NHBZ Transition Plan Talent Line-Up
Rabbi Yosef David hails from Lakewood New Jersey and attended the world renown MIR YeShiva in Jerusalem. He credits those five amazing years as the catalyst for his deep love for Israel and his broad knowledge of its sites and incredible history. Rabbi David is the executive Director Of Aish Hatorah of St. Louis and loves teaching the ideas values and wisdom of Torah. He believes our wonderful shared heritage should be made relevant and be accessible to every single Jew.
He has been leading the educational services at Nusach Haari for the past 10 years and recently has created a weekly Saturday morning class titled Soul building. Rabbi David loves leading thought-provoking discussion groups on any/every topic. He feels privileged to lead an extremely popular men’s mission to Israel and Co- leads the Aish Hatorah couples’ trip with his wife Mimi. Yosef and Mimi enjoy hosting shabbos & holidays dinners and any other time he can get a group of Jews together. Together, they have won several BBQ contest awards. In his free time, he enjoys working out, weightlifting, and experiencing outdoors. Joseph and Mimi have been married for over 28 years and have seven awesome kids ranging in age from 27–11 years old.
Originally from New York but a mid-westerner by choice, Mimi David lives with her family in St. Louis, Missouri. As Director of Women’s Education for Aish HaTorah of St. Louis, Mimi spends her time doing what she loves best: learning with and teaching fabulous Jewish women about the beauty, depth, and relevance of Judaism. Whether it is a highly attended Lunch-and-Learn, popular book club, or a Mamas in Pajamas zoom class, Mimi is a sought-after teacher and lecturer. She writes articles on Jewish content and hosts a monthly challah club that has standing room only. An experienced, dynamic (and fun!) trip leader, Mimi has led 18 missions to Israel for women and for couples.
Mimi has been involved in Jewish education on the high school level for over 20 years. She is a professional dating coach with clients all over the country. As a kallah teacher and Mikvah mentor, one of her passions is teaching women about the mitzvah of Mikvah. In addition to feeding people’s souls, Mimi is a great cook and hosts lots of guests, with whom she enjoys sharing delicious Shabbos and holiday meals.
Mimi’s most important job is shared with her husband Yosef: raising their family of 7 awesome kids (and an amazing in-law kids, and the most delicious grandchildren!). She and Yosef firmly believe in the idea that Jewish inspiration begins at home.
From Baltimore, Maryland, Rabbi Berkowitz grew up in the close-knit Torah community known as “Yeshiva Lane.” He studied at Ner Israel, the Yeshiva of Cliffwood, New Jersey and the famed Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. In 2008, Yaakov married Rivka Serel, the eldest daughter of “the Yari’s.” After four years in Israel, the couple came back to St. Louis. They are the doting parents of six delightful children. Rabbi Berkowitz is currently the Menahel (Director) of the Kollel.
Rabbi Shimmy Fried
friedshimmy@gmail.com
Rabbi Fried was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. After high school, he studied for several years in Yeshivas Toras Moshe (Israel). Subsequently, he continued his studies in Beth Medresh Gevohah and Kollel Tiferes Yitzchak (both in Lakewood, NJ). Rabbi Fried has been involved in a wide array of summer programs, teaching school age children, yeshiva students, college students, and adults. Rabbi Fried and his wife Dina (Nee’ Florans) joined the St. Louis Community Kollel this past summer and are blessed with three adorable children. They love connecting with Jews of all backgrounds and ages and spreading the light of Torah.
Rabbi Yitzchok Shimon Hess
yitzyhess@gmail.com
Born in Passaic, New Jersey, Rabbi Yitzchok Shimon Hess’s family moved to Lakewood soon after. Rabbi Hess spent time studying in Yeshivas Keren Hatorah in Lakewood then went to Eretz Yisrael to learn under Rabbi Dovid Soloveitchik. Later, he returned to Lakewood to learn in Beis Medrash Govoha, and the Cranbury Kollel, also in New Jersey. Three years ago, Rabbi Hess joined the St. Louis Community Kollel and has given an array of shiurim and classes and writes a bi- weekly column for the Kollel’s Family Torah Journal.
Rabbi Miller has over three decades of experience in Jewish communal work, always with the aim of empowering Jews from all walks of life to embrace the timeless truths of Torah and engender a love of learning and living. As a regional Director of NCSY, he revitalized the region through clarifying its purpose, resulting in an increase in appeal, participation, community embrace and partnership.
Rabbi Miller holds a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and post-graduate degree in adolescent mental health from the Tavistock Clinic in the UK. He received semicha from Tiferet Yerushalayim in Israel and kabbalah in shechitah in South Africa.
He has also served as Rabbi for Congregation Ohr Somayach in South Africa, established the Mid-Atlantic Chai Lifeline office, and has served in administrative roles in Jewish day and high schools in the UK, and on the West Coast. Rabbi Miller engages with families, children, and partners with genuine positive regard and interest. His joys include learning, photography, public speaking, performing music, and freshly brewed coffee. Over the past three years, Epstein Hebrew Academy has experienced a 30% growth in student enrollment, more robust general and Jewish studies curriculum and programs, and has attracted Jewish families from all levels of observance.
Rabbi Dov Nimchinsky EHA / Kadima Faculty
rabbinimchinsky@gmail.com
Rabbi Nimchinsky has dedicated over 30 years to Jewish education, bringing a wealth of experience in both administrative roles and classroom teaching. His expertise in Judaic Studies has benefited middle and high school students across North America. He has also been very involved with teaching in a variety of adult education programs. In August 2023, he joined the faculty at Epstein/Kadimah High School in St. Louis. Rabbi Nimchinsky is married to Rivkey Nimchinsky, who also teaches at Epstein. Together, they have nine amazing children and a growing number of wonderful grandchildren.
For the past two years, Rabbi Feigenbaum has served as the Executive Director of Esther Miller Bais Yaakov. For the prior nine years he was the director of education of Etz Chaim Synagogue in Jacksonville, Fla., where he focused on creating innovative learning opportunities for Jewish education outside synagogue walls.
Rabbi Sentell grew up in Memphis and received his education at Yeshiva University, the Novardok Yeshiva, and Kollel Zichron Avraham.In Monsey,NY he served as the senior Rabbi at Congregation Beis Meir Chevra Shas. Additionally, he has served as a Dayan in the Beis Yosef Beis Din in Boro Park, as an editor for Machon Ayil, and as a scholar-in-residence in various East Coast communities. Currently he works as the Coordinator for Jewish Employment Services at MERS Goodwill.
