Lt. Colonel (Res.) Rabbi Yedidya Atlas [email protected] Rabbi Yedidya Atlas, is a fifth generation American who made aliyah on a one-way ticket to Israel at age 17. A graduate of Yeshivat Mercaz Harav Kook in Jerusalem, he received his rabbinical ordination from former Chief Rabbi of Israel and Rosh Yeshivat Mercaz Harav, Rav Avraham Shapira, zt”l, and from the Beit Din Hagadol in Jerusalem, among others. Yedidya volunteered to the IDF during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. He was with the Golani Brigade in Lebanon in the 1978 Litani Operation, and served in the Arazim Regional Brigade in Lebanon during the early 1980’s, and from 1998-2003, he served as Rabbi of the Binyamin Regional Brigade. He was awarded two commendations as an “Exemplary Officer” by the IDF Rabbinate, and by the IDF Central Command, respectively. From 2003-2007, he served as Rabbi of Judea/Samaria Division, and from 2007-2013, he served as Rabbi of the IDF Ground Forces Command, and was then appointed Rabbi of the IDF Central Command. In 2009, he received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the IDF Ground Forces Command for his initiation and developing such projects as “Operation Sifrei Torah”, “Operation Sukkot”, the IDF Mobile Synagogue, the Field Beit Knesset Kit, and the “Magen Yisrael Tehillim-Siddur for Combat Soldiers”, among other projects. In addition to his operational duties, the Chief Rabbi of the IDF appointed him Head of Special Projects for the IDF Chief Rabbinate. Sample Topics/Themes: Leadership, Responsibility and Mesirut Nefesh – Defining Today’s IDF The IDF Rabbinate: How to Make a Jewish Army Jewish Halachic Issues and Ramifications of a Jewish Army Today’s Challenges Faced by Israel and the IDF Recent Speaking Engagements: Young Israel of Greater Cleveland, Young Israel of Bal Harbor, Young Israel of San Diego, Young Israel of East Brunswick, Young Israel of Flatbush, Young Israel of West Hempstead, Young Israel of Hewlett, Young Israel of St. Louis, Cong. Shomrei Emunah (Baltimore), Bais Medrash Shomrei Mishmeres (Baltimore), Cong. Ner Tamid (Baltimore), Cong. Shomrei Torah (Fair Lawn NJ), Cong. Ohr Torah (Bergenfield NJ), and Bais Medrash of Bergenfield. Expenses/Honorarium: Travel expenses only. Mr. Avraham Cohen [email protected] Mr. Avraham Cohen has a BA in Economics and Business Administration, speaks several languages – including Hebrew, English, French, and Arabic – and served in the Israeli military Signal Corps, as well as Military Intelligence. Avraham Cohen is the brother of Israeli spy Eli Cohen and lectures around the world, speaking about The Life and Death of Our Man in Damascus. The presentation includes a screening of the documentary "Undercover in Damascus". The 1992 film chronicles the Mossad agent's infiltration of the Syrian government from 1962 until his exposure, capture and execution in 1965. He was so deep undercover that he became chief adviser to the Syrian minister of defense. His efforts are said to have played an important role in Israel's victory in the Six-Day War. Mr. Cohen will speak about his family's experiences and the ongoing efforts to bring his brother's remains back to Israel. There is no fee for his lectures, he does this solely to honor the memory of his later brother. Recent Speaking Engagements: Chabad shuls in Florida, New Jersey, and Northern California. Expenses/Honorarium: Travel and accommodation expenses only. Mr. Mordecai Dzikansky [email protected] Retired NYPD First Grade Detective Mordecai Dzikansky became one of the most recognized and valued members of the NYPD for tracking down Torah thieves, murderers and drug dealers, in every corner of New York City. The place where he made his greatest impact, however, was 6,000 miles from New York – in the State of Israel. Dzikansky has significant experience with on-site terror scenes. During the second Intifada, he responded to, and analyzed more than 25 terror bombing scenes in Israel and the region. In addition to the two books he has authored on the subject – “Terrorist Cop” (his memoir) and “Terrorist Suicide Bombings” (a textbook) – he also teaches terrorism awareness and prevention methodologies to both Homeland Security professionals, as well as community based organizations. Sample Topics/Themes: From Torah to Terror – The Fascinating Story of the NYPD's First Orthodox Detective Terrorism Awareness and Prevention; Keeping your Community Safe Realistic Analysis of the Terror Threat in the USA and Israel Recent Speaking Engagements: NYPD Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Bureaus, NY MTA Police Department, NY Major League Baseball Security Officials, San Diego, CA SSI & TSS Homeland Security Conference, Las Vegas, NV Bnai Aviv Synagogue, Weston, FL Young Israel of Greater Miami Beach, FL Rutgers University, Department of Political Science, NJ Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office Dr. Daniel Eisenberg [email protected] www.jewishmedicalethics.com Dr. Daniel Eisenberg is a an Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine and a practicing radiologist in the Department of Radiology at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia where he was a former member of the hospital ethics committee and currently sits on the IRB. Dr. Eisenberg is a noted lecturer in the area of Jewish medical ethics, lecturing around the world, including serving as the medical ethics scholar-in-residence for the New England Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and for the Schlesinger Institute for Medical-Halachic Research. Dr. Eisenberg has published multiple medical ethics articles in both the scholarly and lay press, contributing to both secular and Jewish books and periodicals. His articles and chapters have appeared in Beracha Le’Avraham, The Hadassah Jewish Family Book of Health and Wellness, and Global Viewpoints- Abortion and periodicals and journals (such as Cancer Investigation, Assia-Jewish Medical Ethics, the Jewish Press, The Jewish Observer, and Jlaw.com). Dr. Eisenberg has also written over 30 Jewish medical ethics articles for Aish.com. Most recently, Dr. Eisenberg has developed the content for the human subject research web-based instructional module in ethics and professionalism for the American Board of Radiology. Dr. Eisenberg, a member of the Young Israel of the Main Line, a seasoned lecturer and scholar- in-residence, is available for lectures and speaking engagements to synagogues and professional, student, and community groups. Sample Topics/Themes: Jewish Medical Ethics Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office Dr. Yoram Ettinger [email protected] Ambassador (ret.) Ettinger is an insider on US-Israel relations and Mideast politics, a consultant to Knesset Members, Congressmen, Senators and their staff. His weekly articles are published at www.TheEttingerReport.com. Sample Topics/Themes: US Investment In – Not Foreign Aid To – Israel The 400-Year-Old Foundation of the US-Israel Covenant The Palestinian Refugees: Myth and Reality The Impact of the Proposed Palestinian State on US National Security The Precariousness of Israel's Pre-1967 Waistline In Defiance of US Presidential Pressure - Surging US-Israel Strategic Cooperation The Impact of the Arab Tsunami on US-Israel Strategic Cooperation Recent Speaking Engagements: Young Israel of Woodmere, B'nai Yeshurun in Teaneck, Kehilath Jeshurun in Manhattan, Palm Beach Synagogue, Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth Synagogue in Memphis, Chabad Jewish Center in Naples, Israel Bonds, as well as churches, civic organizations, etc. Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office Note: Dr. Ettinger will be in the U.S. during September and November 2016, available for speaking engagements. Colonel Bentzi Gruber [email protected] Col. Gruber is currently Vice-Commander of an armored division of 20,000 soldiers, a position that followed other significant posts of command in the course of more than 30 years serving in the IDF Reserves. This position within the army has given him access and permission to present materials and information that is usually only seen by military or government officials. Gruber also established “Ethics in the Field,” a multimedia presentation and lecture, to shatter myths and present the facts missing in today’s discussion of Israeli counter terrorism. Col. Gruber has spoken at national conferences, community events, military academies, college campuses, and middle and high schools around the world. Sample Topics/Themes: Ethics in the Israeli Military Inclusion of the Special Needs Community in the IDF Leadership and Responsibility Recent Speaking Engagements: Last speaking tour included West Point, Fifth Ave Synagogue, Flatbush Yeshiva, Federation of Nashville, CJP in Boston and the UJA. Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office Note: Currently has scheduled speaking tour for November 2016; available on the West Coast (Nov 7-11) and on the East Coast (Nov 14-18). Dr. Mordechai Kedar [email protected] Lieutenant Colonel in the Israel Defense Forces, Military Intelligence, head of a branch in the 8200 unit. On active duty until 1995. Teaching at Bar-Ilan University since 1994, Departments of Arabic and Middle East Studies. Director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East and Islam (under formation) and Research Associate at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, Bar-Ilan University. Sample Topics/Themes: The New "Islamic State" – A Challenge to Global Stability Iran – A Threat to Global Stability. Israel and the Palestinian Issue – Possible Solutions What is the struggle Over Jerusalem All About? Why do Many Muslims Hate the West? Major Mistakes Made by the Western Coalition in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recent Speaking Engagements: Young Israel of Potomac MD, Palm Beach Synagogue FL, Shaare Zedek Synagogue CA, Chabad of Westport CT, Boca Raton Synagogue FL, Riverdale Jewish Center NY, Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst NY, Bnai Yeshurun Teaneck NJ, Palo Alto CA, Cornell University. Expenses/Honorarium: Contact NCYI office Dr. Michelle Levine [email protected] Dr. Michelle Levine is Associate Professor of Bible at Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University, where she has taught since 2001. She is also a former faculty member of the Stella K.