A previously unpublished photo of the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Otvotzk (Otwock), showing the central yeshiva in the summer of 5699 (1939) just before the outbreak of World War II, was uncovered last week. It was published in the Teshura of the Caytak-Lowenthal wedding.

Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Otvotzk was founded in the summer of 5695 (1935) when the Frierdiker Rebbe moved from Warsaw to the nearby town of Otwock, bringing with him the central Tomchei Temimim yeshiva.

The yeshiva was housed in a three-story building at 1 Słowackiego Street, and in addition to the main building, several smaller buildings were rented for student dormitories. Hundreds of bochurim studied there, and by 5699 (1939), approximately 400 bochurim were enrolled.

As the yeshiva grew, in 5668 (1937), the Frierdiker Rebbe arranged a special fundraising campaign among Anash in Eretz Yisrael and the United States to purchase an additional building for the yeshiva. The building was expensive, and the funds raised turned out to be insufficient.

Soon after, World War II broke out, the yeshiva was dispersed, and most of the bochurim tragically perished in the Holocaust, HYD.

Do you recognize the bochurim in the photo? Please share their names in the comments below.