Rabbi Shaya First

Rabbi Shaya First serves as an 11th Grade Dean and Director of the Scholars Program. He teaches courses in Limudei Kodesh, Mathematics, and Science, including AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Calculus BC. He also serves as faculty advisor to TABC's Chidon HaTanach, Torah Bowl, and Math Team. A Teaneck native, Rabbi First joined the TABC faculty in September 2016. He earned a BA in Mathematics from Yeshiva College in 2011 before spending the next six years studying at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). There, he completed the RIETS Semicha Honors Program and continued as a fellow in the Israel Henry Beren Institute for Higher Talmudic Studies, a division of the RIETS Kollel Elyon. Rabbi First also earned an MA in Medieval Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies and an MS in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, both in 2016. In addition to his work at TABC, Rabbi First has served as Rosh Campus of Morasha Kollel since 2010. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring national parks, making groan-worthy puns, and playing tennis. He lives in Fair Lawn with his wife, Ayelet, and their two children, Elisha and Mindy.