Rabbis Zev, Noah and Daniel Goldberg—graduates of Yeshiva College and RIETS—to receive the Emerging Leadership Award at RIETS Dinner This year’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) Gala Evening of Tribute, which will take place on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at the Grand Hyatt, will be a unique evening of celebration. In addition to honoring Rabbi Daniel Stein, the Friedberg Chair of Talmud Recipient, the gala will celebrate the accomplishments of three Goldberg brothers, Rabbis Zev ’07YC, ’10R, Daniel ’13YC, ’17R and Noah ’09SB, ’13R. They all received their rabbinic ordination from RIETS, and they will be presented with the Emerging Leadership Award for their impressive accomplishments.

(l-r): Zev, Daniel and Noah Goldberg

Eli and Helen Goldberg, of Teaneck, New Jersey, parents of this family of rabbis, could not be prouder. “Our parents have always been very supportive of our educational path,” says Rabbi Daniel Goldberg. “People often ask if our father is a Rabbi as well. And though he is not, they are right to assume that my brothers and I have chosen this path because of the example set by our parents.” That support and encouragement has brought these up-and-coming leaders to the forefront of their learning and their fields.

Zev and Michal Goldberg

Rabbi Zev Goldberg, 34, (’10R) did not always intend to become a rabbi. He majored in economics and was pursuing a career in finance. However, his professional trajectory changed when he participated in a program coordinated by Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) He explains, “The CJF partnered with the Charleston, South Carolina, Jewish community to create a traveling kollel, and I visited Charleston nearly 20 times over two and a half years. Each time I went, I had the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships centered around teaching Torah, and that is when I knew then that I wanted to pursue a life of Jewish communal service.” After receiving his ordination, Rabbi Zev Goldberg and his wife, Dr. Michal Goldberg (nee Safier, ‘03 S, ’10F), moved to Los Angeles, where Rabbi Goldberg worked as the assistant rabbi of Young Israel of Century City under Rabbi Elazar Muskin. He credits much of his success with the transformative mentoring he received from Rabbi Muskin. In 2014, the Goldbergs moved back to New Jersey to lead the Young Israel of Fort Lee. Under Rabbi Goldberg’s tenure, the congregation has flourished. Additionally, he teaches undergraduate Torah studies for the Yeshiva College Undergraduate Torah Studies program and leads a weekly professional development class at RIETS. Rabbi Zev Goldberg also works closely with Rabbi Menachem Penner, the Max and Marion Grill Dean of RIETS, coordinating RIETS community programming. In the afternoons, Rabbi Goldberg is a Judaic Studies teacher at Bruriah High School for Girls. He is quick to offer praise about RIETS: “I am deeply grateful for my education at RIETS. I still remain close to my Rebbeim and turn to them often for their guidance and wisdom.”

Leah and Noah Goldberg

Rabbi Noah Goldberg, 32, (’13R) agrees. “No experience was more meaningful than the hours spent learning in the beit midrash,” he says, recalling with fondness the day-in, day-out learning. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Sy Syms School of Business before moving on to RIETS. While he did consider a career in the rabbinate, he ultimately decided to enter the world of finance, a field that had long held his interest. He has been working at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for nearly seven years, providing assurance services to private equity firms and hedge funds in New York City and Connecticut. Noah and his wife, Leah (nee Frenkiel ’13S), live in Riverdale, New York, and are active members of the Young Israel of Riverdale. Noah acknowledges his unique path within the family. “While my professional path is different than that of my brothers, they inspire me every day to live meaningfully, maximize my potential and make a difference in the world,” he says.

Dina and Daniel Goldberg

Rabbi Daniel Goldberg, 28, (’17R) has served as assistant rabbi of Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood, New Jersey, since September 2017. A graduate of Yeshiva College (BA, English Literature), he pursued a master’s degree in Bible alongside his semicha [rabbinic ordination] studies. He has completed his coursework towards a PhD in Bible, focusing on medieval Biblical interpretation. Rabbi Daniel Goldberg is married to Dina (nee Muskin, ’12S), whom he met while visiting Los Angeles to spend time with his brother, Rabbi Zev Goldberg. “G-d’s hand was easy to recognize,” states Rabbi Daniel Goldberg. “If my brother didn’t move to Los Angeles to work for my (now) father-in-law, my life might look very different today.” Although Rabbi Daniel Goldberg has only been in Englewood for two years, he has already made a wonderful impact on the community. His weekly classes are very well attended and the congregation eagerly awaits his weekly sermon. Rabbi Daniel Goldberg explains, “I try to make the Torah I teach resonate with my congregants. I want people to leave shul inspired by the beauty of our heritage. I am so thankful to RIETS for giving me the tools to succeed.”