Yeshivot in Great Offley

Name:

Yeshivas Toras Chessed ⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾

Formation:

Established in about 1990 by Torah Chesed yeshiva of Cazenove Road, Stamford Hill, London N16, and supported by members of the Satmar congregation.^(iv) A hope was expressed that the yeshiva would provide the nucleus of an offshoot community. 80 students were enrolled at the yeshiva at the time of the move from Stamford Hill.

Address:

Wellbury House, Great Offley, near Hitchin.^(v) A former stately home which had served as a private school for Catholic boys.

However in March 1992, it was reported that 80 students at the yeshiva were living in portakabins (small prefabricated buildings that can be moved by truck and intended to be used for only a short period of time) on the estate because the main building was deemed unsatisfactory by health and safety authorities.^(vi)

In 1998 a fire destroyed the yeshiva's synagogue.^(vii)

In October 2002, the yeshiva was ordered to stay shut until safety work were completed after the building was described as a "death trap".^(viii)

Rab and Rosh Yeshiva:

Rabbi A.S. Stern^(xii)

Current Status:

The yeshiva relocated to London in about 2009,^(xiii) when Rabbi A.S. Stern's health deteriorated. See Yeshivas Toras Chesed in Stamford Hill.

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Strictly Orthodox - Satmar Chassidish

Affiliation

Affiliated to the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations^(xiv)

Name:

Yeshivas Ohr Torah^(xxi)

Formation:

Formed in about 2009 by Rabbi Y.M. Stern,^(xxii) the brother of Rabbi A.S. Stern.

Address:

Wellbury House Estate, Great Offley, near Hitchin

Rab and Rosh Yeshiva:

Rabbi Y.M. Stern^(xxiii)

Current Status:

Still functioning in 2023 although the main building on the site is derelict.

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Strictly Orthodox - Satmar Chassidish

Affiliation

Affiliated to the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations^(xxiv)

Disputes following the death of Rabbi A.S. Stern

Following the death of Rabbi A.S Stern in about 2009, a dispute arose regarding control of the land in Great Offley, which dispute referred to the Beit Din (religious court). The parties to the dispute were: Rabbi Y.M. Stern and Mr. B. Weisman (the Delegate of the Yeshivas Ohr Torah), who asserted that they were partners in the leadership of Yeshivas Toras Chessed prior to its relocation tp Stmaford Hill and thus the sole remaining trustees of the Great Offley estate; Rabbi A.S. Stern's family; and Rabbi Chaim Y. Babad, the successor to Rabbi A.S. Stern as Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Toras Chesed, Stamford Hill. The beit din did not find for Rabbi Y.M.Stern and declared that Rabbi A.S. Stern had been the sole trustee. However, a compromise was then reached regarding shares in the land itself.

There had also been a dispute between Rabbi A.S. Stern's family and Rabbi Babad regarding the leadership of Yeshivas Toras Chessed, which the beit din found in favour of Rabbi Babad.