Our Faculty
Rabbi Akiva Rotenberg
Rosh Mesivta, 9th Grade Rebbe
Rabbi Akiva Rotenberg originally from Toronto, Canada is a talented individual, known for his warmth, passion, and inspirational energy. He has been the Rosh Kollel of a large, successful night Kollel in Lakewood, NJ for many years, as well as an experienced and much- admired Rebbi for Mesivta-age boys. Additionally, he has gained a reputation as someone who connects with all of his Talmidim, inspiring each one to maximize his potential. Rabbi Rotenberg is a graduate of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, and has retained a strong and close relationship with his Roshei Yeshiva; Harav Shmuel and Shalom Kamenetzky shlit”a, along with Harav Yehuda Svei shlit”a. He then studied in Jerusalem’s Yeshivas HaGramad and Beth Medrah Gavoha (BMG) of Lakewood, New Jersey. It was in BMG where he received a comprehensive Semicha. Additionally he has written on various Gemara and Halachic topics, which have been published by “Shivti”, a branch of BMG, and has accordingly lectured on both Halachik and Gemara topics around the tri- state area.
Rabbi Yechiel Gruman
10th Grade Rebbe
Rabbi Yechiel Gruman, a Talmid Chacham of note, has been teaching Torah and inspiring Jews of all ages for many years. Originally from Twin Rivers, NJ and a graduate of both the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia and Yeshivas Brisk Jerusalem, Rabbi Gruman has gained a reputation for his unique ability to tap into the strengths and abilities of each of his Talmidim, enabling and helping them to grow in their learning, Yiras Shomayim and Middos.
Rabbi Yaakov Breiner
11th Grade Rebbe
Rabbi Michael Cohen
General Studies Principal
Rabbi Michael Cohen serves as the General Studies Principal of Mesivta of Houston, where he brings a deep commitment to educational excellence and student growth.
Rabbi Cohen holds a degree in Educational Leadership from Bellevue University, where he developed advanced training in school leadership, curriculum development, and instructional best practices. His career in chinuch spans more than a decade of impactful service. He served for six years as a high school rebbe at Northwest Yeshiva High School, where he fostered meaningful relationships with Talmidim and inspired both academic and personal growth.
Following his classroom experience, Rabbi Cohen served for seven years as a Head of School, guiding faculty, supporting families, and strengthening institutional vision and development. His leadership reflects a thoughtful balance of high academic standards, collaborative teamwork, and genuine care for each student’s success.
At Mesivta of Houston, Rabbi Cohen is dedicated to cultivating an environment where general studies excellence complements Torah learning, preparing students to thrive academically, professionally, and as committed members of Klal Yisrael.
Rabbi Asher Yurowitz
Bekiyus Rebbe, Director
Rabbi Asher Yurowitz of Lakewood NJ, is a graduate of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, Yeshiva of Twin Rivers-Monroe, and Yeshivas Ner Moshe in Eretz Yisroel. After marrying his wife Chaya Liba he studied in the prestigious Kollel of Harav Gershon Ribner with whom he forged a close connection. During this time, Rabbi Yurowitz participated in the Ner Le’elef training program including a specialized chinuch track directed by Torah Umesorah. Rabbi Yurowitz moved to Houston to join the Kollel in 2018, spending two years studying and teaching in its Beis Medrash. Aside for his tremendous teaching abilities, Rabbi Yurowitz is known as someone with both terrific organizational skills and administrative acumen.