Scholar in residence

Guest Speakers

Israel Ambassador to the
UN & the US Amb Gilad Erdan

served as Israel’s Ambassador to the UN from August 2020 until August 2024. From January until November 2021, Ambassador Erdan also served as Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, the first person to hold both roles concurrently since Abba Eban in the 1950s.

Prior to serving as Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan served in the Israeli Knesset for 17 years and held several ministerial positions including Minister of Public Security, Minister of Strategic Affairs and Minister of Environmental Protection. He was a member of Israel’s Security Cabinet and led many important reforms in Israeli society.

As Minister of Public Security, he was in charge
of Israel’s first responders including the police and fire  department. In this role, he oversaw Israel’s response to the wave of “lone-wolf terrorist” Gilad Erdan was appointed Global President of Magen David Adom (MDA)

Brigadier General Res. Amir Avivi

Founder and Chairman, IDSF

Amir Avivi is the Founder and Chairman of IDSF – Israel’s Defense and Security Forum (In Hebrew, Habithonistim) which he established in February 2020. IDSF is comprised of more than 28,000 reserve and retired officers, commanders and operators from all branches of the Israeli Security Establishment. IDSF promotes the national security of the State of Israel to ensure its existence and prosperity for generations to come. Avivi retired from the IDF in 2017 and has more than 30 years
of military, counter-terrorism, and national defense experience.

Past Years Scholar :

Rabbi – Yossi Birnbaum

With 18 years experience in Kashrus as the
Rabbinical Coordinator & Chief Supervisor of
the Chicago Rabbinical Council, Rabbi Birnbaum
brings his wealth of knowledge on all topics of
Torah and Halacha. He currently resides in
Jerusalem, Israel and is excited to be a part of the Royal family.

Prof. – Alan Rechtschaffen

A private investor and sought – after advisor at the highest government levels. Prof. Rechtschaffen is a featured commentator on FOX, CNBC, and Bloomberg. Serving as a Presidential appointee to a US Government-chartered think tank in Washington, he leads cryptocurrency and blockchain initiatives. Additionally, as a senior law lecturer at New York University and author of three books for Oxford University Press on Capital Markets, Alan brings his wealth of expertise to various platforms. He has played a crucial role in advising Presidential administrations, campaigns, and transition teams on world events and policy formation. As a regular lecturer on world events in the context of Torah, Alan shares his personal perspectives over Passover, emphasizing that they do not reflect any affiliated institutions.

Yossi Goodman

Originally from South Africa, now resides in Montreal,
Canada with his family.
 Mr. Goodman is an internationally acclaimed
inspirational speaker who’s message will leave you
mesmerized and change the way you think,
speak and act.

Dr. – Hillel Cohen

Gives a weekly Gemara shiur at the
Boca Raton Synagogue. After practicing
gastroenteology for 14 years, he left
clinical medicine in 2021 to become CEO of Yanuvia,
a medical research company that he founded.

He lives in Boca Raton, with his wife Chayi.
They have 4 children: Ari, Rebecca (married to
Ari Rosenberg), Talia, and Josh.

Ayelet shaked

Former Israeli Minister of Justice, Minister of Interior, Member of Parliment, Founder of Israel’s largest national grassroots movement.

Rabbi Samy Soussan

Rabbi Samy Soussan is the Associate Rabbi and Hazzan of the Sephardic community in Houston, TX. In addition, Rabbi Soussan serves as the Director of Houston NCSY engaging hundreds of Jewish youth, connecting and inspiring them. Rabbi Soussam lives in Houston together with his wife and four kids and will be joining us for the Chag.

Rabbi Yaacov Laredo

Rabbi Yaacov Laredo is a community leader in Florida and has inspired countless Jews with his engaging, warm and charismatic personality and teaching skills.

Rabbi Laredo founded the Hollywood Torah Center, which provides engaging learning opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to expand themselves through the study of Torah.