollel, where he received his Semicha. After many years dedicated to learning, Rav Dudi served as a Ram and as a beloved Av Bayit at Yeshivat Lev HaTorah. In 2011, he and his family began a three year stint of Shlichut in Melbourne, Australia, where he had a tremendous impact on the community there as the Rosh Kollel of the Religious Zionist community. Rav Dudi returns to Lev HaTorah this year, thrilled to be learning with Lev students and directing Lev LaChayal.

His open and relatable personality enables talmidim of all backgrounds to connect to and learn from him, both inside and outside of the Beit Midrash.
Rav Wittenberg is a proud alumnus of Lev HaTorah (2003-2004). He received a BA in Economics from Brandeis University, Semicha from YU, and his MS in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School. He is also a trained plumber and leads weekly bike rides with the Geerz organization.

Rav Charnoff graduated summa cum laude from Yeshiva University with a BA in psychology and received semicha from YU’s RIETS rabbinic program. He obtained a Master’s Degree from the Azrieli School of Jewish Education and completed YU’s Certificate Program in Experiential Jewish Education. Before moving to Israel, Rav Charnoff served for six years as the first ever OU-JLIC Rabbi at Queens College where he established vibrant Orthodox life on campus, consistent Shabbat and holiday programming, multiple daily Torah learning opportunities, and a warm home on campus, engaging over 500 students and alumni each semester. Over 400 of Rav Charnoff‘s shiurim are currently featured on YUTorah.

Rav Uri received Semicha from RIETS, a BA in Philosophy from Yeshiva University, and an MA in Jewish Philosophy from Bernard Revel Graduate School.

In addition, he is a licensed psychodrama therapist. During his service in the IDF, Rav Uri served as a hospital chaplain, giving support and encouragement to wounded soldiers. In his philosophy classes, Rav Uri guides students into the depths of Jewish Thought with both rational and mystical perspectives.

Rav Hartstein’s shiurim feature a unique mixture of fascinating halachic analysis and hilarious delivery. Rav Hartstein earned a BS in Marketing from YU, Semicha from Rav Aharon Soloveitchik, zt”l, and an MS in Management Engineering from the University of Bridgeport. Rav Hartstein worked for the Israeli Defense Ministry and served as a Telecom executive for over 15 years. Currently, he serves as CEO of Five Star Caterers of New York and when he is not traveling, Rav Hartstein teaches Business Ethics and his popular ‘Lessons From the Lev’ series at the Yeshiva.

Rav Machlis received Semicha from Yeshivat Torah v’Daat and has been teaching for 25 years. He and his family host around 100 guests in their home each Shabbat, exposing his guests to the beauty of Torah and a vision of true Jewish unity.

Prior to making Aliya in the summer of 2022, Rav Stavsky taught Gemara, Tanach and halacha at the Ramaz Upper School in New York for eleven years and chaired the Tanach department for four years. Concurrently, he served as the congregational rabbi of Bais Medrash of Bergenfield in Bergenfield, New Jersey. Rav Stavsky received Semicha from RIETS, an MA in Tanach from Yeshiva University and learned for four years in the Wexner Kollel Elyon.

Rav Shamai received Semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He teaches in Mitzpe Yericho at both the kollel and high school, in addition to teaching for many years in yeshiva programs for Americans.

A Lev HaTorah alumnus from 2009-2011, Rav Noam served for three years in the elite sniper unit of the Givati Brigade.  Following his completion of a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from Bar Ilan, Rav Noam joined the Lev HaTorah Kollel.

He went to Yeshiva University where he received a BA in History. While at YU, Marc founded Torah Letzion an organization which has assisted hundreds of students who needed financial aid to study in yeshiva or seminary.

Before making aliyah, Marc worked at the Yeshiva of Central Queens as Director of Alumni Affairs, and most recently at RIETS as a Senior Development Officer. Marc is very excited to have returned to Israel and to combine his love for the Yeshiva with his passion for fundraising, to bring the Yeshiva to its next level.