Meet us: Awesome Brooklyn Jewish Events in New York

Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer received advanced rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Avrohom Pam, Zt”l, of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and holds a degree in biology. He is a dynamic and sought after educator and lecturer.

As Rabbi at Aish HaTorah in New York City, he impacted and inspired many. He’s spoken at Columbia University, appeared on television and radio, was adjunct professor at Lander College in Manhattan, and served as a scholar in residence and senior lecturer for America’s most prominent institutions, organizations, and synagogues.

Rabbi Fingerer is director of BJX an organization dedicated to featuring exciting and innovative programming to educate and inspire Jews.

Moshe Fingerer

Rabbi Moshe is the CEO, co-founder, and senior lecturer at BJX. He received ordination from Rabbi Avrohom Pam, Zt”l, of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and advanced ordination from Rabbi Elazar Kahanah Zt”l. He has a degree in biology and was accepted to medical school. Although he thoroughly enjoyed research in pathology and working for Kaplan Educational- his passion has always been Jewish education. Rabbi Moshe has spoken at numerous venues and has served as a national scholar-in-residence for prestigious institutions and Pesach programs. He served on the faculty of Aish Jerusalem, NCSY and Yeshivat HaMivtar in Efrat. He created a curriculum on Jewish history and philosophy for high school students. His articles appeared in the Jewish Press, Mishpacha, Yated, FJJ and was quoted in the WSJ.

He tackles the most pressing issues that come to the helpline and assists parents who are struggling with off-the-derech teens. He has successfully facilitated the return of many teens and young adults back to Yiddishkeit.

He also runs in-depth programs for public high school students, college students and YJPs who come from unaffiliated backgrounds to introduce them to their heritage.  

Rabbi Moshe spearheads the successful Flatbush Shabbos Project which each year benefits over one thousand Jews from across Brooklyn. He pioneered numerous creative programs for young professionals, college students and community members that combine intellectual challenge and social engagement. Utilizing his extensive background in business, Rabbi Moshe is adept at properly managing the entire BJX organization and all its branches and affiliates. His greatest pleasure is sharing with others the beauty of a meaningful lived life. 

Yosef Ben Chaviv

Rabbi Ben Chaviv is our dynamic, funny and brilliant scholar-in-residence. He taught for many years at JEP Queens and has a degree in computer science. During the day he monitors computer systems and in the evenings he electrifies crowds with his brilliance. His enthusiasm and dynamism for learning is contagious. Students love Rabbi Ben Chaviv.

Avishi Weiss

Rabbi Weiss is our college campus rabbi.  He facilitates our active leadership program at our Kings Highway Center and meets with students on campus. He is often found engaged in a philosophical discussion over a cup of coffee at Starbucks or having lunch with some of the students. His presence on campus and his affable style endears him to the students from Brooklyn, Baruch and Kingsborough colleges. 

Avroham Orlofsky

Rabbi Orlofsky is our awesome and talented Talmud instructor. Prior to moving to Brooklyn, he lived in Miami Beach with his wife and children. He initiated an adult education program where individuals for the first time, under his tutelage mastered an entire tractate of the Talmud. When he isn’t teaching he is busy managing work sites and supervising construction. He teaches Talmud for Beginners with wisdom and humor. 

David Berk

Rabbi David assists with development and is a faculty member of the Hebrew department at BJX. With a doctorate in law and a masters degree in education and special education, David is a sought after teacher and mentor to students. He enjoys establishing relationships with community members to enable them to become partners in the amazing work of BJX.

Ari Siegel 

Ari Siegel chairs our social action programs. He has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Michigan Ross School Of Business and a Master’s degree in Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. He began his Jewish journey ten years ago and Judaism has since been the central focus of his life. Ari’s hobbies include playing music and world travel.

Aviva (Whiteman) Kohn

Aviva does all of our graphic design. She graduated in Liberal Arts with a focus on graphic design and has been a graphic designer for close to ten years. She worked as a graphic designer for various publishing companies, educational institutions and recently a newspaper. Originally from Brooklyn, she currently resides in Jerusalem, Israel with her husband and two children.

Hudi Kowalsky

Hudi is a beloved Madrich at our Kings Highway Center. He is a graduate of NYU. While he pursues his Masters in Mental Health Counseling he finds time to manage his impressive band, perform, and teach others how to play guitar as skillfully as he does.