Rav AJ grew up in Efrat and studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush). After serving as a company commander in the IDF’s Armored Corps, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Data Science and Psychology from Hebrew University. Most recently, AJ co-founded and worked at an Israeli tech startup before leaving it all to pursue his passion for Torah, leadership, and community building at Cornell Hillel. Originally from Jerusalem, AJ now lives in Ithaca with his wife Yakira and their daughter Amiya. He enjoys reading (especially Russian literature), sports, baking, and sharing good company over his homemade pizza.
Yakira grew up in Beit Shemesh, Israel. She completed her national service in special education institutions, and pursued advanced Torah and Talmud studies at Midreshet Nishmat and Midreshet Lindenbaum. She holds an LL.B. from Bar Ilan University and currently works as a corporate lawyer at a Jerusalem-based firm. In addition, she teaches a Gemara class at Midreshet TVA, where she combines her legal background with her passion for Torah learning. Yakira is married to AJ and is the mother of Amiya. Yakira enjoys hiking (and can’t wait to explore the trails around Ithaca!), reading, and eating the food AJ bakes, she’s also excited to try her hand at gardening in their new backyard.