Founder and Rabbi, Prospect Heights Shul, Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Aaron Finkelstein recently moved to Brooklyn to serve as the founding rabbi of the Prospect Heights Shul. A native of Berkeley, CA., Rabbi Finkelstein attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he studied Political Science and Jewish and Islamic Near Eastern Studies. After time in multiple yeshivot [seminaries] in Israel, Rabbi Finkelstein moved to New York to begin his study for smeikha [rabbinic ordination] at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School (YCT).

During his rabbinical studies, Rabbi Finkelstein worked with Jewish youth in California, on March of the Living, and at Camp Szarvas in Hungary. He participated in ecumenical delegations to Ghana and Israel, and trained as a chaplain at Roosevelt Hospital. Rabbi Finkelstein also served as a rabbinic intern at Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah in Potomac, Maryland, at Hunter College, at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale and the Beatman Counseling Center. Rabbi Finkelstein is passionate about teaching midrash, parsha, and halakha and connecting these timeless texts to our modern lives. He is excited to build a vibrant and diverse community in Brooklyn!

Please feel free to contact Rabbi Finkelstein to attend his classes, or meet with him for a cup of coffee.

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Website: ProspectHeightsshul.org

Education Coordinator at the New Israel Fund, Assistant Rabbi at the Tel Aviv International Synagogue, Tel Aviv, Israel

Joshua Frankel is an alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion’s hesder program and holds a BA in Economics from Hebrew University. Joshua held internships at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale and the New Israel Fund, taught in diverse synagogue and community settings, and had the opportunity to explore questions of pluralism and community with Jews of all denominations, Protestant seminarians, Catholic clergy, and Muslim leaders across America and abroad.

Resident, Clinical Pastoral Education, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA 

Avi Rosenfeld graduated with a BA in Jewish Studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. Avi spent many years in Israel, learning at Yeshivat Bat Ayin and The Hebrew University and working for the Livnot U'Lehibanot and Isralight programs. While at YCT, he interned at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, Brown University Hillel, The Sixth Street Community Synagogue in the East Village and Beth David Synagogue in West Hartford, CT.

Jewish Educator, Hillel Montreal, Montreal, Canada

Benjamin Vago received his BA in Political Science from Yeshiva University. He studied for several years in Israel at various institutions including Yeshivat Hakotel, Bar Ilan University and The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. Ben interned at Anshe Shalom B'nai Israel Congregation in Chicago and then served as Rabbinic Fellow at the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU.

Daniel Vinik hails from Long Beach, NY, and spent several years in Israel learning in Rabbi Chaim Brovender's yeshiva and at Machon Herzog Teacher's College. While at YCT, he held internships teaching at the University of Chicago Hillel and the Marsha Stern Talmudic Academy in Washington Heights.

Assistant Director of Education and Religious Life, University of Michigan Hillel, Ann Arbor, MI

Seth Winberg of Vancouver, Canada, received a BA from York University
and an MA from Yeshiva University. While studying at YCT, he completed 400 hours of supervised hospital chaplaincy training, and interned at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Paramus, NJ, and at Congregation Ramath Orah in Manhattan.

Rabbi, Knesseth Israel Congregation, Birmingham, Alabama

Eytan Yammer grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey. Following high school, he went to Israel and learned at Beit Medrash L’Torah and served in the IDF. Upon returning to the U.S., he attended Rutgers University where he studied mathematics and marine biology and met his wife, Marisa. Eytan and Marisa served as the youth directors for the Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center in Livingston, NJ, for four years. Upon his arrival at YCT they moved to White Plains where Eytan became the Youth Rabbi at the Hebrew Institute of White Plains.

Co-Director and Director, Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel, New York, NY

Mishael Zion was born and raised in Jerusalem. He studied at Yeshivat Maale Gilboa and served for three years in the IDF. He is co-author of the best-selling Israeli Haggadah "HaLaila HaZeh" (2004) and of "A Night to Remember: The Haggadah of Contemporary Voices" (2007).  Mishael earned his BA in Jewish Thought at The Hebrew University and taught Talmud at the Hartman's Boys High School. He has served on the faculty of the Hartman Institute and Pardes in Jerusalem and the Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning in New York and was a Scholar at the NYU Law School Tikvah Center for Law and Jewish Civilization.

Limudei Kodesh Faculty, Akiva Hebrew Day School, Southfield, MI

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Stephen Belsky is a graduate of the Yeshiva of Flatbush, the State University of New York at Binghamton, and the Educators Program of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.  While at YCT, he held internships at Beth David Synagogue in West Hartford, Connecticut, and the International Rabbinic Fellowship.  Before starting semikha, Stephen taught at the Schechter high school in Teaneck, New Jersey, and after ordination, he returned to education, teaching Jewish Studies in the middle and high school divisions of Yeshivat Akiva in Southfield, Michigan.  In addition to classroom teaching, Stephen has taught and lectured both in his local community and in synagogues across the eastern United States.

Faculty, American Jewish University, Los Angeles, CA

Yehuda was born and raised in southern California. After high school, he spent one year studying at Bar-Ilan University. Following Bar-Ilan, Yehuda attended Brandeis University, graduating with a BA and an MA in Modern Jewish History and Thought. Yehuda was inspired to join YCT by friends who were then students at the yeshiva, as their passion was truly inspiring. While at YCT, Yehuda has held internships at B’nai David-Judea Congregation and Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He also taught a weekly Talmud class at the Conservative Synagogue of Fifth Avenue. Yehuda and his wife, Aliza, are active members of the Los Angeles community.                                                          

Rabbi, Kingsbridge Center of Israel / Limudei Kodesh Faculty, SAR High School, Riverdale, NY

Davidi was born and raised in Riverdale, New York. He attended SAR Academy, The Frisch School, and spent a year studying at Yeshivat Reishit in Israel. While studying for the rabbinate at YCT, Davidi also taught Daf Yomi shiurim. His internships have included Chabad of Dobbs Ferry, Kehillat Chovevei Tzion in Scarsdale, and the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale.

Campus Rabbi, Washington University Hillel, St. Louis, MI

Andy was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and studied at Indiana University where he received a BA in Jewish Studies and Religious Studies. After university, Andy moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he worked for Hillel before traveling to Jerusalem to study at Machon Pardes. While at YCT, Andy interned at Beth Tfiloh High School in Baltimore and The Hebrew Institute of White Plains, and has served as the Director of the Jewish Youth Encounter Program at The Bayit, The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale.

Why Andy became a rabbi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vOPgtAoxIs

Assistant Rabbi, Congregation Sherith Israel/ Campus Rabbi, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Dan is originally from West Orange, New Jersey. After majoring in Judaic Studies at SUNY Binghamton, he served as the Youth Department Supervisor at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth County. His professional experiences include internships at Rabbis Without Borders, CLAL, and Congregation Shearith Israel in Nashville, Tennessee. He has also worked as an instructor for the 92nd Street Y’s Derekh Torah program and served as the chair of the Research Committee for Fuel For Truth, a non-profit dedicated to educating young Americans about Israel and the Middle East.

Why Dan became a rabbi:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITWPIL0pNlw

Associate Rabbi, Beth Tfiloh Congregation, Baltimore, MD

Rabbi Chai Posner is Associate Rabbi of Beth Tfiloh Congregation in Baltimore, MD.  Beth Tfiloh is the largest Modern Orthodox Synagogue in America, with over 1,300 members representing a wide range of religious observance. Rabbi Posner also teaches Talmud and Theology in the Judaic Studies department of the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Commmunity High School, which is recognized as one of the top college preparatory Jewish day schools in the country. Before joining Beth Tfiloh, Rabbi Posner served as a rabbinic intern with the Beth David Synagogue in West Hartford, Connecticut and Kingsway Jewish Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he gave sermons, taught adult education classes,  and ran youth programs. He developed his interest in teaching and working with children through his years at the Flatbush Park Jewish Center Camp, where he served in a variety of capacities, including Division Head, Sports Director and Head of Judaic Studies. Rabbi Posner received his Smicha (rabbinic ordination) from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York, founded by Rabbi Avi Weiss; he holds a B.A. in Judaic Studies from Brooklyn College and attended Yeshivot in Israel. Rabbi Posner’s skills and interests include reading Torah and all Megillot, leading services, spending time with his family, and playing baseball and basketball.   He currently lives in Pikesville, MD, with his wife, Rachel, and his two sons, Roni and Eliram.

Why Chai became a rabbi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fULnBIHKT-8

Senior Rabbi, Cedar Sinai Synagogue, Director of Jewish Life and Culture, Mandel JCC, Cleveland, OH

Since arriving in Cleveland, Zach's leadership has led to a revitalization of Cedar Sinai Synagogue. Over 70 new member families have joined the shul, and there has been a series of dynamic programs that have engaged the entire Cleveland Jewish community. In addition to his work at the synagogue, Zach also teaches in a variety of adult education settings including the Torat Tzion Kollel and The Alvin and Laura Siegal College of Jewish Studies. At the Mandel JCC, he is working to develop programs that bring  a broad segment of the Jewish community together and empower all Jews to deepen their connection to Judaism. Zach is originally from Sharon, Massachusetts and attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he received a BS in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. After college, Zach worked as an engineer before moving to Jerusalem to dedicate himself to full time Torah study. While in Israel, he studied and taught at Machon Pardes and received semikha from HaRav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg. Zach continued with his studies at YCT to pursue an additional semikha and professional training. He and his wife, Jennifer, have to boys, Nahum and Elihai.

Director, Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Akiva studied at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and the Bar Ilan University and Kollel program in Israel. He continued his studies in New York at Touro College, graduating magna cum laude with a BA in Psychology. After beginning his semikha studies at Yeshiva University, Akiva left to pursue his lifelong dream of joining the Israeli Army.  Following completion of his army service, he returned to the States and taught Judaic Studies at the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Director of Jewish Life & Senior Jewish Educator, UCLA Hillel, Los Angeles, CA

Shmuly is the Founder and President of Uri L’Tzedek, the Orthodox Social Justice Organization, and a Wexner Graduate Fellow. He studied at the University of Texas as an undergraduate and at Harvard University for a Masters in Leadership and Psychology, and he completed a second Masters degree in Jewish Philosophy at Yeshiva University.  While at YCT, Shmuly began working on his doctorate in Moral Development and Epistemology at Columbia University. He has served as a rabbinic intern for congregations in Montreal, Connecticut, Boston, and Florida and has taught as a scholar-in-residence for over twenty organizations. Shmuly was featured in a PBS documentary, “The Calling,” about the training of religious leadership, released in 2010. Shmuly and his wife, Shoshana, live in Los Angeles.

Why Shmuly became a rabbi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AslvFwJ71A

Rabbi, Congregation Ahavath Israel of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York

Maurice was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. After high school, he spent a year in Israel learning at Yeshivat Ohr Hadarom in Rehovot. Maurice spent time at Rutgers University and graduated from Brooklyn College with a BA in Sociology. He has been involved in Yachad - The National Jewish Council for Disabilities and he led a summer teen tour to Israel. While studying at YCT, Maurice has interned at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Paramus, NJ and at the Abraham Joshua Heschel High School in Manhattan. He and his wife, Rebeccah, have a little girl, Helen.               

Senior Jewish Educator, Ohio State University Hillel, Columbus, OH

Ben was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He received a BA in Politics from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Before coming to YCT, he was a Steinhardt JCSC Fellow at Cornell University Hillel and subsequent to that, the Program Director at University of Michigan Hillel. He has served as a rabbinic intern at Congregation Kesher of Tenafly and Englewood, NJ, as well as at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. Ben has also worked closely with Rabbi Irving Greenberg, Director of the Limdu Heitev Religious Leadership Initiative, and has spearheaded an archival project of the rabbi’s recorded lectures. Ben is married to Rachel Weiss-Berger and together they have two daughters, Tovah and Avital.   

Music Program Coordinator/Support Program Talmud Instructor, SAR High School, Riverdale, NY

Kenny grew up in Brooklyn, NY. He received his BA from QueensCollege, CUNY where he majored in music education. In addition to studying at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, Kenny completed his MA at Teachers College, Columbia University. Last year he was a rabbinic intern at Congregation Beit Avraham in Bethlehem, PA and this year he is serving as a rabbinic intern at Kehilat Rayim Ahuvim on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.              

Rabbi, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale - The Bayit, Riverdale, NY

Steven grew up in Baltimore, MD, and attended Beth Tfiloh Community School from kindergarten through high school. He studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion before attending Brandeis University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Biology. He received an MA in Bible from Bernard Revel Graduate School and studied in the Yeshiva University Beit Midrash and Yeshivat Maale Gilboa. While at YCT as a Wexner Graduate Fellow, he interned at Sons of Israel in Yonkers, NY, Kehilat Chovevei Tzion in Scarsdale, NY, United Orthodox Synagogues in Houston, TX, and led the Meorot University Fellowships for two years. http://www.hir.org/                                         

Jewish Chaplain, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom

Daniel was born in Montrose, NY and graduated from UMass Amherst, where he met his wife, Hannah. Following graduation, Daniel learned at Yeshivat Darchei Noam, worked for the National Jewish Outreach Program and then began his rabbinical studies at YCT. A highlight of Daniel’s career as a rabbinical student included facilitating and participating in various social action programs all over the world. Daniel also makes it a priority to engage with other movements and faiths. He was honored with the Irving Weinstein Memorial Award for the Advancement of Interdenominational Cooperation. He has worked with children in diverse settings, which have included camp, Hebrew school, Shabbat groups and private tutoring. Daniel has held rabbinic internships at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Congregation Bais Abraham in St. Louis, Beth Israel Medical Center and New York University. Daniel and Hannah are working in the United Kingdom as Jewish Chaplains at Oxford University.

Orthodox Jewish Chaplain of Harvard University/Orthodox Rabbi of Harvard Hillel/Co-Director of the Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Rabbi Ben Greenberg is the Orthodox Rabbi at Harvard Hillel, Co-Director of the Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC) at Harvard, a partnership program between the Orthodox Union and Harvard Hillel and Jewish Chaplain of Harvard University. Rabbi Greenberg offers regular formal and informal Jewish learning opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students and community members and serves as a pastoral resource for the Harvard community. In addition, Rabbi Greenberg has the privilege of serving as a member of the Executive Committee of the Harvard Chaplains. He has lectured throughout the Greater Boston area including for the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, LimmudBoston, the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts and a variety of civic and religious organizations. Rabbi Greenberg is the author of two books, Twitter Torah: Thoughts on the Hebrew Bible in 140 Characters or Less and Covenantal Promise and Destiny: Wisdom for Life, among many other popular and scholarly articles and blogs regularly at bengreenberg.org. He is married to Sharon Weiss-Greenberg and together with their son Yehuda live in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Rabbi, Southern California Jewish Student Services, Long Beach, CA

Originally from Gahanna, OH, Drew is presently serving as the rabbi & director for Southern California Jewish Student Services.  In this capacity, he serves as the rabbi for Long Beach Hillel and works with other southern California Hillels.  He has served as the educational director for Jewlicious Festival 6.0 & 7.0 as well as organizing area-wide Hillel leadership programs and Jewish learning events.  In the summer of 2011, he served as a Judaic Educator at BBYO’s International Leadership Training Conference.  In 2011-2012, Drew is among the third cohort in Clal’s Rabbis Without Borders Fellowship. Before attending YCT, he earned his BA in Jewish Studies from Indiana University and also studied at Yeshiva University, Ohio State University and Ohr Somayach. Drew entered YCT as a member of the inaugural class of the Beit Midrash Program. While attending YCT, he completed rabbinic internships at Beth David Synagogue in West Hartford, CT and at the Center for Modern Torah Leadership in Boston. Drew is married to Rachel Scheier and enjoys spending time with his daughters.

http://socaljss.org

Faculty, Ann and Nate Levine Hebrew Academy, Dallas, TX

Michael, a native of Farmington Hills, MI, received his BA in History with a minor in Judaic Studies from the University of Michigan. Following graduation, he learned for two years in Israel at Yeshivas Ohr Sameach and Yeshivat Hamivtar. Michael has taught and lectured at Kollel Moshe of Congregation B'nai Moshe, the Frankel Jewish Academy in Detroit, and for the National Jewish Outreach Program. While studying for semikha, Michael also completed his MA in Talmud at Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate School. 

Judaic Studies Faculty, Abraham Joshua Heschel High School, New York, NY

Benji was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He spent two years studying at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Israel and received his BA in English Literature and Fine Arts from Yeshiva University. Benji also served as a combat infantry soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, and has led and taught Jewish high school students on trips to Poland and Israel. While at YCT, Benji served as a rabbinic intern at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Connecticut and at the Hebrew Home for the Aged in Riverdale. At the Heschel High School, Benji teaches Talmud, Tanakh, and Jewish Ethics. He also facilitates a daily tefillah group that incorporates creative arts into prayer practice. He currently lives in New Rochelle, NY with his wife, Atara, and their daughters, Avielle, Hila, and Revaya. 

Faculty, New Community Jewish High School, Los Angeles, CA

Devin is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles with a degree in the Study of Religion and a recipient of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship. The four years he has spent at YCT have been profoundly enriching and have given him the opportunity to work with communities in Maine, New York, Tennessee and California. He and his wife, Pamela,  have two children, Oliver and Elinor. 

Chicago, Illinois

Eric grew up in Newton, MA. He received his BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago, his MA in Jewish Education from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a Certificate of Advanced Jewish Studies from the Pardes Institute of Jerusalem. Before coming to YCT, he taught Talmud at Chicagoland Jewish High School. While at YCT, Eric has worked at the Abraham Joshua Heschel Middle School in New York and at Akiba-Schechter in Chicago. Eric will continue to work in education and intends to run a multidenominational high school. Before his current position, he taught at the Solomon Schecter School in Skokie. Eric lives in Chicago with his wife, Jillian, and his son, Joshua.

Rabbi, Bnei Torah, Greater Springfield, MA

After completing a year of study at Yeshivat Hamivtar in Israel, an Urban Studies BA at Harvard, and concurrent Jewish youth work, Max plunged into YCT with fervent aspirations to "do good." He has since completed coursework for an MA in Jewish Education at Azrieli Graduate School and enjoyed rabbinical internships at Ohev Shalom in Washington, D.C., Beth Israel, Berkeley, and Riker's Island Detention Center. Before his position in Massachusetts, Max was the Rabbinic Educator at Cong. Beth Israel and a Judaic Faculty member at Oakland Hebrew Day School in Berkeley, CA.

High School Principal, Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, Baltimore, MD

Rabbi Frank has been at Beth Tfiloh since 2001, serving as Lower School Principal until 2009, and currently serving as High School Principal.  He is a graduate of the Jerusalem Fellows program at the Mandel Leadership Institute in Jerusalem as well as of the Principals' Center at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Rabbi Frank currently serves on the boards of the International Rabbinic Fellowship and of Kehilat Netivot Shalom, an Open Orthodox congregation in Baltimore.  He served as Associate Rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale under the mentorship of Rabbi Avi Weiss from 1996 until 2000.  He received semikha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and from Rabbi David Weiss Halivni. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Michigan and an M.S. from Columbia University School of Social Work. Since 2001, Rabbi Frank has served as a High Holidays rabbi at Beth Sholom Congregation in Potomac, Maryland. Rabbi Frank is married to Laura Shaw Frank. They have four children: Ateret, Yanniv, Elinadav and Neri.
www.btfiloh.org

Director of Pastoral Care, Englewood Hospital, Englewood, NJ

Charlie is a product of Dov Revel Yeshiva, the Ramaz School, and Beit Midrash L'torah (BMT) in Givat Mordechai, Yerushalayim and holds a BA in Hebrew and Judaic Studies from New York University. For many years prior to applying to YCT, Charles worked alongside his father and brother in their family business, Gibraltar PlasticsCorp. As the factory reached the end of its thirty-year run, Charlie found himself at a crossroads. Upon entering YCT, Charles felt a sense of homecoming: he found a synthesis of musar avikha, his father's dedication to synagogue life, and Torat emehkha, his mother's convictions regarding feminism and social justice. Charlie was the Resident Chaplain at the Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, CT.

Assistant Rabbi, Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, New York, NY

Alexander studied in Yeshivat Har Etzion in Israel before graduating from the University of Cambridge with a BA (First Class Honors) and later an MPhil in Historical Studies. He studied at RIETS before joining Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and has been pursuing a PhD in Jewish History at Columbia University.  Alexander is the recipient of numerous fellowships and awards including the Arts and Humanities Research Board Fellowship from the British Government and the Richard Hofstadter Faculty Fellowship from Columbia University. He has served rabbinic internships under Rabbi Marc Angel at the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals and under Rabbi Daniel Wolff at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Paramus. Alexander was also an Adjunct Professor at Stern College and a history teacher at SAR High School. He is currently a Fellow at Cardozo Law School's Center for Jewish Law and Contemporary Civilization. His PhD dissertation is an intellectual history of the Chief Rabbinate of Mandate Palestine and Israel.
www.ckj.org

Chaplain, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel

After receiving his semikha from YCT, Mike was a Resident Chaplain at New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell in New York City. As soon as he finished his training, he and Rachael made aliyah to Karmiel, in the Galil, where they helped found Kehilat Ohel Avraham. Mike is now serving as Chaplain at Rambam, as supervisor for pastoral care at Herzog Hospital, in Jerusalem, and as an instructor in the Zimrat Yah spiritual care training program for native Russian speakers. Mike is currently in training to become an Israeli CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) Supervisor, as part of the first group of Israeli trainees. He is playing an active role in developing the field of chaplaincy in Israel, serving on the national committees for Research and for Professionalization of the Network of Spiritual Care Organizations in Israel.
www.rambam.org.il

Rabbi, Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah, Baltimore, MD

Yerachmiel was raised in Northbrook, IL where he starred on the Glenbrook North football team.  He spent time learning torah at Skokie Yeshiva, Yeshivat Hakotel, and Isralight. Yerachmiel received his BA from Brandeis University, where he majored in Psychology and Near Eastern Judaic Studies.  He chose to attend Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School after meeting and being deeply inspired by Rabbi Avi Weiss.  After finishing his studies at YCT, Yerachmiel became the rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom in Red Bank, NJ.  During his 2 years at Beth Shalom, he was able to double the shul’s membership.  More importantly, he served and inspired hundreds of Jews living on the Jersey shore.  He introduced new programs such as the Red Bank Jewish Reggae Fest, the Shofar Blowing Contest, Latke Fest, and community Shabbat dinners.  In June of 2010, Yerachmiel became the rabbi of Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Congregation in Baltimore, MD.  The transition to a large shul was a welcome challenge and MMAE has flourished and grown under his leadership.  He is genuinely loved by his congregation, but even better, he absolutely loves them.

Yerachmiel was recently featured in the PBS documentary “The Calling”.

http://www.mmae.org/

Director, Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, Princeton, NJ

David, together with his wife Sara, are directors of the Orthodox Union's Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC) at Princeton University. As a JLIC rabbi, David provides halakhic guidance to undergraduate and graduate students as well as professors and other community members. David teaches shiurim and learns individually with students from the full range of educational backgrounds. The Wolkenfelds also host Shabbat and holiday meals in their home and provide mentorship to Jewish students of every denomination. As Princeton University’s contact person to ensure that Orthodox students’ religious needs are accommodated, David has worked closely with the administration to design an eruv that will include the campus and adjacent neighborhoods and promote the growth of the Jewish community. For the past three summers, David has been a member of the faculty at the Drisha Institute for Jewish Education in New York City.
In August 2009 and August 2011, David served as "summer rabbi" at New York's Lincoln Square Synagogue.  David has a BA in Intellectual History from Harvard University and has completed graduate level coursework in Jewish History at Yeshiva University’s Bernard Revel Graduate School. In addition to learning at YCT, David was a student for two years at Yeshivat Hamivtar and for one year at Yeshivat Har Etzion.

http://www.jliconline.org/campus/C41

Associate Rabbi, Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, Montreal, Canada

Yonah grew up in Teaneck, NJ. He studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Israel and received his BA in Psychology from Yeshiva University. After graduation, he returned to Israel and served in the IDF in a front-line tank unit, where he was awarded for his performance during training. During his time at YCT, Yonah has held rabbinic internships at CLAL, the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale, Beth David Congregation inWest Hartford, CT, Congregation Beth Sholom in Providence, RI, and BIAV Congregation in Overland Park, KS. http://www.shaarhashomayim.org/

Judaic Studies Faculty, Hartman Institute High School Program, Jerusalem, Israel 

Avidan grew up in Montreal, Quebec. After high school, he spent two years studying in Israel at Yeshivat Har Etzion, and received a BA from Yeshiva University. Avidan has been steadily involved in Bnei Akiva, the Religious Zionist youth movement, since high school, including working as National Programs Director and National Education Director in Bnei Akiva's national office. Avidan received an MA in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School and has been pursuing ordination with the Israeli Rabbinate along with his semikha at YCT. Prior to his current position, Avidan was a Limudei Kodesh Faculty member at SAR High School in Riverdale, NY.

Rabbi, Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh, Portland, ME

Akiva received his BA in Classical Languages from Yeshiva University, where he graduated magna cum laude. He received the Norman Palefski Award for most outstanding senior athlete-scholar, as well as the Bernard Floch Award for Classical Languages. Akiva holds an MA in History from Columbia University and he has also studied at Yeshivat Hamivtar in Efrat, Israel, the Goethe Institute in Berlin, Germany, and the American Language Institute in Fez, Morocco. While at YCT, Akiva worked as a student rabbi at the Jewish Home for the Elderly of Fairfield, CT,  interned at the Stanton Street Shul, NY, the Beth David Synagogue of West Hartford, CT, Congregation Shaarey Tephiloh of Portland, ME, and the Gann Academy in Waltham, MA. Akiva is a Wexner Graduate Fellow. http://www.mainesynagogue.org/

Co-Director, the Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus at Brandeis University and Advisor to the Orthodox Community, Waltham, MA

Elliot grew up in Livingston, NJ. After learning for a year in Israel at Yeshivat Sha'arei Mevasseret Zion, he attended Brandeis University, where he received a combined BA/MA in Jewish Studies and graduated magna cum laude. He wrote an honors thesis on the "Jewish Legal Decisions of Rabbis Ovadia Yosef and Moses Feinstein." Elliot was active in Brandeis Hillel and was president of the Brandeis Orthodox Organization. Prior to coming to YCT, he worked as the Iyyun Fellow at Hillel's International Center in Washington, DC, where he focused on developing curricular materials for Hillels across the country; coordinated the educational component of all Hillel conferences, and provided support for Hillel professionals in the field. While at YCT, Elliot interned at Congregation Beth Sholom in Providence, RI and Congregation Shaarei Tefillah in Newton, MA.
www.brandeishillel.org; www.jliconline.org; www.booweb.org

Senior Jewish Educator, UC Berkeley Hillel, Berkeley, CA

David was first drawn to Jewish life by growing up spending summers in Satmar and New Square Chassidic communities and was later re-inspired by his encounter with the Modern Orthodox community in Berkeley, CA. After college at Wesleyan University, he spent two years in Israel at Machon Shlomo in Jerusalem. He returned to the Bay Area and, at a friend's recommendation, began teaching for a pluralistic Jewish after-school program for high school students across denominational lines. It was this immensely gratifying experience which finally solidified his commitment to Jewish service and led him to pursue the rabbinate.
www.berkeleyhillel.org

Talmud Faculty, Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, Livingston, NJ

Benjamin grew up in Toronto, Canada and Southfield, MI. He received his BA and MFA at Columbia University where he has been an instructor of creative writing for the last eight years. During his years at YCT, he served as an intern at the Abraham Joshua Heschel High School in Manhattan and SAR High School in Riverdale.

Sorin was born and raised in Bucharest, Romania. He graduated the Politehnica University in Bucharest, with a Master's degree in Computer Science and Industrial Automation. As a teenager, Sorin became actively involved in the Jewish community, working as a volunteer and part-time employee of the Jewish Agency for Israel. He has taught at the Ronald S. Lauder School in Bucharest and eventually became the National Coordinator for the Talmud Torah Hebrew School Program at the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania. At the Federation, Sorin worked towards the establishment of the Pedagogical Center in Bucharest, and contributed to the development of diverse educational programs, as well as edited various religious and Jewish educational materials. http://www.dvartora.ro

Jerusalem, Israel

Akiva grew up in Albany, NY. He received his BA in History from Columbia College and spent his junior year abroad at Hebrew University, Yeshivat Hamivtar, and the Hartman Institute. After college, Akiva taught at Maimonides Day School in Boston, MA. Akiva then pursued a medical degree at SUNY Downstate Medical School, where he served as the President of the Maimonides Society. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center. While studying at YCT, Akiva worked at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan and interned at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. Akiva made aliyah to Hashmonaim with his wife, Sharon, and his three sons, Ezra, Elisha, and Avidan. 

Director, Uri L'Tzedek, New York, NY  

Ari is the Lead Professional of Uri L'Tzedek. Prior to Uri L'Tzedek, he was Co-Director of the Meorot University Fellowship and has served on the Judaic Studies Faculty of the Heschel School.  In the summer of 2006, Rabbi Weiss was a JCUA Rabbinical Student Fellow and interned at We The People Media, a Chicago based public housing advocacy group. He has served as a Jewish educator for American Jewish World Service, Bnei Akiva, and the Lauder Foundation on missions to Nicaragua, Ghana, Israel, and Hungary. He is completing a Masters degree in Jewish Philosophy from Yeshiva University where he completed his undergraduate work in philosophy and religion.  He has studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and Beit Morasha of Jerusalem. Before his role at Uri L'Tzedek, Ari was the Rabbinic Fellow at The Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU.

Associate Rabbi/Director of Education, Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah, Potomac, MD

Nissan grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2002 with B.A. in Philosophy and Religion. While at YCT, Nissan interned at Kesher Israel Congregation in Washington, D.C. and at Anshei Shalom in Chicago. Nissan teaches a daily daf yomi class and a weekly class on Responsa which deal with different periods of Jewish History (e.g. Spanish Inquisition, Holocaust, and the State of Israel). Nissan has served on the Executive Committee of the International Rabbinic Fellowship. In July 2013, he will assume the role of Senior Rabbi at Beth Sholom.

Director of Religious Experience, Carmel Academy, Greenwich, CT/ Director of The Szarvas Fellowships, Hungary

Seth has traveled extensively working for many Jewish communities around the world. Some of his experiences included the educational directorship for YUSSR in Belarus, coordinating a communal educational empowerment program in Perth, Australia, and directing an outdoor adventure leadership training program at Camp Moshava.  He has alo led inter-denominational teen programs to both Israel and Hungary.  Seth has worked with a variety of special needs groups both in the Jewish community and the greater world.  He has coordinated programs for Yachad, the Council for the Jewish Disabled, and participated in an inter-denominational rabbinical mission to El Salvador. Seth was also the Rabbinic Associate at the Hebrew Institute of White Plains for two years. Before starting his current position, he was the Director of Havayah / Moreshet at Hebrew College in Boston, MA.

http://www.szarvas.org/; http://www.carmelacademy.com/

Rabbi, Congregation Beth Israel, Berkeley, CA

Yonatan was born in Israel and grew up in Montreal, Canada. After receiving his BA in Philosophy from McGill University, Yonatan studied at Kollel Torah Mitzion and the Metivta. While at YCT, Yonatan led a Beit Midrash program for teenagers in Montclair, New Jersey, taught adult education classes at the JCC of Manhattan, and spent a summer as a chaplain at the Florence Nightingale Health Center. He also served as the first rabbinic intern at Kehilat Chovevei Tzion in Scarsdale. For the last two years, Yonatan served as the rabbinic intern at the Hebrew Institute of White Plains together with his wife, Frayda, who also served as the shul's first congregational intern.
http://www.cbiberkeley.org/

Founder and Director, AITZIM (Atlanta Institute of Torah and Zionism), Atlanta, GA

Zev grew up in Miami, Florida. He received his BA in Psychology from Touro College in 1997, and his MA in Jewish History from Hebrew University in 2002. In addition, he has studied for many years in Yeshiva B'nei Torah, Far Rockaway, and, eventually served as director and Ra"m in Yeshiva B'nei Torah, Israel. During his time at YCT, Zev has interned in Roslyn Synagogue and Beit Rabban Elementary School. He is married to Channie and has two daughters, Eden and Orli. Zev is studying for dayanut, Halakhic judgeship, with Rabbi Michael Broyde of the Beit Din of America and is a PhD Candidate in Jewish Religious Cultures at Emory University.

Lead Educator, WalkingIsrael, Israel

Aryeh grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey. He earned his BA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University and spent two years studying at Yeshivat HaKotel in Israel. He has been teaching Bar and Bat Mitzvah students for the past twelve years, served as a Hebrew school teacher and principal, and has taught Hebrew to adults. While at YCT, Aryeh interned with Rabbi Yitzchok Adler at Congregation Beth David in West Hartford, Connecticut; Rabbi Joel Tessler at Beth Sholom Congregation in Potomac, Maryland; and participated in the American Jewish World Service's rabbinical student delegation to El Salvador. Aryeh was the Director of Judaic Studies at the Eleanor Kolitz Academy in San Antonio, TX.

Principal of Judaic Studies, Shalhevet High School, Los Angeles, CA

Rabbi Ari Leubitz grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.  After a year of study at Bar-Ilan University, he earned his Bachelor of Science from Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business.  Subsequent to a year of study at Yeshiva Ohr Sameach, in Monsey NY, Rabbi Leubitz spent four years Yeshivat Chovevei Torah where he received his smicha. He has since received two Masters Degrees in Education and is currently an Ed.D candidate at Northeastern University.

In 2005, Rabbi Leubitz earned the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.  In 2006, he was awarded a Fellowship of the Legacy Heritage Rabbinic Enrichment Initiative. In 2010, Rabbi Leubitz earned a role as a teacher-mentor at the Institute for University-School Partnership at Yeshiva University, and in 2011 Rabbi Leubitz was selected as a DSLTI (Day School Leadership Training
Institute) fellow. Rabbi Leubitz currently serves as the Principal of Judaic Studies at Shalhevet School in Los Angeles California with this wife and three children.

Senior Rabbi & Manager of Spiritual Care Department, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Jason grew up in Southern California, attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and California State University - Monterey Bay, where he founded and led the "Jewish Student Union" and graduated in 2000.  He attended Yeshiva Ohr Sameach in Monsey for two years before starting at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah.  During his time at YCT, he also earned a Masters degree in Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School at Yeshiva University.  Upon graduation he became the Assistant Rabbi at Young Israel of Century City in Los Angeles, a position he held for 3 years before becoming the Jewish Chaplain and then Manager of the Department of Spiritual Care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, one of the leading hospitals in the country. 

Student, Senior Educators program of the Melton School for Jewish Education at Hebrew University

David is a 1999 graduate of the Joint Program at JTS/Columbia University. After completing his undergraduate studies, he traveled the Far East and Israel. David has spent time in varied Yeshivot including Yeshiva B’nei Torah and the Conservative Yeshiva. During his time in YCT he has interned at Harlem’s Old Broadway Synagogue, Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, and the Columbia/Barnard Hillel. Before the Senior Educators Program, David was the Columbia/Barnard Hillel Campus Rabbi in NYC. He will be starting a doctorate in Talmud at JTS in September of 2010.

Rabbi, Mount Freedom Jewish Center, Randolph, NJ

Menashe graduated from Yeshiva University with a degree in literature. After spending one year at RIETS, Menashe transferred to the second year class at YCT. Over the next three years, Menashe managed his schedule, juggling the rigors of YCT’s academic demands and the challenges of Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Before coming to the Mount Freedom Jewish Center, Menashe was the Rabbi at Kehillat Ahavat Yisrael in San Diego, CA. 
www.mtfjc.org

Educational Director, Ask Big Questions: Hillel International, Chicago, IL

Upon receiving semicha in 2005, Rabbi Josh Feigelson served as Campus Rabbi at Northwestern University Hillel . In this position, Rabbi Feigelson became a religious leader and leading personality on campus, recognized by the Daily Northwestern student newspaper as one of the top 10 people to know at the university in 2008. He successfully recruited Orthodox students to attend Northwestern and helped to build the infrastructure to sustain observant Jewish life, while also serving as a teacher, guide, and mentor to students of all backgrounds. In 2007, Rabbi Feigelson, with two students, co-founded Ask Big Questions , an initiative to engage diverse groups of students and faculty in questions "that matter to all of us." Four years later, Ask Big Questions received funding to become a national initiative, and Rabbi Feigelson left his position at Northwestern to become the project's Educational Director.

Rabbi Feigelson continues to serve as a spiritual leader of the Evanston Orthodox Minyan , along with Rabbi Michael Balinsky. He blogs regularly at rabbijosh.com , and has authored academic articles and book chapters on Jewish identity development on campus and during early adulthood. He has also served as a consultant and faculty member for American Jewish World Service, the Wexner Foundation, Jewish Funders Network, Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, the iCenter, and the Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel. In addition, Rabbi Feigelson is a doctoral student in the Northwestern University Department of Religious Studies, focusing on the role of the university in American Jewish identity in general, and in modern Orthodoxy in particular.

Rabbi Feigelson and his wife Natalie Blitt are the proud parents of two sons, Jonah and Micah, and live in Evanston, Illinois.

Faculty, Judaic Studies Department, Chicagoland Jewish High School, Deerfield, IL

Rabbi Sam Feinsmith teaches Judaic Studies and coordinates Jewish Life at Chicagoland Jewish High School, Illinois.  He holds semicha from YCT and an MA in Talmud from JTS.  He teaches meditation at the Center for Jewish Mindfulness, and has served as a consultant on a number of innovative prayer and minyan-related projects.  He served as a Kol Tzedek Fellow for American Jewish World Service, and volunteered in Cambodia with their Volunteer Corps.  He taught Judaic Studies at the AJ Heschel School in New York for six years, and during that time he also taught adults in various synagogues and communities across the denominational spectrum.

Rabbi, East Denver Orthodox Synagogue, Denver, CO 

Upon graduating from Yeshiva University in 1999, Marc traveled to Minsk, Belarus where he served as the overseas director for YUSSR helping build Jewish communities. Coordinating events at the Lauder Lech-Lecha youth center for a year, and creating the infrastructure for a Jewish Community in Moghilev for another, Marc returned to America to complete his education in 2001. Selected as a Wexner Fellow, Marc enrolled at YCT, and New York University's Wagner school of public service. Over four years he has worked for the Koby Mandell Foundation, taught Tanakh at the NYU Hillel, and participated in American Jewish World Service’s first Rabbinic Mission to El Salvador.

Rabbi, Congregation Beth Israel - West Side Jewish Center/ Director of the International Rabbinic Fellowship, New York, NY

Jason holds a BA in International Studies and a BS in Economics from the Huntsman Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduation from college, he worked for two years as an investment banker. Jason has spent time lecturing at various synagogues and universities. Jason served as the Rabbinic Intern at both Netivot Shalom in Teaneck, NJ and Highland Park, NJ and has taught at the Rebecca and Israel Ivry Prozdor at The Jewish Theological Seminary, and CLAL-Center for Leadership and Learning.

Middle School Judaic Studies Director/Rabbinic Advisor grades N-8 at The Abraham Joshua Heschel School
New York, NY

Jack grew up in Skokie, Illinois. After attending college at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Hebrew University in Jerusalem, his first career began in Chicago, with a law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law. Jack practiced environmental law for 6 years, and then started his second career when he moved to New York to attend the Jewish Theological Seminary. After a Masters from JTS, he began his studies at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Jack has served as an intern at B'nai David in Los Angeles, Anshe Sholom in Chicago, NYU's Bronfman Center for Jewish Life, and University of Texas Hillel in Austin, and he has taught at the 92nd Street Y and Manhattan JCC. Prior to working at Heschel, Jack was the Tanakh Coordinator at Solomon Schechter High School of Westchester in New York.

Rabbi, Beit Chaverim Synagogue of Westport/Norwalk, Westport, CT 

Yossi is originally from East Brunswick, NJ. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1998, majoring in Political Science. Before coming to Chovevei Torah he learned at Yeshivat Hamivtar in Efrat, Israel. Yossi especially enjoys learning Chassidut and spiritual texts. He also served for one year as the Assistant Rabbi at Ohev Sholom - The National Synagogue in Washington, D.C and as Rabbi of the Stanton Street Synagogue in New York City. http://www.beitchaverim.com/

Rabbi, Congregation Sherith Israel, Nashville, TN

Saul grew up in Schenectady, New York. He received a BA in Business from Yeshiva University and spent a year studying Business Management at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, while spending his afternoons at Yeshivat Ateret Kohanim. He enjoyed many summers at Camp Yavneh, a pluralistic camp in New Hampshire, where he met his wife, Daniella Pressner.  While leading a growing and vibrant congregation, Saul is deeply involved in the wider Jewish community. He serves as the head of the Board of Rabbis, Rabbinic consultant at Vanderbilt University, and is the director of the Nashville Kashrut Commission. He loves kids, and visits the Akiva School, Nashville's community day-school, where Daniella is the Director of Jewish studies. Saul prides himself on all of the strong relationships he enjoys within his Shul and beyond.

www.sherithisrael.com

Rabbi, Beth Israel, New Orleans, LA 

Rabbi Uri Topolosky is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans. He is a past president of the Rabbinic Council of Greater New Orleans, as well as a member of the local Vaad HaKashrut and the Interfaith Clergy Association. Uri served previously as the Associate Rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in the Bronx, NY. Uri received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School and was a member of the second graduating class in 2005. Prior to his rabbinic studies, Uri spent two years studying in Israel at Yeshivat Sha'alvim before attending the University of Maryland at College Park. While completing a BA in Communication, Uri played an integral role in the development of an inclusive, Jewish community on campus. He spent the following year living in Jerusalem, learning and working for the Isralight Institute, further cultivating his passion for music and spirituality as a community leader.
Rabbi Uri is married to Dahlia, and they have four children,  Elyon, Itai, Adi, and Liat.
Rabbi Uri is a warm and approachable person, whose goal is to create an "accessible" synagogue - a place where all people, regardless of background or affiliation, feel welcome and embraced. Feel free to contact him at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Visit www.BethIsraelNOLA.com to learn more!

Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivat Maharat, New York, NY

Jeff graduated from Binghamton University with honors in 1998. He then went on to spend one year at RIETS before entering the "zeroith" class at YCT. Pioneering the very first class with just two students, Jeff was excited to enter into this new and intimate Yeshiva. After four years of shiur with Rabbi Linzer and interning at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale with Rabbi Avi Weiss, Jeff entered into a pulpit in Tenafly, NJ at Congregation Kesher. Leading a young and growing community, Jeff loved both the challenges and rewards of the rabbinate. Before starting at his current position, Jeff was a faculty member at Yeshivat Hadar and the Drisha Institute for Jewish Education in New York City.

Talmud Teacher, SAR High School, Riverdale, NY

Alan grew up in Cleveland, Ohio where he attended Bet Sefer Mizrachi. He studied for a year in Israel at Yeshivat Har Etzion and is a graduate of Yeshiva University with BA in Philosophy. Alan has interned under Rabbi Chaim Marder at the Hebrew Institute of White Plains, NY and upon graduation from YCT served as an Assistant Rabbi at Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, NYC for two years.

Faculty, Midreshet AMIT/Machon Tal at the Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem, Israel

Jonathan, originally from Philadelphia, learned for two years at Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim before earning his B.A. in History and M.A. in Medieval Jewish History from Yeshiva University. Upon receiving his semicha, Jonathan, with his wife Susan and their children, made aliyah to Beit Shemesh with the goal of teaching post high school students. Jonathan is currently on the faculty of Midreshet AMIT (http://www.amit.org.il/midreshetamit/) and Machon Tal at the Jerusalem College of Technology (http://www.jct.ac.il/eng/units.php?cat=63), and is author of the book The Spirits Behind the Law: The Talmudic Scholars (Urim Publications).

Founding Director and Rabbi, Makom, Toronto, Canada

Rabbi Aaron Levy is a leader in the revival of downtown Jewish life in Toronto, where he the founding director and rabbi of Makom : Creative Downtown Judaism, named one of North America’s 50 most innovative Jewish nonprofits in Slingshot ’10-’11 .  Aaron has created a space for Jewish community and a spiritual home for hundreds of Jews, especially unaffiliated young adults, in downtown Toronto. He also teaches percussion and is a sought-out educator on a wide variety of Jewish topics, especially ethical eating, environmentalism, spirituality, pluralism, and social justice. Aaron brings experience living and working in a variety of cities and Jewish communities; he previously founded an independent minyan, served as campus rabbi at three Hillels, and led wilderness backpacking trips.  Aaron is an avid drummer, hiker, and vegan.

Judaic Studies Faculty, North Shore Hebrew Academy High School, Great Neck, NY

Dan studied at Marianopolis College and Kollel Torah Mitzion before joining YCT upon his graduation from McGill University in Montreal. There he received his BA with a dual concentration in Economics and Jewish Studies. Dan has benefited greatly from the intense curriculum at YCT as it has allowed him to grow in both Torah and Mitzvot, strengthened his analytical thinking and enhanced his leadership skills. He is pursuing a career in Jewish education, ultimately using these skills to lead a Jewish day school into a new era of openness and academic rigor, combining classical learning with modern educational science. He has completed a Master's degree in education at Yeshiva University's Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.

Jewish Education Specialist, The Foundation for Jewish Camp, New York, NY

Avi has always had a deep love for the Jewish people and making the world a better place. It was while building a community in the Former Soviet Union for YUSSR that he realized the transformative power of being a rabbi. Determined to pick up the tools to become an informed Jew, he went back to study in Yeshivat HaMivtar for two years. Consequently, he had the opportunity to become a charter student in Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Avi is a graduate of Columbia College. He has spent years working in informal Jewish education and community building. He believes that in building an inclusive Orthodox Judaism, we also have a responsibility to be active in the larger Jewish and non-Jewish communities. While in Yeshiva, Avi was a CLAL Rabbinic Intern and initiated the Yeshiva's involvement in the Inter-Seminary Dialogue.

Senior Rabbi, Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, Montreal, Canada

Rabbi Adam Scheier is Senior Rabbi of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, a 1500-family synagogue, in Montreal, Canada.  He is Past President of the Montreal Board of Rabbis, Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of Canada, and Senior Rabbinic Fellow of Jerusalem’s Hartman Institute.  Rabbi Scheier serves on the Board of Trustees of many local and international organizations, including International Rabbinic Fellowship, Quebec Israel Committee, Canadian Magen David Adom, and McGill Ghetto Shul.  Rabbi Scheier has been active in international Jewish concerns, and recently testified before a Canadian Parliamentary committee on the topic of human rights in Venezuela.  Prior to his post in Montreal, Rabbi Scheier participated in the founding and development of the first Yeshiva in post-World War II Germany, and has continued to work extensively with the immigrant Jewish community in Germany.  Rabbi Scheier's hobbies include jogging, playing basketball, learning chassidut, and skiing with his children. Rabbi Scheier is married to Abby, and they are blessed with three daughters, Aviya, Ayelet, and Annael.

http://www.shaarhashomayim.org/

Israel

Ya'akov studied at the Pardes Institute, Yeshivat Hamivtar, and RIETS before joining YCT, and was a Wexner Fellowship finalist. He received his BA from the University of Chicago in Religion and the Humanities, and his MA in Bible from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. Ya'akov is grateful for the textual and leadership skills that he received at YCT. These skills have enabled him to develop an appropriate curriculum for high school students: one that aims for the study of Talmud and Halakha to be a spiritually meaningful experience. Yaakov was a faculty member for 4 years at the Stern Hebrew High School in Philadelphia, PA.

New York, NY

Matthew grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Hillel Academy High School and spending a year at Yeshivat Hakotel in Jerusalem, Matthew studied literature and film at the University of Michigan where he graduated with Honors. Following another year at Yeshivat Hakotel, Matthew entered the Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars Program where he earned a Masters of Writing degree. In subsequent years Matthew worked as a medical editor and project manager, a technical writer for a publicly traded computer-security company, and as a knowledge management consultant and corporate trainer for Deloitte and Touche, LLP. In a wonderfully serendipitous moment, YCT was founded just as he was deciding to explore other career options. While at YCT, Matthew has enjoyed the multiplicity of approaches and subjects addressed by the curriculum, the quality of the faculty and students, and the attempt to integrate professional training within a traditional semikha program. In addition, he has interned at Congregations Ramath Orah (NYC) and Beth Sholom (Potomac, MD), as well as the CLAL Rabbinic Student Fellowship Program. Matthew worked as a Senior Program Associate at the Birthright Israel Foundation in New York City.