Our Staff
Rabbi Dov Singer, Rosh Yeshiva
Rabbi Dov Singer is especially remembered for his moving opening of the funeral of Naftali, Gilad & Eyal by having the tens of thousands present repeat after him: “I hereby accept upon myself the commandment: Love thy Neighbor as Thyself!” Naftali’s mother Racheli Fraenkel attributed that summer’s unprecedented wave of Jewish unity in great measure to the unique philosophy and special leaders of Yeshivat Makor Chaim.
At the young age of 27, Rabbi Singer was tapped by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz to establish and head Yeshivat Makor Chaim. His unique educational approach involves trusting and empowering the student and developing his inner spiritual consciousness in a way that opens him to the outside world (rather than isolating himself as is often the case).
The success of this approach led to the establishment of the “Beit Midrash L’Hitchadshut” – a nation-wide, outreach study & prayer program which appeals to Israelis from all levels of personal observance. In addition he established “Lifnei V’Lifnim” – a creative, alternate educators’ training program, which emphasizes awareness development, listening skills, new ways to revive and internalize Torah study, the development of emotional intelligence of the heart and mind, as well as refining sensitivity and creativity.
Rabbi Singer lives in Tekoa with his wife and has 10 children. He is widely considered an expert in the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and one of the leaders of the Neo-Chassidic Movement in Israel.
Rav David Rabinowitz, Co-Rosh Yeshiva
Rav David Rabinowitz has been with Makor Chaim for over 20 years. He was born in Kibbutz Kfar Etzion to olim from New York who later moved to Jerusalem, but he has returned to live in Kfar Etzion with his family, living adjacent to our temporary campus. He studied at the Hesder Yeshiva in Maalot and then went on to study with Rav Shagar for over 5 years at the newly established Yeshivat Siach. He also holds a Masters in Jewish Thought from Herzog College.
Rafi Wolfson, CEO
Colonel (Res.) Rafi Wolfson joined us as our new CEO in September 2021. He lives with his wife and children in Modi’in and has recently retired from an outstanding IDF career. Among his most recent commands were: Northern Command’s Gaash Brigade, the IDF Ground Forces Training Division and the Yiftach Armored Battalion in the Shomron. Rafi’s brother Rabbi Chaim Wolfson serves as one of the 2 Roshei Yeshiva at the Yeruchum Hesder Yeshiva. Rafi is a graduate of the Maalot Hesder Yeshiva and was born and raised in Petach Tikva.
Yossi Baumol, Director of Development
Yossi joined Makor Chaim in April 2015 to head up the new Department of Development spearheading the effort to build the new campus. A resident of Efrat in Gush Etzion since 1983, Yossi brings with him a rich history of connecting Jews around the world to some of the foremost Religious Zionist projects in Israel over for over 30 years, including Ateret Cohanim, the Hebron Fund and American Friends of Sderot.
Yossi studied at Yeshivot Torah Vodaath, Emek Halacha and Lakewood and received a degree in Philosophy and English Literature from Brooklyn College before making Aliya in 1977.
Yossi’s wife Sarah (nee Wagner) holds an MA in Talmud from Bar Ilan University and a diploma from Matan’s Advanced Talmud program. Their immediate family now includes 9 children and over 30 grandchildren all living in Judea, Israel.
