About HAFTR

Perpetuating Excellence From Generation to Generation

Founded in 1978, the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR) sets the standard of excellence for American Jewish yeshiva education on both the Lower and secondary levels.

HAFTR was established in 1978 as a merger between two outstanding South Shore yeshivot. The Hebrew Institute of Long Island (HILI) served the Rockaway and budding five towns community since 1936, and the Hillel School was founded in 1957 to serve the growing needs of the Long Island and Rockaway communities. HAFTR is an Orthodox yeshiva with the Torah as the foundation of its philosophy.

HAFTR is dedicated to preparing students for a life as Torah Jews who possess a deep knowledge of their heritage and a strong love for the land of Israel and the Jewish people. While achieving this goal, HAFTR also prepares these students for the rigorous demands of life as successful, responsible American citizens.

Academic, emotional, social and spiritual development are ensured through providing excellence in Judaic and secular education, in an environment that fosters chesed, middot (character), and love for Israel.

Recognizing each child's uniqueness, parents and teachers work together, and dedicate themselves to the goals of "chanoch l'naar al pi darko" (educate the child according to his unique character).

Our students develop deep and profound understanding of the concepts and texts that guide their lives. At the same time, they receive a comprehensive background in literature and social sciences that will facilitate critical thinking and analytical ability.

Students master the skills needed to meet the growing demands of a sophisticated technology-oriented society. They cultivate an aesthetic sensibility so they can appreciate the profound beauty of art.

To our students, this century will be laden with more opportunities but fraught with more challenges than those faced by any previous generation. At HAFTR we embrace this future with confidence that we can meet the complex and demanding requirements of tomorrow's yeshiva student. The lessons learned through the past decades of providing excellence in "tanach'' will help guide our way.