Rabbi Usher Klein

Ninth-Grade Rebbe
Year Honored: 2012

Mesivta Birkas Yitzchok
Los Angeles, CA

Biographical Information:

As the iconic ninth-grade yeshiva rebbe, Rabbi Usher Klein spent seven years at YULA, where he solidified an Advanced Gemara track before co-founding Mesivta Birkas Yitzchok in 2006. For incoming students, the opportunity to anchor a high school career with Rabbi Klein as the ninth-grade rebbe is a primary reason for the school’s waiting list of boys from a variety of yeshivas. Rabbi Klein is a gifted pedagogue who teaches students to think analytically and to grasp deep conceptual ideas of Talmudic Law. He has implemented several programs for learning, among them the Mishnah Brura to enable students to research laws on their own, a Talmud Survey of quick topical learning, and the classic Chavrusa Learning with one-on-one study partners. Rabbi Klein’s energetic presentation and genuine respect for students is known to transform even those who previously dreaded Talmudic study into students eager to delve deeper into learning. The Klein home is always open to students and is especially popular for Oneg Shabbos.

Note: This biography was current at the time this educator received the Award