Rabbi Simon Jacobson

Scholar In Residence

Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the author of the best-selling book Toward a Meaningful Life, a William Morrow publication that has sold over 300,000 copies to date and has been translated into Hebrew, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, German, Hungarian, Czech and Croatian.

Rabbi Jacobson heads The Meaningful Life Center (www.meaningfullife.com), which bridges the secular and the spiritual, through a wide variety of live and on-line programming. The Center, which has now found its home in Downtown Manhattan, presents to people of all backgrounds, the universal teachings of Torah as a blueprint for life. MLC, called a "Spiritual Starbucks" by the NY Times, is in the process of creating a warm, soulful environment, a "third space" where men and women can commune, read, have a coffee and interact, while also offering dynamic, interactive experiences of living spirituality through a variety of ongoing programs, musical and artistic events, lectures, classes and seminars, as well as a wide array of published learning materials, books, audio and video programs. The Center is an outgrowth of Rabbi Jacobson's popular Wednesday night class that has captured the hearts of thousands of participants over the last 25 years with its spiritual message and profound insights into the human condition.

For over 14 years Rabbi Jacobson, as Editor-in-Chief of VHH, was responsible for publishing the talks of the late Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Beginning in 1979, he headed a team of scholars that memorized and transcribed entire talks that the Rebbe gave during the Sabbath and holidays, as writing and tape recording are not permitted on holy days. In this position, Rabbi Jacobson was privileged to work in close association with the Rebbe and published more than 1000 of the Rebbe's talks. He also headed the research team for Sefer Halikutim - an encyclopedic collection of Chassidic thought (26 volumes, published 1977-1982).

Jacobson is one of the greatest scholars and sought after speakers in the Jewish world today. He has lectured to diverse audiences on six continents and in forty states on psycho-spiritual issues, applying Jewish thought to contemporary life, in a voice that is rooted in the timeless teachings of Torah, yet at the same time profoundly timely and relevant, unique and cutting edge. He has been interviewed on over 300 radio and TV shows, including CNN with Larry King, the Charlie Rose Show, and the CBS News Show, "The Best of Us."

Mrs. Shaindy Jacobson

Jewish Educator

Shaindy Jacobson is the director of JLI’s women’s studies division, The Rosh Chodesh society. Mrs. Jacobson has been involved in the field of Jewish education for over twenty five years, teaching at the Bais Rivkah Teacher’s Seminary and serving as a community liaison and counselor for Operation Survival – a substance abuse prevention program. Shaindy lectures around the world, educating women about their Jewish heritage and its practical application to their daily lives. She is also an accomplished musician and composer and frequently accompanies her lectures with song and music.

Sanford Landa, LCSW

Sanford is a substance abuse specialist and a Certified Prevention Professional (CPP). Sanford earned his M.S.W. from Columbia University School of social work, in addition to a Master’s degree in public health from New York University. A practitioner and educator in the fields of mental health and substance abuse for over 30 years. Sanford is a member of the Academy of Addictions Studies and a licensed training professional for the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. He co-authored “Brief Therapy with Alcohol and Other Drug Abusing Clients” and “Motivational Interviewing with the Substance Abusing Client.”

Rabbi Yoel Gold

As an ordained Rabbi who is dedicated to serving the Los Angeles community and renowned for his impactful sermons and popular lectures, Rabbi Yoel Gold currently serves as Rabbi of Congregation Beis Naftali. The organization, which comprises Holocaust survivors and modern American professionals, also provides charitable services throughout Southern California to people in need of food, clothing and shelter. In addition, Rabbi Gold is a ninth-grade Rebbe with Mesivta Birkas Yitzchok (MBY), a boys’ yeshiva high school catering to the strictly observant Jewish Community, whose educational emphasis is to produce students steeped in Torah learning and yiras shamayim. Rabbi Gold is also a sought-after motivational speaker throughout Southern California, sharing his love for life and passion for the torah. His contagious inspirational messages have inspired countless audiences, including Jew in the City, Chayenu, such universities as UCLA, Manchester and Leeds, and companies like BCBG Max Azria. He was previously appointed as the fulltime Rav of Aish Manchester in England, and has led a trip to Poland, where Rabbi Gold taught and inspired youth about past generations and orthodox heritage.

Naomi Nachman

Renowned Food Expert

Naomi who was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, moved to New York 30 years ago. After earning her teachers degree from Touro College she taught many years in the classroom and informal Jewish Education settings.

In 2004 Naomi started to her own kosher personal chef business, The Aussie Gourmet, to cater weekly and Shabbat/Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities.

Naomi Nachman has grown her brand on social media with a strong presence on Instagram, Facebook, and What’s App Status. Naomi has become known as a Kosher food media influencer and has represented many brands on social media, including Kosher.com, Inbal Hotel, Gefen, Tropicana, Breakstone’s, Ore-Ida, Gourmet Glatt and Maxwell House, Empire Poultry, and Prairie Street Prime.

She also has her own cooking show, Sunny Side Up, on the Kosher.com network and also hosts her own weekly show, “Table for Two with Naomi Nachman” on The Nachum Segal Network – in which discusses all food-related and travel topics. In addition, Naomi writes a monthly column for the Mishpacha magazine covering food and travel her articles are called “Off the Eaten Track”, and is also a contributing editor to The Jewish Home newspaper for the last 13 years, distributed in many states across the country writing weekly recipes.

Naomi has also been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has made a variety of guest appearances on CBS TV (in both NY and Washington), NBC Morning News, Fox 5 New York, and the Hallmark Channel and has been quoted by the Forbes Magazine, Wall Street Journal on Jewish food trends.

In 2017, Naomi published her debut cookbook, Perfect For Pesach with Artscroll Publications; and in November, 2018 Naomi published her second cookbook, Perfect Flavors (also with Artscroll Publications). Naomi has sold more than 28,000 copies of her books.

Naomi is often sought after to do cooking demonstrations, book signings and to produce Kosher Chopped-style cooking competitions across the world, where she shares her immense enthusiasm and passion for food.

In 2018, Naomi was invited to attend the New Jewish Media summit where she met with President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu.

In the last several years, Naomi has traveled extensively with her family as well as working on tours such as Birthright, Pesach programs and summer travel. Besides of her many trips to Israel each year, she has travelled over Asia, Europe, Africa, Central America and Australia. In the last 18 months she has travelled to 19 states making her total to 45 states and hopes to complete her tour of the U.S by early next year.

When Naomi is not traveling she can be found with her husband and family in Long Island, New York.

Naomi’s motto in life is “see the world, one bite at a time”.