speakers
Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein has become the favorite speaker of thousands of men and women worldwide, offering hard-hitting, relatable, and authentic presentations. Beloved eighth grade rebbe for almost thirty years, and dynamic Ohr Naava director for the past decade, Rabbi Wallerstein is passionate about helping teenagers and adults figure out who they really want to be. The warmth and love he radiates in his classes, lectures, and everyday conversations are reciprocated by his grateful students, who turn to “Rebbe” for chizuk, guidance and inspiration. He lives with his wife Estee, children and grandchildren in Brooklyn.
Mr. Charlie Harary, Esq. is a prolific speaker known internationally for his lectures and
seminars on personal growth, entrepreneurship, social change and spirituality. He has
spoken to hundreds of businesses, organizations, and educational institutions; and his
videos have reached hundreds of thousands of people around the globe.
Charlie is the CEO of H3 & Co., an advisory and investment firm based in New York. He is also a Clinical Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at the Yeshiva Univers ity's Sy Syms School of Business.
Charlie hosts two weekly radio shows: The Boardroom on the Nachum Segal Network (NSN) Thursday mornings at 9am, and The Charlie Harary Show on WABC 770 Saturday evenings at 9pm. The Boardroom is syndicated on multiple platforms across the globe. In April 2015, Charlie launched a podcast show, Unlocking Greatness, in which he interviews successful entrepreneurs, thought leaders and experts to understand how they achieved their respective successes. Unlocking Greatness made it to the Top 10 on iTunes' New & Noteworthy business podcasts list in June 2015. In May 2015, Charlie launched #TheAskCharlieShow, an online video show that answers real business questions in a concise but entertaining manner to help his audience tackle their everyday workplace challenges.
- Prior to H3 & Co., Mr. Harary was the First Vice President of Residential Operations and Legal Counsel of RXR Realty, a multi-billion dollar real estate company based in New York. Prior to RXR, Mr. Harary was an associate in Paul, Weiss, Riind, Wharton & Garrison and Davis Polk & Wardwell. He received his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was awarded the James Kent Scholar and the Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar awards.
- An active community leader, Mr. Harary is the founder of The Living Tree, a non-profit organization created to empower people to realize their full potential through innovative education, trainings, seminars and online courses. The Living Tree develops methods to teach spirituality in relevant and modern ways, working closely with academic institutions and organizations to design educational strategies that inform and inspire their constituents, even in the most challenging environments.
- Charlie Harary is the o cial Scholar in Residence for OHEL Children's Home and Family Services, one of the country's leading social servicing agencies. He lectures, teaches and inspires the community on a variety of topics geared toward improving the quality of life for those in need.
- Charlie is a professional member of the National Speakers Association.
Charlie is the CEO of H3 & Co., an advisory and investment firm based in New York. He is also a Clinical Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at the Yeshiva Univers ity's Sy Syms School of Business.
Charlie hosts two weekly radio shows: The Boardroom on the Nachum Segal Network (NSN) Thursday mornings at 9am, and The Charlie Harary Show on WABC 770 Saturday evenings at 9pm. The Boardroom is syndicated on multiple platforms across the globe. In April 2015, Charlie launched a podcast show, Unlocking Greatness, in which he interviews successful entrepreneurs, thought leaders and experts to understand how they achieved their respective successes. Unlocking Greatness made it to the Top 10 on iTunes' New & Noteworthy business podcasts list in June 2015. In May 2015, Charlie launched #TheAskCharlieShow, an online video show that answers real business questions in a concise but entertaining manner to help his audience tackle their everyday workplace challenges.
- Prior to H3 & Co., Mr. Harary was the First Vice President of Residential Operations and Legal Counsel of RXR Realty, a multi-billion dollar real estate company based in New York. Prior to RXR, Mr. Harary was an associate in Paul, Weiss, Riind, Wharton & Garrison and Davis Polk & Wardwell. He received his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was awarded the James Kent Scholar and the Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar awards.
- An active community leader, Mr. Harary is the founder of The Living Tree, a non-profit organization created to empower people to realize their full potential through innovative education, trainings, seminars and online courses. The Living Tree develops methods to teach spirituality in relevant and modern ways, working closely with academic institutions and organizations to design educational strategies that inform and inspire their constituents, even in the most challenging environments.
- Charlie Harary is the o cial Scholar in Residence for OHEL Children's Home and Family Services, one of the country's leading social servicing agencies. He lectures, teaches and inspires the community on a variety of topics geared toward improving the quality of life for those in need.
- Charlie is a professional member of the National Speakers Association.
Rabbi Reuven Epstein is a graduate of The Jerusalem Kollel and a Musmach of Rabbi Yitzchok Berkovits. After three years as Assistant Rabbi in Staten Island, he moved to Brooklyn, and as a Chosson Rebbe, he is involved with marriage related shailas, rabbinic counseling and guidance. Rabbi Epstein is also the founder of The Marriage Project which offers online and in-person seminars and other marriage resources to those who are dating, engaged and married.
Rabbi Shalom Yona Weis is a dynamic, inspirational, humorous and engaging speaker that has spoken for organizations, schools, universities and institutions on a variety of topics and to audiences of various sizes and affiliations all around the world.
Rabbi Weis received his semicha from Yeshivas Shor Yoshuv where he studied for over 7 years. Rabbi Weis started his teaching career in HALB at the young age of 19 and quickly built a name as a warm, caring and energetic Rabbi with unique ability to connect to all students but especially those that "didn't fit the mold."
Presently, Rabbis Weis lives with his wife and 4 children in Woodmere, NY and is an active, long standing member of Congregation Aish Kodesh as well as being involved in other community organizations such as serving on the board of Madraigos and Tsedek. He spent 4 years as an Outreach Director for college campuses in Queens and Long Island for Aish HaTorah, NY, teaching as many as 5 weekly classes at a time including one popular, live, on line class for his students from across the globe. Combining his life experiences, chassidic philosophy and human psychology gleaned under the close tutelage of Rabbi Moshe Weinberger shlita (Rav of Congregation Aish Kodesh, Woodmere, NY) and his natural warmth, and wit, Rabbi Weis' guidance has helped thousands find meaning, pleasure and beauty in their Jewish identities.
Rabbi Weis received his semicha from Yeshivas Shor Yoshuv where he studied for over 7 years. Rabbi Weis started his teaching career in HALB at the young age of 19 and quickly built a name as a warm, caring and energetic Rabbi with unique ability to connect to all students but especially those that "didn't fit the mold."
Presently, Rabbis Weis lives with his wife and 4 children in Woodmere, NY and is an active, long standing member of Congregation Aish Kodesh as well as being involved in other community organizations such as serving on the board of Madraigos and Tsedek. He spent 4 years as an Outreach Director for college campuses in Queens and Long Island for Aish HaTorah, NY, teaching as many as 5 weekly classes at a time including one popular, live, on line class for his students from across the globe. Combining his life experiences, chassidic philosophy and human psychology gleaned under the close tutelage of Rabbi Moshe Weinberger shlita (Rav of Congregation Aish Kodesh, Woodmere, NY) and his natural warmth, and wit, Rabbi Weis' guidance has helped thousands find meaning, pleasure and beauty in their Jewish identities.
Mrs. Jackie (Tzipporah) Bitton was raised in a warm supportive family in
Lawrence, N.Y. For four years she lived and did kiruv work, together with her
husband, in San Diego, California and Seattle, Washington. They then moved to
Brooklyn, N.Y. where they now reside BH with their children.
Jackie Bitton has been teaching for over a decade in both the Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities. She spent years teaching in Bnot Chaya Academy, Shaare Torah High School, Shaare Bina Seminary, and BYA Maalot Seminary.
She is now the Dean of students in YDE girls yeshivah. As well, she gives a weekly ladies' class in the Syrian Community at Bene Yosef Synagogue, (previously gave weekly ladies class at Rabbi Eli Mansour's shul).
She is also a frequent speaker at Ohr Naava Women's Torah Learning Center, Sheefa Women's Seminary, many Shabbatons, tzedaka fundraisers, chinese auctions, and various functions.
Jackie has spoken in various communities ranging from Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Miami, Westchester, NY, Chicago, Providence RI, Vancouver, Toronto, Panama, and Eretz Yisrael. She was also one of the speakers for the Eden Tours Pesach program in Miami, Passover Getaways program in Orlando, the Jewish Heritage Center Shavuos program, and most recently at the Smilow family Pesach program in Ft. Lauderdale.
As well, she had the privilege of being the master of ceremonies at the 2014 Boro Park Hatzolah chinese auction, spoke at the 2016 Project Inspire convention, and master of ceremonies at the 2016 Long Island challah bake.
Her audience is geared to girls and women of all Jewish backgrounds and ages.
Jackie loves what she does BH, and attributes her ability to touch people directly to HaKadosh Baruch Hu's chessed.
- Charlie is a professional member of the National Speakers Association.
Jackie Bitton has been teaching for over a decade in both the Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities. She spent years teaching in Bnot Chaya Academy, Shaare Torah High School, Shaare Bina Seminary, and BYA Maalot Seminary.
She is now the Dean of students in YDE girls yeshivah. As well, she gives a weekly ladies' class in the Syrian Community at Bene Yosef Synagogue, (previously gave weekly ladies class at Rabbi Eli Mansour's shul).
She is also a frequent speaker at Ohr Naava Women's Torah Learning Center, Sheefa Women's Seminary, many Shabbatons, tzedaka fundraisers, chinese auctions, and various functions.
Jackie has spoken in various communities ranging from Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Miami, Westchester, NY, Chicago, Providence RI, Vancouver, Toronto, Panama, and Eretz Yisrael. She was also one of the speakers for the Eden Tours Pesach program in Miami, Passover Getaways program in Orlando, the Jewish Heritage Center Shavuos program, and most recently at the Smilow family Pesach program in Ft. Lauderdale.
As well, she had the privilege of being the master of ceremonies at the 2014 Boro Park Hatzolah chinese auction, spoke at the 2016 Project Inspire convention, and master of ceremonies at the 2016 Long Island challah bake.
Her audience is geared to girls and women of all Jewish backgrounds and ages.
Jackie loves what she does BH, and attributes her ability to touch people directly to HaKadosh Baruch Hu's chessed.
- Charlie is a professional member of the National Speakers Association.
Former Speakers
Dr. Ari Bergmann, Managing Principal
Ari Bergmann is the founder and Managing Principal of Penso Advisors, LLC, a New York-based global macro and advisory boutique specializing in high convexity strategies. Penso manages high convexity global macro strategies and high convexity negative correlated alpha portfolios for sophisticated institutional money managers and allocators. Prior to founding the firm in 1997, Dr. Bergmann was a Senior Managing Director at Bankers Trust.
Dr. Bergmann received a BTL from Ner Israel Rabbinical College in 1981 and furthered his graduate studies at many prestigious Yeshivot in Israel. He holds a MA in Liberal Studies and PhD in Comparative Religion from Columbia University. Ari is a Visiting Professor at Penn University and he lectures extensively in Israel, Brazil and the US on topics of Finance, Talmud and Jewish Thought.
Ari Bergmann is the founder and Managing Principal of Penso Advisors, LLC, a New York-based global macro and advisory boutique specializing in high convexity strategies. Penso manages high convexity global macro strategies and high convexity negative correlated alpha portfolios for sophisticated institutional money managers and allocators. Prior to founding the firm in 1997, Dr. Bergmann was a Senior Managing Director at Bankers Trust.
Dr. Bergmann received a BTL from Ner Israel Rabbinical College in 1981 and furthered his graduate studies at many prestigious Yeshivot in Israel. He holds a MA in Liberal Studies and PhD in Comparative Religion from Columbia University. Ari is a Visiting Professor at Penn University and he lectures extensively in Israel, Brazil and the US on topics of Finance, Talmud and Jewish Thought.
An articulate teacher, master rebbe, and successful principal, Rabbi Binyomin Ginsberg is a creative and caring educator who is regularly consulted by mechanchim throughout America. Author of Gems from the Nesivos Sholom and former dean of Torah Academy in Minneapolis, Rabbi Ginsberg is now director of Chinuch Support, a wide-ranging resource center that offers published content, professional development courses and private consultations to teachers and rebbeim.
In his wry, engaging manner, Rabbi Ginsberg offers parents invaluable tools to help their kids make the most of their formative years. His lecture topics include:
In his wry, engaging manner, Rabbi Ginsberg offers parents invaluable tools to help their kids make the most of their formative years. His lecture topics include:
- Ensuring your child succeeds in school
- Dealing with bullies—and the bullied child
- Hearing what your child is saying—and what he really means
- The lifelong impact of chinuch at home
- How to assess if you are pressuring your child too much—or not enough
Dr. Irving Lebovics is a Prosthodontic Dentist in Los Angeles and the co-director of the Hospital Dentistry Residency Program at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Lebovics is the current Chair of the Cedars Sinai Medical Center Bioethics Committee. He has lectured nationally on various topics in Bioethics and Jewish Law in Medicine. He also chairs the Presidium of Agudath Israel of California, and is a board member at several Los Angeles Yeshivos as well as at the Etta Israel Center, a Jewish Special Education Organization.
Rabbi Yisroel Majeski is a dynamic lecturer known for his energy and ability to cut through to the heart of a
matter. He captures audiences with his incredible blend of humor and inspiration. After learning 7 years in
the Mir and studying Smicha by Rabbi Yitzchak Berkowitz of the Jerusalem Kollel, he went on to teach at
various Yeshivas and Seminaries throughout Jerusalem. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California with
his wife and children, where he serves the greater San Fernando Valley as the Rav of Toras Hashem, Rosh
Kollel of the Valley Night Kollel, 8th grade rebbe at Emek Hebrew Academy, and senior lecturer for Los
Angeles Jewish Experience (LAJ), an innovative outreach center in Los Angeles. He spends his summers as
Head Counselor of Camp Agudah Day Camp in Liberty, NY. He has tangible success in exciting both youth
and adults in all areas of life.
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. In that role, he combined
the skills of pulpit rabbi, scholar, and clinical psychologist to provide extraordinary
leadership to the organization and to Orthodox Judaism worldwide.
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, building the congregation from 160 to more than 400 families before coming to the OU. 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. His positions included roles as school psychologist for Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland and as Chief Psychologist of the Potomac Foundation for Mental Health.
As Executive Vice President, Rabbi Weinreb built the Orthodox Union to an unparalleled degree of esteem. He traveled widely, visiting communities and congregations across North America, in addition to his frequent trips to Europe and Israel. In these travels, he frequently served as scholar-in-residence, including some of his most enjoyable assignments, guiding NCSY summer touring groups.
Now, with more time to write, he is the author of the weekly Person in the Parsha Torah commentary, in which he combines his background as a trained psychologist and a rabbinical scholar to provide insights into the parsha that would be available from no other source. For more than two decades, he has presented his annual Tisha B'Av shiur, webcast around the world on www.ou.org and reaching an audience of thousands. Many people use the new Koren Mesorat HaRav Kinot, the complete Tisha B'Av service, with an exquisite new English translation of the Kinot, the elegies of the fast day, by Rabbi Weinreb. Rabbi Weinreb is also the editor-in-chief of the new Koren Talmud Bavli.
Rabbi Weinreb continues to travel extensively, and to write essays and commentaries for a wide variety of resources.
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, building the congregation from 160 to more than 400 families before coming to the OU. 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. His positions included roles as school psychologist for Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland and as Chief Psychologist of the Potomac Foundation for Mental Health.
As Executive Vice President, Rabbi Weinreb built the Orthodox Union to an unparalleled degree of esteem. He traveled widely, visiting communities and congregations across North America, in addition to his frequent trips to Europe and Israel. In these travels, he frequently served as scholar-in-residence, including some of his most enjoyable assignments, guiding NCSY summer touring groups.
Now, with more time to write, he is the author of the weekly Person in the Parsha Torah commentary, in which he combines his background as a trained psychologist and a rabbinical scholar to provide insights into the parsha that would be available from no other source. For more than two decades, he has presented his annual Tisha B'Av shiur, webcast around the world on www.ou.org and reaching an audience of thousands. Many people use the new Koren Mesorat HaRav Kinot, the complete Tisha B'Av service, with an exquisite new English translation of the Kinot, the elegies of the fast day, by Rabbi Weinreb. Rabbi Weinreb is also the editor-in-chief of the new Koren Talmud Bavli.
Rabbi Weinreb continues to travel extensively, and to write essays and commentaries for a wide variety of resources.
Raizi Chechik is the Head of School at the prestigious Manhattan Day
School. In her tenure, Raizi held positions as assistant principal of
Manhattan High School, principal of Stella K. Abraham High School in
Hewlett and head of school at Ilan High School in New Jersey. She studied Tanach and Counseling at the Michlala Jerusalem Teachers College, holds an MA in Medieval Jewish History, and is a doctoral candidate at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education. As a veteran educator, Ms. Chechik has developed curricular materials for the Sephardic Studies Institute at the City University of New York, serves as a mentor for the Principal's Partnership at Yeshiva University, and is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the national Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. As a gifted orator with a broad base of knowledge, Ms. Chechik's lectures are innovative, informative and inspiring.
