Machon Shlomo
Known as The Heiden Institute
“Machon Shlomo offers an immersive Torah education, equipping students with the values, knowledge, and leadership skills to reclaim their heritage, build a meaningful Jewish life and family, and inspire and uplift their communities.”
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Where to find The Heiden Institute.
Rechov Shaulzon 2, Har Nof, Jerusalem 95400 Israel
Program & work options
- Program type
- Traditional full-time Yeshiva
- Duration
- One Year with Option to Stay Longer
- Work allowed
- Yes, individually with approval
- Students working
- Less than 10%
- When students work
- Varies by student, Flexible
- Placement help
- Students arrange independently
- Impact on learning
- Full learning schedule remains unchanged
About
Machon Shlomo is an immersive Torah education program in Har Nof, Jerusalem, dedicated to helping students reclaim their Jewish heritage, develop a meaningful Torah-centered life, and become leaders who inspire and uplift their communities.
The program is designed for students at a wide range of levels, from those with little or no prior Jewish learning experience to those with a more substantial background. Most students come from the United States, with alumni and students also representing countries including Brazil, England, France, and Russia. Classes are taught in English, and while the yeshiva officially follows the Ashkenazi tradition, Sefardi students are also welcome.
Our program offers a structured nine-month academic year, beginning in early September and ending in mid-June, with breaks for Sukkot, winter vacation, and Passover. Through small classes led by dedicated rabbis, students develop the skills to study Torah independently, explore Jewish philosophy, and cultivate the character and values necessary for a life of purpose. The emphasis is not simply on acquiring knowledge, but on learning how to learn and establishing a foundation for lifelong growth in Torah.
The yeshiva seeks students who are self-disciplined, motivated, genuinely interested in personal growth, and committed to discovering and reaching their unique potential.
Learning model
Formal Shiur · Chavrusa learning · Learning at Machon Shlomo combines paired (chavrusa) study, formal shiurim and classes, and individualized one-on-one tutoring. Students learn together throughout the day in a lively Beis Midrash environment, with rabbis and tutors providing guidance, answering questions, and helping students build the skills for independent Torah learning.. Each bochur is placed in a track suited to his pace and background, with daily seder and ongoing chavrusa support.
Student fit
Bochurim who thrive here tend to value the atmosphere described as growth-oriented, brotherhood / family feel, mussar emphasis, warm and heimish. The 1:2 staff-to-student ratio allows individualized attention without losing chevra dynamics.
Atmosphere
Growth-oriented, Brotherhood / family feel, Mussar emphasis, Warm and heimish.
Support systems
Mentorship is built into the daily rhythm. The mashgiach and senior rabbanim are accessible, and additional support is available for bochurim who need it.
Rebbeim & Hanhala
Hanhala
Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld
Rosh Yeshiva & Co-Founder
Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld has been teaching and designing educational programming for post college Jewish youth since the early 1980s. His areas of special interest include engaging students in sophisticated and relevant readings of Biblical texts and empowering students to become educated and passionate Jewish leaders. Besides his role as Dean of Machon Yaakov, Rabbi Gershenfeld also serves as Dean of Machon Shlomo in Jerusalem, and Founder of MEOR, which provides Jewish literacy and leadership programs on more than twenty college campuses (including Harvard, Stanford and Yale) across the United States. Rabbi Gershenfeld received a BA and MA from Trinity College in Hartford, CT (1976), Phi Beta Kappa. He has studied with many great Jewish scholars including Rav Shimon Schwab, Rav Aharon Feldman, Rav Moshe Shapiro and Rav Shlomo Wolbe. He resides in Har Nof, Jerusalem, with his family.
Rabbi Yehoshua Styne
Dean of Students (Mashgiach) · Mashgiach
Rabbi Yehoshua Styne is the Dean of Students, Mashgiach (Spiritual Advisor), and a Senior Lecturer at Machon Shlomo. Originally from the United States, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and later studied Film Production and Directing at the University of Southern California. He currently serves as the Vice President of Education of Meor, which provides Jewish learning and leadership programs to students from over twenty U.S. college campuses, including Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Yale. Known for his warmth and thoughtful guidance, Rabbi Styne regularly meets with students to support their personal and spiritual growth. He lives in Har Nof, Jerusalem with his wife and children.
Rabbi Yehuda Gershenfeld
Senior Lecturer
Rabbi Yehuda Gershenfeld is a lecturer at Machon Shlomo. A son of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld, Rabbi Yehuda comes from a family with a long-standing legacy of Torah leadership, including his great-grandfather Rabbi Shimon Schwab zt”l and his grandfather Rabbi Rosenberg zt”l. He studied for a combined 20 years in Chevron, the Mir, and the Kollel of Rabbi Moshe Shapiro zt”l. He holds a BA in Education and a Master’s degree in Managing Educational Systems. In addition to his role at Machon Shlomo, he has led trips for over 500 students through programs such as JInternship and Onward. Rabbi Yehuda lives in Jerusalem with his family.
More of the rebbeim
Our relatable and inspiring Rabbis have been guiding students in the fundamentals of Judaism for decades. Students form lasting bonds with their teachers that extend far beyond the classroom.
Shabbos experience
- Staff presence
- Yes
- Frequency
- Every week
Shabbat meals are the highlight of the week for many Machon Shlomo students. After spirited Friday night prayers, alumni and host families in Har Nof and the surrounding neighborhoods warmly welcome students into their homes for Friday night Shabbat dinners and Saturday lunches. Students enjoy delicious home-cooked meals, engaging conversations, and the chance to experience firsthand a vibrant, balanced Jewish home. From Thursday evening until Sunday morning, the time is yours to spend as you wish. Most students choose to go to Shabbat meals with local host families and also regularly stay overnight at homes throughout Israel. Students have spent Shabbat at the homes of generous hosts located throughout the country.
Ulpan / Hebrew program
- Ulpan provided
- Yes — through an outside program
For students who would like additional support in Hebrew, the yeshiva can help arrange an experienced Ulpan teacher for private or small-group instruction. Students who are interested can participate at their own expense, with the goal of providing accessible, high-quality Hebrew instruction at a reasonable cost.
Facilities & living
Machon Shlomo is housed across three floors of an apartment building. The first floor includes the dining room, meat and dairy kitchens, gym, storage, and additional rooms; the second floor is centered around the Beit Midrash, classrooms, and shul; and the third floor contains most of the student rooms, along with a laundry room. The building provides students with 24/7 access to the Beit Midrash, library, gym, and comfortable on-site living facilities.
- Boarding
- Dormitory
- Curfew
- No formal curfew
- Laundry
- AvailableYes
- Amenities
- Gym
Daily life & schedule
Admissions process
Machon Shlomo has a straightforward, rolling admissions process. Students begin by completing an online application, followed by an interview with the rabbis to discuss their background, goals, and aspirations. Accepted students then receive guidance through the enrollment process and preparation for their year of study. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so students are encouraged to apply early as spaces are limited.
- Interview requiredYes
- Entrance test requiredNo
- Application feeNo
Trips & experiences
- Frequency
- Few times a year
- Focus
- Spiritual growth, Social bonding, Fun / recreation, Educational, Eretz Yisrael connection
- Tuition
- Mostly included in tuition
Insight from the yeshiva
- Speciality
- Machon Shlomo specializes in providing young professionals with a rigorous, text-based Torah education integrated with the character-building philosophy of Slobodka Mussar (Gadlus HaAdam—the inherent greatness of man).
- Often misunderstood
- Parents often fear that attending yeshiva means their son will abandon his secular education, career trajectory, or connection to modern society. In reality, Machon Shlomo is explicitly structured for men who plan to return to top-tier graduate programs and high-level careers. The main thing is to provide a meaningful foundation for students to lead balanced, ethical, and community-focused lives in the modern world.
- Before choosing
- Parents should know that Machon Shlomo is a program designed for self motivated analytical thinkers. Students learn within a unified 9-month cohort alongside peers from top universities. The curriculum emphasizes textual mechanics along side deep philosophical discussion to provide a foundation for a balanced ethical life.
Where students go next
Understanding where bochurim typically continue after Machon Shlomo helps families see the longer-term pathway — not just what the yeshiva offers today.
- Yeshiva in Israel
- Yeshiva in America
- Workforce / Employment
- Professional training
In addition to becoming accomplished young Torah scholars, the majority of our alumni have gone on to occupy positions at the highest levels of their professions, including in law, medicine, finance, education, music, engineering, and public service. The vast majority of students return to their home community after studying at Machon Shlomo. However, a handful of alumni have settled in English-speaking communities in Israel, including Har Nof, Rachavia, and Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Academic calendar
This yeshiva runs on the traditional zmanim calendar.
- Elul Zman
- Beginning
- September 1st
- End
- Yom Kippur
- Winter Zman
- Beginning
- Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan
- End
- Rosh Chodesh Nissan
- Summer Zman
- Beginning
- Rosh Chodesh Iyar
- End
- June 15th
The year includes scheduled breaks for Sukkot, winter vacation, and Passover, allowing students to maintain an intensive learning schedule while making time for rest and family.
What makes it different
- Kiruv
- Growth-oriented
- Brotherhood / family feel
- Mussar emphasis
- Warm and heimish
- Litvish
- Modern Orthodox
- Sephardic
- Outreach / Kiruv
- Iyun
- Bekius
- Skills building
The facts
Only information this program actually provided. Nothing here is inferred.
- Ages accepted
- Ages 22+
- Staff & support
- Yeshiva helps arrange private learning, Private / external Rebbe permitted, One-to-one learning support for all students, Dedicated tutor case-by-case, Behavioural support case-by-case, Structured mentorship
- Structure of the day
- Private Rebbe permitted in yeshiva, Private Rebbe permitted outside, Sedarim with scheduled breaks, Alternative night learning permitted
- Support
- Emotional support
- More facilities
- Library
- Applying
- Application required
- Learning schedule
- Night seder — optional
- Learning depth & format
- Iyun daily, Bekius daily, Shiur daily
- Shabbos arrangements
- Students arrange their own Shabbos
- Housing & supervision
- Visiting staff
- Language of learning
- English
- Program length
- One year with option to continue, One year, extendable
- Work & training
- Working permitted with approval
- Hebrew & ulpan
- External ulpan
- Housing
- Dormitory available, No curfew, Laundry on site
- Facilities
- Gym
- Admissions
- Interview required, No application fee, Zoom interview, In-person visit, Phone interview
- Shabbos
- Staff present every Shabbos
- Subject of learning
- Gemara, Iyun, Bekius, Halacha, Mussar, Parshas HaShavua, Hashkafa / Jewish Philosophy, Machshava / Jewish Thought
- Tradition & affiliation
- Kiruv program for Baalei Teshuva, Litvish / Yeshivish, Modern Orthodox, Sephardi
- Program type
- Post-high-school Torah study
- Program classification
- Individual development yeshiva
- Atmosphere
- Growth-oriented, Brotherhood / family feel, Mussar emphasis, Warm and heimish
- Student circumstances
- Full-time yeshiva student, Baal teshuva, Student new to Gemara / building basic skills
- Who the program serves
- Kiruv program
- Learning format
- Formal shiur, Chavrusa
- Activities
- Organised social programming, Eretz Yisrael trips
- Night seder
- Optional
- Learning with a private / external Rebbe
- Yes, generally permitted
- Nights per week night seder runs
- 5
- Private Rebbe paid by
- Student
- Number of support staff
- 0
- Number of Rebbeim
- 12
- Number of madrichim
- 1
- Student to staff ratio
- 2:1
Alumni, parent & student voices
Personal feedback from alumni, current students and parents will appear here when shared.
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