About Rabbi Travis

Rabbi Daniel Ya’akov Travis was born in New York and came to Israel in 1986. He studied at some of the top yeshivos in Israel including Mir, and was a student of Rav Tzvi Kushalefsky for four years at Yeshiva Heichal HaTorah. After a nearly fatal car crash he decided to dedicate his life to learning halacha, and spent the next seven years in an intensive semicha program at Kollel Lasukai Shmaisa. After graduating this course he went on to start his own program, Kollel Toras Chaim. He lives with his wife and two children in Neve Yaakov Jerusalem.

“Our Kollel is about forming promising young men into rabbis and mensches, so they can go out and serve Jewish communities the world over,” says Rabbi Travis. “But it is not enough that a rabbi is a nice guy – he also has to know halacha inside out. Conversely, it is certainly not sufficient for a rabbi to be just a scholar, he has to be a leader who is respected.”

Kollel Toras Chaim is a highly selective institution. Students must demonstrate a sincere desire to learn and ability to keep up with the rigorous program. They must also have Derech Eretz and a strong desire to contribute to the community.