Page 1
Lt. Colonel (Res.) Rabbi Yedidya Atlas
[email protected]
Rabbi Yedidya Atlas, is a fifth generation American who made aliyah on a one-way ticket to
Israel at age 17. A graduate of Yeshivat Mercaz Harav Kook in Jerusalem, he received his
rabbinical ordination from former Chief Rabbi of Israel and Rosh Yeshivat Mercaz Harav, Rav
Avraham Shapira, zt”l, and from the Beit Din Hagadol in Jerusalem, among others.
Yedidya volunteered to the IDF during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. He was with the Golani
Brigade in Lebanon in the 1978 Litani Operation, and served in the Arazim Regional Brigade in
Lebanon during the early 1980’s, and from 1998-2003, he served as Rabbi of the Binyamin
Regional Brigade. He was awarded two commendations as an “Exemplary Officer” by the IDF
Rabbinate, and by the IDF Central Command, respectively. From 2003-2007, he served as
Rabbi of Judea/Samaria Division, and from 2007-2013, he served as Rabbi of the IDF Ground
Forces Command, and was then appointed Rabbi of the IDF Central Command. In 2009, he
received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the IDF Ground Forces Command for his
initiation and developing such projects as “Operation Sifrei Torah”, “Operation Sukkot”, the
IDF Mobile Synagogue, the Field Beit Knesset Kit, and the “Magen Yisrael Tehillim-Siddur for
Combat Soldiers”, among other projects. In addition to his operational duties, the Chief Rabbi
of the IDF appointed him Head of Special Projects for the IDF Chief Rabbinate.
Sample Topics/Themes:
Leadership, Responsibility and Mesirut Nefesh – Defining Today’s IDF
The IDF Rabbinate: How to Make a Jewish Army Jewish
Halachic Issues and Ramifications of a Jewish Army
Today’s Challenges Faced by Israel and the IDF
Recent Speaking Engagements: Young Israel of Greater Cleveland, Young Israel of Bal Harbor,
Young Israel of San Diego, Young Israel of East Brunswick, Young Israel of Flatbush, Young
Israel of West Hempstead, Young Israel of Hewlett, Young Israel of St. Louis, Cong. Shomrei
Emunah (Baltimore), Bais Medrash Shomrei Mishmeres (Baltimore), Cong. Ner Tamid
(Baltimore), Cong. Shomrei Torah (Fair Lawn NJ), Cong. Ohr Torah (Bergenfield NJ), and Bais
Medrash of Bergenfield.
Expenses/Honorarium: Travel expenses only.
Page 2
Mr. Avraham Cohen
[email protected]
Mr. Avraham Cohen has a BA in Economics and Business Administration, speaks several
languages – including Hebrew, English, French, and Arabic – and served in the Israeli military
Signal Corps, as well as Military Intelligence.
Avraham Cohen is the brother of Israeli spy Eli Cohen and lectures around the world, speaking
about The Life and Death of Our Man in Damascus. The presentation includes a screening of
the documentary "Undercover in Damascus".
The 1992 film chronicles the Mossad agent's infiltration of the Syrian government from 1962
until his exposure, capture and execution in 1965. He was so deep undercover that he became
chief adviser to the Syrian minister of defense. His efforts are said to have played an important
role in Israel's victory in the Six-Day War.
Mr. Cohen will speak about his family's experiences and the ongoing efforts to bring his
brother's remains back to Israel. There is no fee for his lectures, he does this solely to honor
the memory of his later brother.
Recent Speaking Engagements: Chabad shuls in Florida, New Jersey, and Northern California.
Expenses/Honorarium: Travel and accommodation expenses only.
Page 3
Mr. Mordecai Dzikansky
[email protected]
Retired NYPD First Grade Detective Mordecai Dzikansky became one of the most recognized
and valued members of the NYPD for tracking down Torah thieves, murderers and drug
dealers, in every corner of New York City. The place where he made his greatest impact,
however, was 6,000 miles from New York – in the State of Israel. Dzikansky has significant
experience with on-site terror scenes. During the second Intifada, he responded to, and
analyzed more than 25 terror bombing scenes in Israel and the region.
In addition to the two books he has authored on the subject – “Terrorist Cop” (his memoir) and
“Terrorist Suicide Bombings” (a textbook) – he also teaches terrorism awareness and prevention
methodologies to both Homeland Security professionals, as well as community based
organizations.
Sample Topics/Themes:
From Torah to Terror – The Fascinating Story of the NYPD's First Orthodox Detective
Terrorism Awareness and Prevention; Keeping your Community Safe
Realistic Analysis of the Terror Threat in the USA and Israel
Recent Speaking Engagements:
NYPD Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Bureaus, NY
MTA Police Department, NY
Major League Baseball Security Officials, San Diego, CA
SSI & TSS Homeland Security Conference, Las Vegas, NV
Bnai Aviv Synagogue, Weston, FL
Young Israel of Greater Miami Beach, FL
Rutgers University, Department of Political Science, NJ
Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office
Page 4
Dr. Daniel Eisenberg
[email protected]
www.jewishmedicalethics.com
Dr. Daniel Eisenberg is a an Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at Thomas Jefferson
University School of Medicine and a practicing radiologist in the Department of Radiology at
the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia where he was a former member of the
hospital ethics committee and currently sits on the IRB.
Dr. Eisenberg is a noted lecturer in the area of Jewish medical ethics, lecturing around the
world, including serving as the medical ethics scholar-in-residence for the New England
Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and for the Schlesinger Institute for Medical-Halachic
Research. Dr. Eisenberg has published multiple medical ethics articles in both the scholarly
and lay press, contributing to both secular and Jewish books and periodicals. His articles and
chapters have appeared in Beracha Le’Avraham, The Hadassah Jewish Family Book of Health
and Wellness, and Global Viewpoints- Abortion and periodicals and journals (such as Cancer
Investigation, Assia-Jewish Medical Ethics, the Jewish Press, The Jewish Observer, and
Jlaw.com). Dr. Eisenberg has also written over 30 Jewish medical ethics articles for
Aish.com. Most recently, Dr. Eisenberg has developed the content for the human subject
research web-based instructional module in ethics and professionalism for the American Board
of Radiology.
Dr. Eisenberg, a member of the Young Israel of the Main Line, a seasoned lecturer and scholar-
in-residence, is available for lectures and speaking engagements to synagogues and
professional, student, and community groups.
Sample Topics/Themes: Jewish Medical Ethics
Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office
Page 5
Dr. Yoram Ettinger
[email protected]
Ambassador (ret.) Ettinger is an insider on US-Israel relations and Mideast politics, a
consultant to Knesset Members, Congressmen, Senators and their staff. His weekly articles are
published at www.TheEttingerReport.com.
Sample Topics/Themes:
US Investment In – Not Foreign Aid To – Israel
The 400-Year-Old Foundation of the US-Israel Covenant
The Palestinian Refugees: Myth and Reality
The Impact of the Proposed Palestinian State on US National Security
The Precariousness of Israel's Pre-1967 Waistline
In Defiance of US Presidential Pressure - Surging US-Israel Strategic Cooperation
The Impact of the Arab Tsunami on US-Israel Strategic Cooperation
Recent Speaking Engagements: Young Israel of Woodmere, B'nai Yeshurun in Teaneck,
Kehilath Jeshurun in Manhattan, Palm Beach Synagogue, Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth
Synagogue in Memphis, Chabad Jewish Center in Naples, Israel Bonds, as well as churches,
civic organizations, etc.
Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office
Note: Dr. Ettinger will be in the U.S. during September and November 2016, available for speaking
engagements.
Page 6
Colonel Bentzi Gruber
[email protected]
Col. Gruber is currently Vice-Commander of an armored division of 20,000 soldiers, a position
that followed other significant posts of command in the course of more than 30 years serving in
the IDF Reserves. This position within the army has given him access and permission to
present materials and information that is usually only seen by military or government
officials. Gruber also established “Ethics in the Field,” a multimedia presentation and lecture,
to shatter myths and present the facts missing in today’s discussion of Israeli counter
terrorism. Col. Gruber has spoken at national conferences, community events, military
academies, college campuses, and middle and high schools around the world.
Sample Topics/Themes:
Ethics in the Israeli Military
Inclusion of the Special Needs Community in the IDF
Leadership and Responsibility
Recent Speaking Engagements: Last speaking tour included West Point, Fifth Ave Synagogue,
Flatbush Yeshiva, Federation of Nashville, CJP in Boston and the UJA.
Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office
Note: Currently has scheduled speaking tour for November 2016; available on the West Coast (Nov 7-11) and
on the East Coast (Nov 14-18).
Page 7
Dr. Mordechai Kedar
[email protected]
Lieutenant Colonel in the Israel Defense Forces, Military Intelligence, head of a branch in the
8200 unit. On active duty until 1995. Teaching at Bar-Ilan University since 1994, Departments
of Arabic and Middle East Studies. Director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East and
Islam (under formation) and Research Associate at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic
Studies, Bar-Ilan University.
Sample Topics/Themes:
The New "Islamic State" – A Challenge to Global Stability
Iran – A Threat to Global Stability.
Israel and the Palestinian Issue – Possible Solutions
What is the struggle Over Jerusalem All About?
Why do Many Muslims Hate the West?
Major Mistakes Made by the Western Coalition in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Recent Speaking Engagements: Young Israel of Potomac MD, Palm Beach Synagogue FL,
Shaare Zedek Synagogue CA, Chabad of Westport CT, Boca Raton Synagogue FL, Riverdale
Jewish Center NY, Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst NY, Bnai Yeshurun Teaneck NJ, Palo
Alto CA, Cornell University.
Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office
Page 8
Dr. Michelle Levine is Associate Professor of Bible at Stern College for Women at Yeshiva
University, where she has taught since 2001. She is also a former faculty member of the Stella
K. Abraham Yeshiva High School for Girls (SKA). She holds a BA, summa cum laude with
honors, from Brooklyn College, an MS in Bible from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of
Jewish Studies, and a PhD in medieval biblical exegesis from New York University. Dr. Levine
also studied for two years at Michlalah Teacher’s College in Israel, and was awarded the senior
class Jewish Studies “professor of the year” in 2011.
Dr. Levine is the author of Nahmanides on Genesis: The Art of Biblical Portraiture, published
by Brown University Press (2009), and she has published numerous articles on medieval
biblical exegesis in academic journals. She has also delivered papers at academic conferences,
in the US and Israel, focusing particularly on Nahmanides’ literary analysis of the Bible.
Dr. Levine lectures widely across the United States and in Israel on various topics of the Bible
and biblical commentaries, including Yeshiva University’s Midreshet Yom Rishon. She also
gives a popular weekly series on Tanach in Queens, which has been ongoing for sixteen years.
Dr. Michelle Levine
[email protected]
Sample Topics/Themes:
The Potency of Prayer: Our Matriarch Sarah in Abimelech’s Palace
Jacob and Esau: A Tale of Two Brothers
Tu Beshvat: The Miracle of Nature
The Illuminating Miracle of Chanukah
Devorah in the Book of Judges: A Woman Ahead of Her Times
Woman of Folly, Woman of Valor: A Feminine Perspective on Sefer Mishlei
Redemption, Restoration, and Remembrance in the Book of Ruth
Recent Speaking Engagements: Cong. Mekor Habracha, Center City, PA; Cong. Shaarey
Zedek, Valley Village, CA; Young Israel of Oceanside, NY; Young Israel of Holliswood, NY; West
Rogers Park, Chicago, IL; Ma'ayan, Boston, MA; Chicago Institute of Women's Learning,
Skokie, IL.
Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office
Page 9
Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich
[email protected]
Rabbi Mendelevich was born in Riga and started his Jewish activities in the 1960s, when he
formed a student group of underground Jewish education. Having been repeatedly refused the
right to emigrate, he became one of the leaders of the Dymshits–Kuznetsov hijacking affair,
recounted in his 2012 memoir “Unbroken Spirit”. As punishment, he was imprisoned for eleven
years in the Russian Gulag, and was further punished during his imprisonment for his fight to
observe mitzvot. In 1981, after a worldwide struggle for this “Prisoner of Zion”, he was released
and immigrated to Israel, and is now teaching at Machon Meir Yeshiva.
Rabbi Mendelevitch has become a popular speaker throughout the Jewish world, and has
continued to speak out on controversial issues relating to Israel and the former Soviet Union.
He has constantly involved himself in political and international affairs, Russia's support for
Arab states, and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Sample Topics/Themes:
Looking for Jewish Identity in Russia
Clandestine Activities of a Jewish Hijacker
Keeping Your Spirit Strong – Arrest, Interrogation & Trial
Unbroken Spirit – The Rabbi of the Prisoners
Miracles in My Life – Happy Ending
Recent Speaking Engagements: Yeshiva University, Young Israel of Woodmere, Boston
University, Young Israel of Riverdale, UJA of St. Louis, Ramaz High School, Lincoln Square
Synagogue, Camp Moshava, Lakewood Mesivtas & Bais Yaakov Schools, Agudah Convention
(2014), and Beth Jacob Synagogue in Los Angeles.
Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office
Page 10
Mr. Sasson (Sassy) Reuven
[email protected]
Sasson (Sassy) Reuven was born and raised in Beer Sheva, Israel, and joined the IDF (Israel
Defense Forces) at the age 19. In 1973 he served in the Red Beret Paratrooper Brigade unit,
where he participated in the famed Raid on Entebbe mission. After receiving his engineering
degree in 1984, from Brooklyn Polytechnic, now known as NYU, he traveled to Los Angeles
where he served as the director of security for El Al Israel airlines. There he met his wife Susan
and settled in Calabasas, California and raised three children. After his family, his greatest joys
are sharing his account of freeing the Jewish hostages in Entebbe and operating his
construction development company.
Sample Topics/Themes: Raid on Entebbe – My Personal Experience as the Second Soldier on
the Ground in Entebbe, Uganda.
Recent Speaking Engagements:
Temple Emanu-El, Closter NJ
Rabbi David Seth Kirshner, [email protected] 201.750.9997
B'nai Israel Synagogue and the Jewish Temple, Alexandria LA
Shelly Kaplan, [email protected] 318.664.9177
Kehilat Keter Torah, Teaneck NJ
Mrs. Gabrielle Altman, [email protected] 201.563.1196
Chabad Lubavitch of North Virginia
Rabbi Sholom Deitsch, [email protected] cell: 703.338.9854
North East London, UK, Chabad Lubavitch Centers NE London & Essex
Rabbi Aryah Sufrin, [email protected] Shtermi Sufrfrin : +44 7950 468 843.
London, UK, Bushey United Synagogue & District Synagogue
Rabbi Yossi Saunders, [email protected] 00-44-7502 428 556
The Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Life
Rabbi Yisroel Goldberg, [email protected] 519.725.4289
Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office
http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/memories-of-entebbe/
Page 11
Rabbi Hanoch Teller
[email protected]
www.hanochteller.com
Rabbi Hanoch Teller is a globe-trotting modern-day maggid (storyteller of yore) renowned as the King
of the Storytellers and the Shakespeare of the Yeshivah World. He has lectured before audiences on
five continents, in 40 American States and 24 other countries, delivering a precious and inspiring
message that is cherished for a lifetime. His presentations – imbued with joy and drama, laughter
and pathos — provide a one-of-a-kind experience for listeners young and old from all across the
spectrum. The classes he teaches in numerous Jerusalem educational institutions are in great
demand.
Sample Topics/Themes: Mussar (character oriented), Historical, Holocaust, or Biographies of Gedolei
Yisrael
Recent Speaking Engagements: Boca Raton Synagogue, Beth Jacob Beverly Hills, Bayt Toronto, Young
Israel of Woodmere, Young Israel of Beechwood NY, Young Israel of Hollywood FL, Young Israel of
Brookline, Chovevei Tzion Skokie, Young Israel of Houston
Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office
Page 12
David Olesker
011-972-2-651-2610
[email protected]
website: http://jccat.org
David Olesker is the founder and director of JCCAT: Jerusalem Center for Communication and
Advocacy Training. A former student leader in the UK, David has become one of the world’s top
advocacy trainers. He works with students, community activists and the staff of professional Israel
advocacy organizations around the world. His clients have included major organizations such as the
ADL, as well as grassroots groups. Based in Jerusalem, David Olesker travels often to North America
and other countries.
Sample Topics/Themes:
Nuts and Bolts of Israel advocacy: You have access to all the information you could want about Israel and the region but how do you turn information into advocacy? I'll show you how.
Media Relations: What's the next step after holding the media to account? Developing a relationship with it so that it becomes your way of getting your message out.
Advanced Advocacy Consulting: If you already have a good grasp of advocacy skills, I can consult with you to help you to develop specific strategies and tactics tailored for your
community.
Many more sessions on request; see my website for details.
Recent Speaking Engagements: Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Cong, Baltimore MD; Agudas Yisroel Bais
Binyomin, Brooklyn NY; Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto ON; Young Israel of Oak Park MI; Beth El
Jacob, Des Moines IA.
Expenses/Honorarium: $1,600 (includes airfare, hotel, etc.)
Page 13
Dr. Shmuel Shields
718-544-4036
[email protected]
www.drshieldsnutrition.com
Shmuel Shields, Ph.D., is a certified nutritionist with more than 25 years of experience as an educator
and clinician, and is a popular guest speaker in the Jewish community. He is also the author of
“L’Chaim: 18 Chapters to Live By”, the inspirational Torah-based book on health, which includes a
Haskama from HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita.
Sample Topics/Themes:
Lev Tov: Keeping Your Good Heart Healthy
What Would the Rambam Eat at Your Simcha?
Whole Foods: A First Step to Holiness
Rainbow Nutrition for Your Kosher Kitchen
Improving Memory and Cognition through Nutrition
Staying Afloat on a Digital Boat: Stress Reduction for the 21st Century
Guard Your Health: Integrating the Torah Lifestyle
Transition Tips for Healthier Shabbos and Yom Tov Meals
Recent Speaking Engagements: Chazaq, Agudah Women, Emunah Women, Young Israel of Forest
Hills, Jewish Association for Services for the Aged, Torah Umesorah, Queens Jewish Center, Ateret
Avot, Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, Sephardic Community Center
Expenses/Honorarium: Negotiable
References:
Rabbi Yakov Lerner, Young Israel of Great Neck
Yaniv Meirov, Chazaq
Rabbi Moshe Turk, Jewish Heritage Center
Rabbi Stu Verstandig, Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills
Rabbi Simcha Hopkovitz, Queens Jewish Center
Linda Eber, Sephardic Community Center
Page 14
Tzvi Fishman
972-50-781-0595
[email protected]
Tzvi Fishman is the producer and director of the film, “Stories of Rebbe Nachman.” Born in America,
he is a graduate of New York University School of the Arts, where he majored in Film and Television.
Shortly afterward, he published his first novel, “Paradise,” for Dell Publishers and wrote the screenplay
for a major Hollywood movie, “Law and Disorder,” for Columbia Pictures. For several years, he taught
Dramatic and Creative Writing at the New York University Film School.
Feeling an emptiness with life in Hollywood, he set off on a spiritual quest which led him to Judaism
and Torah. His journey back to his Jewish roots and to the Land of Israel is a riveting story as exciting
as any movie. In Israel, while learning Torah for many years, he has published 15 books, novels and
scholarly commentaries on a wide range of Jewish themes, including four popular commentaries on
the teachings of Rabbi Kook. He was awarded the Israel Minister of Education Prize for Creativity and
Jewish Culture, and has directed and produced a series of docu-dramas on the subject of Medical
Ethics and Jewish Law.
In the past year alone, he has screened the movie and spoken in more than 25 communities and
schools in Israel. Married with seven children, he lives in Jerusalem. His books are available
at Amazon Books.
Presentation: A (one hour) screening of three stories (in English) from my movie "Stories of Rebbe
Nachman," including a talk, "From Hollywood to the Holy Land" - My spiritual journey from my Reform
bar mitzvah in a Unitarian church in New England, to the pursuit of the American Dream as a young
novelist and screenwriter in New York and Hollywood, to a miracle-filled path to teshuva, religious
Zionism, and creative endeavor in the Holy Land.
Expenses/Honorarium: $400 per screening and lecture in Florida and New York. For other locations in
the US, travel, hotel, car rental as well.
Link to a recent article about my movie;
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214591
Page 15
Alan M. Singer, Ph.D.
Clinical Social Worker
732-572-2707
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/DrAlanSinger
www.FamilyThinking.com
Motivated by the sad statistic that two thirds of divorcing couples don’t receive even one hour of
counseling, Dr. Alan Singer has been a Marriage Therapist based in New Jersey and Manhattan since
1980. His success rate with saving marriages of couples on the brink of divorce is 80%.
He counsels couples worldwide via Skype, blogs at FamilyThinking.com, is the author of "Creating
Your Perfect Family Size" (Wiley) and https://twitter.com/DrAlanSinger. Married for 39 years, he and
his wife are the parents of 4 grown children. His mantra is: I am the last one in the room to give up on
your marriage.
Sample Topics/Themes (interactive):
Better than Silver and Gold: Reaching Those Marriage Milestones
Filling Your Empty Nest: Rediscovering the Meaning in Your Marriage after the Children Have
Left
Helping Family and Friends Sustain Successful Relationships
Debunking Marriage Myths
Grand-Parenting: It’s More than Just Presents and Candy
Your Adult Child's Marital Problems: Be Re-Active or Pro-Active?
Nurturing Your Marriage and Your Children to Assure Both Will Thrive
Recent Speaking Engagements:
WGN Radio Chicago (The Matt Bubala Show)
Rabbinical Association of Middlesex & Monmouth County Retreat
Lasko Passover at the Fontainebleau
Orthodox Union Marriage Retreat
And numerous broadcast and print interviews including: Fox & Friends, NBC-Chicago, ABC-
Philadelphia, CBS-Miami, MSNBC.com, USA Today, Businessweek, Miami Herald, and
Huffington Post.
Expenses/Honorarium: $500 for one tristate-area evening (driving distance to central NJ), or $1,000
for 2-3 days away, plus travel expenses (airfare/hotel/rental car).
Page 16
Eliyon Shemesh
Israel cell: 972-52-381-9702
Toll free: 1-855-622-7432
[email protected]
Eliyon Shemesh is a Jewish Educator, musician and storyteller, with a unique style that is a blend of
his experiences growing up on Moshav Moddim (Carlebach Moshav), having the opportunity to perform
with Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach in concert, and then becoming a student of the esteemed Rav Shlomo
Aviner. Eliyon is currently Director of Development for Yeshivat Har Hamor in North America.
Eliyon joined the IDF and served more than two years in the Israeli Army Band before going to
Montreal on shlichut with his family, and founding the Light House for Kollel Torah Mitzion, an
Outreach program focusing on university campuses. Upon returning to Israel, Eliyon was a founding
member of a new settlement in the Jerusalem area, Mitzpe Danny, and also helped to build a new
neighborhood in East Jerusalem, Nof Zion.
For the past ten years, Eliyon has been teaching at the Machon Meir English language program, and is
now a part of a new initiative with the Ministry of Education, teaching about Shabbos through an
interactive musical, performing for secular elementary schools throughout Israel. In the past, Eliyon
has worked for the Israel agency, through a musical program aimed at strengthening smaller Jewish
communities in Africa, Australia, Europe and North America.
Sample Topics/Themes:
From Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach to Rav Kook
Outreach vs In-Reach
Settling Jerusalem; Now and Then
Kidney Donation; Going Above Nature
The Teachings of Rav Kook
With possibility of a musical Melave Malka included.
Recent Speaking Engagements: Bal Harbor FL, Bnai Yeshurun TeaNeck NJ, Young Israel of Century
City CA, Cong Tifereth Beth David, Montreal.
Expenses/Honorarium: Travel expenses only
