OUR STORY
I grew up right here in Philadelphia, a product of the local day school system, but I didn’t thrive. I left school disconnected from Judaism, not because anyone meant harm, but because the approach simply didn’t fit how I learned. Years later, in Eretz Yisroel, I discovered the joy of Torah learning through open discussion and curiosity, and I realized what had been missing: connection, purpose, and love.
When my wife and I began raising our own children, we wanted them to experience a kind of education that nurtured both heart and mind, one that made Torah feel alive and personal. After seeing firsthand how traditional systems struggled to adapt to individual needs, we decided to build something new.
With guidance from Rav Shalom Kamenetsky, we started TIDE, first in our basement with just four children, now thriving at Keneseth Israel with boys in grades 1–8.
TIDE was founded on one simple belief:
No child should ever leave a Jewish education hating Torah, mitzvos, or tefilla. Every student deserves to feel seen, inspired, and loved, to discover that learning Torah can be joyful and meaningful.
Our Mission
The mission of TIDE is simple but bold: to develop confident, responsible bnei Torah. We believe boys develop at their own pace, and guided by the insights of Chazal and modern research, we honor this sacred process by creating a supportive environment where:
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Learning is active, engaging, and meaningful, blending Torah values with practical skills for daily life.
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The goal of education is not just to impart knowledge, but to build character, resilience, and a deep connection to Hashem through Torah and mitzvos.
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Boys are guided to represent Hashem in the world with confidence, humility, and genuine kavod Shamayim.
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Students grow into thoughtful leaders who contribute positively to their families, communities, and Klal Yisroel.
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Hands-on learning, strong rebbi–talmid relationships, and a structured yet flexible setting teach boundaries, independence, effort, and personal responsibility.
Everything we do—in the beis midrash, the classroom, and beyond, is measured against this mission, so our graduates enter the world as well-rounded individuals: academically prepared, socially skilled, and spiritually grounded in their Yiddishkeit.
Meet the Team
RABBI EZRA ELSTEIN
Co-Founder and Head of School
Leverages 15+ years in education, focusing on teens at risk, to build a structured environment at TIDE. He named it for Torah with Derech Eretz to emphasize responsibility amid generational challenges, balancing kindness and discipline to channel youthful energy into purpose, ethics, and mission through tailored, mastery-based learning.
RABBI RIETTI
Rabbinic Advisor
Applies decades of experience in Jewish education to guide TIDE effectively. Founder of Breakthrough Chinuch™️, he developed our Kodesh curriculum, integrating Montessori methods with Torah subjects like Emunah, Tefilah, Lashon Hakodesh, Chumash, and Mitzvot. His background, including rabbinical ordination and educational consulting, along with global lectures, supports student growth and promotes engagement in our community.
DOVID TZVI
Assistant Rabbi
Our incredible assistant Rebbe, Dovid Tzvi, is someone the children absolutely cherish. In his own school years, he explored non-traditional yeshiva programs, including Rabbi Daniel Kalish’s Waterbury Mesivta and Yeshivas Ner Aharon in Eretz Yisroel, where he discovered his passion for innovative chinuch and the power of unconditional love and acceptance. Today, he draws on these experiences to truly connect with each child.