20th Annual AJOP Convention
January 18-22, 2008

Shabbos 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 Abish Brodt

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 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.

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.

Mr. Kenneth Fink

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 Eli Gewirtz
Rabbi Eli Gewirtz is the founder and National Director of Partners in Torah, a nationwide outreach program with over 12,000 participants. Rabbi Gewirtz, formerly a Shul Rabbi in Twin Rivers, NJ for Shalom Torah Centers and a menahel at Aish Hatorah in Yerushalayim, is a licensed marriage and family therapist.

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.

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 Zev Leff
Rabbi Zev Leff is one of Israel’s most popular English-speaking Torah educators. For more than 20 years, he has served as the rav (rabbi) of Moshav Matityahu, a small religious community located in central Israel adjacent to Kiryat Sefer, and just outside Modiin. In addition to the shiurim (lectures) he gives seven days a week at Matityahu, Rabbi Leff is constantly traveling to speak at schools, yeshivot, seminaries, community centers, and events throughout Israel and abroad.

A much sought-after lecturer and teacher, Rabbi Leff is often called to England, South Africa, the United States and other countries to inspire, enlighten and provide Torah guidance. He has the rare ability to bring across a subtle point of Torah learning with wit, humor and analytical brilliance. Rabbi Leff has also authored books and countless articles.

Rabbi Leff received his semicha ordination from the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland Ohio, where he studied under Rav Mordechai Gifter, zt"l. In 1974, Rabbi Leff became the rabbi of Young Israel of North Miami Beach, where he spent the next nine years building a thriving young Torah community. Fulfilling a life-long dream, he moved with his family to Eretz Yisrael in 1983 settling in Moshav Matityahu where he continues to serve as Rav, as well as Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah Matisyahu.

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.

Mr. Richard Morris
Richard Morris is a stand-up comedian from NYC who has performed his stand-up comedy, and story of Jewish return and continued path of observance, in his program COMEDY AND COMING HOME for Jewish audiences across the U.S. and Canada and in Australia, England and Belgium.

Richard began his career as one of the headliners at the top comedy clubs in NY and LA: the Improv, Catch a Rising Star, Comic Strip Live, and the Comedy Store.

And along with many national television appearances, was also one of the original eight writers, and a frequent guest, on NBC’s LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN.

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 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 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 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.

Women Speakers

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. 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.