Clergy and Staff
Yosie Levine
Rabbi
[O] 212-724-2700 x103
[E] ylevine@jewishcenter.org
Not long after joining our clergy in 2004, Yosie Levine became the seventh rabbi of The Jewish Center. He served as Rabbinic Intern, Assistant Rabbi and Associate Rabbi, during which time he received practical rabbinic training and mentoring from his distinguished predecessors: Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, z”l; Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter; and Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman. Before joining the Center, he served as the educational director of the Lauder Foundation's Beit Midrash in Berlin, Germany and as the visiting scholar of Congregation Knesseth Israel in Birmingham, Alabama.
Rabbi Levine has taken a leadership role on the issue of day school affordability and has pioneered a communal model for sustaining excellent Jewish education. He is co-chair of the Manhattan Eruv and is active in numerous communal organizations including AIPAC, the Beth Din of America and UJA-Federation of New York, where he is a former Board Member.
His advocacy on behalf of Israel has made The Jewish Center a model for Israel activism both within and beyond the Religious Zionist community.
He earned a BA in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia College and received rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary where he was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. He holds a PhD in Early Modern Jewish History from Yeshiva University’s Bernard Revel Graduate School and now sits on the Dean’s Council. His work has appeared in both scholarly and popular publications. His book, Hakham Tsevi Ashkenazi and the Battlegrounds of the Early Modern Rabbinate (Littman Library, forthcoming) is the winner of the Association for Jewish Studies’ Jordan Schnitzer First Book Award.
Rabbi Levine’s wife, Rachel, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Manhattan. They are the proud parents of Akiva, Yehoshua, Ari and Judy.
Many of Rabbi Levine's sermons are available online.
Elchanan Poupko
Summer Rabbi
Rabbi Elchanan Poupko studied at Yeshiva University, where he received his advanced rabbinic ordination (Yadin Yadin) and a master of Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Education. Rabbi Poupko’s work has been published and translated into seven different languages and dozens of publications. His books Poupko on the Parsha, Sacred Days on the Jewish Holidays, and Chochmat Chinuch are widely available. He teaches at Bicultural Hebrew Academy in Stamford, Connecticut.
He is married to Dr. Rachel Colman-Poupko, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Connecticut, where she practices neurology. They live with their children in New Haven, Connecticut.
Jonathan Green
Cantor
[E] jgreen@jewishcenter.org
Jonathan Green has been leading services for The Jewish Center since 2019. Before assuming his role as Cantor, Jonathan served as the acting chazzan for Yamin Noraim at the Forest Hill Jewish Centre in Toronto, Canada. His tefillot are renowned for their warmth and dynamism, inspiring congregants of all ages to uplift their voices in song. Trained in nusach in Toronto and New York, Jonathan also honed his vocal technique at NYU Steinhardt's Vocal Performance Program.
In addition to his cantorial duties, Jonathan has brought his spirited style to synagogues, weddings, and countless venues across North America, including The White House. He has performed as a soloist on various recordings and has produced and directed Jewish music videos that have been viewed by millions worldwide. Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate in Jewish Philosophy at NYU's Department of Hebrew & Judaic Studies. Jonathan, his wife Yael, and their children are proud to be part of The Jewish Center community and cherish the relationships they have built. If we haven't met you yet, please come and say hello!
Ms. Raizi Chechik
Community Scholar
[E] rchechik@jewishcenter.org
Ms. Raizi Chechik is the former Head of School at Manhattan Day School. She studied Tanach and Counseling at Michlala Jerusalem Teacher's College, holds an MA in Jewish History, and is currently a doctoral candidate at the Bernard Revel Graduate School where she focuses on the printing of the Vilna Talmud. Ms. Chechik is a recipient of numerous professional and academic awards, among them the national Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. A graduate of the Intensive Training Program for Day School Leaders at Yeshiva University, Ms. Chechik served as a mentor to new school leaders through their Principal's Partnership program and continues to support new Principals and Heads of School. A sought-after scholar, she has lectured in dozens of communities throughout the US, Europe and Israel.
Dr Nava R. Silton, Ph.D.
Community Outreach Director
Nava R. Silton, Ph.D., is a Developmental Psychologist and full Professor of Psychology at Marymount Manhattan College. She earned her B.S. at Cornell University and her M.A. and Ph.D. at Fordham University. Dr. Silton has worked with Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, and consulted for Disney, Netflix, Apple, and others. She also serves as a Developmental Psychologist for two elementary schools. A frequent media expert, she has appeared over 200 times on Fox 5 News and other networks. Dr. Silton has authored over 36 peer-reviewed journal articles and edited nine textbooks, with a tenth in progress. She created the award-winning Realabilities Educational Comic Book Series, the Realabilities Mental Health Edition, and the musical Addy & Uno, which ran Off-Broadway for 18 months. Her children's TV shows are developed in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company, LeVar Burton Entertainment, and others. She also hosts the podcast A Cup of Java with Dr. Nava and has created several educational games. Additionally, Dr. Silton has penned four feature screenplays, all recognized in major contests, and was recently named one of the Top 50 screenwriters on the ISA Fellowship slate. She is married to Dr. Ariel Brandwein and has seven children.
Basya Goldstein
Community Educator
(E) bgoldstein@jewishcenter.org
Basya Goldstein hails from Teaneck NJ. She attended Sha’alvim for Women in Israel and has a BA from Stern College for Women, where she majored in Art and minored in English. Basya has a Masters in Tanach from the GPATS program at Yeshiva University, as well as a Masters in Fine Arts in Visual Narrative from the School of Visual Arts . Basya has been the Community Educator at the Jewish Center since 2023, has taught Tanach at Stern College, is a cartoonist/writer, and coaches cross country at Maayanot High School. In her free time Basya loves drawing, running, cooking, and of course learning and teaching Torah!
Aaron Strum
Executive Director
[O] 212-724-2700 x107
[E] astrum@jewishcenter.org
Aaron Strum joined The Jewish Center in September 2008. He holds a B.S. Degree in Management from Touro College. Aaron has over 20 years of experience as an Executive Director, having served in that capacity at Congregation B'nai Torah in Indianapolis and the Jewish Community Center of Paramus in Paramus, NJ. Aaron was born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island.
Yehuda Goldberg
William Fischman Rabbinic Intern
[E] ygoldberg@
Yehuda Goldberg is pursuing semikha at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and a graduate degree at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. Over the past two years he was the rabbinic intern for the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought. He also worked for Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, assisting in developing an honors seminar. Yehuda graduated with a degree in philosophy as class valedictorian from Yeshiva College in 2022. He has spent his time at YU studying Talmud in Rabbi Michael Rosensweig’s shiur and two years prior to that at Yeshivat Har Etzion. Yehuda is particularly interested in Jewish thought and the intersection of theology and political philosophy. He currently resides in Washington Heights with his wife, Rena, who is in her second year of medical school.
Yonatan Kurz
Rabbinic Intern
[E] ykurz@jewishcenter.org
Yonatan Kurz is a third-year rabbinical student at Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and an M.A. candidate at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. He spent two years studying in Israel at Yeshivat Sha’alvim before graduating summa cum laude from Yeshiva College, majoring in Political Science and Jewish Studies with a minor in Psychology at the Schottenstein Honors Program. During his time at YU, Yonatan studied in Rabbi Michael Rosensweig’s shiur and was a Scholar at the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought. He currently resides in Washington Heights with his wife, Leah, who is pursuing a degree in occupational therapy.
Rafi Jacobs
Rabbinic Intern
[E] rjacobs@
Rafi Jacobs is currently completing his fourth year of Semicha at RIETS studying under Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz and Rabbi Eliakim Koenigsburg. Rafi is also completing his J.D Degree at New York University School of Law, where he serves as the President of the Law Students Against Antisemitism student group and also works as a JIGSAW Legal Fellow for the Brandeis Center, which is a prominent organization that seeks to root out antisemitism and hate using the law. Rafi also is participating in the AIPAC Leffel Israel Fellowship, which is a fellowship geared towards ensuring that rabbinic leaders can effectively engage their congregations in Israel advocacy. Rafi is passionate and committed to teaching Torah and making Hashem’s Torah accessible and engaging to all of Klal Yisroel. Rafi published a Sefer on the Parsha titled “ספר מאחורי רפאל”, which is available for purchase on Amazon.
Rafi’s wife Tali was the Valedictorian of the Sy Syms School for Business and is currently a Data Analyst at Prudential. Rafi and Tali are the proud parents of their (almost) 2 year old son Gavi.
Talia Levin
Youth Director
[E] talialevin@jewishcenter.org
Talia Levin is an accomplished educator with dual degrees in Sociology, Psychology, and Bible from Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Talia is currently pursuing a Psy.D. in School and Clinical Psychology at Kean University. Talia brings extensive experience in Jewish education and youth engagement across all ages to her role. She has led engaging programs for children at Congregation Ramath Orah, taught Hebrew at Romemu’s Hebrew School, and mentored campers at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. Her passion for fostering a vibrant Jewish community is evident in her work in Israel advocacy and through serving as an ORA Campus Fellow (she loves notarizing halachic prenups!). Talia arrives at the Jewish Center with great enthusiasm and looks forward to energizing the Youth Department while getting to know your children!
Akiva Cooper
Teen Coordinator
[E] akiva@jewishcenter.org
Akiva Cooper is in his second year at RIETS and is a software engineer at the Bank of New York Mellon. Previously, he spent almost two years studying Talmud at Yeshivat Har Etzion, and three years in Rabbi Michael Rosensweig’s shiur as a college undergraduate. He graduated from YU with a bachelor’s degree in computer science as part of the Schottenstein Honors Program. Akiva has experience teaching elementary and high school students in Torah and science topics: He was a group lead for the START Science initiative in Washington Heights elementary schools, where he presented on and led workshops in physics, chemistry and biology. He was also a madrich on NCSY Kollel for staff children and is the MTA Debate team coach. He participates in Rabbi Mark Wildes’ MJE outreach program and aspires to continue contributing to thriving Jewish communities in meaningful and substantive ways.
Tali Etra
Program Coordinator
[O] 212-724-2700 x110
[E] tali@jewishcenter.org
Tali began her career as a Financial Analyst but took a break to raise her children. While doing so, she took charge of enhancing large-scale fundraising initiatives for her community and children's school. With a strong background in events and programming, she brings valuable expertise to our organization. Tali holds a Master's degree in International Affairs from Columbia University. She lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan trying to stay a step ahead of her two teenage sons.
Saba Lawrence
Administrative Assistant
[O] 212-724-2700 x100
[E] saba@jewishcenter.org
Born and raised in Pakistan, Saba comes to The JC with years of experience as Administrative Assistant at Manhattan Pentecostal Church. She received her Bachelors Degree in Arts and Education and taught junior high school for many years before coming to New York.
Polina Berdich
Controller
[O] 212-724-2700 x101
[E] pberdich@jewishcenter.org
Polina Berdich has been working as the Controller of The Jewish Center since August of 2005. Polina received her master’s degree from Odessa University and her bachelor’s degree from Touro College in New York. Born in Ukraine, Polina immigrated to America many years ago with 15 years of experience in accounting. In New York City, she has worked as the Controller of Congregation Habonim for over five years and as a Full Charge Bookkeeper for Calleo Development Co. prior to that. She and her family currently reside in Brooklyn.
Ellin Mitchell Cooper
Yoetzet Halacha
[C] (646) 598-1080
[E] nycyoetzet@gmail.com
Ellin (Mitchell) Cooper, the Manhattan Yoetzet Halacha, graduated from Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center’s U.S. Yoetzot Halacha Fellows Program in 2021. She received her B.A. in Physics from Barnard College and is a graduate of GPATS (Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies for Women) at Yeshiva University. She was born on the Upper West Side and now resides there with husband Jeremy and son Ariel. Ellin can be reached at nycyoetzet@gmail.com and via phone at 646-598-1080.