Rabbi Jeffrey Weiss (Rav Yaakov)
Distinguished Faculty Award
Rabbi Jeffrey Weiss or "Rav Yaakov," originally from Boston, Massachusetts, has Semikha from RIETS, a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education and Administration from Azrieli, and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Creighton University. Before joining KYLS in 2016, Rav Yaakov served as an Educator, Pastoral Services Coordinator, and Mashgiach Ruchani in Omaha, Nebraska. In those positions, he developed and promoted educational and social programs for youth and adults, implemented curricula for supplemental Jewish learning, and oversaw a wide range of services in the Jewish community from kashrut to conversions to pastoral care.
Known for his sincere and compassionate nature, Rav Yaakov is passionate about Jewish education and experiences. Rav Yaakov believes that it is vital for children to enjoy their learning and make connections to the material, their peers and their teachers.
In addition to his role as Judaic Studies Specialist and Rav in K/1 for the past eight years, Rav Yaakov has been working with students to enjoy baking and cooking through the after-school cooking club at Kohelet.
He has been the Rosh Bishul at Moshava Ba'Ir of Greater Philadelphia and a Ropes Instructor at JCC Camps at Medford. During the COVID pandemic he became an avid runner and recently completed the Philadelphia Marathon. He and his wife Ilana reside in Cherry Hill, NJ, where they are both active lay leaders of their synagogue, Congregation Sons of Israel. Rav Yaakov and Ilana have four girls who all attend Kohelet and have been Rav Yaakov's students at Kohelet over the years.
Known for his sincere and compassionate nature, Rav Yaakov is passionate about Jewish education and experiences. Rav Yaakov believes that it is vital for children to enjoy their learning and make connections to the material, their peers and their teachers.
In addition to his role as Judaic Studies Specialist and Rav in K/1 for the past eight years, Rav Yaakov has been working with students to enjoy baking and cooking through the after-school cooking club at Kohelet.
He has been the Rosh Bishul at Moshava Ba'Ir of Greater Philadelphia and a Ropes Instructor at JCC Camps at Medford. During the COVID pandemic he became an avid runner and recently completed the Philadelphia Marathon. He and his wife Ilana reside in Cherry Hill, NJ, where they are both active lay leaders of their synagogue, Congregation Sons of Israel. Rav Yaakov and Ilana have four girls who all attend Kohelet and have been Rav Yaakov's students at Kohelet over the years.