Featured Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Rabbi Yaakov Glasser
Rabbi Glasser serves as the Managing Director for Community Engagement at the Orthodox Union, where he leads the OU’s efforts in engaging the Jewish community through numerous departments that focus upon synagogue development, organizational and communal partnerships, women’s initiatives, Torah projects, innovation in nonprofits, and communal research.
Concurrently, Rabbi Yaakov Glasser has served as the Rav of Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton for the past 21 years, where under his leadership, the congregation has grown dramatically and prides itself on the ideological and demographic diversity of its membership.
Rabbi Glasser has a rich background in Jewish communal life, previously serving as the David Mitzner Dean of the Center for the Jewish Future and University Life at Yeshiva University, the Regional Director of New Jersey NCSY and the NCSY International Director of Education. In these capacities, Rabbi Glasser worked extensively with communities and schools across North America to create programs and implement educational curricula that inspire Jewish teens from across the spectrum of affiliation.
A highly sought-after speaker, Rabbi Glasser is renowned for combining humor, scholarship, and an upbeat message into his teaching. Rabbi Glasser and his wife, Dr. Ruth Glasser, who serves as the Director of Guidance at Naaleh High School for Girls, live with their four children in Passaic, NJ.
Rabbi Reuven Brand
RABBI REUVEN BRAND is the founding Rosh Kollel of the Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Kollel of Chicago and Dean of the Midwest Center for Jewish Learning. He holds the Bobins Family Chair in Community Jewish Scholarship.
Before arriving in Chicago in 2008, Rabbi Brand was a member of the Bella and Harry Wexner Kollel Elyon at Yeshiva University, where he received his ordination from its affiliate, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Rabbi Brand has served as Rabbinic Assistant at Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. He holds a master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Education and Administration and a B.A. in History from Yeshiva College. He also studied at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh in Israel. He has published several articles on Talmudic topics and edited three different volumes of Jewish scholarship.
Rabbi Brand is a founder of Lman Achai, a student organization dedicated to the needs of Jews in Israel, including feeding the hungry and supporting victims of terror. He has served as Scholar-in-Residence and directed educational programs in communities across the United States, in Europe and Australia.
He and his wife, Nechama, and their children, Chaim, Ilan, Aryeh, Hila and Ami live in Skokie.
Mrs. Emma Katz
Emma Katz is originally from Highland Park, NJ. Emma attended Yeshivah of Flatbush, MMY, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Judaic Studies and Education from Stern College for Women, and her Master’s degree in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.
Emma has taught in many formal and informal Jewish educational settings, including Shulamith High School for Girls in the Five Towns and Ida Crown Jewish Academy and Bruriah High School. Emma participated in the Bellows Eshkolot Tanach Educators Program at Matan Yerushalayim, learning both Tanach content and new and innovative educational methodology from leading Jewish educators.
Emma was previously the Director of NILI, the Chicago institute of women’s learning and an adjunct professor at the Stern College for Women, and currently serves as the Community Program Coordinator for the OU Women’s Initiative.
Emma is also a certified Kallah teacher. Emma currently lives in Linden, NJ with her husband, Yossi, and their 4 children where she is Rebbetzin at Congregation Anshe Chesed of Linden.
Live Music and Entertainment with
Eitan Katz
Eitan Katz is a beloved Jewish musician and composer known for his soulful, heartfelt style. Born in Teaneck to a musical family, he became known as a world-class kumzitz singer and has written over one hundred songs, including the classics L’maancha, Ki Karov, Elul Nigun, and many more. He leads the Eitan Katz Band, a highly sought-after ensemble for weddings throughout the New York area and beyond. With 18 albums to his name, his music has touched Jewish audiences worldwide.