- Gateways (organization)
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This article is about the Jewish organization. For other meanings, see Gateways.
The Gateways banner
Gateways is an organization whose self-declared mission is it to "raise Jewish consciousness and help stem the rising tide of Jewish assimilation among American Jews."[1]
Contents
Origins
Gateways was founded in 1998 by Rabbi Mordechai Suchard with the stated goal of "providing opportunities for Jews to unlock the treasure of their heritage through dynamic educational and social programs."[2] The organization is based in Monsey, New York. It began as an American offshoot of Arachim (meaning "values"), an Israeli Judaism outreach organization founded in 1979.[3] Funding for Gateways is entirely from individual donors.
Programs
Gateways runs a range of programs with different programs geared towards attendees of different Jewish backgrounds. the programs all have the general aim of educating towards Jewish values and traditions and connection with Israel."[4] Gateways often joins with other organizations to co-sponsor events.
Programs include:
- Family education.
- Learning programs for collegiates and young professionals.
- Services focused on the Russian American Jewish community.
- Singles networking and matchmaking.
- Learning opportunities via the internet, including the an "Ask the Rabbi" portal.[5][6]
- Life skills and professional development seminars.
- Jewish holiday programs.
In addition to the New York metropolitan area, the organization hosts events throughout the United States.[7][8][9][10]
Gateways personalities
Gateways is staffed by a team of 45 professionals working in seven different departments.[11]
Rabbi Mordechai Suchard
Rabbi Mordechai Suchard, left, with a guest at the Gateways Shavuot Retreat in 2008.Rabbi Mordechai Suchard is the founder[12] and executive director of Gateways.[13] He is a professional Jewish educator, speaker and author.[14]
Biography
Suchard was born in South Africa.[15] His father is a dayan (ecclesiastical "judge") on the Johannesburg Beth Din. He studied at the Telshe yeshiva, in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Ponevezh in Bnei Brak, Israel, and received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Kulitz, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and Dean of the Jerusalem Beth Din.
Suchard founded Gateways to promote the continuity of Judaism. He has spent the last decade establishing and running a network of outreach organizations targeting college students, young professionals, singles and Russian immigrants in the United States. He is also active in Jewish education on the Internet.[16] Suchard has served on the rabbinical board of "Ask The Rabbi" [17] answering questions about Jewish law, philosophy and ethics.[18]
He speaks across America on Jewish issues such as prophecy and seeing God in one's life.[8][19][20]
Suchard was on the American delegation accompanying US President George Bush when he visited Israel in May 2008 to mark the country's sixtieth birthday celebrations.[21][22]
Political views
Rabbi Suchard is a supporter of Senator Joe Lieberman, contributing to his political campaign from 2002 to 2006.[23]
Rabbi Mordechai Becher
Rabbi Mordechai Becher before a presentation in February 2009.Rabbi Mordechai Becher is an author and lecturer on topics of Jewish philosophy and ritual law and practice.
Biography
Born in Australia, Becher is the son of Trudy and the late Sol Becher—his English name is Michael.[24] As a child, he attended the Bialik College in Melbourne for elementary school. Becher had a Labrador-Cocker Spaniel mix for 13 years while growing up. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. Shortly thereafter, he started lecturing at Neve Yerushalayim, Darchei Binah[25] and Ohr Somayach College, remaining at the latter for 15 years. He also served as a senior lecturer at Ohr Somayach Thornhill for four years in Toronto, Ontario, from 1992 to 1996.[26]
Becher first moved to Israel in 1978, and served in the armoured infantry in the Israel Defense Force,.[27] He was also an army chaplain,[28] teaching in training programs for rabbis and educators. He married Chavy Borck[24] of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1985 and lived for a time in Kiryat Moshe, Israel.[29] He has co-authored two books on contemporary issues in Jewish law and has responded to literally thousands of legal, ethical and philosophical questions on the Ohr Somayach "Ask the Rabbi" website.
Becher considers Rabbi Moshe Shapiro to be his rebbe, or primary mentor in areas of Torah and Judaism.[30]
Becher lives with his wife and their six children in Passaic Park.[26]
Gateways
Becher is currently a Senior Lecturer for Gateways.[31] He also lectures for Project Genesis and is one of the leading voices in American Orthodox Jewish outreach.[32]
He is known for his quick wit and tremendously acute sense of humor, evidenced by some of the lectures he delivers, with titles including "Guns and Moses: A Jewish Perspective on Politics," "The Rooster, the Tree and the SUV," "First Fruits, Cheeseburgers and Lord of the Flies" and "Shabbos: Who Invented the Weekend Anyway?"[33]
Other endeavors
Becher is the author of a number of books, including Avodat Ahavah (Labor of Love, currently available only in Hebrew) covering the Jewish laws related to kiruv. He also co-authored After the Return: A Guide for the Newly Observant with Moshe Newman and wrote Gateway to Judaism: The What, How and Why of Jewish Life. Becher has also contributed to the development of computer software programs related to Israeli geography.
Becher serves as host of his own radio show on OU-Radio, which exists in a question and answer format. Becher is also the host of three cable television shows that air on Shalom TV, carried on Time Warner Cable's Channel 1 On Demand:[34] "From the Aleph-Bet," "Kabbalah Revealed" and "Dimensions of the Daf," the latter a reference to the Talmud, a page of which is referred to as a daf. Becher has given lectures for many organizations, including the UJA and the Zionist Organization of America.[27]
Becher has studied comparative religion, archeology and history and is on the speakers list of the Israeli Consulate in New York.
Rabbi Jonathan Rietti
Rabbi Jonathan RiettiRabbi Jonathan Rietti is an English-born Orthodox rabbi, educator[16][35] and prominent speaker.[36]
Biography
Rietti was born in England. He is the son of Italian actor and director, Robert Rietti.[37] He has twin sisters[38] and a brother and attended school with the children of Ringo Starr.[39] He draws upon his familiarity with the film and advertising industries to entertain his audiences and criticize social flaws.[40]
Rietti received his ordination from the Gateshead Talmudical College, after which he was involved in establishing a growing kollel in Gibraltar.[41] He served as a senior lecturer for 11 years at the Jewish Renaissance Center.[42]
He is a much sought after lecturer on personal growth and Jewish identity, having been invited to speak throughout the United States.[8][43][44]
Rietti is the author of a book entitled The Art of Healthy Living, based on Maimonides' teachings of healthy eating, and has been brought in on occasion to speak to audiences about his work in the field.[45] In mid-2008, Rietti was invited to be the keynote speaker at a program called "Caring For Loved Ones While Caring For Ourselves", where he addressed the issues relating to Maimonidies' guide for healthy living that form the basis for his new book.[46]
He lives with his wife, Devorah, and their children in Monsey, New York.
Jewish education
Rietti possesses a Master's degree in education[47] and has been an educational consultant since 1986, offering guidance to parents of gifted and ADD children. wideainc.org]</ref>
Gateways
Rietti is a senior lecturer for Gateways,[18] and lectures across the United States.[48]
He is known for his educational seminars and lectures,[49] focusing on inner growth, relationships, positive parenting, health and support for the authenticity of Judaism. He has recorded over 200 lectures [50] and is a sought-after speaker on love, marriage and the Jewish approach to interpersonal relationships.[16]
Rietti is on the response team of Ask the Rabbi, a website dedicated to answering questions about Judaism, usually within 24 hours.[51] He has appeared numerous times as a guest speaker on the Gavriel Sanders Show, addressing the Jewish perspective on love, happiness and anger management.[52]
Rietti is involved with numerous outreach organizations and educational institutions, including Ohr Somayach and The Jewish Awareness Movement.[53]
References
- ^ Gateways Shavuot Retreat pamphlet, page 1.
- ^ Gateways Shavuot Retreat pamphlet, inside of front cover.
- ^ neveh.org
- ^ Gateways booklet, page 1.
- ^ jewishpress.com
- ^ asktherabbi.org
- ^ thejewishweek.com
- ^ a b c newsbank.com
- ^ thejewishexperience.com
- ^ jewishaz.com
- ^ kiruv.com
- ^ thejewishweek.com
- ^ gatewaysonline.com
- ^ torahmedia.com/
- ^ thejewishweek.com
- ^ a b c jprisms.com
- ^ AskTheRabbi.org
- ^ a b asktherabbi.org
- ^ torahmedia.com
- ^ newsbank.com
- ^ nysun.com
- ^ whitehouse.gov
- ^ campaignmoney.com
- ^ a b Becher, Mordechai. Gateways to Judaism: The What, How and Why of Jewish Life, Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 2005, page 13
- ^ yiws.org
- ^ a b torahinmotion.org
- ^ a b jewishworldreview.com
- ^ canfeinesharim.org
- ^ Rabbi Becher's presentation entitled Archeology/History of Israel (audio)</]
- ^ Rabbi Becher's presentation entitled Witchcraft and Wizardry (audio)
- ^ gatewaysonline.com
- ^ jewishpress.com
- ^ ajop.org
- ^ texasjewishpost.com
- ^ www.bukharianjews.com
- ^ bikkurim.org
- ^ Rietti, Rabbi Jonathan. "The Expulsion From Paradise and the Long Journey Back: Where Do I Fit in The Scheme of Creation?" (audio)
- ^ Rietti, Rabbi Jonathan. "Countdown to Rosh Hashana: My New Year’s Resolution To Be a Better Spouse, Parent and Career Person" (audio)
- ^ Rietti, Rabbi Jonathan. In Search of Everlasting Love (audio)
- ^ learnoutloud.com
- ^ jewishinspiration.com
- ^ newsbank.com
- ^ newsbank.com
- ^ newsbank.com
- ^ thesoydailyclub.com
- ^ 5tjt.com
- ^ Jewish Inspiration, Inc. - reverse side of audio albums
- ^ jle.org.uk
- ^ torahmedia.com
- ^ linkla.org
- ^ asktherabbi.org
- ^ gavrielsanders.com
- ^ jamoncampus.org
External links
- Gateways
Categories:- Baalei teshuva institutions
- Jewish organizations based in the United States
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