
Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary traces its roots to a Los Angeles yeshiva established by Rabbi Simcha Wasserman in the 1950s. "Ohr Elchonon" honors his father, Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman; the institution's present name also identifies its Chabad affiliation.
Its history matters to applicants because this is a specialized religious institution, not a general-purpose college that added Jewish studies as one department. Prospective students comparing historical accounts with current admissions materials should confirm which programs and credentials are offered by the accredited seminary today.
The seminary's academic focus is Jewish religious study, particularly Talmudic and related textual learning. Applicants should expect a specialized yeshiva curriculum rather than a selection of conventional undergraduate colleges and majors.
Its small teaching staff - 11 full-time and eight part-time faculty members in the reported institutional figures - also makes the academic organization different from that of a large university. Before applying, students should obtain the current catalog to check the precise credential offered, required courses, language expectations, academic calendar, and whether their intended course of study is degree-seeking. A religious studies program classification alone does not establish that every course leads to a particular degree.
Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary is in Los Angeles, California. Its urban location gives students access to a large metropolitan area, but travel time and expense can vary considerably across Los Angeles.
Students planning to commute should check the campus address against their likely route rather than assume that a short distance will mean a short trip. Those relocating should consider access to housing, kosher food, religious community resources, and transportation when comparing neighborhoods. Los Angeles International Airport is a practical regional airport for students traveling from farther away.
The seminary's educational identity centers on advanced Jewish learning within the Chabad tradition. That religious orientation is a central consideration for applicants: it shapes the subject matter and likely the rhythm of study and community life.
Students should distinguish the institution's stated educational purpose from a promise of a particular career outcome. A useful question for admissions staff is how the current program balances textual study, religious formation, general education requirements, and preparation for further study or communal work.
Name of the institution
Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical SeminaryLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
Only MenCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1953Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary is institutionally accredited by the Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Bachelor's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.