Nosson Tzvi Finkel (Mir)

Nosson Tzvi Finkel was a prominent American-born Haredi Litvish rabbi who served as the dean of the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. His tenure, which spanned from 1990 until his passing in 2011, was marked by significant growth and expansion of the yeshiva, transforming it into the largest in Israel. Under his leadership, the Mir Yeshiva enrolled nearly 6,000 undergraduate students and over 1,600 avreichim, cementing its position as a leading institution in Jewish education.

Throughout his life, Rabbi Finkel was renowned for his exceptional Torah erudition, as well as his kindness and dedication to his students. Despite being afflicted with Parkinson's disease for the last 28 years of his life, he continued to work tirelessly, teaching an estimated 25,000 students over the course of his lifetime. His fundraising efforts were also noteworthy, generating an estimated US$500 million for the Mir Yeshiva during his tenure. As a respected member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah, Rabbi Finkel left an indelible mark on the world of Jewish education and beyond.