Rabbi Yitzchok Kirzner (of blessed memory)
Rabbi Kirzner was the founder of the Jewish Learning Exchange in Los Angeles. His warm sensitivity and keen insight into the human condition coupled with his vast Torah knowledge influenced thousands of people. With outstanding clarity he brought to life deep Torah thoughts in a way that made them easily understood, and changed the lives of countless people as they came to appreciate the greatness of the Torah, and ultimately, their own spiritual potential.
Listening to his tapes, one begins to appreciate Rabbi Kirzner�s ability to convey deep Torah thoughts in their full complexity to diverse audiences of the Jewish community. May it be a merit for his soul and a comfort to those who were close to him to know that his Torah legacy continues through the recordings of his many lectures.
Rabbi Kirzner is also the author of Making Sense of Suffering: A Jewish Approach,
and coauthor of The Art of Jewish Prayer.
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Rabbi Avrohom Czapnik
Rabbi Czapnik (Chapnik) has been the Rabbi and director of the Jewish Learning Exchange for over 18 years. He received his Rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva Bais Binyomin of Stamford, Connecticut. Rabbi Czapnik moved to Los Angeles to teach five-year-old boys Hebrew reading and Torah Judaism at Yeshiva Rav Isacsohn Torath Emeth Academy. He is a recipient of the Milken Family Foundation and Bureau of Jewish Education Award for excellence in education.
Rabbi Czapnik continues to teach young and old alike, attempting to impart not only the knowledge and depth of Judaism, but also its warmth and joy. Under his guidance, the JLE continues to provide the community with a myriad of opportunities to learn more about our heritage and experience Judaism.
In addition to teaching, Rabbi Czapnik offers counseling on numerous issues including dating, marriage, and self-growth. He assists Jews in understanding more about themselves, and what their Judaism means to them as individuals and as a part of the entire Jewish people. He and his family currently live in the Beverly/La Brea area of Los Angeles. They invite you to spend a Shabbos in their home!
Articles by Rabbi Avrohom Czapnik:
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Rabbi Yaacov Biron
Rabbi Biron has been a respected educator in the Los Angeles community for over
twenty years. He currently teaches sixth grade boys at Yeshiva Rav Isacsohn and
high school boys at Mesifta Calabasas, in addition to his weekly JLE class.
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Rabbi Chaim Zev Citron
Rabbi Citron is a lecturer at Ohr Elchonon Chabad in Los Angeles. He also serves as Rabbi of Ahavas Yisrael Synagogue in Los Angeles. Rabbi Citron is well known for his intellect and intellectual honesty. He has changed the lives of many young men and women.
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Dr. Simcha Goldman
Dr. Goldman is a licensed psychologist with a strong interest in the
contribution of Musar (works on ethical self improvement) and psychology
to spiritual and personal growth. He has been involved with JLE for 20
years in various ways, including providing lectures on a variety of
subjects, based on the writings of Rabbi E.E. Dessler.
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Rabbi Baruch Yehuda Gradon
Rabbi Gradon, English born, attended Gateshead Yeshiva in England, and later, Lakewood Yeshivah, Beis Medrash Govoha. He transferred to the Los Angeles Community Kollel in 1982, eventually becoming the Menahel Ruchani there. Rabbi Gradon is now the Rosh Kollel (dean) of Merkaz HaTorah in the Pico/Robertson community. He is a highly sought out speaker, both nationally and internationally.
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller
Internationally known as an outstanding scholar of Jewish Studies as well as a gifted
lecturer, Rebbetzin Heller has been a full-time faculty member of Neve Yerushalayim
College in Jerusalem since 1980.
She is distinguished by her unique teaching style. Based on classical sources, her
insights on virtually any topic within Jewish studies flow in a seemingly effortless
stream. While leading her listeners along creative new lines of thoughts, she resorts
to a disarmingly keen sense of humor to provide practical examples that illustrate
and draw personal relevance from even the most abstract concepts.
Rebbetzin Heller is also noteworthy as an example of a woman who has managed to
balance her responsibilities as a mother of a large family with her role as a leading
public figure throughout her career in Jewish education.
A sought-after speaker, her lecture tours throughout the United States, Canada,
England and South Africa always draw enthusiastic crowds. She is a guest lecturer
at the Jewish Learning Exchange whenever she comes to the U.S. Rebbetzin Heller
is the author of four books: More Precious than Pearls, This Way Up, Our Bodies
Our Souls, and Let�s Face It.
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Rabbi Yehuda Lebovics
Rabbi Lebovics trained as a rabbinic mohel at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem,
Israel. Upon his ordination he was certified as a Rabbi and Mohel by a member of
the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He has a master's degree in education, and has more
than twenty years of experience as mohel, rabbi, and educator.
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Rabbi Label Trainer
Rabbi Label Trainer has been an educator for over 25 years. He has been involved in outreach programs all over the United States,
as well as Brazil and Canada. In addition to his classes at the JLE, he currently teaches first grade boys at Yeshiva Rav Isacsohn.
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Rabbi Avrohom Union
Rabbi Union is the Dayan (judge) and Menahel (head) of the Beth Din (Jewish court) of the Rabbinical Council of California. He received his rabbinical ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate. He did undergraduate studies at the University of South Africa. He also completed a Masters in Psychology at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles for additional expertise and insight into pastoral and community work.
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Other guest lecturers include Rabbi Y.Y. Rubinstein, Sara Yoheved Rigler, Rabbi
Noach Orlowek, Dr. Lisa Aiken, Rabbi Leib Kelemen, and more!