Heichal HaTorah Campus Campaign and Annual Dinner Highlighted on JM in the AM

JM in the AM. Well, it is no secret that one of our favorite guests is Rabbi Aryeh Stechler. He is the founder and Rosh Yeshiva at Heichal HaTorah, which is a wonderful educational institution here in Bergen County in Teaneck, New Jersey. And the 13th annual scholarship dinner for Heichal HaTorah is happening this coming Lag B'Omer on Monday night. That's right, Monday night at The Graystone, one of our favorite places in Passaic, New Jersey. And we are encouraging people not only to attend the event, but to help Rabbi Stechler build his campus, and that's why we invited him here this morning to discuss the campus. Uh and you could do so in their crowdfunding campaign that will go between now and I believe May 4th. We'll get the details in a moment from the Rosh Yeshiva. And we are highly encouraging everybody, as much as we love to fundraise, for all different causes, including our own, uh this is one of the uh causes that we are highly recommending to support Heichal HaTorah doing a very effective job in the world of Jewish education among our young men. Rabbi Aryeh Stechler, a pleasure to welcome you back to JM in the AM. >> Yeah, good morning. It's great to be here. I appreciate that very much. Love having you here. And now it's time to build a campus, huh? I mean, Rabbi Stechler, you're so busy. It's not How many boys are now in the Heichal? Baruch Hashem, we have over 220 bli ayin hara. And uh and There's an average of 55 a grade? >> Yeah, Baruch Hashem. Remember when we started with 17 guys. Yeah, but over 200 in an all-boys school in our community is quite significant. >> Yes. Yeah, I'd like to uh point out that uh my grandfather was a talmid of Rav Aron Kotler in Kletsk. He was considered, even in Europe, one of the greatest Rosh Yeshiva. He had one of the largest Yeshivas, and it's the same size as Heichal HaTorah. >> Wow, what city he that in? Kletsk. >> In Kletsk. >> so may to sham in a about 80 years we'll have about 6,000 people learning in >> That's right. That's right. But don't be telling stories about what it was like. When it first got started. Now, again, lots on your plate, 220 students to take care of. You have an amazing staff. Yes. You're known for it. I know this as a as someone who observes the insiders. I've got some spies in Heichal. And they are constantly telling me how amazing your Rebbeim and staff are, which is pretty remarkable, frankly. It's hard to find people to fill those roles and fill them effectively. All right. I think that that's the key to this campaign and the whole vision of Heichal HaTorah is that we have a great team of 63 people who work every day in Heichal HaTorah. Wow. Rebbeim, teachers, administrators. They can do their job. They're so good at it. We have leaders. They're managing them. And that allows me as Rosh Yeshiva the opportunity to think, what can we do better and bigger for our boys? And that's enabled us to to build this dream of the campus. >> Yeah, well, you have a campus because you're in one of the uh one of the I guess we would call it classic or old-time buildings of Teaneck, New Jersey, but you feel you need a much more effective, modern, larger you you need bigger and better, basically. Well, historically the the Teaneck community started at the Jewish Center of Teaneck. >> Right. In the 1940s. That's a long, long time ago. Um they >> And that's where you are. Yes, and that's uh They built a second building in the '60s. That's now the giant building that goes from Sterling to to Cedar Lane, but the old building that the original shul from the 1940s is still part of our building. >> Right. And that they're telling us needs to be taken down. Oh. >> our basement >> whole structure thing. >> Yeah, that's where our basement Rebbe is right now. >> Right. So, we can't we're going to operate 100% throughout the entire construction, but our plan, pending town approval, if the town officials are listening, I'm they are. Wow. So, we we're going to build a new building over the parking lot that seamlessly connects with the larger building from the '60s and '70s. And when it's all done, we'll take down the building from the '40s, and that will enable a beautiful, beautiful new campus. >> And I assume this costs some money. Yeah, yeah, that's why I'm here. Nachman, I wanted to ask you if you could uh You wanted to be the Nachman Segal campus? Is that what you want? Or J M in the A, that's up to you, you know. Uh you do have uh many sponsorship opportunities. The reality is though that if someone did want to name the campus, it's a $2 million commitment. And that shows us just, you know, how expensive this project this is. It's one piece of it. There are plenty of other opportunities as well, but you're looking for millions of dollars from the community. Yeah, it's a very expensive project. Um I agree, but also we're doing it in a really uh cost-effective way, and I think that we're we're using the community dollars very, very carefully. >> Right. That's something that's always important to me. Um this $5 million campaign also covers We're only doing one campaign. In fundraising, school they tell you do operational and capital separately. Right. But I don't want to come to people a million times a year. That's not what they want to talk to me about. They want to talk to me about their kids' tuition. So, we'd we've rolled it into one. So, the $5 campaign is a $2 million is going for scholarships last year and this year. And $3 million is going to be focused on the building. So, it's not it's not a crazy amount to build a building. Understood. Has the campaign started yet? Campaign has started. It's off to an amazing start. We've uh we've already raised $1.75 million in this year uh in matching funds. Last year we raised 2.5, so we're already at 4.25 million. We have $750,000 left to get to our goal of 5 million. Of that 700,000 already $250,000 has come in on the site, but we need 500,000 more between now and Monday night. That's a lot and we need everyone's help. >> All right. So, essentially it's a log burner campaign that ends on log burner. Simple as that. Yeah. Between now and Monday night between now and Tuesday. Obviously people can give afterwards, but this is the push. This is the time where you really want to raise it. >> is at the bonfire 9:30 Monday night. We're all dancing. >> Indoor or outdoor? Outdoor. It's huge. Yeah. >> In their parking lot? In their parking lot at the Mashkeah Heichal Torah Ish With full strimel lights the lights the bonfire. It's pretty >> getting a good parking space that night, huh? Yeah, parking uh Park a block away. >> Car full. Car full. No, but there is plenty of parking a block away. Don't worry about it. Already over 800 people have signed up for the dinner. So, people show up. They have a buffet dinner. Then a program? >> You're going to like the program. The program is amazing. First of all, we put together a new safer on Pirkei Avos this year. Now you're in the safer publishing business as well? Of course. It's written by our talmidim and our rabbanim. >> Wow. A pirush on each mishnah. We're going to be presenting that at the dinner. And one of the boys is going to lead uh by reading his piece in the safer. >> Yeah. After that it's all about the boys. After that we're producing an album which we'll send to you. How many selections are on that one? Uh five. Shabbos or regular? It's not nothing to do with Shabbos. Last year we did Shabbos. This year it's about the Beis Hamikdash and about building building the Talmud build and You still have an effective choir there in the school? >> Yeah, Heichal choir is going to sing at the dinner. It's every mom will be crying. I guarantee. It's beautiful. I've been listening to them performing every they perform Not every high school has a choir, you know. But you insist that it be an offered extracurricular activity for those who want to pursue it. You would appreciate this cuz you're in the music business, but there's a lot of kids who excel in the Beis Hamikdash, but there's a lot of kids, especially spiritually minded kids, that's where they they shine. In front of a mic, with a guitar, and our job at Heichal HaTorah is finding where every kid shines. So, whether it's in the Pirkei Avot sefer, with the guitar, singing, Athletics? Uh athletics, we have a lot of teams. Um so, we have a lot of clubs. We're trying to help everybody be in the spotlight, gain confidence that's going to help them in their life as a leader for Jewish people and for their family. Wow. Uh 100% this is a completely a completely um off-the-topic question, but I'm so curious. Are 100% of these seniors going to Israel next year? Um some of our students go to Israel. I would say it's about 90%. Some of Some of them stay in America and go to yeshivas here. Uh but every single boy is continuing full-time learning. >> And you guide them toward where you think is what's best if they ask for advice? >> We We We give them We We We give a lot of advice in Heichal HaTorah, but it's advice. We always give kids two places we think you'd excel. You and your parents got to choose together. We're Yeah. >> Campus Campaign 2026 for Heichal HaTorah is uh underway. And it goes until Monday night. Go to heichalcampus.org, h e i c h a l campus.org. They're trying to raise $5 million. The scholarship dinner is Monday night after the buffet and after the program, which includes what you just told us, then everyone goes outdoors for a real Lag BaOmer Had Lokah, a real Lag BaOmer celebration. >> beautiful music. It's going to be incredible. >> how the night ends, right? With a big celebration outdoors. >> Yes. Yeah. You got to say goodbye to me. You got to shake my hand at the end. That's That's the end. >> Have you checked the the weather forecast for Monday night? Uh we're davening. It's looking good, but thanks for mentioning that, Nachman. Now we're in trouble. >> Hey, when it comes to parades and outdoor concerts and things like what you're doing Monday night, the first thing I think of is the weather. Are you kidding me? >> Me too. Chol HaMoed activities, first thing I think of is the weather. Uh so, the 13th annual dinners at the Brightstone in Passaic this coming Monday night. Not only is there a release of the brand new Heichal Pirkei Avos as Rabbi Steckel described, but there'll be a premiere of the brand new Heichal album with five selections and the choir will be performing at the event. heichalcampus.org. We are highly encouraging everybody and enthusiastically encouraging everybody to give what you can, uh whether it's a dollar or a million dollars, it's going to be matched and you have an opportunity to really make a difference uh for an educational institution that is making a big difference in our community. Again, heichalcampus.org. heichalcampus.org. You are not only appealing to Bergen County because I know of students who come from beyond Bergen County to be part of the Heichal experience. Is that growing, the the outside of Teaneck population? >> 100%. We We never wanted it to be just Teaneck school. We're a regional school for the whole area. Of course, our primary base is in Teaneck, but we have two buses from Passaic. We have a bus from Monsey, Staten Island, the city, uh Why did you become so attractive? Why is it if everyone's looking for the secret sauce to build an effective, successful high school? Why is it that people are bussing their kids in from 40, 50 minutes away in some cases? I think like we said before, the the team is amazing. They care about each kid and they want to see that kid succeed. So every guy feels like they're the center of the universe at Heichal. And once you show them how much you care, as they always say, they're they excel. And the boys are our best advertising. They go to all these communities. They're sitting in the basement just they're learning. Just yesterday I went to a donor to ask for uh significant donation and he said, "You know what? I know you're doing a good job cuz I want to I want you to meet one of my employees. He's a Heichal alum." So and he gave very, very generously. So they're The boys are succeeding and that's why everybody wants to be a part of this dream. Unbelievable. I'll tell you that. I got to put in a plug for you though. Let me hear. >> Because um you know, I think that we're in the same business. It's making people happy. Making kids happy. Um and you know, I just walked in here. I'm tired. It's been a long campaign. I walk in your voice. You say hello, good morning. And you just you raise people up. And that's why you're the voice of Aish HaTorah. I don't know if you remember. >> That's right. >> call Aish HaTorah >> tree. The phone tree is is Nachum Segal. That voice has been bringing simcha to people. So if you need a good phone tree, if you need a good MC at a dinner, Nachum Segal. I like that pitch. Um the truth is if I would name the campus, you probably would give me the MC slot for Monday night, right? I would think so. It is I would think that that's right. Cuz I usually I usually I usually lose out the MC to the dinner chair. Cuz the dinner chair usually is giving a significant amount. Do you know what I mean or am I stackler? >> That is true. Hopefully he's not listening right now. >> only way for me to guarantee that I could be an MC is to name the campus. That Yeah, yeah, that Come on. You can't say no. >> a deal. That's a deal. We'll shake on that. Yep. Um so you must have an insane number of applicants. And this is the time of year where you've already made the decisions for next year, right? Is next year also going to be 50, 60 in the grade? Next year's our our biggest class. >> How many? 65 kids are coming. Uh it's very painful because we have a lot of guys on our waiting list. >> What percentage get in? We had about 150 applicants. So it's it's it's tough and it's painful cuz we want to help every kid. We want to be there for every kid. But we also want to keep the Yeshiva small and warm and personable. So this new campus, the goal is not to make the population larger. >> No. No, we're really happy with with the amount of guys that we're able to help cuz it keeps that warmth and the smallness. Even though it's a great size so the kids have so many opportunities at 220 guys. Right. At the same time, it's just uh it's really old and crumbling. So we need to build a beautiful thing for our beautiful kids. The the architects agree with you. It's time to make a change, right? That's correct. And frankly, and I and I really feel I should say this. Thank God. You have a lot of good colleagues out there. Meaning that yes, you're rejecting 60 to 70% of those who apply to the school, but thank God there are many really good solid educational institutions in this area. I think you have to >> agree with that. 100% every Yeshiva is doing a great job right now, or else they wouldn't be in business cuz >> Very high level. It's very competitive. >> Right. And expensive. They've got to come through to you know, make the product really good. And when I began the Yeshiva 13 years ago, I was under a lot of pressure. People were saying, "What do we need a new Yeshiva for? It's going to hurt the other Yeshivas." And I went to Rav Shechter, my one of my rabbeim, and I asked him what he thought. And he said, "That's not how Torah works." There's no competition in Torah. Keep building. >> Competition helps Torah grow. Right. And I've seen that myself. When another Yeshiva has a great idea, we'll copy it because it's a great idea. We want to help our kids too. And I've seen so many of the other Yeshivas copy the things that we're doing. And the whole community, because of the high level of all the Yeshivas, is getting a better better chinuch for their kids. Yeah, I totally agree with you on that. And it really has to be noted because again, and those of us who have been through decades worth of sending our children to day school and Yeshiva League high schools, we know what kind of investment it is. And thank God, the value is there. A lot of good institutions doing a lot of very good work. And many of them, as you described with your own Yeshiva, many of them are trying to make the student the centerpiece of their attention. That's the key. That's the key today. And that's hopefully the the the key forever. Hopefully that that's how it Look, what what do we always say? We say "Hanoch l'naar al pi darko", right? Yeah. How's the campus, by the way? Do you have a basketball court at all where you are now, probably Carl? >> yes, we have a >> You have a hoop? >> We have You got a hoop? We have hoops outside. >> days, that was the standard. You needed a hoop, a backboard, and a hoop, and maybe a net, maybe. But you got that. We have a gym. It's It's very large. It's just old and needs and needs to be redone, yeah. Will that be redone also, probably? That's going to be uh next year. We'll talk about that. It'll be a It'll be a athletics campaign. >> Yes, yes. Because today, you know what you need on a campus in order to compete with everybody else, you need these colorful basketball courts, really good really good bleachers, right? Like I mean, I have toured some of your colleagues' campuses. Yes. There are colleges around the United States that would be jealous Yeah. of what they have. Because people Because people rightfully, and I say that in quotation marks, rightfully complain about the cost of our Yeshiva League schools, but they some many of us sometimes forget the product we're getting. I mean, some of these campuses, thank God, are absolutely beautiful. So. Yeah, I think it's it's all an investment in the future, you know? Each one of these kids is so important to our families, to to Klal Yisrael, and um yes, it's a lot. Heichal HaTorah is probably the least expensive in the community. >> true? It's 25,000. That's a lot. That's a $100,000 that the that the parents are investing in their child's high school education. But I think the dividends that I've seen from our talmidim and the parents have seen, it's it's an incredibly valuable investment. >> I think I told you this. When I went to high school, so I went to what was then the most expensive Yeshiva high school, and the tuition was $4,000, okay? And the outrage, not just the parents, but the the community in general, that a school had the nerve to charge for ninth grade $4,000, and then in a year went up to 4,500, and I think a year later went up to 5,000 and it was just like I mean it was just insane what was going on. Like everybody was talking about it. But you know, times are times are very different. You know, I went to high school quite a number of years ago really stuck with me. I don't know if you I don't know if it's obvious by looking at me but it's a long time ago anyway. 30 years for me right now since since high school, yeah. >> Hey, hall campus naming is $2 million, the brand new Beit Midrash $1 million, half a million for the sorry Yeshiva and the entrance pavilion, the outdoor space 360, the grand entrance lobby a quarter of a million, student learning center 180, a student hub 100,000. Uh the modern sheer rooms, there's seven of them $50,000 each and some of these have actually been taken already or am I wrong about that? Yes, thank god. We have about 10 donations. In that in those slots. In those slots, yeah. Thank god. But I am here to announce Yeah. just on the J&A for your listeners only Yeah. the Beit Midrash today is on sale from a million we're down to $500,000. >> Why the bargain? Why have we Why have we reduced the price? >> J&A listeners. Okay, they have to be listening to this. I'm just trying to increase your listening base. >> to pray it's not a big J&A donor who's now going to earmark their funds differently. So I said the Beit Midrash was a million. You're saying that until noon time today for our listeners until midnight tonight until midnight tonight it's actually half a million you can get the Beit Midrash today. >> Only if you're a J&A listener. It's a bargain. It's a Jewish education bargain. I mean come on. Memorialize somebody at half the price. Come on. Anyway, uh the 13th annual dinner it's happening Monday night. Are you sold out yet? Yeah, we really can't squeeze anybody else but if it's a can J&A listener I'll get you in. You're seriously? The Brighton is big. The Brighton is big but I also want people to be able to get to the carving stations. I don't want you know, I don't want people to feel like they're they're they're making big donations for the Shiva. They should be comfortable. >> If I'm in the area, I'm popping in Monday night. >> Well, yeah. You can sit on the stage with me. No, I wouldn't do that, but I'm coming in on an edge. I mean, come on. If you're in the Besaek area Monday night, you have to hope they let you into the Brightstone with their delicious menu over there. We're big Brightstone fans. And again, brand new Heichal Pirkavois cuz now you feel the need to be in the as far as publishing business. >> Right. Well, we're not in the publishing business, but we are in the business of teaching our boys that they can contribute to Torah. Right. >> really important to me. Right. And did the did the parents sponsor this or this was a Yeshiva sponsorship? The the Pirkavois. Actually, it's a beautiful story. As you know, Rabbi Oberlander, our late menahel, he passed away. >> We talk about him all the time. >> Yeah, he was such a special man and a and big part of my personal life as a friend. His family sponsored the safer in memory of him. So, it's beautiful, yeah. I unbelievable. Um and again, the album, the brand new one, um will be debuted that night as well. Go to heichalcampus.org. I also want to thank um Nachman Ganuth is this one of the star soloists and his parents uh sponsored the album. So, that's a beautiful thing. Very nice. >> Yeah, yeah. Boy, oh boy. >> a pretty penny to do the recording, you know. >> No, that I get, but it's it's it's amazing how you people have people who step up. >> Yeah, yeah. The Heichal parents and the Heichal family, it's incredible. We're We're raising We're going to try to get to 5 million. It's going to take every single one of our people. Unbelievable. >> Yeah. heichalcampus.org. Give and give generously. Every dollar is matched. Heichal campus is h e i c h a l. heichalcampus.org. Rabbi Steckler, the Rosh Yeshiva. Thanks everybody for their participation. Those who read the Jewish Link will see this in the in the paper this week or not? >> Front cover. Front cover. It'll be there. So, I want to make sure that people will notice it. >> Moshe Kindler, Adam Nagnawitzki, those guys are incredible. Definitely advertise there. Uh Hametz Yisrael, they're good people. Uh Rabbi Hutzel Rubashkin. I hope it really is a successful campaign. And good luck Monday night. If you're list- if you're listening, you just missed a great handshake. Well, that's the deal. We've now sealed the deal. If I come up with the naming If I come up with the naming by tonight or by even Monday, I get to lead the proceedings on on Monday night. Imagine that. More coming up. It is in fact a Thursday morning edition of JM in the AM.