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Yeshiva University Riets Annual Shavuos Yarchei Kallah
Join Yeshiva University and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary for Shavuos 5782 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Somerset Hotel and Conference Center in Somerset, New Jersey.
We look forward to an extraordinary, meaningful, and Torah filled Shabbos and Yom Tov. Enjoy an incredible line-up of speakers, including our President, Roshei Yeshiva, Rebbeim and Faculty, and shiurim, as well as beautiful and uplifting davening, throughout the Shabbos and Chag. We are looking forward to welcoming you and will be featuring a fantastic children’s program, for families, run by our professional staff of educators that will feature toys, games and exciting entertainment. In addition to meaningful learning, we will also be offering a unique culinary experience of holiday traditions as we invite your family to join the Yeshiva University family for this inspirational Shavuos.
Shavuos 5782/2022 presented by 
JM Food • Event • Design
RABBI HERSHEL SCHACHTER
Rabbi Hershel Schachter is Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel at RIETS where he holds the Nathan and Vivian Fink Distinguished Professorial Chair in Talmud. A prolific author, he has published more than 100 articles in Hebrew and publications, including English in scholarly HaPardes, Hadarom, Beis Yitzchak, and Or Hamizrach. His books include Eretz HaTzvi, B’ikvei HaTzon, Ginat Egoz, Nefesh HaRav, Mipninei HaRav, and Divrei HaRav.
RABBI DR. ARI BERMAN
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman is the fifth president of Yeshiva University. Since his investiture in 2017, Dr. Berman has grounded Yeshiva University in its Core Torah Values and laid the foundation for its next great era. Under his visionary leadership, the university has grown dramatically, introducing over 20 new graduate degrees in emerging fields such as cybersecurity, health, and STEM, and has established new academic centers such as the Emil A. and Jenny Fish Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Rabbi Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership. These efforts have produced significant increases in enrollment, academic rankings, as well as in philanthropic gifts including funding for the Shevet Glaubach Center for Career Strategy and Professional Development, and the new Belz building, the cornerstone academic center on the Wilf campus. Dr. Berman is an active and erudite spokesman for the Jewish community. He lectures widely throughout the world and has written numerous articles on subjects addressing contemporary Jewish thought, modern philosophy, and trends in higher education. He is married to Anita Berman and they have five children.
RABBI MENACHEM PENNER
Rabbi Menachem Penner is the Max and Marion Grill Dean of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University and the Men’s Undergraduate Torah Studies programs at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Penner served as the spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Holliswood in Queens for 20 years and is now Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Penner received his semikhah from RIETS in 1994 and his BA from Yeshiva College in 1991. The parent of a child with special needs, he speaks across the country on issues of children with disabilities.
RABBI DR. JACOB J. SCHACTER
Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter is University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought and Senior Scholar at the Center for the Jewish Future, at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Dr. Schacter holds a PhD in Near Eastern Languages from Harvard University and received rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. He graduated from Brooklyn College in 1973. From 2000–2005 he served as dean of the Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik Institute in Boston. From 1981– 2000, he served as rabbi of The Jewish Center in Manhattan, moving the congregation from 180 to more than 600 members over the course of his tenure, and also served as rabbi of the Maimonides Minyan in Brookline, MA from 2000–2005.
RABBI YONA
REISS
Rabbi Reiss served as the Director of the Beth Din of America from 1998 to 2008. The Beth Din, which is affiliated with the Rabbinical Council of America, is the largest rabbinical court in this country, handling over 500 cases a year in the areas of Jewish Divorce (Gittin), commercial arbitrations (Dinei Torah), mediation, and resolution of personal status issues.
Rabbi Reiss also served for five years as the Max and Marion Grill Dean of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), and as Dean of Undergraduate Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University. Since 2013, Rabbi Reiss has been serving as the Av Beth Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council.
Rabbi Reiss is also on the editorial board of Tradition. In addition to being a member of the American Bar Association, he is a certified mediator for the City of New York court system.
As a frequent writer on a variety of topics relating to both Jewish law and secular law, Rabbi Reiss has published articles in Techumin, Journal of Halakha and Contemporary Society, Sha’arei Tzedek Journal, the Temple Environmental Law and Technology Journal, and New York Law Journal. He has delivered over one hundred lectures, including several lectures at the Halikhot Am Yisrael annual international conference of dayanim in Jerusalem.
In addition to serving as the Av Beth Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council, Rabbi Reiss continues to serve as a Rosh Yeshiva at RIETS, and as a Chaver Beth Din at the Beth Din of America.
Rabbi Reiss is a summa cum laude graduate of Yeshiva College, YU’s undergraduate liberal arts and sciences college for men, and went on to receive his law degree from Yale Law School, where he was senior editor of the Law Journal. He received his rabbinic ordination from RIETS, where he also earned the distinction of Yadin Yadin.
Rabbi Reiss also served for five years as the Max and Marion Grill Dean of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), and as Dean of Undergraduate Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University. Since 2013, Rabbi Reiss has been serving as the Av Beth Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council.
Rabbi Reiss is also on the editorial board of Tradition. In addition to being a member of the American Bar Association, he is a certified mediator for the City of New York court system.
As a frequent writer on a variety of topics relating to both Jewish law and secular law, Rabbi Reiss has published articles in Techumin, Journal of Halakha and Contemporary Society, Sha’arei Tzedek Journal, the Temple Environmental Law and Technology Journal, and New York Law Journal. He has delivered over one hundred lectures, including several lectures at the Halikhot Am Yisrael annual international conference of dayanim in Jerusalem.
In addition to serving as the Av Beth Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council, Rabbi Reiss continues to serve as a Rosh Yeshiva at RIETS, and as a Chaver Beth Din at the Beth Din of America.
Rabbi Reiss is a summa cum laude graduate of Yeshiva College, YU’s undergraduate liberal arts and sciences college for men, and went on to receive his law degree from Yale Law School, where he was senior editor of the Law Journal. He received his rabbinic ordination from RIETS, where he also earned the distinction of Yadin Yadin.
MRS. SHOSHANA
SCHECHTER
Shoshana Schechter is Associate Dean of Torah and Spiritual Life at Stern College for Women and the director of the Mechina program there. A graduate of Stern College, with a B.S. in both Judaic Studies and English Literature, Mrs. Schechter has also taught Tanach and English literature in local high schools. She holds master’s degrees from Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies as well as from Columbia University School of Journalism. She is a frequent lecturer on topics in Tanach and has been involved in Jewish outreach programs on four continents. She lives in New Hempstead, New York with her husband, Yitzchak, and five children.
DR. YITZY
SCHECHTER
Dr. Schechter is a leader and innovator in behavioral health in the Jewish community. He started and runs ACHIEVE Behavioral Health in Monsey and Monroe, NY. ACHIEVE is a federally designated Certified Community Behavioral Health Center bringing a very wide range of high-level clinical.
MRS. MINDY
EISENMAN
Mindy is a graduate of Yeshiva University’s Stern College, has a master’s degree from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education, and has an MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She is a Taharat HaMishpacha educator and Dating Coach as well as Staff Connector. She is also a certified Shalom Workshop instructor. Mindy already has more than 50 engagements through the site and is always busy guiding members or advising new Connectors on best practices.
MRS. MICHAL HOROWITZ
Mrs. Michal Horowitz offers shiurim from her home community of the Five Towns, NY, and her zoom lectures reach audiences around the world. Mrs. Horowitz is a regular presenter and popular speaker for the various OU Women’s Initiative Torat Imecha Programs. She has presented shiurim at YU’s Midreshet Yom Rishon program and Shavuos 5782 (2022) will be Michal’s fifth consecutive year as a speaker at the RIETS Shavuos Yarchei Kallah program. She has been a guest lecturer and scholar in residence in schools and communities, nationally and internationally. Her writings have been published in YU’s Torah-To-Go, HaMizrachi, and the OU’s Jewish Action magazine. Michal has close to thirteen hundred shiurim online, which can be found on YUTorah.org, TorahAnyTime.com, OUTorah.org and the OU’s AllParsha App. Her personal story of resilience and overcoming challenges can be found on all major streaming platforms on the “Rolling With the Punches” Podcast, Episode 14.
Michal lives in Woodmere, NY with her husband and children.
RABBI DR. EDWARD REICHMAN
Edward Reichman is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he teaches Jewish medical ethics and Attending Physician in the Emergency Department at Montefiore Medical Center. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and writes and lectures internationally in the field of Jewish medical ethics. He holds the Rabbi Isaac and Bella Tendler Chair in Jewish Medical Ethics at Yeshiva College and has been a mentor of the Medical Ethics Society of Yeshiva University since its inception. Dr. Reichman’s research is devoted to the interface of medical history and Jewish law. His book The Anatomy of Jewish Law: A Fresh Dissection of the Relationship Between Medicine, Medical History and Rabbinic Literature was recently published jointly by Koren, OU and YU Presses.
RABBI EZRA SCHWARTZ
Rabbi Ezra Schwartz is Rosh Yeshiva and Associate Director of the Semicha Program at RIETS, and Instructor of Talmud at Stern College. He served as Senior Rabbi of Mount Sinai Jewish Center from 2009-2019.
MRS. NECHAMA PRICE
Professor Nechama Price serves on the Judaic Studies faculty in Stern College teaching courses in Tanach and Halacha. She graduated from Stern College, received her Masters in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School and a Masters in Bible from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. Both Director and alumna of the Program for Advanced Talmud Studies (GPATS), Professor Price is preparing an elite cadre of female scholars of Talmud and Halacha to serve as leaders and role models for the Orthodox Jewish community. In addition, Professor Price serves as a Yoetzet Halacha in Englewood, Tenafly, West Orange, Livingston and Long Branch. She regularly gives shiurim throughout the greater NY area.
DR. DAVID PELCOVITZ
Dr. David Pelcovitz holds the Gwendolyn and Joseph Straus Chair in Psychology and Jewish Education at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration at Yeshiva University. Serving for more than two decades as director of psychology at North Shore University Hospital-NYU School of Medicine and clinical professor of psychology at NYU School of Medicine, Dr. Pelcovitz has consulted, published and lectured extensively on a wide range of issues facing children, adolescents and Jewish families. Areas of research and clinical specialty include family violence, the impact of domestic violence, stress management, transmitting values to children and adolescents and coping with trauma and loss. His most recent publication was Balanced Parenting, a book he wrote in collaboration with his father, Rabbi Raphael Pelcovitz, on parenting from a Jewish perspective.
RABBI KALMAN LAUFER
Rabbi Kalman Laufer serves as faculty at both Yeshiva University’s Isaac Breuer College and Stern College for Women teaching courses in Medical & Business Ethics. Rabbi Laufer completed his Semikha (Yorah Yorah) at RIETS in 2017 and is currently pursuing Yadin Yadin (Dayanus) in the Rabbi Norman Lamm Kollel L’Horaah at RIETS under the auspices of Rabbi J. David Bleich and Rabbi Mordechai Willig. Rabbi Laufer graduated Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and a Master’s Degree in Accounting as well as a Master’s degree in Bioethics from Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Cardozo Law School. Rabbi Laufer focuses his studies in areas of Bioethics and Medical Halacha specifically working on Halakhic issues that arise in caring for parents suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. He also serves as an independent member of the St. John’s Riverside Hospital Ethics Committee. Rabbi Laufer lives in Washington Heights with his wife Talya and his sons Jace, Shea, and Sam since 2014. The Laufers enjoy hiking (especially in National Parks), skiing/snowboarding, cooking, arts & crafts, and watching the occasional hockey game.
RABBI YAKOV HOROWITZ
Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Founding Dean of Yeshiva Darchei Noam of Monsey, and Director of Bright Beginnings, is a innovative educator, author, and child safety advocate. In partnership with Artscroll, he published the landmark “Let’s Stay Safe” child safety book that is in over 130,000 homes in three languages. Rabbi Horowitz is the Publisher of The Bright Beginnings Gemara and Chumash workbooks that are in over 100 schools, and he received the prestigious 2008 Covenant Award in recognition of his contribution to Jewish education.
His most recent project is the Bright Beginnings Under-a-Minute Parenting Clips posting daily videos by Rabbi Horowitz on a wide range of topics on Instagram @brightbeginningsforum, and via WhatsApp by messaging “Sign-Up” to (845)540-2414.
His most recent project is the Bright Beginnings Under-a-Minute Parenting Clips posting daily videos by Rabbi Horowitz on a wide range of topics on Instagram @brightbeginningsforum, and via WhatsApp by messaging “Sign-Up” to (845)540-2414.
RABBI HERSHEL SCHACHTER
Rabbi Hershel Schachter is Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel at RIETS where he holds the Nathan and Vivian Fink Distinguished Professorial Chair in Talmud. A prolific author, he has published more than 100 articles in Hebrew and publications, including English in scholarly HaPardes, Hadarom, Beis Yitzchak, and Or Hamizrach. His books include Eretz HaTzvi, B’ikvei HaTzon, Ginat Egoz, Nefesh HaRav, Mipninei HaRav, and Divrei HaRav.
RABBI DR. J.J. SCHACTER
Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter is University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought and Senior Scholar at the Center for the Jewish Future, at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Dr. Schacter holds a PhD in Near Eastern Languages from Harvard University and received rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. He graduated from Brooklyn College in 1973. From 2000–2005 he served as dean of the Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik Institute in Boston. From 1981– 2000, he served as rabbi of The Jewish Center in Manhattan, moving the congregation from 180 to more than 600 members over the course of his tenure, and also served as rabbi of the Maimonides Minyan in Brookline, MA from 2000–2005.
MRS. NECHAMA PRICE
DR. YITZY & MRS. SHOSHANA SCHECHTER
Shoshana Schechter is assistant professor of Bible at Stern College for Women and the director of the Mechina program there. A graduate of Stern College, with a BS in both Judaic Studies and English Literature, Mrs. Schechter also teaches Tanach and English at Ateres Bais Yaakov High School in Rockland County, New York. She holds masters degrees from Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies as well as from Columbia University School of Journalism. She is a frequent lecturer on topics in Tanach and has been involved in Jewish outreach programs on four continents. She lives in New Hempstead, New York with her husband, Yitzchak, and five children.
RABBI EZRA SCHWARTZ
DR. DAVID PELCOVITZ
MRS. MICHAL HOROWITZ
Mrs. Michal Horowitz has a BS from combined studies at York University, Toronto, and Brooklyn College, and an MS from Brooklyn College, NY. Mrs. Horowitz offers weekly classes and shiurim at many venues in her home community of the Five Towns, NY, and the greater NY area. Additionally, she is a speaker at Yeshiva University’s Midreshet Yom Rishon and this Shavuos is her fourth consecutive year as a speaker at the RIETS Shavuos Yarchei Kallah program. Mrs. Horowitz is a featured speaker on the Speakers Bureau of the Orthodox Union (OU). Michal lives in Woodmere, NY with her husband and children.
RABBI MENACHEM PENNER
Rabbi Menachem Penner is the Max and Marion Grill Dean of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University and the Men’s Undergraduate Torah Studies programs at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Penner served as the spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Holliswood in Queens for 20 years and is now Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Penner received his semikhah from RIETS in 1994 and his BA from Yeshiva College in 1991. The parent of a child with special needs, he speaks across the country on issues of children with disabilities.
This Shavuos, we are excited that JM Food • Design will be overseeing our culinary program, where we will be offering artful meat and dairy meals, beautiful kidushes, fun hospitality lounges and an all night snack lounge on Shavuos night.
Meet Jeremy of JM Food • Event • Design
A veteran in events and hospitality, Jeremy Goldfeder's name has become synonymous with his innovative approach to food and event presentation.
Before launching FOOD • EVENT • DESIGN, Jeremy was a principal at RAM Caterers for over 20 years. There, he built and operated some of the most in-vogue venues in the country, including Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation in Old Westbury, NY.
Working with a network of luxury vendors, Jeremy has executed events ranging from intimate gatherings at private residences and exclusive hotel venues to weddings and corporate events with guest lists numbering in the 1000s. His team travels across the country and internationally, executing luxurious events.
In 2015, Jeremy founded FOOD • EVENT • DESIGN with the vision of delivering one-of-a-kind experiences to an exclusive clientele that can only be realized with passionate dedication, unparalleled finesse and exceptional attention to detail.
In the spirit of the chag, families with 5 guests or fewer, will be seated with another family for dining.
Professional Childrens Programing and Day Camp by #Sarasquad
We will be featuring a full day of fun and educational programming for those children ages 3-10. We pride ourselves on having fantastic counselors and staff to give your kids the best experience in a safe and fun environment, all overseen by our seasoned children's program director.
We cannot wait to welcome your children!
DoubleTree by Hilton Somerset Hotel and Conference Center
The Hilton Doubletree Somerset Hotel & Conference Center is a short forty minute drive from midtown Manhattan. Tranquil gardens and ponds lay upon 16 acres of property, together with courts for tennis, basketball and volleyball. The Hilton Doubletree Somerset Hotel is an elegant choice to spend Shavuos.
All rooms feature King or Double bedding
MILLET
Located on 5th or 6th Floor
OAT
Located on 3rd or 4th Floor
WHEAT
Located on 2nd Floor
MILLET
Located on 5th or 6th Floor
$4,150+21% administrative fees and taxes
OAT
Located on 3rd or 4th Floor
$4,350+21% administrative fees and taxes
WHEAT
Located on 2nd Floor
$4,550+21% administrative fees and taxes
RATES BASED ON UP TO TWO GUESTS PER ROOM
Maximum occupancy in a Double Room is 4 guests*
Maximum occupancy for a King room is 3 guests**
3rd or 4th in a Room
Ages 6-11: $Additional | Ages 12+: $ADDITIONAL
*Rollaway beds are not permitted in a double room
** KING BED + ROLLAWAY
IN THE SPIRIT OF THE CHAG, FAMILIES WITH 5 GUESTS OR FEWER, WILL BE SEATED WITH ANOTHER FAMILY FOR DINING.
RATES BASED ON UP TO TWO GUESTS PER ROOM
Maximum occupancy in a Double Room is 4 guests*
Maximum occupancy for a King room is 3 guests**
3rd or 4th in a Room
Ages 6-11: $795 | Ages 12+: $1,095
*Rollaway beds are not permitted in a double room
** KING BED + ROLLAWAY
IN THE SPIRIT OF THE CHAG, FAMILIES WITH 5 GUESTS OR FEWER, WILL BE SEATED WITH ANOTHER FAMILY FOR DINING.