RABBI AVI WEISS, FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Rabbi Avi Weiss founded YCT in 1999.  He is Senior Rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, a modern and Open Orthodox congregation of 850 families in Bronx, NY. Rabbi Weiss is the National President of the AMCHA – the Coalition for Jewish Concerns, a grassroots organization that speaks out for Jewish causes throughout the world.  He has authored two books: "Women at Prayer: A Halakhic Analysis of Women’s Prayer Groups" and "Principles of Spiritual Activism."

RABBI DOV LINZER, ROSH HAYESHIVA & DEAN

Rabbi Linzer studied for many years at Yeshivat Har Etzion, was a member of Yeshiva University’s Gruss Kollel Elyon, and received his ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate. He is a recipient of the Javits Graduate fellowship, and a doctoral candidate in Religion at Columbia University. Rabbi Linzer headed the Boca Raton Kollel for the first two-and-a-half years of its existence, giving classes to the rabbis of the Kollel, and lecturing throughout the South Florida communities. He has published Halakha and machshava articles in Torah journals and lectures widely at synagogues and conferences on topics relating to Halakha, Orthodoxy, and modernity. Rabbi Linzer spearheaded the development of the YCT Rabbinical School curriculum into an innovative four year semikha program which provides its students with rigorous halakhic study and sophisticated professional training in the context of a religious atmosphere which cultivates openness and inclusiveness. In addition to overseeing the Yeshiva's Torah curriculum, he teaches advanced Halakha in a broad range of areas across all four sections of the Shulchan Aruch – including Kashrut, Ishut and Niddah, and Shabbat and Eruvin. Rabbi Linzer teaches advanced classes in Talmud and a year-long class in Contemporary Challenges of Modern Orthodoxy.

MATI FRIEDMAN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Mati Friedman has many years of experience in finance and administration in nonprofit organizations and in the private sector.  A certified public accountant, she graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in accounting from Brooklyn College.  Her work experience includes positions in organizations as diverse as the Metropolitan Opera and Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School. In a volunteer capacity, Mati has been involved in many institutions and has served on the boards of Sinai Schools, the Teaneck Baseball Organization, and Torah Academy of Bergen County, where she was a vice president on the executive board.  Mati and her husband, Aaron, live in Teaneck, New Jersey, and are active members of Congregation Rinat Yisrael.

RABBI YSOSCHER KATZ, DIRECTOR OF BEIT MIDRASH PROGRAM

Rabbi Ysoscher Katz received ordination in 1986 from Rabbi Roth, dayan of UTA Satmer. Rabbi Katz studied in Brisk and in Yeshivat Beit Yosef, Navaradok for over ten years. A graduate of the HaSha'ar Program for Jewish Educators, Rabbi Katz has taught at the Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls and SAR High School.  He was a leading teacher of a daf yomi class in Boro Park for over eight years.

RUTHIE STROSBERG SIMON, DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT

Ruthie Strosberg Simon holds a Master's Degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew College in Newton, MA.   Born and raised in Schenectady, NY, Ruthie graduated from Union College with a B.A. in Russian and Spanish languages.  Ruthie joined YCT in 2005.

 
ALLISON BATALION, ACADEMIC COORDINATOR

Allison holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland.  Prior to joining YCT, Allison worked for several years as a Development Associate at American Friends of The Hebrew University and as a Campaign Associate for the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest in Whippany, NJ. She also worked as a student teacher for the Highly Gifted & Talented at Charles Drew Elementary School and as a Religious School teacher at the Mishkan Torah Karp Family School, both schools in Maryland.

DR. MICHELLE FRIEDMAN, CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF PASTORAL COUNSELING

Dr. Michelle Friedman is the Founder and Chair of the Department of Pastoral Counseling at YCT.  She received an MD from the NYU School of Medicine and has completed advanced training at the Columbia University Psychoanalytic Center for Training and Research. Dr. Friedman is a highly respected psychiatrist who focuses on the Jewish community and has a special interest in the rabbinate and pastoral counseling. In addition to her private practice and her role at YCT, Dr. Friedman is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.

 
RABBI NATHANIEL HELFGOT, CHAIR, DEPARTMENTS OF BIBLE AND JEWISH THOUGHT / DIRECTOR OF CONTINUING RABBINIC EDUCATION

Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot is Chair of Departments of Bible and Jewish Thought and Director of Continuing Rabbinic Education at YCT.  He was previously Director of the Judaic Studies Curriculum at Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls. Ordained by RIETS and a recipient of the Jerusalem Fellowship, Rabbi Helfgot holds an MA in Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Yeshiva University.  He has authored dozens of essays in Hebrew and English, serves as co-editor of the Hebrew journal Or HaMizrach and most recently served as editor of the volume "Community, Covenant and Commitment: Selected Letters and Communications of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik." He is also a faculty member of the Wexner Foundation Heritage program.

RABBI YAACOV LOVE, CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF HALAKHA

Rabbi Yaacov Love is the Chair of the Department of Halakha at YCT.  He has studied at Yeshiva Netzach Yisrael under Harav Yisrael Gustman, z"l. He received Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin ordinations from noted rabbis and dayanim in Israel. Rabbi Love taught at Shappel Institute and Machon Pardes and at Bruriah High School in New Jersey. He also completed course work for the MA/PhD program in Talmud at Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

 
RABBI CHAIM MARDER, CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL RABBINICS

Rabbi Chaim Marder is Chair of YCT's Department of Professional Rabbinics.  He has served as Rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of White Plains since 1995. He is a graduate of Yeshiva University, holds an MA in Jewish History and received rabbinical ordination from RIETS. He is a former office and a member of the executive board of the Rabbinical Council of America and other rabbinic and communal organizations.
 

LIBI ADLER, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR

Libi Adler has a Bachelor's Degree in Communications with a minor in Art History from the University of Maryland-College Park. Born in Tel Aviv, she grew up in St. Louis, MO. Prior to joining YCT, Libi was the Program Associate at the Jewish Book Council.

 
NOYA LAVIE, SENIOR DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Noya Lavie previously worked as Synagogue Manager at Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation in Chicago. She has a Master's of Science in Nonprofit Management; Concentration in Fundraising from Spertus College and a BA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

GILA ROMANOFF, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Gila Romanoff is from Elizabeth, NJ. She is a recent graduate of Stern College where she earned a BA in Studio Art. In her spare time, Gila bakes fabulous cakes and is hoping one day to attend culinary school.

RABBI ARI HART, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT

Ari grew up in Madrid, Spain, and Chicago, IL. He received a BA in Music Theory and Composition from Grinnell College. He is a founder of both Uri L'Tzedek and the Jewish-Muslim Volunteer Alliance. Ari served as a rabbinic intern at the Yale University Slifka Center for Jewish Life and the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. He is now the Assistant Rabbi at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale - The Bayit and lives in Riverdale with his wife, Becca.