Who's Who...
RABBI AARON E. GLATT
MD, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA
Rabbi Dr. Glatt is the Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Anshei Chesed (South Shore) in Hewlett, NY and Assistant to the Rabbi at the Young Israel of Woodmere. He is in his third cycle of giving a Daf Yomi shiur. An international lecturer on medical halachic issues, Rabbi Dr. Glatt has recently authored a popular sefer entitled Visiting the Sick: A halachic and medical guide - with down to earth advice, published by ArtScroll Publications. He previously authored Women in the Talmud, published by the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Dr. Glatt is currently President /Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph Hospital, Bethpage NY, where he was Chief Medical Officer from 2005-2006.
RABBI DOVID HIRSCH
Rabbi Dovid Hirsch is a Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbeinu Isaac Elchanan Seminary, Yeshiva University in New York City. He is also Morah D’Asra of Kehillas Beis Yosef of Passaic-Clifton, New Jersey. Rabbi Hirsch has been a scholar -in- residence and guest speaker throughout the U.S. and Israel. He is married to Miriam Hirsch and has five daughters. This will be his fifth Pesach with Mendy Vim’s Holiday Tours.
PROFESSOR NAOMI KLAPPER
Professor Naomi Klapper has been a college professor since1986,has served as faculty at Yeshiva University, Stern College for Women, Sy Syms School of Business, and Lander College, and is the Director of Counseling Services at Lander College for Women, serving as their Life Crisis Intervention Counselor. She is a faculty mentor to Lander faculty, and is frequently consulted on psychological aspects of Metropolitan Jewish community affairs.
In addition to teaching, Naomi Klapper is also a licensed clinical therapist and maintains a private practice in Manhattan.
Professor Klapper has lectured throughout the tri-state area on a myriad of topics related to Parenting, Relationships, Marriage, and Wellness. She is the recipient of several teaching awards, including the “America’s Top Teachers” award.
Professor Klapper resides in Teaneck, New Jersey with her husband and four children.
CANTOR NACHMAN SCHNEIDER
Cantor Nachman Schneider currently serves as the cantor of Congregation Beth Israel of Brooklyn. Having assumed his first cantorial position at the age of seventeen, he has also held cantorial posts at prestigious congregations such as Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, and Shomrei Emunah of Brooklyn. In addition to his regular position, he routinely accepts engagements as a cantor-in-residence in a wide variety of settings including Park East Synagogue, Synagogue for the Arts, and Mendy Vim’s Holidays. He also officiates at weddings, is a featured artist at various organizational functions and fund raisers, and gives nusach lessons as his schedule permits.
Cantor Schneider’s tenor voice is well suited for the cantorial tradition which he follows. His strict adherence to nusach, mastery of cantorial recitative, and diverse repertoire of congregational song combine with his “chazonishe krechtz” to evoke in listeners the memories and emotions of a bygone cantorial era. His familiarity with the style and spirit of the Golden Age of Cantorial Music does not preclude his own improvisation, which is, in fact, the centerpiece of cantorial art. Cantor Schneider will be leading the Seder and the davening for us in a stirring recital of his own memorable syle.
YOEL SHARABI
Yoel Sharabi, a native Sabra, has captivated audiences throughout the world with his wide repertoire and dynamic style. He is a master of modern Israeli, classic Yemenite, and popular Chassidic melodies. Delivering his songs in a variety of languages and styles, his charisma brings excitement to his music. In concert halls and on stages throughout the world, Yoel's performances have brought an enthusiasm that is unparalleled. Along with his singing, Yoel is an accomplished musician. He is a skilled guitarist, and can hammer out an intricate tune on the Dumbek. Most widely known for his simultaneous playing of two flutes in perfect harmony, Yoel Sharabi, reaches out and enthralls his audience with his unique combination of musicianship and stage presence.
MICHAEL KRAKANOVSKI
Michael, our talented chief Chef, has over three decades of culinary experience.A Todmore graduate, Michael worked for intecontinental hotel divisions, in the Hotel Edelweiss in the Swiss Alps,and in the finest hotels and restaurants in Israel, along with parts of Europe. Currently working in New York City, Michael presides over our Passover kitchens delights our guests with one exquisite dish after another.
JOANNE ISRAEL
Joanne is a graduate of Brooklyn College in Education and Psychology and had over 5 years of teaching and administration before turning to a career in hotel management and hospitality. Her experience spans over thirty years,,16 of which have been with Mendy Vim. As Director of Sales for Vim's Holidays, she is responsible for developing reservation packages, coordinating specific needs for our guests and has a deep sense of pride in bringing a fulfilling Passover experience to fruition for each guest.
MORAH RUTHIE
Morah Ruthie is delighted to be joining us for her third year as Director of the Mendy Vim Pesach Day Camp. A beloved teacher in the early childhood department of Moriah School in Englewood, N.J. for over 18 years, the children light up her life, whether at school or at Mendy Vim's Passover program. In the past, she has directed Day Camps at other hotels, and also ran her own playgroup. She is looking forward to a wonderful Pesach with you and your children.
So what are you waiting for?
