Next Trip: May 27-July 22

Meet the Staff

RABBI BINYOMIN WEINER
Rabbi Binyomin Weiner, a native of the suburbs of Detroit Michigan, has been the director of the jInternship program for over 3 years. Furthermore, Rabbi Weiner has been teaching the introductory Talmud class in Ohr Somayach's Mechina program for almost 6 years. Rabbi Weiner received rabbinical ordination from the Jerusalem Kollel, under the auspices of HaRav Yitzchak Berkowitz. In addition, Rabbi Weiner earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit, and a master's degree in clinical sociology (with an emphasis on marriage & family therapy) from the University of North Texas.

RABBI BINYOMIN WEINER

Program Director and Dynamic Lecturer

A native of the suburbs of Detroit Michigan, has been the director of the jInternship program for over 3 years...
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SHLOIMY KLIEN
Shloimy is a connoisseur of life. He loves meeting: new people, new experiences and enjoying each and every moment of adventure that destiny throws his way. Most of all, he enjoys helping everyone have a smooth and successful; impactful and fun time here in the holy land. Little Shloimy loves sharing a cold beer over complex, consequential and meaningful discussions. He can’t wait to greet, assist and hang out with each and every intern as they enjoy the journey of a lifetime.

SHLOIMY KLIEN

Experience Manager

Shloimy is a connoisseur of life. He loves meeting: new people, new experiences...
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RABBI YAAKOV LUBOW
Rabbi Yaakov Lubow received his rabbinical certification from Machzeki Das Beis Din of Jerusalem and studied at Chovetz Chaim and Torah Ohr Yeshivos. He completed a music performance degree from Hart College of Music. Rabbi Lubow has served many years as a member of the Ohr Somayach faculty with special responsibility of maintaining relationships with past, present, and future students. His experiences have eminently qualified him for his current role as administrator of the jinternship program.

RABBI YAAKOV LUBOW

Founder and Program Director

Rabbi Yaakov Lubow received his rabbinical certification from Machzeki Das Beis Din of Jerusalem...
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JOE BACK
Joe (Yosef) Back, has been a tour guide for over a decade. He is thoroughly versed in the archaeology, geo-politics, history, and nature of the land of Israel. A graduate of the Ner Le’Elef Jewish Leadership Institute, Joe received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshivas Aish HaTorah and from Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg of Jerusalem. He holds a BA in Liberal Studies with a focus on Judaic Studies, and an MA in Archaeology and Land of Israel Studies from Bar Ilan University. He is a licensed Israel Tour Guide, as well as a certified Israel Ministry of Tourism Specialist. Most importantly, he is an alumnus of Ohr Somayach. Originally from Los Angeles, Joe moved to Israel in 2001, and lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife and children.

JOE BACK

Tour Guide

Joe (Yosef) Back, has been a tour guide for over a decade. He is thoroughly versed in the archaeology...
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JEFF SUROWITZ
Jeff Surowitz founded jInternship in 2010 and has since served as the CEO. He previously worked for an Israeli high tech company, a San Francisco law firm, and a variety of Jewish Outreach ventures. He lives happily with his wife and six children in Lakewood, NJ.

JEFF SUROWITZ

CEO

Jeff Surowitz founded jInternship in 2010 and has since served as the CEO...
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Senior Educational Faculty

RABBI DR. YITZCHOK BREITOWITZ
HaRav Yitzchok Breitowitz, (Rav of Kehillos Ohr Somayach), after a distinguished career as a Rav in Silver Spring, Maryland and as a world-renowned lecturer and rabbinic authority, has made aliya to Eretz Yisrael and joined the Ohr Somayach faculty as a senior lecturer. He was ordained by the Ner Israel Rabbinical College in 1976 and is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Law School (JD, 1979, Magna Cum Laude). In addition to his rabbinical position, he was a tenured professor of law at the University of Maryland specializing in contracts, commercial law and medical ethics.

RABBI DR. YITZCHOK BREITOWITZ

Senior Lecturer

After a distinguished career as a Rav in Silver Spring, Maryland and as a world-renowned lecturer and rabbinic authority, has made aliya to Israel. He was ordained by the Ner Israel Rabbinical College in 1976 and is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Law School (JD, 1979, Magna Cum Laude).
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RABBI DR. DOVID GOTTLIEB
Having received his Ph.D. at Brandeis University, Rabbi Gottlieb went on to become Professor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University. Today he is a senior faculty member at Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem. An accomplished author and lecturer, Rabbi Gottlieb has electrified audiences with his stimulating and energetic presentations on ethical, moral and philosophical issues. His latest publication is Reason To Believe from Mosaica Press. You can visit his website at www.dovidgottlieb.com

RABBI DR. DOVID GOTTLIEB

Senior Lecturer

Having received his Ph.D. at Brandeis University, Rabbi Gottlieb went on to become Professor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University...
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RABBI DR GUY MATALON

Guy Matalon, born in Israel and grew up in Los Angeles. Received his B.A. in Political Science from California State University at Northridge. Began his graduate studies at UCLA, then UC Berkeley in Semitic Studies and then continued at NYU where he received his M.A. and Ph.D from the Skirball Department of...
Read More Guy Matalon, born in Israel and grew up in Los Angeles. Received his B.A. in Political Science from California State University at Northridge. Began his graduate studies at UCLA, then UC Berkeley in Semitic Studies and then continued at NYU where he received his M.A. and Ph.D from the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at NYU. His area of expertise is Medieval Philosophy and Mysticism. Dr. Matalon served as the Jewish Federation of Omaha Professor of Judaic Studies in the department of Philosophy and Religion at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He was also the founding director of the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at UNO and he also served as the Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Education in Omaha. He has taught in the area of Jewish and Islamic Studies, philosophy, religion (comparative religions) film studies (served as the associate editor of the Journal of Religion and Film), comparative literature (classical literature, Christian, Muslim and Jewish texts) and Holocaust studies. He currently serves on the faculty of Ohr Somayach and is one of the co-directors of the Ohr Somayach Mechina program.

RABBI DR GUY MATALON

Educational Specialist

Guy Matalon, born in Israel and grew up in Los Angeles. Received his B.A. in Political Science from California State University at Northridge. Began his graduate studies at UCLA, then UC Berkeley in Semitic Studies and then continued at NYU where he received his M.A. and Ph.D from the Skirball Department of...
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This is a sampling of the renowned faculty members on the staff of OS jInternship. In addition there are many other professors and guest lecturers you shall be privileged to meet on this enlightening journey.