Nesanel Quinn

Nesanel Quinn HaKohen (1910 – February 7, 2005) was the renowned menahel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas for over almost eighty years. Rabbi Nesanel’s parents, Reb Zalman Pinchas and Devorah Miriam Quinn, were neighbors to the Rogatchover Gaon in Dvinsk , Lithuania . The couple was childless for 10 years, whereupon following the advice of Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn of Lubavitch , they moved to America . There they birthed five children, and Mrs. Quinn merited to live to the age of 111 years old. [1] Rabbi Quinn learned as a youngster in Torah Vodaas under the tutelage of Reb Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz , of whom he is a principal student. Reb Mendlowitz is reputed to have remarked to Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman about Rabbi Quinn that "He is my greatest and closest talmid (student) in America". Rabbi Quinn was a student in the first class taught by Reb Mendelowitz. [2] Rabbi Nesanel was also a student of Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz , Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaas. After Rabbi Leibowitz left Torah Vodaas to start his own Yeshiva, Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yisrael Meir HaKohen , Rabbi Nesanel Quinn was left in charge of Torah Vodaas, along with Rabbi Gedalia Schorr . [3] In 1965, Rabbi Quinn established, along with Rabbi Zelig Epstein , Camp Ohr shraga , which remained the home of many American Gedolim during the sumer months. [4] Rabbi Quinn is known as an educator par excellence who felt the need to educate his students wholly. He had a deep emotional bond to his religious convictions. Rabbi Quinn is also famous for his compassionate character, treating like his orphaned students like his own children.¹