About the Kollel
Vancouver is a city of over 700 000. It is a diverse population of many different colours, lifestyles and religions. One of the wonders of this city lies in its ability to embrace everyone in a uniquely laid back, West Coast way.
In many regards, one can say that being Jewish here is amazing; no one really notices or cares that youʼre Jewish. For the very same reason, however, being Jewish here can be really difficult; no one really notices or cares that youʼre Jewish. Itʼs easy to get lost and become just a face in the crowd.
In 2000 the Ohel Yaʼakov Community Kollel pinpointed this as a critical issue for Jews in Vancouver and began to create programs and events to combat the isolation and lack of resources that made Jewish life in Vancouver a challenge for so many.
The Ohel Yaʼakov Community Kollel is a vibrant community, committed to making everyone feel included and at home. The Kollel provides top-quality Jewish education, programs, and events founded on respect, culture and inclusion that are accessible and relevant to modern life.
The Kollel is a centre for learning and celebrating; a place where Jewish people connect.
Board of Directors: Michael Averbach * Terry Barnett * Steve Burton * Rob Fashler * Rabbi Avraham Feigelstock * Dr. Jaap Hamburger * Horatio Kemeny * Karen Levitt * Rhonda Sacks * Rabbi Shmulik Yeshayahu
Board of Governors: Gary Averbach * Harvey Dales * Craig Diamond * Rabbi Avraham Feigelstock * Leor Froelich * Barry Glotman * Ben Goldberg * Rochelle Golumbia * Sandra Green * Talia Kopal * Jeffrey Sacks * Gary Segal *Ari Shiff * Lee Simpson * Zev Shafran * Deborah Sutton
Kollel Staff
Rabbi Avraham & Shifra Feigelstock
Rosh Kollel
Rabbi Feigelstock really knows BC. He's been here for over 30 years!
Now, where do we start?
Rabbi Avraham Feigelstock has been the Rabbi of Eitz Chaim Synagogue in Richmond, B.C., founded and heads both the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of B.C. and the Beth Din of B.C. (as Av Beth Din), as well as being the Supervising Rabbi of B.C. Kosher. In addition, he holds a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies from Montreal Rabbinical College of Canada and has pursued Advanced Studies in Biblical Discourses.
And who is the woman who can keep up with Rabbi Feigelstock?
Rebbetzin Shifra Feigelstock teaches Bible and Halacha at the Vancouver Jewish High School. She studied at the Beth Jacob Jerusalem College for Teachers, and has taught Jewish topics to elementary students, high school students and adults for over 22 years.
Rabbi and Rebbetzin Feigelstock live in Vancouver and have thirteen (!) children.
Rabbi Shmuel & Rivki Yeshayahu
Director
If youʼve ever met Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu you know itʼs difficult capture him in words,
but weʼll try.
Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu received his Rabbinic Ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of
Israel. He worked in Argentina and Chile teaching outreach techniques and Rabbinic
Ordination preparation for semicha candidates. Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu came to our
shores and began working as the Outreach Director for the Ohel Yaʼakov Community
Kollel in 2001. He is responsible for developing and coordinating Kollel programming,
classes, one-on-one teaching, mentoring, counseling, and leading the religious
services. Rabbi Yeshayahu teaches the very popular Kabbalah classes at the Kollel on
Wednesday nights, leads the Carlebach style Friday night service and dinner, and is the
hub of our many popular social events.
Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu is married to Rivki. They have four children.
Rabbi Yossi and Devorah Goldberg
Youth Director
Rabbi Yossi Goldberg was born in The Netherlands, attended various yeshivas in places as far-flung and exotic as Israel, Venice and New York, and received his Rabbinic Ordination (Semicha) in Pretoria, South Africa. Lucky for us, heʼs decided to spend this exciting chapter of his life in Vancouver.
The newest member on our team, Yossi Goldberg uses the skills heʼs honed working with kids and teenagers on four different continents in his position as the Youth Director at the Kollel, a task which includes running the "Food for Thought" clubs in five Vancouver high schools. His charisma, warmth, vast sports knowledge and offbeat sense of humour keep him dialed in to the hearts and minds of the younger generation.
Rabbi Goldberg is married to Devorah. They have two children.