MEET RABBI DR. JOHN KRUG

Every one of our alumni knows that our yeshiva’s educational philosophy is characterized by complete devotion to the principle that the Rebbe’s relationship with his students should reflect the same degree of love and commitment that a parent has for a child. Similarly, members of the yeshiva faculty share a unique approach to our student body, providing guidance, encouragement and constant attention, and enjoying their roles as devoted mentors, true confidantes and sincere friends. The commitment of our entire staff and faculty to the students knows no bounds. Modeled and led by our Rosh HaYeshiva, HaRav Aharon Bina, Netiv Aryeh’s staff relates to the students with genuine warmth and honest affection, and it is these traits make Netiv Aryeh the unique and special place that it is.

The Netiv Aryeh experience does not end with a student’s return to chutz la’aretz because Netiv Aryeh is a place where Torah Judaism is the linchpin of day-to-day life, thriving not only within its walls but also within the hearts of its alumni.

To this end, the yeshiva is proud to have on its staff a Director of Alumni Affairs whose job it is to continue the personal concern and professional caring that is the hallmark of our yeshiva. Whereas most alumni affairs offices focus on matters of fundraising and finances, our office is primarily occupied with providing services.

Rabbi Dr. John Krug, a clinical psychologist and himself an alumnus of the yeshiva, is based in the New York City area, primarily at Yeshiva University. He spends his time with both individuals and groups of our alumni. He can be seen on the YU campus at unusual hours sitting with students, handling a near-crisis situation, clarifying vocational concerns, assisting in interpersonal relationship skills development, running a chug or just providing a ready ear, soft shoulder, willing hand and understanding heart.

“My position with the yeshiva is a practical manifestation and application of Rav Bina’s philosophy and pedagogy that we are all family. And, caring for family extends to each and every member of the family. A student’s association and affiliation with our yeshiva does not terminate – and we attempt to seek and nurture life-long life-lines with each of our alumni,” says Dr. Krug.

Dr. Krug believes that the transition from the time spent in Israel to a university campus is a time of tumultuous transition. “Suddenly thrust into a world with demands and rigors, schedules and assignments, midterms and finals, projects and papers presents, at the very least, a challenge of change, and, in some cases, provokes turbulent transformation,” claims Dr. Krug. “You no longer look out the windows and see The Kotel. You’re no longer physically present at the spiritual heart and soul of our people. You no longer glance over, while in the beit midrash and behold a Rav Neventzhal or a Rav Katz, who by virtue of their presence and existence, serve as role models and motivators.”

Dr. Krug spends several nights a week working with the students. Once a month there is some form of get-together for our alumni. It might be a chug, a shiur, a lecture, a special program (such as for Chanuakh, Purim, Yom Hashoa, Yom Yerushalayim, etc.) a visiting “rahm” or a kumsitz that will bring dozens of our alumni out for an evening. Lectures may focus on study skills techniques, managing time and resources, dating ethics, parenting skills or a host of other relevant topics. Much time is devoted to one-on-one sessions with students who seek advice and counsel on a myriad of topics: personal and interpersonal, social and vocational, religious and spiritual. “No day goes by without contact with our students. What an honor it is for me to be, and remain, a part of people’s lives,” reiterated Dr. Krug, during a recent interview.

Rabbi Krug attempts to visit the yeshiva several times a year, not only to “recharge his own batteries,” but to develop a kesher with the students before they leave the yeshiva to return to chutz la’aretz. In this way, Dr. Krug is able to continue, rather than begin, a relationship with the alumni.

In addition to Dr. Krug, the yeshiva has others on staff, based at Yeshiva University, to assist our students. This provides the opportunity for a team-based approach to meet alumni needs.

In addition to his responsibilities to Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh, Rabbi Dr. John Krug is also the Dean of Student Life and Welfare at The Frisch Yeshiva High School in Paramus, NJ, serves as an adjunct professor in two of Yeshiva University’s graduate schools and maintains a small private practice in clinical psychology.

He holds undergraduate degrees in psychology and speech/drama, Masters Degrees in both Jewish Education and psychology, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Bar Ilan University in Israel, where he also served as an adjunct professor. His doctoral dissertation, “Empty Nest Syndrome Among Holocaust Survivors” was the culmination of years of study on that population and added significantly to the understanding of the survivor population. His master’s thesis was on, “Psychopathology and Nomenclature in Biblical Literature and Talmudic Lore.” He received his smicha from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.

In addition, Dr. Krug was the Assistant Producer of the off-Broadway show, The Fantasticks, the longest-running show in American theatrical history, having served twenty-nine years in that position, until the show’s closing in January 2002. He has more than 250 professional credits in theater, film and television, and has written and produced dozens of programs and films for Jewish education. He continues to do consulting for Jewish-themed and Jewish-oriented professional productions.

For the past thirty years he has been most active in informal Jewish education, and has authored such articles as “Set The Stage For Jewish Education” and “The Use of Creative and Theatrical Techniques in Informal Jewish Education.” He has produced more than two dozen source books for various schools and programs. For five of the six past summers, as he did three times in the mid-1970’s, Rabbi Krug has been spending his summers “Down Under” and coordinating the ATID program for The Liebler-Yavneh College in Melbourne, Australia.

All these talents Rabbi Krug gladly brings to the yeshiva. Rav Bina and Dr. Krug eagerly welcome and encourage any one of our alumni to contact our Office of Almuni Affiars, and “to stay in touch.” The yeshiva maintains an exclusive telephone number for direct access to Dr. Krug. He can be reached in the New York office by calling 201-441-4108.