Eli Stefansky (born 1973 or 1974) is an American-Israeli rabbi. He is the founder of Mercaz Daf Yomi in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, whose daf yomi broadcasts are the most popular shiurim in the world.
Early life and education
editStefansky was born in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, the oldest of seven children, then grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens, where he attended Yeshiva Darchei Torah. In the fifth grade, his family then moved to Bnei Brak, Israel to make aliyah, and Stefansky studied at the Ponevezh Yeshiva under Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz. After three years, the Stefanskys returned to the United States, and Stefansky attended Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin and Yeshiva Gedola of Passaic. Stefansky returned to Israel to study at the Mir Yeshiva.[1][2]
Stefansky began his career in Chicago as an electrician, plumber, and carpenter to enter into real estate. On the side, he maintained a catering business, working about 100 weddings per year. At one wedding in 2005, a real estate broker in Indianapolis offered Stefansky the option to purchase 100 apartments. This became PrimeQuest. In 2013 at the age of 41, Stefansky moved with his wife and five children to Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel.[1][3]
Career as educator
editStefansky began a daf yomi shiur in Chicago that grew to 45 students. He also started the "8 Minute Daf" video series that grew to 2,000 subscribers in 3 months.[1]
In 2018, Stefansky founded the Mercaz Daf Yomi in Ramat Beit Shemesh, from which he broadcasts daily lectures of the daf yomi. As of 2023, the daily lectures received between 16,000[2] and 18,000 viewers, making its the most popular shiur in the world. He spends an estimated 14 hours per day to prepare for his lectures.[4][3][5][6]
References
edit- ^ a b c Mernick, Moe (2020-01-01). "Work/Life Solutions with Eli Stefansky". Mishpacha. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ a b Lytle, Baruch (2023-05-24). "Heading Into Shavuos – One Daf At A Time". Jewish Press. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ a b Frankfurter, Yitzchok (2022-07-27). "A Revolution in Torah // A spirited conversation with Reb Eli Stefansky". Ami Magazine. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ Sandler, Eliezer (2022-12-14). "Facing 100 Red Chaim Kanievskys -- Hagaon Harav Eli Stefansky". Boro Park 24. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ Teichler, Shmuel (2023-05-12). "Largest Gemara Shiur Ever? Reb Eli Stefansky To Deliver Rare Series Of Live Shiurim In The U.S. To Begin Maseches Gittin". Five Towns Jewish Times. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "מרגש: איש העסקים המצליח שעזב הכל כדי ללמד את הדף היומי". Kol Chai (in Hebrew). 2024-04-09. Retrieved 25 June 2024.