Rabbi Simon Jacobson

Scholar In Residence

Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the author of the best-selling book Toward a Meaningful Life, a William Morrow publication that has sold over 300,000 copies to date and has been translated into Hebrew, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, German, Hungarian, Czech and Croatian.

Rabbi Jacobson heads The Meaningful Life Center (www.meaningfullife.com), which bridges the secular and the spiritual, through a wide variety of live and on-line programming. The Center, which has now found its home in Downtown Manhattan, presents to people of all backgrounds, the universal teachings of Torah as a blueprint for life. MLC, called a "Spiritual Starbucks" by the NY Times, is in the process of creating a warm, soulful environment, a "third space" where men and women can commune, read, have a coffee and interact, while also offering dynamic, interactive experiences of living spirituality through a variety of ongoing programs, musical and artistic events, lectures, classes and seminars, as well as a wide array of published learning materials, books, audio and video programs. The Center is an outgrowth of Rabbi Jacobson's popular Wednesday night class that has captured the hearts of thousands of participants over the last 25 years with its spiritual message and profound insights into the human condition.

For over 14 years Rabbi Jacobson, as Editor-in-Chief of VHH, was responsible for publishing the talks of the late Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Beginning in 1979, he headed a team of scholars that memorized and transcribed entire talks that the Rebbe gave during the Sabbath and holidays, as writing and tape recording are not permitted on holy days. In this position, Rabbi Jacobson was privileged to work in close association with the Rebbe and published more than 1000 of the Rebbe's talks. He also headed the research team for Sefer Halikutim - an encyclopedic collection of Chassidic thought (26 volumes, published 1977-1982).

Jacobson is one of the greatest scholars and sought after speakers in the Jewish world today. He has lectured to diverse audiences on six continents and in forty states on psycho-spiritual issues, applying Jewish thought to contemporary life, in a voice that is rooted in the timeless teachings of Torah, yet at the same time profoundly timely and relevant, unique and cutting edge. He has been interviewed on over 300 radio and TV shows, including CNN with Larry King, the Charlie Rose Show, and the CBS News Show, "The Best of Us."

Mrs. Shaindy Jacobson

Jewish Educator

Shaindy Jacobson is the director of JLI’s women’s studies division, The Rosh Chodesh society. Mrs. Jacobson has been involved in the field of Jewish education for over twenty five years, teaching at the Bais Rivkah Teacher’s Seminary and serving as a community liaison and counselor for Operation Survival – a substance abuse prevention program. Shaindy lectures around the world, educating women about their Jewish heritage and its practical application to their daily lives. She is also an accomplished musician and composer and frequently accompanies her lectures with song and music.

Naomi Elberg

Food Influencer

A native of Montreal, Canada. Originally an early childhood educator, she found her true passion in baking and the kosher culinary world. In 2014, Naomi decided to follow her dream full time by starting TGIS Challah—which stands for Thank Goodness it’s Shabbos—offering challahs, babkas and more. She also started doing cooking and baking demonstrations for charitable, corporate and other events. Naomi can be found on Instagram as @naomi_ TGIS. 

Rabbi Yoel Gold

As an ordained Rabbi who is dedicated to serving the Los Angeles community and renowned for his impactful sermons and popular lectures, Rabbi Yoel Gold currently serves as Rabbi of Congregation Beis Naftali. The organization, which comprises Holocaust survivors and modern American professionals, also provides charitable services throughout Southern California to people in need of food, clothing and shelter. In addition, Rabbi Gold is a ninth-grade Rebbe with Mesivta Birkas Yitzchok (MBY), a boys’ yeshiva high school catering to the strictly observant Jewish Community, whose educational emphasis is to produce students steeped in Torah learning and yiras shamayim. Rabbi Gold is also a sought-after motivational speaker throughout Southern California, sharing his love for life and passion for the torah. His contagious inspirational messages have inspired countless audiences, including Jew in the City, Chayenu, such universities as UCLA, Manchester and Leeds, and companies like BCBG Max Azria. He was previously appointed as the fulltime Rav of Aish Manchester in England, and has led a trip to Poland, where Rabbi Gold taught and inspired youth about past generations and orthodox heritage.

Charlene Aminoff

Inspirational Speaker

Charlene Aminoff is the founder & CEO at Gali’s Couture Wigs, public speaker, life-style/emunah influencer, wife and mother of five. Her life took a very drastic turn one day and she has been using her experience to bring others closer to Hashem ever since. For the past few years, she has been the voice of so many people in Klal Yisroel and the powerhouse behind the "nishmat movement".

Rabbi Aaron Kraft

Dayan Kavuah - Chicago Rabbinical Council

Rabbi Aaron Kraft is a Rosh Chaburah of the Yeshiva University Torah MiTzion Kollel and was a member of the Kollel Elyon, the most prestigious Post Semicha program at Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchanan Theological Seminary, RIETS.

Rabbi Yaakov Danishefsky

LCSW

Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky LCSW CSAT is the founder of Mind Body Therapy, a private group practice in Chicago, IL providing a variety of therapeutic services and specializing in treating trauma, sexual addictions, couples counseling, and eating disorders. Yakov is also the producer of Attached, an online podcast platform of guided meditations, Jewish learning, and psychological education. Attached is available on all podcasting platforms. Yakov is a popular speaker, teacher and author. His new book, Attached: Connecting to Our Creator, A Jewish Psychological Approach can be found on Amazon, Mosaica Press, and local Judaic book stores.