PROGRAMMING & ENTERTAINMENT
Your holiday will be enhanced by our lineup of inspiring lecturers, captivating performances and exciting activities.
BEN SHAPIRO
Ben Shapiro is founding editor-in-chief and editor emeritus of The Daily Wire and host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” the top conservative podcast in the nation. Shapiro is the author of numerous nonfiction books, including The New York Times #1 Bestseller The Right Side of History: How Reason and Moral Courage Made the West Great (HarperCollins, 2019), New York Times Bestsellers Bullies: How the Left’s Culture of Fear and Intimidation Silences America (Simon & Schuster, 2013), and How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps (HarperCollins, 2020), and national bestsellers Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America’s Youth (WND Books, May 2004), Porn Generation: How Social Liberalism Is Corrupting Our Future (Regnery, June 2005), Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House (Thomas Nelson, 2007), Primetime Propaganda: The True Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV (HarperCollins, 2012), and The People vs. Barack Obama: The Criminal Case Against the Obama Administration (Simon & Schuster, 2014). Shapiro was hired by Creators Syndicate at age 17 to become the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the U.S. He earned a BA in Political Science from UCLA in 2004 and graduated from Harvard Law School in 2007. After working as an attorney for Goodwin Procter LLP, Shapiro began his own legal consulting firm, Benjamin Shapiro Legal Consulting (Los Angeles).
Ben Shapiro’s columns are printed in major newspapers and websites including Townhall, ABCNews, WorldNet Daily, Human Events, FrontPage Mag, Family Security Matters, the Riverside Press-Enterprise and the Conservative Chronicle. His columns have also appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Chicago Sun-Times, Orlando Sentinel, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, RealClearPolitics.com, Arizona Republic, and Claremont Review of Books, among others. He has been the subject of articles in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Associated Press, and Christian Science Monitor, and quoted on “The Rush Limbaugh Show,” “The Dr. Laura Show,” at CBS News, in the New York Press, in the The Washington Times, and in The American Conservative magazine, among many others. Shapiro has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows around the nation, including “The O’Reilly Factor” (Fox News), “Fox and Friends” (Fox News), “In the Money” (CNN Financial), “DaySide with Linda Vester” (Fox News), “Scarborough Country” (MSNBC), “The Dennis Miller Show” (CNBC), “Fox News Live” (Fox News Channel), “Glenn Beck Show” (CNN), “Your World with Neil Cavuto” (Fox News) and “700 Club” (Christian Broadcasting Network), “The Laura Ingraham Show,” “The Michael Medved Show,” “The G. Gordon Liddy Show,” “The Rusty Humphries Show,” “The Lars Larson Show” (nationally syndicated), “The Larry Elder Show,” The Hugh Hewitt Show,” “The Dennis Prager Show,” among others.
Since he began writing his first book, Brainwashed (2004), Shapiro has frequently addressed the issue of the Left’s ideological stranglehold on academia and has worked to push back against that trend through fact and logic-based speeches and debates. “Facts don’t care about your feelings,” has become one of Ben Shapiro’s trademark lines. He has appeared as the featured speaker at many conservative events on campuses nationwide, several of those appearances targeted by progressive and “Antifa” activists. Shapiro, an Orthodox Jew, has also worked to expose the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic motivations behind the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.”
CHIEF RABBI SIR EPHRAIM MIRVIS KBE
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis is the 11th Chief Rabbi of Great Britain since the office was introduced in 1704. He is the religious figurehead for Jewish communities right across the Commonwealth. He was installed on 1st September 2013 in an historic ceremony attended by His Majesty King Charles III, then The Prince of Wales.
Born in South Africa, he previously served as Chief Rabbi of Ireland and the Rabbi of the Marble Arch and Finchley Synagogues.
As Chief Rabbi, he is a primary representative of the Jewish community to government, other faiths and civil society. He is known as a principled leader who has broken new ground in the fields of interfaith and social responsibility, as well as tackling antisemitism and advocating for Israel during challenging times.
Chief Rabbi Mirvis serves as Associate President of the Conference of European Rabbis and President of the London School of Jewish Studies. He has launched a number of innovative projects, such as his Centre for Community Excellence, the Ma’ayan female educators programme, the Ben Azzai social responsibility programme, ShabbatUK and the Shalem Fellowship.
He received a knighthood three years ago from King Charles III in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
EFRAIM PALVANOV
Efraim Palvanov is among the world’s most sought-after Torah educators, celebrated for his unique blend of scholarly depth and engaging delivery. The author of five influential books, including the widely acclaimed Secrets of the Last Waters and Garments of Light series, Efraim is also one of the most popular Jewish speakers on YouTube, captivating audiences with his profound insights. His extensive scientific background, including multiple degrees in Science and Education, enriches his Torah teachings with a distinctive, resonant perspective. Efraim's diverse experiences, including service in the Canadian Armed Forces, lend a dynamic, multifaceted approach to his work.
Discover more of Efraim’s teachings at www.youtube.com/efraimpalvanov and www.mayimachronim.com
LADY VALERIE MIRVIS
Lady Valerie Mirvis spent the first 18 years of her life in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. In 1977 she moved to Israel, studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and graduating with a BA in History and English Literature. She taught both English and Hebrew for many years, before taking on the role of Community Development Coordinator in Jewish Care’s Stamford Hill Day Centre for the elderly.
In 1997 she moved to social work, graduating with an MA(DipSW) in Social Work, followed by the AASW (Advanced Award in Social Work) which is a professional Masters. She worked with elderly clients in her Jewish Care role for 8 years, with placements in a dementia unit and Grove House Day Hospice. She then worked for Jewish Blind and Disabled before moving to a Statutory Role in Front Line Child Protection for the London Borough of Barnet for 6 years, followed by 5 years in Barnet’s Adoption Team. In 2019 she became the Lead for the ASYE (Assessed & Supported Year of Employment) for all the newly qualified social workers in Barnet Children’s Service, a role she continues to this day.
She has lectured widely in the UK and abroad on Healthcare Communication Skills since 1996. Her book Please Don’t Break My Other Leg! A Guide to Empathizing with Patients was published in English by University Press of America, 2001 and in Chinese by H20 Publishers, 2004.
RABBI DANNY MIRVIS
Rabbi Danny Mirvis is the CEO of World Mizrachi and the Rabbi of Ohel Moshe Synagogue in Herzliya Pituach.
Dublin-born and London-raised, Rabbi Mirvis is an alumnus of the Hesder program at Yeshivat Har Etzion.
In 2021, he returned to Israel after serving as the Senior Rabbi of Mizrachi Melbourne. During his six years in Australia, he also played leading roles in the Rabbinical Council of Victoria, the Rabbinic Advisory Panel of the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha Cemeteries Trust, the Melbourne Beth Din review of Conversion Practices and Procedures, and all of Mizrachi Melbourne’s Synagogues and institutions.
In addition to his weekly Shiurim in Herzliya, he is a presenter for World Mizrachi’s leadership training programs, and a regular writer for HaMizrachi Parsha Weekly.
CHAZZAN, YITZY SPINNER
Yitzy Spinner has been a full-time professional Baal Tefilah for over two decades, sharing his passion for davening and Jewish music with communities worldwide. Since 2018, he has served as the Chazzan at the Great Neck Synagogue, where his soulful voice and heartfelt tefilot have become a cornerstone of the synagogue's spiritual life.
Renowned for his versatility and talent, Chazzan Spinner is a highly sought-after performer at weddings, concerts, and communal events. His ability to connect with audiences through music has earned him acclaim in diverse settings, from intimate ceremonies to large-scale productions.
Yitzy is also deeply involved in the creative side of the Jewish music world. He has contributed to numerous recording projects, collaborating with some of the most celebrated Jewish performers globally. His expertise in musical production has enhanced many stage productions and recordings, further solidifying his reputation as a creative force in Jewish music.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Yitzy is the founder and operator of Story Co Tours, a luxury travel production company that curates exclusive experiences to extraordinary destinations.
With a unique blend of tradition and innovation, coupled with a commitment to inspiring others through song and meaningful experiences, Yitzy Spinner continues to leave a lasting impact on the Jewish music landscape, the communities he serves, and the travelers he guides on remarkable journeys.
CHAZZAN, JUDAH WAHBA
Judah Wahba currently serves as the Hazzan of the Vatikin Minyan at the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of Brooklyn. From a young age, Judah immersed himself in hazzanut and kriyah (Torah reading), developing a mastery that has led him to lead tefillot in numerous minyanim across New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Israel. His cantorial style is deeply rooted in the traditional Halabi (Aleppian) heritage, with Egyptian influences that reflect his and his community’s Syrian and Egyptian background.
In addition to his dedication to Jewish liturgical traditions, he holds bachelor’s degrees from Columbia University and Tel Aviv University and works as an investment banker at Berenson & Company.
ROCHEL HOLZKENNER
Rochel is a mother of four children and the co-director of Chabad of Las Olas, Fla., serving the community of young professionals. She is a high-school teacher and a freelance writer—and a frequent contributor to Chabad.org. She lectures extensively on topics of Kabbalah and feminism, and their application to everyday life. Rochel holds an MS in Brain Based Learning from Nova SE University.
DYNAMIC YOGA INSTRUCTOR, ALIZA STONE HOWARD
Aliza Stone Howard is a beacon of motivation in the yoga community, renowned for her dynamic teaching style, which blends intensity with accessibility. Aliza embarked on her teaching journey in 2017 and has 350 hours of certified yoga teacher-training from Pure Yoga, New York's premier yoga studio. Her dedication and talent swiftly propelled her to become one of the most sought-after instructors at prestigious Manhattan yoga studios, NY Loves Yoga and House of Jai, where she consistently captivated students with her sold-out classes and workshops.
Aliza's yoga classes are celebrated for their intelligent sequencing, fun atmosphere, and inclusive appeal to a broad spectrum of students. Her commitment to understanding individual needs and bodies has led her to a successful private yoga business, but she has tremendous passion for the uniquely uplifting, fun nature of group fitness.
Aliza Stone Howard offers an invigorating mix of classes, including Cardio Power Yoga for an energetic blend of strength and flexibility, Yoga Sculpt for full-body toning, Full Body Flow to enhance mind-body connection through a Vinyasa practice, and Athletic Yoga for Beginners, focusing on foundational skills with an active twist.
Whether you're new to yoga or looking to deepen your practice, Aliza's classes offer a welcoming space to explore, challenge and rejuvenate your spirit
PING PONG CHAMPION, ESTEE ACKERMAN
Estee Ackerman is a nationally ranked USA table tennis player, currently ranked #41. As a junior, her career highs included being ranked #9 in the USA and #3 as a cadet. In 2016, she became the first Orthodox Jewish athlete, and one of only sixteen women, to compete in the Olympic Trials for Team USA in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is the Junior Girls Olympic Champion in both singles and doubles and has earned numerous medals at the US Open and US Nationals. Estee has competed across the country, including 14 times in Las Vegas, and internationally in North America as part of Team USA.
During her seminary studies in Israel, she played in the first division for Hapoel Jerusalem, where she led the team to a division title and achieved a personal singles rank of #7. She does not compete in professional tournaments on Shabbat or Yom Tov, and in 2012, she was defaulted from a championship match that was held on Friday night. The New York Post dubbed her the "Sandy Koufax of Ping Pong."
Estee has been recognized by Jewish Kids Got Talent, Jewish Week's "36 Under 36," the OU, Yeshiva University High School, Chabad, and the Nassau County Assembly, Senate, and Legislature. She has appeared on various TV shows, collaborated on a YouTube video (which garnered 2.5 million views) with the New York Cosmos soccer team, played celebrity chef Bobby Flay on the Rachael Ray Show, and defeated tennis great Rafa Nadal at the age of eleven. Recently, she has founded table tennis clubs in Jewish day schools, supported charities with fundraisers, hosted a "PONG for Israel" event, and is training for the 2028 Olympic Trials.
A children's book, Ping Pong Shabbat, has been written about her and published by Little Bee Books. She will also appear in the upcoming movie Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, set for release in December 2025.
%20%E2%80%A2%20Ins.png)
ZUMBA, CREATIVE SOULS DANCE
Founded by Rosalie Galante, a certified dance instructor renowned within the National Dance Council of America, Creative Souls Dance LLC embodies her passion for enriching lives through dance. At Creative Souls Dance, Rosalie and her team specialize in leading invigorating Zumba classes, offering an energizing blend of fitness and fun throughout your stay. With a diverse background in Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballroom, and Social Dance from New York and Florida, Rosalie has spent over 15 years teaching students, developing creative choreographies, and achieving first-place wins in dance competitions worldwide. Her dedication to promoting a joyful and healthy lifestyle through dance makes Creative Souls Dance a vibrant community hub for dance enthusiasts of all levels.