Wishing Hatzlacha to Rabbi Yosef Polstein upon his retirement from FYHS

Rabbi Yosef Polstein, who just surpassed forty years at the Yeshiva, has announced his retirement from the role of rebbe at Fasman Yeshiva High School. He will stay on in his role of Camp Director Emeritus/Camp Rabbi for HTC's overnight camp, Yeshivas HaKayitz, where he will continue to run the Torah learning program. 

Rabbi Polstein first came to HTC in Fall of 1985 from Milwaukee, and initially taught a mechina (introductory) track in our Beis Midrash program, while also serving as the dormitory supervisor, living in the building with his young family. Two years later, he transitioned to the role of shiur rebbe for Fasman Yeshiva High School, first teaching freshmen, then eventually seniors, and most recently, juniors. 

Despite it not being his "day job," Rabbi Polstein was better known to many people as the fatherly camp director of HTC's Yeshivas HaKayitz overnight camp program, which he led as director for 38 years. As camp director, he handled all of the program planning, marketing and recruitment, budgeting and scholarships, staffing, and of course, day-to-day management of the camp during the summer. When he took over the camp shortly after arriving in the mid-1980's, it was a small program focused largely around learning and computers; today, it's a robust program that transforms the Yeshiva's campus, filled with extensive Torah learning, sports, games, and daily trips, and is so popular that it fills to capacity year after year. 

"We are so grateful to Rav Yosef and his wife, Bracha, for their incredible devotion to our Yeshiva," said HTC CEO Rabbi Shmuel Schuman. "They lived here. They raised their family here. Their family davened here on Shabbos when they moved to the neighborhood. They sent their boys to school here. They spent their summers here and he grew Yeshivas HaKayitz exponentially. And most of all, he taught and nurtured two generations of talmidim, even teaching many of his students' own children. It's an incredible legacy, and we wish him and his family the best in this new chapter."

Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Moshe Revah highlighted Rabbi Polstein's unique qualities as an educator, noting that Rabbi Polstein was a great rebbe because "he wasn't just about transmitting knowledge." 

"Rabbi Polstein modeled the commitment to Torah," said Rabbi Revah, "while understanding where the boys were coming from and the challenges they were facing, and connected with his students at their level. This is reflected in the long-lasting relationships he built with so many students over the years."

In addition to his role with Yeshivas HaKayitz, Rabbi Polstein will serve as a consultant and ambassador for the Yeshiva, continuing to learn in the Yeshiva, give shiurim in the community on behalf of HTC, and attend alumni events.

"The Yeshiva will always be a part of me," said Rabbi Polstein. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity that Hashem blessed me with to be a rebbe and camp director here at the Yeshiva, giving me a year-round opportunity to impact the youth of Klal Yisrael. I look forward to remaining involved in Yeshivas HaKayitz, and helping serve the Yeshiva and our community in new ways."