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Profile: Peter
Balog
My name is Peter Balog. I grew up in Budapest, Hungary in the Communist era. Religious practice was not totally outlawed, but it was greatly suppressed; Jewish education was very limited and anti-Jewish notions were prevalent. My first insight into religious Judaism came from my studies in Germany, where I spent two years at a college for Jewish Studies in the town of Heidelberg. There was not much in the way of observance but I learned Hebrew, Jewish Philosophy and some Gemara. In search of a larger Jewish community, I moved to London where I initially studied at a small Yeshiva. I completed my studies at Jews’ College, an institution affiliated to London University, where the teaching was highly academic and systematic but there was at the same time a strict adherence to the Orthodox viewpoint. In my final year, I learned under Rabbi Brovender in the London Bet Midrash. When I finished my BA degree, I knew I wanted to learn full time at a Yeshiva. During my time in London, I realised that I wanted to participate in modern society, without of course compromising on my religious observance. I was attracted by the writings of Samson Raphael Hirsch and his principle of ‘Torah im Derech Eretz’. Out of the many communities in London I felt most at home in Munks, a synagogue founded by German refugees, which follows the Hirschian line. I came to Israel looking for an open-minded and modern but serious Yeshiva and found it in Yeshivat Hamivtar-Orot Lev. The achievement of the Rabbis in secular fields was a major factor in my decision to come here. I also appreciate the opportunity to learn with students who are university graduates. The warm atmosphere on campus has been a great help in the transition to Israel. I got married shortly before I came here and my wife, Sara Prais, feels very included in Yeshiva life. I am studying for semicha in the Straus Rabbinical Seminary. Ultimately, I hope to develop a career in rabbinics or Jewish education, to strengthen the Jewish community at large by serving in a small community in need of spiritual leadership. Missed a Profile? See Previous Profiles Return to Ohr Torah Stone Home Page
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