Experienced Mechanchim.
Genuine Achrayus.
Afikei Mayim’s hanhala brings together decades of experience in learning, chinuch and the development of talmidim—with high expectations, genuine relationships and a deep commitment to helping every boy grow into the ben Torah he has the potential to become.
Leadership Rooted in Chinuch
Rabbi Chanina Szendro
Rabbi Szendro brings to Afikei Mayim a comprehensive view of chinuch that encompasses the entirety of a talmid’s day and development. He places a strong emphasis on healthy growth in bein adam la’Makom together with an uncompromising standard of bein adam le’chaveiro, while approaching every decision with one overriding question: What is best for the growth of this talmid?
As Menahel, Rabbi Szendro works to ensure that every element of the mesivta—from limudei kodesh and general studies to the opportunities that are available bein hasedarim—is challenging enough to foster real growth while remaining within reach of the talmidim. He also places a premium on clear communication with parents and on creating a yeshiva that is warm, responsive, upbeat and professionally run.
Rabbi Ayson Englander
A master mechanech with decades of experience, Rabbi Englander has devoted his career to teaching talmidim not only what to learn, but how to become lomdim. He is renowned for his clarity and for his ability to teach a talmid how to ask a kushya, think through a sugya, build hasmada and develop the tools and habits needed to master a masechta.
Rabbi Englander’s approach combines high expectations with the deliberate development of each talmid’s ability to learn with depth, clarity and confidence. His goal is not simply that a boy understand today’s Gemara, but that he acquire the tools, habits and ahavas ha’Torah that will enable him to continue growing in learning for years to come.
Rabbi Mordechai Salzberg
Rabbi Salzberg combines a deep care for every talmid with an exceptional ability to understand the individual boy in front of him. Through close relationships and thoughtful hadracha, he helps talmidim recognize where they are, where they can grow, and how to move forward on their individual path in Torah and avodas Hashem.
Talmidim naturally gravitate to Rabbi Salzberg and know that they have in him a trusted address—someone with whom they can speak openly and from whom they can seek guidance. At the same time, his own fire for avodas Hashem and continual striving make him an inspiring role model for the talmidim he guides.
Rabbi Shmuel Yitzchak Brandt
Rabbi Brandt brings 15 years of experience in the classroom, combining serious, high-level learning with the depth, clarity and enthusiasm that draw talmidim into the sugya. He challenges talmidim to think, ask, understand and grow as lomdim, while helping create the geshmak and excitement in learning that can fuel years of continued growth.
His warmth and dedication extend well beyond the shiur itself. Rabbi Brandt invests deeply in his talmidim and in building the kind of genuine, lasting rebbe-talmid kesher that is at the heart of Afikei Mayim.
A Proven Approach to Chinuch
Rabbi Szendro, Rabbi Englander and Rabbi Salzberg currently serve together as the hanhala of Mesivta Toras Chaim of Baltimore. Their years working together have given them a proven track record in chinuch—building genuine relationships with talmidim, maintaining high expectations, recognizing each boy’s strengths and potential, and approaching every talmid with a genuine sense of achrayus for his growth.
Those same commitments will shape their work at Afikei Mayim, within a different type of mesivta: one built around the level of learning and hasmada expected in top yeshivos.
Two Distinct Yeshivos
Afikei Mayim is a separate mesivta, built for a different student body and with its own distinct standards and environment. The structure of the two yeshivos has been deliberately designed to allow the hanhala to be deeply involved in both.
Even together, the two yeshivos will remain smaller than many individual mesivtos. At the same time, the hanhala’s teaching responsibilities at Toras Chaim are being substantially reduced so that their time can be focused increasingly on leadership, chinuch and their relationships with talmidim.
The two yeshivos will operate on separate nearby campuses, each with its own admissions, talmidim, rebbeim, schedule and daily environment. Their proximity allows the hanhala to maintain a meaningful daily presence in both, while each yeshiva retains its own distinct identity and culture.
What is best for the growth of this talmid?
High expectations. Thoughtful chinuch. A personal kesher. And a hanhala deeply invested in every talmid entrusted to its care.
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