Oct 19, 2007 -- As part of Rabbi Naftali Weisz’s formal installation, President Richard Joel traveled to Columbus, Ohio on October 14, 2007, to deliver the keynote address at the 2007 Beth Jacob Testimonial, an annual event for the 108 year old Modern Orthodox congregation. Although Rabbi Weisz, an alumnus of Yeshiva College and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, has been leading Beth Jacob since August 2006, the event officially honored him as spiritual leader of the congregation, which serves approximately 200 families on Columbus’ East Side. "Often, when we have rabbis occupying new pulpits, someone from the yeshiva will come and serve as an installing officer," President Joel remarked of his trip to Ohio. "But, I also have a special relationship with Rabbi Weisz. I knew him as a student. He came into his own during my presidency.” Having been placed by the Jewish Career Development and Placement division of Yeshiva University Center for Jewish Future, Rabbi Weisz has a unique relationship with Beth Jacob. His grandfather, Rabbi David Stavsky, had served as Rabbi at Beth Jacob for forty-seven years, until his death in 2004. Since Weisz’s tenure began, membership has increased. In his new position, Rabbi Weisz has impressed congregants by increasing programming for youth and arranging for visits from musicians and scholars. According to Weisz, "I try to connect our synagogue and especially our youth group with their peers in the larger Jewish community." As a true embodiment of YU’s motto--Torah U’madda—there is no doubt that Weisz will continue to serve Beth Jacob congregants well. Weisz and his wife, Abby, reside in Columbus with their two children, Bella and Shaindee.