20th Annual AJOP Convention
January 18-22, 2008

Speakers' Information:

Men Speakers

Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel
Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel currently works with Rabbi Berel Wein and the Destiny Foundation as the Director of Educational Programming, and they have developed a new methodology for instilling and enhancing Jewish Identity through the teaching of Jewish history interactively to Jews of all ages. For more than 30 years, Rabbi Amsel has been an outreach professional, working with tens of thousands youth and adults. He worked for Ner LeElef first as a supervisor of Rabbis in Russia, and, more recently, founded a program, STARS (Student Torah Alliance for Russian Speakers), where more than 3000 students in 12 Russian speaking countries learn Torah for five hours each week. Rabbi Amsel has been involved in all areas of formal and informal Jewish education and has written numerous curricula, including a methodology with lesson plans how to teach Jewish Values using media. He lives with his wife and four children in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Pinchas Avruch
Rabbi Pinchas Avruch is talmid of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, a musmach of Horav Hagaon R’ Dovid Feinstein shlit”a and Horav Michel Barenbaum zt”l and a graduate Touro College. As Executive Director of the Milwaukee Kollel he is responsible for finance and administration, but his passion for Jewish education and the growth of his fellow Jew regularly pull him out of the office, into the classroom for the Hebrew Reading Crash Course, into downtown offices to learn with his Executive Study Program students, or off to the Holy Land as coordinator of Judaism Without Walls’ Israel Experience.

Rabbi Mordechai Becher
Rabbi Mordechai Becher, originally from Australia, is a Senior Lecturer for the Gateways Organization. He was a Senior Lecturer at Ohr Somayach, Neve Yerushalayim and Darchei Binah in Jerusalem for 15 years, was a chaplain in the Israel Defence Forces and taught in a number of Rabbinic training programs. Rabbi Becher is the co-author of After the Return, and has answered thousands of questions on the Ask-the-Rabbi website. His latest book, Gateway to Judaism, was recently published by Shaar Press. Rabbi Becher received his ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He has lectured for the UJA, Jewish Federations, the Zionist Organization of America, Hillel and is on the speakers bureau of the Israeli Consulate in New York. He has taught in Canada, the United States, England, Israel, South Africa, Australia and Russia. He resides with his wife and 6 children in Passaic, NJ.

Rabbi Harvey Belovski
Harvey Belovski grew up in North-West London and was educated at University College, Oxford, from where he has a degree in Mathematics, at Gateshead Yeshiva, from where he has Semichah, and then at the Beis HaTalmud Kolel. Previously rabbi of two communities in East London, he has been rabbi of the Golders Green Synagogue since 2003. As well as his rabbinical duties, Harvey Belovski teaches widely - giving regular classes at synagogues across London, as well as at the J.L.E. (Ohr Somayach), the London School of Jewish Studies, and the Oxford University Jewish Society. His special areas of interest include study of Midrash, contemporary halachah, the thought of Sochatchev, experimental synagogue programming, pre-marriage training for young couples and the development of independent-minded students. He is the author of two books - a translation of the Chassidic classic ‘Shem MiShmuel’ and ‘The Shabbat Siddur Companion,’ and has written numerous articles for HaModia, the London Jewish Chronicle and other publications. He lives in Golders Green, with his wife Vicki and their six children.

Rabbi Jordan Brumer
Rabbi Jordan Brumer is the Director of Jewish Arizonans on Campus (JAC), a kiruv organization servicing University of Arizona and Arizona State University. He has been at this position for the last three years. Before that he was the Assistant Rabbi in La Jolla, CA, where he ran programs for Jewish students at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Jordan lives in Scottsdale AZ with his wife and four kids where he can be found enjoying the "dry heat" of Arizona.

Rabbi Glen Black
As the regional director of NCSY’s Canada Region, Rabbi Glenn Black has had the opportunity to inspire and work with thousands of both affiliated and unaffiliated youth in Toronto and across the world. From among the over 15,000 alumni Rabbi Black has worked with, hundreds have taken leadership positions around the world. Today, Rabbi Black oversees the largest NCSY office in North America, sits on the board of Eitz Chaim schools in Toronto, and continues to teach and inspire Jewish teens and their families. He lives in Toronto, Ontario with his wife Hennie and their 4 children.

Rabbi Shmuel Bloom

Mr. Frank Buchweitz
Frank Buchweitz is a recognized professional in the forefront of the Jewish communal field as a leading educator, administrator, innovator, and facilitator.
As National Director of Community Services and Special Projects for the Orthodox Union, Frank has initiated innovative educational programs in the areas of community, synagogue and adult education for member communities and synagogues. These include local and national educational programs such as Positive Jewish Parenting, Positive Jewish Marriages, When Illness Strikes, missions and conventions to Israel, adult education speakers, panel discussions, weekend retreats, Take 5 for Torah, and Kinnus Teshuva pulpit exchanges, etc. Social, recreational, cultural, and chessed programs have also been developed for singles of all ages.

In addition to these activities, he has presented workshops on developing volunteers within the synagogue and has written a guidebook on synagogue outreach. His repertoire also includes synagogue consultation, analysis, and review of the total operation, including office management, public relations, plant and facilities management, and adult/family programming.

Rabbi Steve Burg
Rabbi Burg, a graduate and musmach of Yeshiva University, holds a Masters Degree in Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University, and has extensive experience in outreach work. After several years as associate regional director of NCSY Central Eastern Region, in 2000 Rabbi Burg relocated to Los Angeles to assume the role of regional director of West Coast NCSY. During his tenure on the West Coast, Rabbi Burg extended NCSY’s reach by developing the Jewish Student Union (JSU), a lunch-time club program for Los Angeles public school students that offers free food and Jewish programming, and now has a roster of 1,000 members. Most recentley, Rabbi Burg returned to the East coast to become international NCSY director.

Rabbi Raphael Butler

Rabbi Nachum Chaimowitz
From Yeshiva of Flatbush to MTA, from Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh to Yeshivas Be'er Yaakov, from the Mir to Belzer Chassidus, Rabbi Chaimowitz has had extensive experience with diverse sectors of the Jewish population. His unique background gives him the ability to relate to today's generation-- to understand their struggles and needs. He has been involved in the guidance and counseling of English-speaking ba'alei teshuva for almost fifteen years, and has come to work extensively with the children of first generation ba’alei teshuva, with much siyata d'shamaya and success. Recentley, Rabbi Chaimowitz published a Hebrew sefer called "Malbushei Kavod V'Tiferes," along with its English counterpart entitled "Timeless Fashion." In addition, Lev Yisrael, the yeshiva he founded in Ramat Beit Shemesh five years ago, has attained exponential growth and hatzlachah.

Rabbi Dovid Cohen
Rabbi Dovid Cohen is a Morah D’Asrah of Congregation Gevul Yaavetz, Brooklyn, NY. He is the halachic consultant to Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services and the Morah D’Asrah of NEFESH International.

Rabbi Yosef Davis

Mr. Mark DeAngelis
Mark DeAngelis, a recovering attorney, entered filmmaking and kiruv somewhat accidentally. In early 2001, longtime friend and Shoah Survivor Leah Welbel invited Mark to accompany her on a trip back to Auschwitz/Birkenau. Initially, Mark thought he would capture Leah’s stories on his personal camcorder. However, he quickly realized that Leah’s recounting of her experiences at the infamous Nazi death camp deserved far better. Before he realized it, Mark had hired a full documentary film crew from Warsaw; Eliezer Films and its parent not-for-profit organization, JAFAH, were born.

Prior to producing OUT OF FAITH, Mark considered himself primarily a “political” Jew. He felt connected to the Jewish people, but had no idea why. However, as the issues of Jewish identity developed as the fulcrum around which the issues in OUT OF FAITH began to revolve, it started to click for Mark. There had to be more to being a Jew than some collective sense of victimhood brought on by anti-Semitism, more too than the pride he had felt studying Zionism as a college student. As there is no real irony, it became clear that Hashem was speaking to Mark through his film. No longer just a cinematic creation, OUT OF FAITH was helping Mark contemplate his own purpose in creation. And as the film has helped him along his own path, Mark hopes OUT OF FAITH will inspire Jews to consider what significance their perception of "who they are" and their “life choices” have on their own lives and the community at large. Mark lives in Chicago with his wife Lindsey and their two little “huge” blessings, their daughters.

Rabbi Yitzchok Dinovitzer
Rabbi Dinovitzer has been working with teenagers in NCSY and in the classroom for over 2 decades now. He is well known for his friendly rapport with teenagers across the Jewish spectrum whether it be through group discussions at NCSY Latte Learnings or the famous JSU clubs that have sprung up in public schools across the country. His trademark kiruv tool has always been his powerful anecdotes and stories, that open the hearts of the teenagers to reach for the sky as they advance their Jewish future.

Rabbi Avraham Edelstein
Rabbi Edelstein is currently the director of both the Heritage House and Ner L'Elef, while also holding the position of Senior Lecturer for Neve Yerushalayim's Moreshet Kiruv Training Program. He has extensive experience managing an international network and is responsible for all fiscal and operational matters.

Mr. Jonathan Faith
After establishing himself as an entrepreneur and businessman, Jonathan Faith has committed himself to in-depth involvement in the U.K. Jewish community. He now serves as Chairman to Aish U.K., Chairman to Strategic Alliance for Jewish Education, an organization dedicated to improving standards in Jewish schools, and Chairman to Hamayon, a Kiruv organization that works with schools. His position as Chairman requires such varying responsibilities as strategy, funding, systems, and appointing teams.

However, Jonathan Faith’s involvement is not limited to chairing these organizations. He is also responsible for the creation and development of ,Foundations, under the auspices of Seed, whose goal in Kiruv is to focus on young families. Foundations is now being rolled out to U.K. Jewish schools, and is also in the process of creating shuls for Foundations families. He, also, serves as a teacher and as an advisor to management in Yachad, a small school started in the U.K. for children who need an alternative secondary school. In addition, he has initiated Pathways for Aish.com, where his responsibilities include fundraising and management advice.

Rabbi Aharon Feldman
Rav Aharon Feldman is the Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael in Baltimore, MD. Prior to his taking upon the prestigious position, he lived in Bayit Vegan in Jerusalem for over forty years, where he is a highly respected Torah scholar and teacher. He is the former Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Ohr Sameach and Yeshivas Be'er Hatorah, both in Jerusalem. He is the mechaver of several seforim and the author of several well-received English publications on various aspects of shas and hashkafa, including the highly acclaimed “The River, The Kettle and The Bird,” and “The Juggler and the King” based on the writings of the Vilna Gaon.

Rabbi Ilan Feldman
Rabbi Ilan D. Feldman has been Rabbi of Congregation Beth Jacob in Atlanta, GA for the past 15 years. He succeeded his father as Rav of this premier outreach congregation that sits at the center of a thriving Orthodox community. Rabbi Feldman is a founding vice president of AJOP and sits on its advisory board. He founded the Atlanta Scholars Kollel, and his synagogue maintains a close relationship with this very successful outreach organization. Rabbi Feldman is the rabbinic advisor for the Torah Day School of Atlanta and founder of "Getting Chai," a highly successful weekly meeting for Jews recovering from alcoholism and addiction.

Rabbi David Felsenthal
Rabbi Dave Felsenthal is currently the Director of NCSY Alumni at the OU and National Development Director for NCSY and Director of NCSY birthright israel. Previously he was Outreach Director for Etz Chaim/NJ NCSY; Director of College Services for the O.U.; Education Director for NJ March of the Living; Mashgiach Ruchani at Columbus Torah Academy; The Director Of Teen Outreach at the Leo Yassenoff JCC in Columbus, Ohio; the National Director of American Students to Activate Pride (ASAP) for Aish HaTorah International; Director of Kiruv Training and Director of the Basics Program for Aish HaTorah Jerusalem and The Director of Outreach Programs for The Heritage House in Jerusalem. Rabbi Dave has Rabbinical Ordination from The Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and Aish HaTorah; has a Masters in Business from the University of Maryland; has a Bachelors in Talmudic Law from Ner Israel Rabbinical College and a Bachelors in Computer Science from the University of Maryland. In his spare time Rabbi Dave is an Executive Director 3 and is in the Million Dollar Club with Melaleuca Inc. and a Board member of the Association of Jewish Outreach Professionals (AJOP). Rabbi Dave lives with his wife Chani and six children in Passaic, NJ.

Mr. Kenneth Fink

Mr. Wayne Firestone
Wayne L. Firestone, 43, has held leadership positions in Jewish communal affairs since his undergraduate years at the University of Miami where he was a Hillel activist. Firestone was named executive vice president for the United States in September 2005, a position that enabled him to direct the organization’s U.S. operations. He simultaneously served as the staff director of Hillel’s Strategic Planning Committee which has developed a five-year plan for the organization. Firestone joined Hillel in a professional capacity in September 2002 when he was appointed executive director of the Israel on Campus Coalition, a partnership of Hillel and the Schusterman Family Foundation that brings together 35 pro-Israel groups working on college campuses.

Firestone has had a lifelong commitment to the safety and security of the State of Israel. In 2001-2002, he served as director of the Israel Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League. From 1998-2001 he helped to strengthen Israel’s high-tech industry as founder and chief executive officer of Silicon Wadinet, Ltd., a firm that helped foster the capitalization and growth of technology companies. He worked in academia from 1995-1998 as an administrator and adjunct lecturer at Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology.

A graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center, Firestone was lead case management associate in complex multinational litigation and negotiations with the prestigious firm Patton, Boggs, LLP, in Washington, D.C. 1990-1994. In that capacity he developed international trade strategies for clients on import-export projects under the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement.

As an undergraduate at the University of Miami, Firestone studied Judaic Studies and Politics and Public Affairs. He graduated cum laude in 1984 and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He spent two semesters at Tel Aviv University. He was a member of the National Student Secretariat, B’nai B’rith Hillel, 1985-86.

Firestone is married to Stephanie Krone Firestone, a foundation professional. They live in Rockville, Maryland and are the proud parents of three daughters.

Rabbi David Fohrman
Rabbi David Fohrman is resident scholar at the Hoffberger Foundation for Torah Studies. He has pioneered a fresh approach to the teaching of Chumash and Tanach, and is a sought-after speaker nationally and internationally. He teaches Biblical themes at Johns Hopkins University, Yeshiva University's Gruss Kollel in Jerusalem, and through the Hoffberger Foundation website, at www.jewishtextstudy.org. He has also served as a senior editor and writer for ArtScroll's Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud.
He has just published his first book on Biblical themes, entitled: "The Beast that Crouches at the Door: Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Beyond". For over a month, the book has been one of Amazon's best-selling new releases in the "Jewish Bible" category.

Rabbi David Frankel
David Frankel assumed the role of NCSY Associate International Director in 2005 after twelve exceptional years as a senior professional with UJA-Federation of New York. In his current role, Mr. Frankel provides vision, leadership, and administrative oversight of NCSY’s vast kiruv infrastructure. In addition to providing support and guidance on a range of issues including staff management, marketing, community relations, and board development, Mr. Frankel administers the NCSY payroll, oversees NCSY’s personnel matters, provides oversight of the ombudsman hotline, and facilitates the implementation of NCSY’s conduct and behavioral standards protocol. Mr. Frankel holds a Masters Degree from the Columbia University School of Social Work, a Masters Degree in Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and a Baccalaureate Degree with an emphasis on advertising and marketing from Ohio State University. He was also the recipient of the coveted Council of Jewish Federation’s Morton Mandel FEREP Fellowship. Mr. Frankel presently resides in Kew Gardens Hills, New York with his wife and three daughters.

Rabbi Daniel Frietag
Rabbi Freitag is the director of programming for the Kollel Dome in Dunwoody. Rabbi Freitag's lectures and classes have achieved a significant degree of popularity in a very short time. His famous Mysticism course is an annual favorite and his Shabbat beginner services in his role as 'The Unintimidator' have a large following as well. Rabbi Freitag's activities include all aspects of Kollel Dome programming as well as numerous home groups and other unique study programs. Rabbi Freitag is a recovering Yankee fan. He enjoys cholent making, anti-missionary work, and premium orange juice.

Mr. Andy Goldsmith
Andrew Goldsmith serves as the Executive Director of the American Society for Yad Vashem. With an eighteen year career in Jewish communal service, Andy has served at the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, UJA Federation of Bergen County and most recently, in a senior management position within the Orthodox Union. An accomplished speaker and presenter, Andy has presented papers at the International Political Scientist Association Annual Conference, United States Department of Refugee Affairs Annual Conference and provided development training to lay leaders and professionals in communities across the United States. He frequently speaks as a scholar in residence at synagogues and national conventions and is well known for his innovative approach on issues of concern to the Jewish community. His published articles include the Jewish Observer, Jewish Action, Migration Journal, the Jewish Week and the Jerusalem Post.

Dr. Norman Goldwasser
Dr. Norman Goldwasser is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director of Horizon Psychological Services, a multi-disciplinary practice with offices in Miami Beach, Aventura, and Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. Goldwasser received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Clinical Psychology , as well as a M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. His areas of expertise include EMDR for the treatment of trauma, reparative therapy for the treatment of unwanted homosexuality, marital therapy, personality disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, religious issues, ADHD, and disorders of adolescence.

A nationally renowned speaker and workshop facilitator, Dr. Goldwasser has developed the popular Jewish Family Encounter, an interactive weekend experience for couples, which has taken him across the country, to Seattle, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Richmond, and across South Florida, to assist families in becoming healthier, more functional, and more committed to Jewish values.

Dr. Goldwasser has been honored for his professional achievements by Chai Lifeline, NCSY, Bikur Cholim of Miami Beach, Congregation Ohr Chaim, Kesher School for Special Education, and Mesivta High School,/Yeshiva Elementary. He has also appeared as an expert commentary on CNN, ABC, CBS, and Fox News on issues such as school violence, EMDR and trauma, parenting, and religion and therapy.

Baruch S. Gottesman, Esq.
Baruch S. Gottesman, Esq., is an attorney in New York and New Jersey. His practice focuses on the organization, management and compliance issues of public charities and private foundations. He represents a number of prominent outreach organization.

Rabbi Baruch Yehuda Gradon
Rabbi Gradon, English born, attended Gateshead Yeshiva in England, and later, Lakewood Yeshivah, Beis Medrash Govoha. He transferred to the community Kollel of LA in 1982, everntually becoming the Menahel Ruchani there. Rabbi Gradon maintains a large number of weekly shiurim, whose attendees span the entire spectrum of the LA Jewish community. He has also jump started an Israeli outreach program, based out of the Kollel. Rabbi Gradon is a highly sought out speaker, both nationally and internationally.

Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald
Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald, a native of New York, began his career as a teacher and school administrator. As Torah Umesorah’s director of development, he helped to begin new day schools and support existing ones across the country. He was actively involved in developing the first Title I,Title II, and Headstart programs for Jewish schools and worked on both Governor Rockefeller and President Nixon's political campaigns, later serving as a consultant to the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. In addition, he also worked for the newly formed African country of Bophuthatswana as trade ambassador to the United States and Israel. Rabbi Greenwald has been frequently called upon to negotiate the freedom of political prisoners, including refusenik Natan Sharansky. Rabbi Greenwald also served as the Vice President of Global Trading in Manhattan, an international commodities trading firm. Over the years he has been significantly involved with Neve Yerushalayim College for Women, NCSY, Brooklyn's Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services Most recently Rabbi Greenwalded co-founded Monsey Academy for Girls, a high school for teenagers who need a small, loving school environment. Rabbi Greenwald founded, and for the last 40 years has been the Director of, Camp Sternberg, the largest Orthodox girls’ summer camp in the world.

Rabbi Yaakov Haber
Rabbi Haber has been a leading force in Jewish Outreach for the past 25 years. A founding trustee of AJOP, the Association of Jewish Outreach Professionals, he was the founder and director of the Torah Center of Buffalo from 1980-1990 while serving as a community rabbi in Buffalo. From Buffalo he and his family traveled to Melbourne, Australia where as a project of Kollel Bais HaTalmud he founded the Australian Institute of Torah, a national outreach and adult education program. He directed that program from 1990-1995, at which time he was sought out as National Director of Jewish Education for the Orthodox Union in the United States where he created the Internationally acclaimed and highly successful "Pardes Project."

In addition to his duties at the OU, in 1996 he replaced Rabbi Berel Wein as the spiritual leader of Congregation Bais Torah in Monsey, NY. In keeping with the position of Congregation Bais Torah in the Monsey community, Rabbi Haber was involved in issues involving the greater Monsey community, and counseled hundreds of individuals in the surrounding area.

Rabbi Yaacov Haber is the founder and driving force behind TorahLab. Through TorahLab, Rabbi Haber is bringing together educational and media specialists to create dynamic learning experiences which will be accessible to adults of all backgrounds and levels. Rabbi Haber has published numerous articles and books and is a sought after international lecturer.

Rabbi Haber and his family are presently living in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Malcom Herman

Mr. Richard Horowitz
Mr. Richard Horowitz has been a part time insurance executive and part time Kiruv worker for the past twenty years. He has been the President of the North American Aish HaTorah Organization for over a decade and co-authored the well-known chart “Will Your Grandchildren Be Jewish?” with Chanan Gordon.

Rabbi Shlomo Horwitz
Rabbi Shlomo Horwitz, a musmach of Yeshivas Ner Yisrael in Baltimore, has developed an educational theater project by the name of Jewish Crossroads which he has presented to audiences across the US, England and Israel. The underlying concept is this: Reality Programs for Jews Who Think.

Audiences have included the Reform youth movement, Conservative hebrew schools and traditional Holocaust survivors, to name a few. Shlomo works full time as a software executive near Washington, DC, and is the head guitarist for Zemer, a band based in Baltimore.

Rabbi Yosef Kalatsky

HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky
Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, a world-renowned leader of Diaspora Jews, serves as the Rosh Yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, the esteemed position he has held for the past fifty years. He is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and serves on the Rabbinical Board of many worldwide organizations, including: Torah Schools for Israel, Torah Umesorah and the Association of Jewish Outreach Professionals. His sagacious Torah wisdom and practical down-to-earth advice is sought on both the personal and communal levels locally, nationally and around the world. Always with a characteristic smile and pleasant demeanor, Rabbi Kamenetsky embodies the Talmudic dictum, “Torah scholars increase Shalom in the world.”

Rabbi Mendel Kessin
Rabbi Mendel Kessin received S’micha from Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l, Rabbi Moshe Levine zt”l, and Rabbi Shlomo Screiber zt”l. In addition, he received a PhD from Fordham University in Psychology and is a clinical psychotherapist in a private practice in Brooklyn, NY. Rabbi Kessin is the former Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Dvar Yerushalayim of America. He is also an internationally known speaker who continues to give lectures worldwide on many topics including Jewish Philosophy, Mysticism, Halacha and Torah Methodology and has published over 130 tapes on these topics.

Rabbi Benzion Klatzko
Rabbi Benzion Klatzko, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, received his rabbinic ordination from the Mir Yeshviah. He went on to serve as a Rabbi in Agudah of Boro Park for seven years, followed by a three year stint as Rabbi in a local Perth Amboy, New Jersey Congregation. He later accepted a position as on-campus-rabbi for UCLA, where he was instrumental in the enrollment of hundreds of students to various yeshivos and seminaries. He currently serves as the national collegiate director for the Afikim and Wolson foundations, and has published a book, entitled The Kuntrus by Moznaim Publications. In addition to his talents in the outreach field, he has studied milah under Rabbi Benzion Krohn, and composes music professionally. Rabbi Klatzko is also one of the founders of the "See You On Shabbos" shidduch program as well as the Seeyouonshabbos.com website. Rabbi Klatzko and his wife Shoshana currently live in Monsey and are the proud parents of ten children. They would be happy to have you and your 30 closest friends for Shabbos!

Rabbi Charles Lebow
Rabbi Charles Lebow is the International Director of Dor Le Dor, a kiruv organization that specializes in outreach to English-speaking university students.
Rabbi Lebow has over 25 years experience in the field of kiruv. He has served as the Educational Director for the Discovery Seminar in Jerusalem, Director of Research and Develop for Aish HaTorah, Orthodox religious advisor to the Rothberg International School at Hebrew University, Senior Advisor to the North American Jewish Student Alliance and Director of College Outreach for Ner L'Elef.
Rabbi Lebow's special interest is in developing projects that encourage Jewish student initiatives. One example was the founding of the "Ghetto Shul" in Montreal, which has since its conception brought joyous Shabbat celebration to thousands of students and has served as a model for other campus initiatives.
Rabbi Lebow's present undertakings include Project Shabbat (projectshabbat.com), a program that encourages and funds students to run informal Shabbat dinners in their off-campus apartments and Generations, an independent student leadership group in Toronto, Canada. He is also known as "Rabbi Phacebook", where he befriends students and answers questions on facebook.com.

HaRav Reuven Leuchter
Rabbi Reuven Leuchter Shlita, a native of Switzerland, learned in yeshivas and kollelim in the Mir. He is a talmid muvhak of Rav Wolbe, Shlita, and is the menahel ruchani of Ner LeElef. Additionally, he has his own kollel. He gives many mussar vaadim to different groups of avreichim in Jerusalem, and to the USA via telephone. Amongst his writings, is a pirush of Rav Yisroel Salanter's Ohr Yisrael, parts of which have been published in a seperate kuntres relating to kiruv rechokim.

Dr. David Lieberman
David Lieberman, Ph.D., is an award-winning author and internationally recognized leader in the field of human behavior and interpersonal relationships. Techniques based on his six books, which have been translated into eighteen languages and include two New York Times bestsellers, are used by the FBI, The Department of the Navy, FORTUNE 500 companies, and by governments, corporations, and mental health professionals in more than twenty-five countries. He has appeared as a guest expert on more than 200 programs such as The Today Show, Fox News, and The View, and his work has been featured in publications around the world. Blending Torah wisdom into the psychological process, David Lieberman delivers keynote addresses, lectures, and interactive workshops across a spectrum of audiences – frum- and kiruv-oriented alike. Topics range from personal development and emotional wellness to conflict resolution, anger management, parenting, and shalom bayis. He writes a bi-weekly column called Human Nature 101 for The Jewish Press and resides in Lakewood, New Jersey with his wife and children.

Rabbi Yitzchok Lowenbraun

Rabbi Aryeh Markman
Rabbi Aryeh Markman is the Executive Director of Aish Los Angeles. He graduated with a distinction in Finance from the University of Illinois and immediately entered the world of travel. For 5 year he was a professional Tour Manager, leading trips around the world. From 1984-1991 he attended Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem where he received his ordination. He has run Aish LA since 1994 and has survived and thrived on 16 banquets that have included Steven Spielberg and Kirk Douglas. Aish LA annually has a Gala Banquet sellout crowd of 1100 and turns away hundreds.

Rabbi David Markowitz
Rabbi David Markowitz has worked in numerous kiruv capacities such as: educational development, programming, Kiruv training, camp programming, campus outreach and management. Most recently he has worked as a campus Rabbi in UCLA, managed 10 college campuses for JAM in LA, and has now moved east to manage the Sleeping Giant initiative for Aish International - an initiative to mobilize the frum community to reach out. Rabbi Markowitz specializes in Salesforce.com. administration and consulting and is a certified Power Administrator by Salesforce.com.. Rabbi Markowitz has consulted many organizations in finding the right database solution and setup to help drive the organizations' goals.

Rabbi Yaakov Meyer

Rabbi Yossi Michalowitz
Yossi Michalowicz, a dynamic speaker and charismatic leader, is the Rabbi of the Westmount Shul & Learning Center in Thornhill, Ontario. A native Clevelander, he attended the Hebrew Academy for 13 years, graduating as Hebrew Valedictorian from the Mesivta High School in 1974. He continued his studies for 10 years at the Telshe Yeshiva of Cleveland where he received his Yoreh-Yoreh S'micha. During that time he also graduated from the Kaufman Pedagogical Institute where he was granted the degree of “Educator in Israel.” In addition, he graduated with an M.Ed. from John Carroll University.

Since his arrival in Toronto in 1984, he has been actively involved in Jewish Education at all age levels.

He was a master teacher at Eitz Chaim Schools where he taught hundreds of children over a period of 11 years. During that time he upgraded his skills and completed coursework for his MA in Special education from York University. During those years, he served as the director of the Toronto Jewish Network, coordinating Chavrusa programs in various synagogues in the city. He volunteered extensively at the BAYT synagogue where he taught many adult education classes.

As well, Rabbi Michalowicz has lectured locally and internationally for various Jewish outreach organizations. He also served as the principal of the ORAH School for Jewish Children from the Soviet Union for fourteen years. In addition, He served as the head of adult education for Aish HaTorah for 9 years. He is one of the most sought after speakers in the greater Toronto area, and his popular classes are the most well attended in town.

He has been the spiritual leader of the Westmount Shul & Learning Center for the last 11 years; while being an active force for Jewish outreach in Thornhill. Since 2004, he has exclusively focused his energies and talents in order to build his Shul into one of the fastest growing Shuls and Kiruv centers in Thornhill. This past year, the Shul had 1,300 participants attend High Holiday services. He has the unique ability to speak to large crowds, young and old alike, religious and secular, while simultaneously cultivating relationships with the individuals who make up his community.

He has been married to his wife, Gail, for 29 years and is the father of nine children ages 8-26. The Michalowicz’s have three married children, with a son who has Semicha and two daughters presently learning in Kollel.

HaRav Shlomo Miller
HaRav Shlomo Miller is Rosh Kollel of the Kollel Avreichim of Toronto, and head of its Beis Din. He has also been chosen by Lakewood Yeshiva to head the Beis Din of the Vaad Harabonim of Lakewood, N.J. and heads a kollel there as well. (Ruchama- check with Rabbi Lowenbraun to make sure the Lakewood info is still current) He is regarded as a foremost Posek of Toronto and one of the leading Poskim in America.

Rabbi Chaim Muskat
Chaim Muskat is an estate tax planner and investment professional. He specializes in the high-net worth estate planning market. He has assisted various mosdos in establishing significant endowments.

Rabbi Meir Pogrow
Rav Pogrow, the former Rosh Kollel of Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem. Besides several prestigious smichot, he has full ordination as a Religious Judge from Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, Sh'lita, the Coordinator of the Religious Supreme Court in Jerusalem. He has taught Gemara, Jewish Law and Philosophy, Mishna and Tanach at a variety of institutions ranging from the high school to kollel level in Jerusalem, Los Angeles, San Diego, and London. He lives with his wife and 6 children in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel.

Rabbi Yonason Quinn
Rabbi Yonason Quinn, an alumna of the Mir Yeshiva and Ner Le Elef, began his kiruv career 5 yrs ago in Eretz Yisrael. He then moved to Los Angeles to work on campus with the famed Ashreinu JAM . Now he spearheads the west coast Aish HaTorah campus operation, facilitating programs trips and torah classes up and down the coast.

Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld
Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld grew up in Tacoma, Wash., and studied Classics and Anthropology at Stanford. After college he taught in rural Mississippi, "surrounded by people who knew my people's Book better than I did." By this time, he had all but abandoned Judaism and considered himself a Buddhist. Eventually, a worldwide voyage in search of his roots lead him to yeshiva in Jerusalem where eventually received smicha from R. Zalman Nehemia Goldberg, Shlita. Rabbi Seinfeld returned to Silicon Valley in 2000 to create adult Jewish Educational programs. In 2005, he published The Art of Amazement: Judaism's Forgotten Spirituality (Penguin) and now presents “entry-level outreach” seminars around the country based on the book. He moved to Baltimore with his wife and children where he founded Jewish Spiritual Literacy, which is building an educators’ website, jewishspirituality.net. He may be reached at seinfeld@jsli.org.

Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Shraga Simmons spent his first 18 years trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. He served for two years as Director of Outreach for Aish HaTorah in Los Angeles, and for the past 10 years has been Senior Editor of Aish.com. He is the author of the popular "Shraga's Weekly" commentary, and his "Ask the Rabbi" column has answered tens of thousands of questions. In 2007 Simmons built JewishPathways.com, a series of comprehensive online courses for people who want to take the next step in their Torah learning and observance. Simmons is also regarded as a foremost expert on media bias relating to the Middle East conflict, and was the founding editor of HonestReporting.com, the pro-Israel media watch group. His work has been translated into Hebrew, Spanish, French, Indonesian and German.

Rabbi Bentzy Schechter

Rabbi Yoni Sherizen
Rabbi Sherizen and his wife served as the first JLC Jewish Chaplains at Oxford University from 2003 – 2006. In September 2006, Rabbi Sherizen became responsible for all chaplain couples on campus across the UK and has worked successfully with a wide range of communal organizations to improve Jewish life on campus drastically.

Rabbi Mike Stern
Rabbi Michael Stern, Director of Judaism Without Walls, has over 15 years of experience in Jewish education. He was the founder of Aish HaTorah - Philadelphia, one of the most successful Jewish educational organizations in Philadelphia. Rabbi Stern's personal journey mirrors that of many Jews who grew up in a non-observant environment, fostering a warmth and understanding many find inviting.

Rabbi Nachum Stilerman
Rabbi Stilerman, an internationally famed lecturer on fundraising, has been successfully practicing the trade for more than four decades. Through his expertise he has been instrumental in channeling numerous philanthropists funds, totaling over two hundred million dollars, to the coffers of various organizations. He is presently Director of Marketing Strategy at “Bottom Line Marketing Group” and President of “The Foundation of Jewish Unity”.

Rabbi Michel Twerski
Rabbi Michel Twerski went to Yeshivos in Chicago, Baltimore and Lakewood. Rabbi Twerski became assistant rabbi to his father at Congregation Beth Jehudah. As he learned from and worked with his father, he also pursued studies at Marquette University, receiving a Masters of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology. In 1973, his father passed away and Rabbi Michel became the head rabbi of the congregation. The demands of that position and of a growing family further put writing and his music playing ability somewhat to the side. The Twerskis, with their ability to connect with non-Orthodox people, became nationally recognized figures in fostering the growth of the Baal Tshuva movement. In 1989, Rabbi Twerski led efforts to create an elementary school and Kollel adult learning program in Milwaukee. Each of the Twerskis is also now widely known nationally and they are often called upon to speak in other cities or to counsel people from far beyond Milwaukee.

Rabbi Mordechai Twerski

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hirsh Weinreb
Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb has been Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union since January, 2002. In that role, he heads the multi-purpose agency which represents and serves Orthodox Jewry through hundreds of synagogues across North America and beyond. From kosher food supervision to youth, public policy and social action programming, the OU is one of the largest and most vibrant Jewish organizations in the world today.

A talented teacher, writer and orator, Rabbi Weinreb was previously the spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Baltimore, MD, which he joined in January, 1989.

Rabbi Weinreb received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshiva in New York. He received his Masters degree in Psychology from the New School for Social Research, and earned his PhD from the University of Maryland. Prior to assuming the pulpit of the Congregation Shomrei Emunah, Rabbi Weinreb served as Assistant Supervisor of Psychological Services for the Prince George’s County Public Schools, as Chief Psychologist of the Potomac Foundation for Mental Health, and also maintained a private practice of psychotherapy.

Rabbi Weinreb is Rabbinic Liaison for NEFESH: the North American Network of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals. He served on the Rabbinic Cabinet of United Jewish Communities, on the Executive Committee of the Rabbinical Council of America, and on the boards of various other organizational and educational institutions.

Rabbi Yonah Weinrib
Rabbi Yonah Weinrib specializes in elaborate manuscript illumination, combining a wide array of art techniques and media to enhance his exacting calligraphy. An accomplished author as well as an artist, he has published volumes on Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, the Jewish wedding, Hallel, the Manuscript Shiron series (Grace After Meals), Megillat Esther and an internationally acclaimed edition of Pirkei Avot/Ethics of the Fathers. Rabbi Weinrib’s illuminations, designs and writings contain a fascinating interplay of artistic imagery and profound research based on traditional texts and sources, creating a “visual midrash.”

Rabbi Weinrib has exhibited and lectured internationally, and has been commissioned to design presentation awards for numerous Jewish organizations, as well as heads of state. His work is found in prestigious museums, galleries and private collections around the world.

Women Speakers

Mrs. Aliza Bulow
Aliza Bulow is the Senior Educator for The Jewish Experience in Denver, Colorado, through which she teaches extensively in Colorado and guest lectures across the United States. In the early 80’s, she studied at Michlelet Bruria and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. After serving in a Nachal Torani unit of the IDF, Mrs. Bulow graduated from Hunter College with a BA in Hebrew Language and Jewish Social Studies. A thirteenth generation American, she converted to Judaism at the age of 16. Passionate about connecting Jews with Judaism since that time, Mrs. Bulow has been teaching Judaism and Jewish Philosophy to students of varied backgrounds for over two decades. She served as Partners in Torah's "telephone mentor's mentor" for several years and still continues to teach weekly through the program. Additionally, she teaches at Lishmah Women’s Torah Center and the Institute of Jewish Studies in Denver. A mother of a house full of teens, and now a mother-in-law as well, she has published several articles on Aish.com, volunteers for AJOP and is currently working on a book.

Mrs. Rochel Gruen

Mrs. Chani Juravel
Mrs. Juravel went to Beth Jacob of Jerusalem, received a BA from Brooklyn College and an MSW from Fordham University. Teaching/counseling since 1983. Currently the founding principal of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Rockland County, NY. Lecturer for The Jewish Rennaissance Center on Manhattan's West Side. Lectures throughout the US on subjects relating tefilla and Tanach to relationships and growth. Tape series featured on Aish.com.

Mrs. Yocheved Nissan
With almost 30 years experience as a teacher in Torah Academy of Far Rockaway, Mrs..Nissan is considered a master educator and mentor. She holds a masters degree in English literature from the University of Denver, and was awarded the prestigious Fullbright scholarship. She lives in Far Rockaway, NY with her husband.

Mrs. Sharon Schloss

Mrs. Brachi Schreiber
Mrs. Brachie Schreiber, mother of eight children and grandmother to one yummy young man, was born and bred in Baltimore. She began her work in kiruv almost 20 years ago while still a Kollel wife, when she served as the first Coordinator of the Women's Program of the groundbreaking MAOR program. In her 13 years in Richmond, VA, St. Louis, MO and Memphis, TN, she used her unique charm, wisdom, Torah knowledge and special talents as a shaitel macher and certified JME instructor to inspire many women to a deeper connection to, and greater understanding and practice of, Hashem’s Torah and Mitzvos.

Mrs. Leslie Shapiro
Mrs. Leslie Shapiro is the founding principal of Ahavat Yisrael Hebrew School for the past 16 years. Ahavat Yisrael continues to be the largest Hebrew School in Canada. She is currently consulting internationally to both new and growing Hebrew Schools. She has co-authored 3 Hebrew Reading Texts with transliterated companion guides for non Hebrew readers. Mrs. Leslie Shapiro resides in Toronto, Canada.

Mrs. Toba Shifrin
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Toba is a graduate of Yavne Seminary in Cleveland. Her work as the co-director of Camp Heller for girls led her to develop the “Your Students’ top 10 issues” project, which surveyed over 1,500 Bais Yaakov students across North America. In addition to her extensive involvement in community youth activities, she is the director of the Bnai Israel Synagogue Women’s Program in Norfolk, VA, where she resides with her husband and four children.

Mrs. Aliza Terris
Gifted in inspiring people, Aliza Terris is passionate about helping individuals and couples develop their fullest potential for loving, living and being part of effective relationships.

She is an enthusiastic counselor and therapist who positively directs people to an accurate awareness of themselves and others. Aliza is a talented facilitator of communication between people which lends itself to her expertise in relationship development. She is both student and teacher in the areas of personal development and self-actualization.

Aliza earned her honors BA in psychology, BSW (Bachelors of social work) and MSW (Masters in Social Work) from York University in Toronto . She is also certified as a Meyers Briggs Personality Type Qualified administrator, and is currently near completion training as a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist.

In her Masters thesis, Aliza researched and wrote about how values influence effectiveness in Shidduch dating. She has applied her past and present research to helping Jewish singles turn Matchmaker introductions into successful committed relationships through her work in the business she started and runs with her husband, Guiding Connection.
,br>She has previously worked in a Family and Child service agency and as a professional matchmaker for seven years while living in Israel . No matter what she is doing, she enjoys sharing it with her loving husband of 12 years, Shalom. And of all the people she most enjoys loving and inspiring, aside from her husband, are their five amazing, energetic children, four girls and boy.

Rebbetzin Feige Twerski
Rebbetzin Feige Twerski of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has devoted her life to Jewish education and outreach. Having lectured worldwide on a myriad of Judaic subjects, she is acknowledged as both imaginative and inspirational by audiences everywhere. In addition to her responsibilities as Rebbetzin of Congregation Beth Jehudah, she is a close companion to her husband in his counseling and outreach efforts, and co-directs the many retreat weekends the Twerski’s participate in throughout North America and beyond. She and her husband are founders of the Torah Foundation of Milwaukee, and they have both been at the forefront in the development of both a Yeshiva Day School and a Kollel in their community. A descendant of a Rumanian Chassidic family whose roots go back to the great Chassidic masters in the era of the Ba'al Shem Tov, The Rebbetzin came to the U.S. as a young girl. She attended the Bais Yaakov School in Brooklyn, NY and later graduated from its Teachers Seminary. Notwithstanding her communal role, Rebbetzin Twerski considers her family her primary responsibility. As the mother of 11 children and over 30 grandchildren, she is a glowing example of a contemporary Orthodox Jewish woman who has become a pillar of strength to individuals throughout the world.