Elya Svei

Who was Elya Svei?

Rabbi Elya Svei was the Rosh Yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia together with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, and was internationally known for his incisive, brilliant and clear shiurim, and his ability to offer sage advice to thousands of Jews worldwide. He was a primary student of Rabbi Aharon Kotler. Until his illness in the period before his death, he was regarded as one of the leaders of Charedi Jewry, and was a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and chairman of the Rabbinic Administrative Board of Torah Umesorah.

Rabbi Svei's father was a member of the Kovno Kollel in Slabodka and spent his early years there.

Rabbi Svei was a son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Kalmanovitz, the founder of the Brooklyn branch of the Mir Yeshiva, and was the brother-in-law of Rabbi Shmuel Berenbaum.

His advice was sought after by the leading Roshei Yeshiva in America - including the deans of his own alma mater - Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. He was the leading force behind the establishment of Sinai Academy in Brooklyn, a middle school and high school catering to the children of primarily non-observant Russian Jewish immigrants.