Rabbinical School

I have spent a majority of my life much like my Jewish ancestors, wandering and searching. It wasn’t until I discovered my Jewish identity about a decade ago that I began to understand my human obligations to repair and protect the world that we all share. At 22, I began to study both sociology and Judaism at FAU with aspirations to transition from an enlightening education into repairing the social tears in our society and helping to foster the future of American Judaism. I began working as an academic coach for high schoolers and soon found myself with a pregnant wife and a need to make more money than an educator's salary could afford. I quickly discovered success as a residential real estate agent, yet I always felt as though I wasn’t living up to my life’s calling. At the end of 2016 I achieved my real estate broker’s license affording me the availability to open my own real estate office and continue to grow the business of which I have spent the last 4 years building. I will never forget the morning that I woke up and asked myself (and my wife) if selling homes is the best that I can do both in and for the world.

My amazing wife, Chessie (who is either a prophetess or totally crazy to agree to this adventure), and two sons, Ari and Benjamin, will be trading our savings and very little debt for no savings and some serious student debt as we begin an incredible 6 year journey into the rabbinate. Based on my financial analysis, we will be taking out an estimated $150k in student loans over the next 6 years. We are prepared to borrow whatever we have to, but any dent that your contribution can make in that number would be both helpful and graciously appreciated.

I received a fellowship opportunity from Hebrew College to spend the next year in Israel. My family and I are leaving on August 28th, 2018 for Jerusalem where I will be studying at the Conservative Yeshiva for the 2018/19 school year. After Israel, we will be heading to the Newton, MA campus for my remaining 5 years at the rabbinical college. Thank you for any financial support you can offer. Here is to a more peaceful, pious, and joyful world. B”H.