Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky

Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky (December 14, 1925 - November 30, 2000) was an American-born rabbi and teacher. He served as both dean and rosh yeshiva at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel for decades, until the last year of his life. His teaching role began while in the U.S. Army; when given a Shabbos off, he'd walk miles from his training base to Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and lecture.

Dean, Ner Yisroel He also was involved with the testing process for rabbinical ordination at Ner Yisroel.

Yissocher Frand compared how his personality was able to "transmit to literally thousands of talmidim" because his method was like giving "a baby its first lollypop" leading to many a life-long connection.

An example of his being gentle was when a student asked for permission to skip part of a day in yeshiva to attend an out-of-town wedding. When Rabbi Kulefsky delayed a direct yes or no, the student asked, "So is it OK?" and was told, "I can't tell you whether it's OK for you to go. I have enough problems worrying about my Bitul Torah; I can't speak for yours."

Personal Rabbi Kulefsky was a first born only son; he had 3 sisters. He and his wife of 53 years had two sons and three daughters.