Jewish Life: Prayer
Rabbi Elchanan Adler
Rabbi Elchanan Adler has served since 1998 as a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, where he occupies the Eva, Morris and Jack Rubin Chair in Rabbinics. His affiliation with Yeshiva began in 1988 as a fellow of the prestigious Gruss Kollel Elyon. While there, he edited Volumes 3 and 4 of Beit Yosef Shaul, and received the Imrei Shefer writing award. Prior to his appointment as a rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Adler served as a shoel u’meishiv/sgan mashgiach (mentor/counselor to students). An accomplished speaker and writer, Rabbi Adler has lectured in communities across the country and is the author of Sefer Mitzvas HaShabbos (on the evolution of the mitzva of Shabbat, 2008), Yerach Tov (on Birkat HaChodesh, OU Press, 2014,) Asher Chanan (Discourses and Essays) and Eis Lechenina (on the Shabbos Musaf amida) as well as numerous Torah articles in both Hebrew and English on diverse topics of Jewish thought. Rabbi Adler also served as co-editor of the Torah journal, Or HaMizrach, from 2003 to 2006, overseeing the publication of seven issues of the Journal. Before joining Yeshiva, Rabbi Adler studied at Yeshivas Beis Yosef-Novardok, Mirrer Yeshiva and Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem, where he received semikha (rabbinic ordination) from Rav Dovid Feinstein. Rabbi Adler holds a BA summa cum laude in psychology from CUNY and an MS in secondary Jewish education from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, where he received the Axelrod Scholarship Award for Academic Excellence. Rabbi Adler’s shiurim are known for their substantive content and organized presentation. His talks often combine rigorous halachic analysis with practical psychological insight. He resides in Passaic, New Jersey, with his wife Miriam, a clinical psychologist and their 5 children. Sample Titles Tefillah/Prayer Praying for the Sick: Origins and Perspectives Praying for a Miracle: Implications of a “Forgotten” Ruling in Hilchos Chanuka Dare We Make Demands of Hashem? – Insights Gleaned From Viduy Maaser, Mikra Bikurim, Birchas Kohanim and Mi SheBeirach Birchas Kohanim: From Aharon HaKohen Until the...
Rabbi Kenneth Auman
Rabbi Kenneth Auman has been an adjunct professor of Jewish studies at Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University since 1993. Rabbi Auman is also spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Flatbush, where he has served since 1984. Rabbi Auman is well known among his congregants and students for his warmth, humor and impressive scholarship, and has become a highly sought-after speaker in history, halakha and hashkafa. In addition to his rabbinical and teaching roles, Rabbi Auman is active in many community causes. Rabbi Auman has served as president of the Vaad Harabonim of Flatbush, established the Kehillah Kashrus Rabbinical Board, served as rabbinic advisor to the Get organization, was president of the Rabbinical Council of America and has played an important role in maintaining the Flatbush eruv. Rabbi Auman earned a BA in Jewish studies at Yeshiva College and an MA in medieval Jewish history from Bernard Revel Graduate School in Jewish Studies. He received both Yadin Yadin and Yoreh Yoreh semikha from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Rabbi Auman previously served as spiritual leader of Young Israel of Stamford and Inwood Jewish Center. He began his teaching career at SAR Academy in the Bronx and Ramaz Upper School in Manhattan. Sample Titles ISRAEL: The modern State as heir to the ancient kingdom May one go on the Har Habayit? Does arguing with G-d make any sense? The Mitzvah of chessed Shidduchim, Bashert, and dating The Jewish wedding ceremony How does prayer work? The seudat havra’ah and other cheerful topics What’s in a name? Attempting to be an honest employer or employee Receiving blessings from angels Family Dynamics Dreams and their significance The mitzvoth of Yibbum and chalitza – Jewish continuity Kavod hamet Reward and Punishment: Is the World Fair? The Halachic Obligations of Non- Jews How Much Are We Influenced by our Surroundings? The Mitzvah of Living and Settling in the Land of Israel Does Gd Judge us on Our Present or on Our Future? Halachic...
Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff
Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff serves on the Judaic studies faculty of Stern College for Women. Originally from London, England, Rabbi Hajioff graduated with honors in political science from Manchester University. After working for two years for MTV in news production, and winning the national competition ‘Jewish Stand-Up Comedian’ of the Year, Rabbi Hajioff traveled to study in Israel and then Monsey to receive his rabbinical smicha ordination from Yeshiva Ohr Somayach. Rabbi Hajioff has worked extensively with young Jewish drug addicts, and in 2004 received an award from the Town of Ramapo for his work on their behalf. In 2005 Rabbi Hajioff joined the faculty of Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University. In 2006 he received the “Professor of the Year” award in Judaic Studies from the senior year students at Stern. Rabbi Hajioff also works for Birthright Israel in New York as their official Rabbi and educational director. He has been instrumental in implementing programs for Birthright Israel in Manhattan such as the very successful adult bar and bat mitzvah program which some four hundred people have completed so far. He also leads trips to Israel and Poland three times annually for some three hundred participants. Rabbi Hajioff also teaches on the Mechina Introductory Judaic studies program at Stern College. This program includes Shabbatonim on and off campus, and a summer learning program in Israel at the YU campus. He teaches introductory Judaic studies courses, which cover all the foundations of Jewish thought, as well as a lower intermediate level course covering all the Jewish holidays, and an intermediate level course on the Sabbath. He has developed a new course introducing kabbalistic ideas in Jewish thought. Sample Titles The Five Levels of Pleasure Four Misconceptions Jews Have About Judaism Children – Planting and Building; Bringing up Healthy Children in Today’s Technological World. Finding Inspiration in a Hectic World Do Jews Believe in G-d War – What is it Good For? Israel – Whose Land Is It Anyway? Health...
Rabbi Aharon Kahn
Rabbi Aharon Kahn was named Joel Jablonski Professor of Talmud and Codes at Yeshiva University’s affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) in 1988. A specialist in rabbinic law, Rabbi Kahn was ordained at RIETS in 1969 and later earned Semikhah Yadin Yadin, the highest level of rabbinic ordination, from the late Torah sages Rabbi Mendel Zaks and Rabbi Moshe Duber Rivkin. For 20 years, he studied with the late, revered Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Leib Merkin Distinguished Professor of Talmud and Jewish Philsophy at RIETS, who was considered the foremost authority on Halakhah (Jewish law) and chief mentor and inspiration of authentic Jewish leadership on this continent. For ten of those years, he was Rabbi Soloveitchik’s assistant. Rabbi Kahn was appointed Rosh Kollel of RIETS’ prestigious Kollel Elyon at its inception and served in that position from 1983 to 1998. At RIETS, Rabbi Kahn was co-editor of the University’s Centennial Torah volume, Yevul Hayovlot, which contained a sampling of the Torah scholarship of Yeshiva’s roshei yeshiva since its inception. He is also the author of nine volumes spanning the entire range of Jewish scholarship. Rabbi Kahn completed eighteen year tenure as spiritual leader of the Downtown Talmud Torah Synagogue on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 1987. He then moved to the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn where he established Knesseth Bais Avigdor, a unique congregation that provides opportunities for lay people to engage in serious Torah study on a daily basis. His wife, Rebetzin Rachel Kahn, is the principal of the Bais Yaakov of the East Side. Mr. Jablonski established the Chair in Talmud and Codes in memory of his parents, Chaim and Sima Weissman Jablonski, and his brother, Bezalel in July, 1988. Sample Titles Memories of the Rav Perspectives on Tzedaka Teshuvah–It’s Time! The Rambam’s Mitzvah of Koreich Giving Thanks–Hakoras Hatovah: A Yesod in Yahadus Nosai Be’ol im Chaveiro: The Passion in Compassion Chazal’s Perspective on Daily Life...
Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger
Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger is a rosh yeshiva at the Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Neuberger is also the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Abraham in Bergenfield, N.J. Rabbi Neuburger is an authority on issues related to marital relationships and the purity of the Jewish home. He offers his services to help young men train for married life and prepare to build a proper Jewish home built on Jewish law and spirit. From 1986 to 1990, Rabbi Neuburger was spiritual leader of the Jewish community at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Jack D. Weiler Hospital. Rabbi Neuburger received semikha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University in 1979. He is a graduate of Yeshiva College, and earned an MA in psychology from Columbia University. Sample Titles Copyright in Jewish Law The Role of Parents and Teachers in a Student’s Life Decisions Scholarship and Scholarships: The Hidden Cost of Jewish Education Perspectives on Ramban and Minchat Chinuch Life Threatening Situations on...
Rabbi Ari Sytner
Rabbi Ari Sytner is Director of Community Initiatives at Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future where he works to help strengthen communities nationwide. Training community leaders, rabbis, and rabbinic students in the art of Jewish leadership, Rabbi Sytner uses his talents and passions to reach and inspire the full spectrum of the Jewish people. Rabbi Sytner is originally from Monsey, NY. A student of Rabbi Berel Wein, he has served on the pulpit for 13 years in out of town communities, 5 years in Des Moines, Iowa and 8 years in Charleston, South Carolina. Rabbi Sytner studied Psychology for his undergraduate degree, Education for his Masters, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Work. Sample Titles My Kidney Donation: A Personal Journey & Halachik Analysis Do Jews Believe in Karma? Achieving Stress-Free Living Angels & Demons Heaven and Hell: What do we Really believe? Lose Yourself in the Music: Why People get Entranced by Song Does Mazel Dictate our Destiny? Kaballah 101: What to Believe? Are Miracles Real? How Can we Tell? Divine Intervention: Can we Feel G-d in our Lives? Moses on the Corporate Ladder: Leadership Strategies from the Torah 3 Jews 4 Opinions: Why we Don’t See Eye to Eye Women in the Talmud Jewish Dilemmas in Bioethics Organ Donation Fertility & Reproductive Technologies in Halachah Stem Cell Research Hospice and End of Life Issues The Right to Die: DNR’s & Autonomy in Medicine Coping with Tragedy: A Jewish Perspective David’s Story: A Paraplegic’s Struggle to Live A Close-up Look at the Marriage of Rabbi Akiva Dating: Obstacles, Realities and Success Jewish Dating Practices: Past, Present & Future Successful Parenting for Raising Awesome Kids Honoring Parents in the Good Times & the Bad Making Marriage Great (And Painless) Dysfunctional Families in the Torah Religious Dilemmas in the Holocaust The False Messiah Phenomenon: A Look at Shabtai Zvi Why is Israel Always in the Spotlight? Esther’s Secret: A Fresh Analysis of Purim Secrets of the Pesach Seder...
Rabbi Michael Taubes
Rabbi Michael Taubes is Rosh Yeshiva at RIETS, and has served as Head of School at the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy – Yeshiva University High School for Boys, as well as a past member of the rabbinic faculty of Yeshiva College. He is also the spiritual leader of Congregation Zichron Mordechai in Teaneck, New Jersey, delivering regular Shiurim and lectures both there and at the Beis Medrash of Bergen County, housed in Teaneck’s Congregation Bnai Yeshurun. His classes are well known for their breadth of sources and clarity of presentation. Rabbi Taubes has been involved in formal and informal Jewish education for more than thirty years, serving both in the classroom and in various administrative posts. An alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion (“Gush”) in Israel where he was a student of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, zt’l, Rabbi Taubes attended Yeshiva College and was honored upon graduation in 1980 with an award for excellence in Talmud. He subsequently studied in the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary for several years in the Shiur of the revered Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, zt’l, and from where he received his ordination. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School and then spent several years learning in Yeshiva’s Marcos and Adinah Katz Kollel, headed by Rabbi Hershel Schachter, shlita, with whom he continues to maintain a close relationship. Recognizing the need to spread Torah to people outside the sphere of influence of the yeshiva classroom and the Beis Medrash, Rabbi Taubes helped found The Jewish Learning Experience of Bergen County, a flourishing adult outreach institution, which he directed for many years and with which he remains affiliated. Rabbi Taubes is the author of The Practical Torah, a collection of articles on topics in Halachah based on the weekly Parshah, as well as numerous essays on an array of Torah subjects appearing in many Jewish publications. He also worked for ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications as a writer and editor for the English translation...