Morton A. Klein is National President of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), the oldest pro-Israel group in the United States, founded in 1897. He is a member of the Executive Committee of AIPAC. Mr. Klein is widely regarded as one of the leading Jewish activists in the United States. He is a member of the International Board of Governors of the College of Judea and Samaria in Ariel, Israel. The New York Jewish Week has named him one of the top ten Jewish leaders who have made a difference. The Jewish Press recently stated that "Morton Klein is one of the best minds in this country." The Wall Street Journal called the ZOA "heroic and the most credible advocate for Israel on the American Jewish scene today " and we should "snap a salute to those who were right about Oslo and Arafat all along, including Morton Klein who was wise, brave, and unflinchingly honest. When the history of the American Jewish struggle in these years is written, Mr. Klein will emerge as an outsized figure." His successful campaigns against anti-Israel bias as well as his work on Capitol Hill, were the subject of 30 feature stories both here and in Israel. More than 300 of his articles and letters have been published in leading newspapers and magazines around the world. Mr. Klein has appeared on TV and radio including ABC's Peter Jennings World News Tonight, NBC National
News, Jim Lehrer News Hour, O'Reilly Factor, CNN, Fox TV, NPR, Col. Oliver North National Radio Show, VOA, Israel TV/Radio.
NATHAN LEWIN, ESQ.
Keynote World Renowned Guest Scholar - Last Days Yom Tov
Nathan Lewin, a magna cum laude Harvard Law School graduate, has engaged in trial and appellate litigation in federal courts for more than 40 years. He has argued 27 cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. Among his many accomplishments, Lewin won in the Supreme Court the right of Lubavitch to maintain a Chanukah menorah in front of Pittsburgh's City Hall. He has brought lawsuits on behalf of Sabbath-observers who were discriminated against in private employment, on behalf of military chaplains who were denied the right to wear religiously-motivated beards, and on behalf of Jewish prisoners who were denied kosher food. Lewin's individual clients have included Attorney General Edwin Meese, III, former president Richard Nixon, actress Jodie Foster and musician John Lennon. He is sure to pique your interest!
RABBI DR. GIL S. PERL
Renowned Educator, Historian & Lecturer
Rabbi Dr. Gil S. Perl, is Dean of the Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South, in Memphis, TN. His impressive academic credentials, along with his organizational skills, outstanding teaching abilities, and motivational expertise are bringing the school to new educational and professional heights.
Rabbi Dr. Perl has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania with a double major in Intellectual History and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. He went on to complete a Master's and Doctorate at Harvard University in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. He received smicha from Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Theological Seminary, where he served as an instructor of Jewish History in Yeshiva College and was honored as Professor of the Year for 2005-2006. Rabbi Perl also served on the administration of YU's boys' high school, first as the Director of Admissions and then as the Associate Head of School. Before coming to YU, Rabbi Dr. Perl served as an instructor of Jewish Law at the Prozdor Hebrew High School in Newton, Massachusetts, and later as Head of the Jewish Law department. He was also an award winning Teaching Fellow at Harvard University. Rabbi Dr. Perl currently sits on the Editorial Board of HaYidion, RAVSAK's Journal of Jewish Education, and the Advisory Board of Yeshiva University's Institue for University-School Partnership. Rabbi Dr. Perl has served as a scholar in residence in several major Passover programs in the past, as well as in shuls and other venues across the country.
RABBI DR. MARK KUTNER
Noted Rabbi & Lecturer
Rabbi Dr. Mark Kutner attended Yeshiva University, Yeshivat Har Etzion and YU's R.I.E.T.S. program where he learned under and received Semicha from Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik Z"TL, and also earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He officiated services for many years at the Young Israel of Forest Hills. For the past 25 years, Rabbi Kutner has given shiurim, lectures and has spoken at many local shul and organization functions. He currently gives a weekly shiur on Ramban on the Parsha in Kew Gardens Hills, NY. We are delighted to have Rabbi Dr. Mark Kutner join us again this Pesach. He will be overseeing our synagogue services, giving D'var Torah's and Drashas on a variety of topics, as well as conducting inspiring Shiurim and lectures, many on topics of Torah and Psychology.
RABBI SHLOMO JAKOBOVITS
Noted Educator and Historian
Rabbi Jakobovits received his education at London University and Yeshiva University where he graduated with honors in 1956, majoring in World History and Jewish History. He has lectured widely in the British Isles and North America. His father, the late Dr. Julius Jakobovits, was Av Beth Din in Berlin, later Dayan on the British Beth Din and Rabbi of the Great Synagogue, London. His brother, the late Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits was Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth. An educator, he has served educational institutions in Eire, Paramus, NJ, Pittsburgh, PA, Dallas, TX and Toronto, Canada. A current resident of Toronto, Rabbi Jakobovits served as Principal of Eitz Chaim Orthodox Day Schools, a position which he held from 1976 until his recent retirement.