Our Faculty
Rabbi Akiva Rotenberg
Rosh Mesivta
Rabbi Akiva Rotenberg originally from Toronto, Canada 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 Kamenetsky shlit"a and Harav Shalom Kamenetzky shlit”a, along with Harav Yehuda Svei shlit”a. He then studied in Jerusalem’s Yeshivas HaGramad and Beth Medrah Govoha (BMG) of Lakewood, New Jersey. It was in BMG where he received a comprehensive Semicha. Rabbi Rotenberg founded the Mesivta of Houston in the summer of 2019 and has been leading it ever since.
_edited.jpg)
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 Kellner
Mashgiach, Bekiyus Rebbe
Rabbi Dovid Kellner, originally from Lakewood, NJ, learned at Mir Yeshiva in Brooklyn studying under Hagaon Rav Elya Brudny Shlita. He continued on to Yeshivas HaGramad under the leadership of Harav Dovid Soloveitchik ZT”L in Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi Kellner then returned to Lakewood and spent close to 6 years in the Kollel of Beth Medrash Govoha. Throughout this time, he gained experience learning with and influencing Bochurim in various Yeshivos and programs throughout Lakewood. Rabbi Kellner is a graduate of the Igud Mechanchim training program and is someone who is passionate that bochurim understand their self-worth and is dedicated to helping them bring out the best in themselves.
Rabbi Nestlebaum
Rebbe
Rabbi Micha Nestlebaum, Originaly from Lakewood, NJ, is a graduate of Yeshivas Mercaz Hatorah of Belle Harbor where he learnt under Hagaon Rav Levi Dicker zt"l, and Yeshivas Ner Moshe under Hagaon Rav Sholom Schechter. After learning for some time in Beth Medrash Govoha he moved to Eretz Yisroel where, in addition to studying in Kollel there, he began to gain experience with teaching in Yeshivas Chosen Yehoshua. Rabbi Nestlebaum is passionate about raising the level of learning and depth of avodah in his Talmidim.
Rabbi Asher Yurowitz
Rebbe and 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.
Rabbi Yaakov Breiner
Rebbe
Rabbi Yaakov Breiner, originally from Monsey, NY is a graduate of The Yeshiva Telshe Alumni of Riverdale where he developed a close connection to the Rosh Yeshiva Rav Avrohom Ausband zt"l. Following that he studied for 2 years in Yeshivas Brisk in Yerushalayim. After spending 5 years learning in Kollel in Yerushalayim he joined the Mesivta of Houston faculty. As the 11th Grade Rebbe, Rabbi Breiner is dedicated to the development of his Talmidim deepening their understanding of Torah, cultivating a genuine love of learning, and growing into true Bnei Torah.
.jpg)
Rabbi Yechiel Gruman
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.