2023 Program
Scholars in Residence
Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Glatstein is an American Orthodox rav, public speaker, author, prolific researcher, pulpit rabbi and teacher with a global following and one of the most popular English speaking Torah teachers in the contemporary Jewish landscape. Rabbi Glatstein was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and now resides in the Five Towns (Cedarhurst NY) with his family where he furthers his research, writing and teachings to the masses and his Kahal Kadosh.
Dr. David J. Lieberman, Ph.D., is an award-winning author and internationally recognized leader in the fields of human behavior and interpersonal relationships. Blending the wisdom of the Torah with cutting-edge research, Dr. Lieberman’s writings and lectures captivate both scholar and layman alike and are enjoyed by people at all levels and from all backgrounds. His twelve books, which have been translated into 26 languages and include two New York Times bestsellers, have sold millions of copies worldwide. Dr. Lieberman’s works have been featured in hundreds of major publications, and he appears as a frequent guest expert on national media outlets. His latest book, Mindreader is available at bookstores nationwide. Visit DrDavidLieberman.com for more information and TorahAnytime.com to enjoy hundreds of his video lectures.
Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, one of the foremost leaders in Jewish life in North America and worldwide, is Executive Vice President, Emeritus of the Orthodox Union, following more than seven years as Executive Vice President. Rabbi Weinreb received his rabbinic ordination in 1962 from the Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshiva in New York and served as spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Baltimore for 13 years. In addition, he has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maryland and served as a psychotherapist for mental health organizations for many years while also maintaining a private practice. Now, with more time to write, Rabbi Weinreb has authored The Person in the Parasha: Discovering the Human Element in the Weekly Torah Portion, based on his popular weekly Person in the Parsha Torah commentary.
Speakers & Maggidei Shiur
Rabbi Naftali Portnoy has served as the Co-Director of, and Senior Lecturer at, the Jewish Heritage Center of Queens and Long Island, an internationally renowned Kiruv Center, since 1988. Together with Director Rabbi Moshe Turk, he developed this respected organization, which since 1987 has reached out to more than 15,000 Jewish Adults throughout the Metropolitan New York area. More than 1,500 of their students have become fully Shomer Torah u’Mitzvos and over 8,000 have made significant strides towards deepening their commitment to Torah Judaism. Rabbi Portnoy has a deep grasp of psak halacha and has conferred extensively with g’dolei poskin both in America and Eretz Yisrael on varied and delicate matters of halacha as they apply to baalei teshuva.
Rabbi Moshe Turk is the founding Co-Director of, and Senior Lecturer at, the Jewish Heritage Center of Queens and Long Island, an internationally renowned Kiruv Center. Together with Director Emeritus Rabbi Naftali Portnoy, he developed this respected organization, which since 1987 has reached out to more than 15,000 Jewish Adults throughout the Metropolitan New York area. More than 1,500 of their students have become fully Shomer Torah u’Mitzvos and over 8,000 have made significant strides towards deepening their commitment to Torah Judaism. Rabbi Turk is a warm and engaging speaker who has lectured to both learned and secular audiences throughout the country and in Eretz Yisrael.
Rabbi Eliezer Eidlitz of Los Angeles, our Program’s Rav Hamachshir, is a world-renowned expert in the field of Kashrus. He is recognized as a leading authority not only on the extremely complex laws of kashrus, but as well on the intricacies of modern food production and corporate machinery such as those found in Hotels and industrial kitchen settings. He is Founder/Director of the Kosher Information Bureau and kosherquest.org and the author of the highly acclaimed book Is It Kosher?
Rabbi Yitzchak Gornish is a kashrus administrator at KOF-K Kosher Supervision, with over two decades of experience and a master's degree in food science from Rutgers University. He combines his deep understanding of kashrus halachos with technical knowledge of the food industry and expertise in food chemistry, enabling him to integrate kashrus into food production. Rabbi Gornish believes that understanding the manufacturing process is crucial for providing effective kashrus supervision, and he is currently studying automation to advise companies on how to streamline kashrus supervision.
Rabbi Shlomo Yonoson Harris is a noted talmid chacham with expertise in many areas, including chinuch and shiduchim. Rabbi Harris is a Beis Medrash Magid Shiur in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, where the talmidim line up by his door for his insightful guidance and eitza. Rabbi Harris is an internationally sought after shadchan, with over 60 successful shiduchim (including from past years of our Pesach Program!). Additionally, Rabbi Harris serves as the Rav of the Chofetz Chaim Alumni minyan.
Mrs. Suri Kest has been involved in Jewish women’s education in various capacities. Born in NY, she moved to Los Angeles, where she and her husband Michael raised their family. She graduated UCLA with a degree in Biology, and began teaching Pirkei Avos, Physiology and Honors Chemistry at the local Bais Yaakov high school. In recent years her classroom teaching has shifted to twelfth-grade Machaheves Yisrael. Mrs. Kest has been teaching Kallahs for over 30 years and regularly lectured at the famous Arachim seminars. main area of focus among her numerous study partners is her weekly group of friends studying the Michtav M’Eliyahu of Rav Dessler together for the past seven years.
Mrs. Shifra Turk MS. ED, BCBA LBA is an accomplished educator who has dedicated her career to empowering others. Shifra has extensive experience in curriculum development, program management, and teacher and parent training. Shifra has a deep understanding of effective educational modules that meet the emotional and educational needs of diverse learners of all ages. She also has played an active role in building and strengthening Jewish communities and connecting and mentoring individuals seeking to connect to their Jewish heritage. Through her work, Shifra has earned a reputation as a compassionate, dedicated, and innovative professional with a deep understanding of the emotional dynamic of education.
Dr. Meir Wikler is a psychotherapist and family counselor in full-time private practice with offices in Lakewood, N.J. and Brooklyn, N.Y. He is a sought after speaker in the U.S., the U.K. and in Eretz Yisroel. Dr. Wikler has published over 100 articles in various clinical journals as well as popular periodicals such as The Jewish Observer and Mishpacha Magazine. He has also written twelve books on marriage, parenting, psychotherapy and stories of hashgacha pratis published by Artscroll, Feldheim, Menucha, and Hamodia Treasures/Israel Bookshop. Many of his lectures and shiurim are available at TorahAnytime.com.
ENTERTAINMENT
Benny friedman
Monday Night
yoni z
Sunday Night
Shlomo levinger
Shlomo
reich
Baal Tefila and Ruach
SHADCHANIM
Rabbi Shlomo Yonoson Harris
Rabbi Harris is a noted talmid chacham with expertise in many areas, including chinuch and shiduchim. Rabbi Harris is a Beis Medrash Magid Shiur in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, where the talmidim line up by his door for his insightful guidance and eitza. Rabbi Harris is an internationally sought after shadchan, with over 60 successful shiduchim (including from past years of our Pesach Program!). Additionally, Rabbi Harris serves as the Rav of the Chofetz Chaim Alumni minyan.
Mrs. Adina Reich
Adina has been an active volunteer shadchan for over two decades, and is well known for her innovative and forward-thinking approach to singles, dating, relationships and matchmaking, as well as for her fun, relaxed and well-attended single events. Adina lives in Lawrence, NY with her husband Shlomo and their 6 children, and works in business development for Landmark Abstract Agency, a full service commercial and residential title insurance company.
Daycare, Day Camp & Teens
Our highly acclaimed daycare, daycamp and teen programs will be led by the caring and capable
Zezy Fuld!
He has years of experience not only at Yom Tov Hotels, but also as director of camp Camp Machaneh Yisrael and formerly one of the Schnitzel Guys. Zezy "gets” people of all ages and knows how to make them smile. This has made him successful as a teacher, youth director, camp director, rebbe, and entertainer. Warm and caring counselors and a fun packed schedule will guarantee your children the time of their life so their parents can get the relaxation of a lifetime!
Professionally trained dancer and licensed Zumba instructor (2016), Rivky Mandel, brings high energy dance fusion classes with exciting music, graceful movement, and lebediga attitude.
Danielle Sarah Storch, MA, OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist and a group fitness instructor with a passion for stretching and movement patterns to promote health. She is a licensed Soulstir and BodyFlow (Les Mills) Instuctor. Danielle Sarah has also created her own fitness programs, including JFlow (a Jewish Yoga/Pilates/flow program) and ComboFlow (a Jewish dance fusion class).
To reach out to her, email: Kosherexercise@gmail.com
Sabrina Landau is a certified health coach. After a 30+ year career in Jewish education, the pandemic hit, and she had to find a new career. Losing 60 pounds while working with a health coach, inspired her become one as well and pay the gift forward. Focusing on mindset work, healthy habits and rock solid nutrition, Sabrina helps her clients reach their goals and live their healthiest lives. She is the mother of 3 beautiful children: Yaakov, Thommie and Goldie and lives in New Rochelle, NY. Find her on Facebook or Instagram @successwithsabrina
Interesting fact: her father, Mr. Edward Chernoff, was one of the founders of the Jewish Heritage Center.
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