Institution
Telz Yeshiva טעלזער ישיבה
From the town of Telz in Lithuania to Cleveland: a yeshiva that survived a war and crossed an ocean
Edit / add infoTelz Yeshiva was founded in 1875 in the town of Telz, Lithuania. In 1941 it was re-established in Cleveland, Ohio, and today it stands in Wickliffe.
A yeshiva in Telz
Telz Yeshiva was founded in 1875 in the town of Telz (Telšiai), Lithuania [1]. It became one of the largest and most important yeshivas of the Lithuanian world, known for its own "Telzer derech" of deep, clear analysis [1]. A kollel to train rabbis opened in 1922 [1].
From Lithuania to America
When the war broke out, the roshei yeshiva Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Bloch and Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Katz were in America on a mission for the yeshiva, and they rebuilt it in Cleveland, Ohio [1]. In early 1941 a group of students who had escaped through Russia arrived and joined them [1]. The yeshiva later moved to Wickliffe, Ohio, where it stands today [1].
Telz today
Rabbi Mordechai Gifter was also among its American roshei yeshiva [1]. To this day it is simply called "Telz".
Sources
- Telshe Yeshiva — Wikipedia (accessed October 20, 2026)
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Last updated: October 20, 2026. Spotted an error? Let us know.
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