Speaker Bios
2012 Presenters Alex Bailey, Ph.D. Dr. Alex Bailey is a licensed clinical psychologist practicing in Teaneck, New Jersey. He specializes in the field of communication and relationships, focusing on couples, parents and children, and families and schools. He also provides psycho-educational testing and evaluations. Dr. Bailey has been a member of the Positive Jewish Parenting and Marriage faculty for many years. In addition, he has given numerous workshops to parents and teachers at Jewish institutions across the country. Most recently, Dr. Bailey has developed a pre-/early marriage workshop for couples that focus on dispelling the common myths of marriage that can lead to discord and enhancing the communication skills integral to a strong and successful marriage.
Frank Buchweitz, M.A. Ed., S.A.S. Frank Buchweitz has been a recognized professional in the fore-front of the Jewish Communal Field for the past 45 years as an educator, administrator, innovator, and facilitator. He has just completed his s’micha in Yoreh Yoreh from Yeshiva Ayshel Avrahom of Monsey. As Director of Community Services and Special Projects for the Orthodox Union, he has initiated innovative and educational programs in the areas of community, synagogue and adult education for member communities and synagogues. These include programs such as Positive Jewish Parenting, Missions and Conventions, Summer Weekend Marriage Retreats, Tefillah Conferences, Health-related Programs, Safe Homes, Safe Schools, Safe Shuls Initiative which includes programs on Eating Disorders, Alcohol and Drug issues, and a Safety Policy for Yeshiva’s and Day schools on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. In addition to the activities mentioned, he has presented workshops on developing volunteers in synagogues and developing an infrastructure for developing an outreach committee within a synagogue. The Healthcare Proxy can be registered by individuals online through the New York Legal Aid group thanks to the Orthodox Union, without charge and can be accessed by medical facilities throughout the country.
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Susan Buchweitz, L.C.S.W. Susan Buchweitz is a licensed clinical social worker, with an MSW from Columbia University. She is the Clinical Director of the Birchwood School, which is part of the Clarkstown Central School District and services children and adolescents with emotional disabilities. Susan oversees the delivery of clinical services at the school, along with being the therapist for a large number of students and their families. She has worked in this capacity for over 25 years. In addition, Susan is an Adjunct Associate Professor for the NYU School of Social Work. She has supervised and trained interns for many years. She is the coordinator for the OLWEUS anti-bullying program at Birchwood and has just been appointed as her school’s representative for the Dignity for All Students Act, a bill which has just been passed by the New York State Senate. Susan has published several articles and has presented at a variety of professional conferences and at parenting programs. She also has a private practice in Rockland County, specializing in children, adolescents and families.
Scott Chudnoff, M.D., MS, FACOG Scott Chudnoff, M.D., MS, FACOG is a board certified OB/GYN, assistant professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Associate Director of Gynecology at Montefiore Medical Center and an AASECT certified sexuality counselor. Dr. Chudnoff is an accomplished researcher with multiple research grants and publications, and is an editor for the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. In his practice, Dr. Chudnoff has treated many frum couples with intimacy related problems. He is a highly sought after speaker on the topics of Intimacy and Sexuality, and has spoken to both lay and professional audiences throughout the country on these and other topics.
Beatty Cohan, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. Beatty Cohan, MSW, LCSW is an Orthodox psychotherapist, sex therapist, co-author of For Better, For Worse, Forever: Discover the Path to Lasting Love, speaker, columnist and national radio and television expert guest. She has a private practice on the Upper West Side.
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Marcy Davidovics, L.C.S.W., Marcy Davidovics, LCSW is a graduate of NYU’s MSW program. She is currently the Social Work Director at Yeshiva of Central Queens for the past eleven years. She has single-handedly created a successful MSW intern program for observant Jewish students where she has supervised over 40 graduate students, so far. In her private practice, Marcy works with individuals, couples, and families and does counseling cases for the NYC Board of Education. Marcy is trained and involved in other areas of mental health including anti bullying practices and substance abuse in the Jewish community (JACS).
Rabbi Ephraim Epstein, Ed.S Rabbi Ephraim Epstein, Ed.S. received his Semicha from HaRav Berel Wein shlitta in Jerusalem. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Boston University and is a candidate for an EDS degree for Marriage and Family Therapy from the College of New Jersey. Rabbi Epstein served as an administrator and lecturer at the Center for Torah Studies in Jerusalem, a division of Ohr Somayach International. Rabbi Epstein is currently the Senior Rabbi at Congregation Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, NJ. In addition to his work on behalf of the Congregation, he serves the entire Jewish community overseeing the local Cherry K Vaad Hakashruth, the Eruv, the Mikvah as well as the Chevrah Kadishah.
Rabbi Yitz Greenfield, M.S., MFT Rabbi Yitz Greenfield, MS, Marriage and Family Therapy, is the Director of Kadsheinu, which provide counseling, workshops, lectures and other resources to help couples enhance their marriages. In addition, Rabbi Greenfield hosts a weekly radio show on the topic of Shalom Bayit, and has been counseling couples for over 15 years.
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Rabbi Judah Isaacs, M.S.W. Rabbi Judah Isaacs is the Director of Community Engagement at the OU. In this capacity, he oversees the Orthodox Union work with synagogues, communities and day schools throughout North America to enhance Orthodox Jewish life. Rabbi Isaacs focuses on enhancing the role of professional and lay leadership within synagogues, providing guidance and best practices. He also oversees communal programming, designed to bring awareness and support for significant issues facing Orthodox Jewish communities in North America. Prior to joining the Orthodox Union, Rabbi Isaacs was the Director of Day School Leadership and Sustainability at the Jewish Education Project. For over twelve years, he served as the Director of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit’s Alliance for Jewish Education. Prior to that, he served as a Senior Planning Associate at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, and the Fair Lawn Coordinator of the Jewish Federation of North Jersey. He also is a past President of the Young Israel of Oak Park, where he also served as Chair of the Rabbinic Search Committee and Youth Committee Chair. Rabbi Isaacs holds a MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University, and semicha from Yeshiva Gedolah of Detroit. He resides in Teaneck, with his children, Uri, Gavi, Eitan and Chana.
Rabbi Yehoshua Marchuck, M.A. Rabbi Yehoshua Marchuck is currently serving as the Director of Alumni Connections at the Orthodox Union. He has assumed this role after serving as the Director of Student Activities at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway for the past eleven years. In Rabbi Marchuck’s new position he has returned to his NCSY roots. Rabbi Marchuck was the Director of the Junior High School division of Long Island NCSY. Rabbi Marchuck holds a Masters of Arts degree in Educational Leadership, a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Semicha degree from Yeshiva Shor Yoshuv. He was also selected and completed the Educational Leadership Advancement Initiative of Bar-Ilan University’s Lookstein Center.
Rachel Pill, L.C.S.W. Rachel Pill, L.C.S.W., maintains a private practice in Lawrence, NY. She is the co-founder and co-director of The Long Island Guidance and Wellness Center, a mental health agency providing groups and workshops on topics such as parenting and marriage. She is also formerly an adjunct professor at Touro College School of Social Work, and RIETS Semicha Program (Yeshiva University). Rachel has been involved with the Positive Jewish Parenting and Positive Jewish Marriages programs of the Orthodox Union as a speaker for many years.
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Philip M. Rosenthal, L.M.H.C. Philip M. Rosenthal, L.M.H.C., is a technology addictions expert with over thirty five years experience. His background includes over twenty years of Law Enforcement, doing technology investigations. He is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who treats technology related addictions. He has lectured around the world and is sought after by experts and lay people. He has offices in Monsey and Brooklyn.
Lauren Roth, L.S.W. Lauren Roth, LSW is a psychotherapist in private practice in Lakewood, New Jersey, who speaks extensively across the United States on many topics, including: marriage, parenting, healthful eating, and a variety of inspirational and Torah topics. Mrs. Roth holds a BA in Molecular Biology from Princeton University, and a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers. She was the recipient of the Mark Forman Memorial Award for excellence in academics and in clinical work.
Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky is a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University in New York City. Rabbi Sobolofsky studied at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and Yeshiva University; graduating in 1987, he was named valedictorian of the Mazer Yeshiva Program. He then attended the RabbiIsaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), finishing in 1990 and graduated from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration in 1996. He was appointed Rosh Yeshiva in the spring of 2002 and began teaching Talmud at Yeshiva University and its affiliated RIETS in the fall of that year. In addition to his role as Rosh Yeshiva in RIETS, Rabbi Sobolofsky also serves as the spiritual leader of Congregation Ohr HaTorah in Bergenfield, New Jersey, where he is a resident. Rabbi Sobolofsky also lectures at the Bergen County Beis Medrash Program (BCBM) housed at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, New Jersey. Prior to his appointment as Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Sobolofsky was a fellow of the Gruss Kollel Elyon and then went on to teach in Yeshiva University's Stone Beis Medrash Program for seven years.
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Rabbi Steven Weil Rabbi Steven Weil is executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Weil began his career as a teacher before embarking upon a position in the Rabbinate; first at the Young Israel of Oak Park Michigan and then at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, California. In both positions, Rabbi Weil significantly expanded the synagogue’s membership and programming and was involved in serving the needs of the greater community as well. Rabbi Weil has delivered invocations for former President Bush and Governor Schwarzenegger, among others. He has served internationally as scholar-inresidence, has spoken on various aspects of marriage, and is a passionate advocate for Israel and for Jewish education.
Yael Weil Yael Weil grew up in Memphis, TN and attended Stern College for Women and then Bank Street College for Education. She has taught in Hebrew Schools, day schools and high schools in New York, New Jersey, Michigan and California. Yael has been a proponent of adult education, specifically for women, and has lectured for synagogues, Federations, and women's groups across the country. She has studied with scores of brides, helping them prepare spiritually, intellectually and emotionally for married life.
Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, L.S.W. Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler has been the Senior Rabbi of Congregation AABJ&D in West Orange, NJ, since 2004. Rabbi Zwickler received Rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Yeshiva College. He also holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Yeshiva University Wurzweiler School of Social Work as well as a Masters Degree in Secondary Jewish Education from the Azrielli Graduate School of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Zwickler serves on the Executive Committee of the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy & Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, in Livingston, NJ, is copresident of the Va’ad Hakashrus of Metrowest and a member of the Board of Trustees of the UJC of Greater Metrowest. Rabbi Zwickler is a licensed Social Worker in the state of New Jersey where he is in private practice specializing in marital therapy.
Sharon Zwickler, L.S.W. Sharon Zwickler is the Intake Coordinator at the Jewish Family Service of Clifton Passaic, New Jersey. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiller School of Social Work of Yeshiva University. She is married to Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler for the last 14 years and they reside in West Orange, NJ with their four children.
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Frank Buchweitz, M.A. Ed., S.A.S. Frank Buchweitz has been a recognized professional in the fore-front of the Jewish Communal Field for the past 45 years as an educator, administrator, innovator, and facilitator. He has just completed his s’micha in Yoreh Yoreh from Yeshiva Ayshel Avrahom of Monsey. As Director of Community Services and Special Projects for the Orthodox Union, he has initiated innovative and educational programs in the areas of community, synagogue and adult education for member communities and synagogues. These include programs such as Positive Jewish Parenting, Missions and Conventions, Summer Weekend Marriage Retreats, Tefillah Conferences, Health-related Programs, Safe Homes, Safe Schools, Safe Shuls Initiative which includes programs on Eating Disorders, Alcohol and Drug issues, and a Safety Policy for Yeshiva’s and Day schools on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. In addition to the activities mentioned, he has presented workshops on developing volunteers in synagogues and developing an infrastructure for developing an outreach committee within a synagogue. The Healthcare Proxy can be registered by individuals online through the New York Legal Aid group thanks to the Orthodox Union, without charge and can be accessed by medical facilities throughout the country.
1
Susan Buchweitz, L.C.S.W. Susan Buchweitz is a licensed clinical social worker, with an MSW from Columbia University. She is the Clinical Director of the Birchwood School, which is part of the Clarkstown Central School District and services children and adolescents with emotional disabilities. Susan oversees the delivery of clinical services at the school, along with being the therapist for a large number of students and their families. She has worked in this capacity for over 25 years. In addition, Susan is an Adjunct Associate Professor for the NYU School of Social Work. She has supervised and trained interns for many years. She is the coordinator for the OLWEUS anti-bullying program at Birchwood and has just been appointed as her school’s representative for the Dignity for All Students Act, a bill which has just been passed by the New York State Senate. Susan has published several articles and has presented at a variety of professional conferences and at parenting programs. She also has a private practice in Rockland County, specializing in children, adolescents and families.
Scott Chudnoff, M.D., MS, FACOG Scott Chudnoff, M.D., MS, FACOG is a board certified OB/GYN, assistant professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Associate Director of Gynecology at Montefiore Medical Center and an AASECT certified sexuality counselor. Dr. Chudnoff is an accomplished researcher with multiple research grants and publications, and is an editor for the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. In his practice, Dr. Chudnoff has treated many frum couples with intimacy related problems. He is a highly sought after speaker on the topics of Intimacy and Sexuality, and has spoken to both lay and professional audiences throughout the country on these and other topics.
Beatty Cohan, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. Beatty Cohan, MSW, LCSW is an Orthodox psychotherapist, sex therapist, co-author of For Better, For Worse, Forever: Discover the Path to Lasting Love, speaker, columnist and national radio and television expert guest. She has a private practice on the Upper West Side.
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Marcy Davidovics, L.C.S.W., Marcy Davidovics, LCSW is a graduate of NYU’s MSW program. She is currently the Social Work Director at Yeshiva of Central Queens for the past eleven years. She has single-handedly created a successful MSW intern program for observant Jewish students where she has supervised over 40 graduate students, so far. In her private practice, Marcy works with individuals, couples, and families and does counseling cases for the NYC Board of Education. Marcy is trained and involved in other areas of mental health including anti bullying practices and substance abuse in the Jewish community (JACS).
Rabbi Ephraim Epstein, Ed.S Rabbi Ephraim Epstein, Ed.S. received his Semicha from HaRav Berel Wein shlitta in Jerusalem. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Boston University and is a candidate for an EDS degree for Marriage and Family Therapy from the College of New Jersey. Rabbi Epstein served as an administrator and lecturer at the Center for Torah Studies in Jerusalem, a division of Ohr Somayach International. Rabbi Epstein is currently the Senior Rabbi at Congregation Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, NJ. In addition to his work on behalf of the Congregation, he serves the entire Jewish community overseeing the local Cherry K Vaad Hakashruth, the Eruv, the Mikvah as well as the Chevrah Kadishah.
Rabbi Yitz Greenfield, M.S., MFT Rabbi Yitz Greenfield, MS, Marriage and Family Therapy, is the Director of Kadsheinu, which provide counseling, workshops, lectures and other resources to help couples enhance their marriages. In addition, Rabbi Greenfield hosts a weekly radio show on the topic of Shalom Bayit, and has been counseling couples for over 15 years.
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Rabbi Judah Isaacs, M.S.W. Rabbi Judah Isaacs is the Director of Community Engagement at the OU. In this capacity, he oversees the Orthodox Union work with synagogues, communities and day schools throughout North America to enhance Orthodox Jewish life. Rabbi Isaacs focuses on enhancing the role of professional and lay leadership within synagogues, providing guidance and best practices. He also oversees communal programming, designed to bring awareness and support for significant issues facing Orthodox Jewish communities in North America. Prior to joining the Orthodox Union, Rabbi Isaacs was the Director of Day School Leadership and Sustainability at the Jewish Education Project. For over twelve years, he served as the Director of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit’s Alliance for Jewish Education. Prior to that, he served as a Senior Planning Associate at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, and the Fair Lawn Coordinator of the Jewish Federation of North Jersey. He also is a past President of the Young Israel of Oak Park, where he also served as Chair of the Rabbinic Search Committee and Youth Committee Chair. Rabbi Isaacs holds a MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University, and semicha from Yeshiva Gedolah of Detroit. He resides in Teaneck, with his children, Uri, Gavi, Eitan and Chana.
Rabbi Yehoshua Marchuck, M.A. Rabbi Yehoshua Marchuck is currently serving as the Director of Alumni Connections at the Orthodox Union. He has assumed this role after serving as the Director of Student Activities at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway for the past eleven years. In Rabbi Marchuck’s new position he has returned to his NCSY roots. Rabbi Marchuck was the Director of the Junior High School division of Long Island NCSY. Rabbi Marchuck holds a Masters of Arts degree in Educational Leadership, a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Semicha degree from Yeshiva Shor Yoshuv. He was also selected and completed the Educational Leadership Advancement Initiative of Bar-Ilan University’s Lookstein Center.
Rachel Pill, L.C.S.W. Rachel Pill, L.C.S.W., maintains a private practice in Lawrence, NY. She is the co-founder and co-director of The Long Island Guidance and Wellness Center, a mental health agency providing groups and workshops on topics such as parenting and marriage. She is also formerly an adjunct professor at Touro College School of Social Work, and RIETS Semicha Program (Yeshiva University). Rachel has been involved with the Positive Jewish Parenting and Positive Jewish Marriages programs of the Orthodox Union as a speaker for many years.
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Philip M. Rosenthal, L.M.H.C. Philip M. Rosenthal, L.M.H.C., is a technology addictions expert with over thirty five years experience. His background includes over twenty years of Law Enforcement, doing technology investigations. He is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who treats technology related addictions. He has lectured around the world and is sought after by experts and lay people. He has offices in Monsey and Brooklyn.
Lauren Roth, L.S.W. Lauren Roth, LSW is a psychotherapist in private practice in Lakewood, New Jersey, who speaks extensively across the United States on many topics, including: marriage, parenting, healthful eating, and a variety of inspirational and Torah topics. Mrs. Roth holds a BA in Molecular Biology from Princeton University, and a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers. She was the recipient of the Mark Forman Memorial Award for excellence in academics and in clinical work.
Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky is a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University in New York City. Rabbi Sobolofsky studied at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and Yeshiva University; graduating in 1987, he was named valedictorian of the Mazer Yeshiva Program. He then attended the RabbiIsaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), finishing in 1990 and graduated from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration in 1996. He was appointed Rosh Yeshiva in the spring of 2002 and began teaching Talmud at Yeshiva University and its affiliated RIETS in the fall of that year. In addition to his role as Rosh Yeshiva in RIETS, Rabbi Sobolofsky also serves as the spiritual leader of Congregation Ohr HaTorah in Bergenfield, New Jersey, where he is a resident. Rabbi Sobolofsky also lectures at the Bergen County Beis Medrash Program (BCBM) housed at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, New Jersey. Prior to his appointment as Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Sobolofsky was a fellow of the Gruss Kollel Elyon and then went on to teach in Yeshiva University's Stone Beis Medrash Program for seven years.
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Rabbi Steven Weil Rabbi Steven Weil is executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Weil began his career as a teacher before embarking upon a position in the Rabbinate; first at the Young Israel of Oak Park Michigan and then at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, California. In both positions, Rabbi Weil significantly expanded the synagogue’s membership and programming and was involved in serving the needs of the greater community as well. Rabbi Weil has delivered invocations for former President Bush and Governor Schwarzenegger, among others. He has served internationally as scholar-inresidence, has spoken on various aspects of marriage, and is a passionate advocate for Israel and for Jewish education.
Yael Weil Yael Weil grew up in Memphis, TN and attended Stern College for Women and then Bank Street College for Education. She has taught in Hebrew Schools, day schools and high schools in New York, New Jersey, Michigan and California. Yael has been a proponent of adult education, specifically for women, and has lectured for synagogues, Federations, and women's groups across the country. She has studied with scores of brides, helping them prepare spiritually, intellectually and emotionally for married life.
Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, L.S.W. Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler has been the Senior Rabbi of Congregation AABJ&D in West Orange, NJ, since 2004. Rabbi Zwickler received Rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Yeshiva College. He also holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Yeshiva University Wurzweiler School of Social Work as well as a Masters Degree in Secondary Jewish Education from the Azrielli Graduate School of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Zwickler serves on the Executive Committee of the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy & Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, in Livingston, NJ, is copresident of the Va’ad Hakashrus of Metrowest and a member of the Board of Trustees of the UJC of Greater Metrowest. Rabbi Zwickler is a licensed Social Worker in the state of New Jersey where he is in private practice specializing in marital therapy.
Sharon Zwickler, L.S.W. Sharon Zwickler is the Intake Coordinator at the Jewish Family Service of Clifton Passaic, New Jersey. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiller School of Social Work of Yeshiva University. She is married to Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler for the last 14 years and they reside in West Orange, NJ with their four children.
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