Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein ז"ל / Rabbis & Teachers of Torah

In memory of an extraordinary Rabbi

Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein ז"ל

Born in Boro Park and raised in Monsey, Rabbi Wallerstein's journey was that of a ordinary man, who rose to extraordinary heights through sheer will and compassion.

Rabbi Wallerstein founder of Ohr Naava, an institution in Brooklyn that became a sanctuary for Jewish women seeking inspiration, education and strength and under his leadership it grew into a global movement with programs like Ateres Naava Seminary, Bnot Chaya Academy and the Therapeutic Ranch at Bethel. His vision was fearless, where others saw limitations, he saw possibilities.

What set Rabbi Wallerstein apart was his heart. He treated every student, every struggling soul, as if they were his children. Whether this was staying up late to help a troubled teen or paying a child's yeshiva tuition out of his own pocket.

Rabbi Wallerstein's message was simply but yet profound, ' believe in others, see their potential and never give up. ' He taught that life's hardship were not dead ends but opportunities to grow closer to HaShem.

Though he is no longer with us, Rabbi Wallerstein's voice still echo's through his recorded clasess, the institutions he built, stories to inspire and the lives he transformed.

Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein ז"ל was a gift to Klal Yisroel and a extraordinary legacy of dedication, love, faith and action.

My his memory be a blessing 🕯

Compassion for his community

Rabbi Wallerstein ז"ל held a deely personal and transformative signifiance for his community, which extended beyond the walls of Ohr Naava and the broader Jewish communities he served.

To those who gathered to hear him, whether that were his Wednesday night classes at Flatbush at his seminars, or through his widely shared Shiurim. He was more than just a Rabbi or a educator, he was a confidant and a source of unrelenting hope.

For his community, Rabbi Wallerstein embodied a rare authenticity. He spoke to them not from a pedestal but from the heart, weaving his own struggles, whether it was a battle of inappropriate music or caring for a grandmother with Alzheimer into lessons that made Torah relatable and real.

This vulnerability resonated deeply, especially with teens and young adulds, who felt lost and disconnected. To them, he was a lifeline, someone who saw their worth they coundn't see themselves. Parents in his community found in him a partner, a Rabbi who helped steer their children towards lives of meaning and mitzvos, often stepping in were they felt inadequate.

He didn't shy away from tough topics, instead he comfronted them head on and offering practical guidance rooted of Torah value. For many his Shiurim, where a weekly stability in a place to recharge and to find direction.

Beyond his words, Rabbi Wallerstein actions spoke volumes. He treated everyone as family and often staying up late to solve their problems and he made them feel heard and worthy, regardless of their struggles or status.

In essence, Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein meant everything to his community, he was their leader and their inspiration.