The Torat Emet website is sponsored in memory of Marcie Gilbert through the generosity of Larry Gilbert
staff
Rabbi Howard Zack
Spiritual Leader
Rabbi Howard Zack has been the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Torat Emet since its inception in September 2001. His passion for people and community and his keen insight into communal endeavors have made him a vital part of the Columbus Jewish landscape and have endeared him into the hearts of all those who know him.
Rabbi Zack's warm and welcoming manner and his concern for those around him makes everyone he is with feel special. He is highly regarded for his involvement in may aspects of the Columbus Jewish community and he is often called upon by people from outside the synagogue for advice, spiritual guidance, and assistance in their various endeavors.
In addition to building and fostering our growing congregation, Rabbi Zack is also a driving force in the ongoing work and development of many local and national organizations. He serves as a mentor to many young Orthodox Rabbis in the field, and he is an Executive officer of the Rabbinical Council of America. He has served as President of the Columbus Board of Rabbis, as well as on various committees for the Columbus Jewish Federation, the Wexner Graduate Fellows Program, Columbus Torah Academy, Yeshiva University, Orthodox Union, and the Executive Committee of the Rabbinic Cabinet at United Jewish Communities.
Rabbi Zack's shiurim cover classical Jewish texts, modern Jewish philosophy, Jewish bioethics and contemporary Halacha. His style allows him to illuminate Jewish sources and text with contemporary issues, presenting information in an unbiased manner and giving people the tools to come to their own conclusions. He has taught and lectured at various institutions for the past 20 years, including University of California at Berkley, and the OU Biannual Convention.
Rabbi Zack became the Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation of Oakland in 1985, following a post-rabbinic fellowship in Israel. During his 16 years in Oakland he founded the Gan Mah Tov preschool and Oakland Hebrew Day School and developed a number of other community institutions.
Main Street is proud that Rabbi Howard Zack, his wife Linda, and their three children, Etana, Shifra and Meria, have made Columbus, Ohio and Torat Emet, their home.
Rabbi Ari Neuman
Associate Rabbi
Rabbi Ari Neuman and his wife Shira came to Columbus in 2016 after a very successful tenure as the OU's JLIC (Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus) couple at University of Maryland. Rabbi Neuman began his academic career majoring in Psychology at Yeshiva University, went on to receive an MA in Medieval Jewish History from YU, and his ordination from REITS. As part of his rabbinical training at YU, he worked with the Jewish Community in Highland Park, NJ as the NCSY City Director, and was rabbinic intern at Young Israel of Plainview.
Rabbi Neuman traveled to Israel on two CJF missions, studied in the CJF's Beth Jacob Kollel in LA for two summers, and participated in Torah Tours seven times, visiting various communities throughout the country. He also led two trips to Germany in partnership with Germany Close Up and the OU.
Since arriving in Columbus, Rabbi Neuman has elevated Torat Emet's programming calendar. For instance, the Parshat Noach Exotic Petting Zoo, Panoply Trivia Night, & Self led Paint Night are some of the popular recurring annual programs. Rabbi Neuman has also expanded Torat Emet's learning opportunities addressing a wide range of interests in the Synagogue. His weekly Tanach Shiur explores the more obscure books of the Bible; his Contemporary Halacha class deals with cutting edge issues and how Jewish Law addresses them; and his podcast, The Characters You Do Not Know, analyzes the lessons learned from the villains and less known characters of the Bible.
Rabbi Neuman loves learning, teaching, playing soccer, cooking, painting, creating escape rooms, fishing, watching the Jets, and being a father. He, his wife Shira, and their children Moshe, Esti, & Yoshi love calling Torat Emet home.
Rabbi Joel Epstein
Ritual Director
Rabbi Epstein has served as Religious Director and Co-Coordinator of Bar Mitzvah progams since the shul began in 2001. Rabbi Epstein spends a great deal of his time teaching students of all ages, giving a weekly Talmud shiur at the shul, and having taught advanced Talmud to girls at CTA for many years. With his warm, caring nature, Rabbi Epstein has played a significant role in countless lives throughout the Columbus community. He is the definition of someone who would "give you the shirt off his back". Prior to Torat Emet, Rabbi Epstein was Religious Director at Agudas Achim Synagogue for 15 years.
Rabbi Epstein and his wife, Janice are proud parents of Rabbi Shaul Epstein (Sara Libby), Sarah Epstein Barth (Amitai) and David Epstein (Miriam). They have 7 grandchildren.