About Us
Lev Zion is a non profit organization focused on building personal relationships
with young men and women who are ready to take the next step in life, and leave
behind any negative experiences they may have had.
We offer job placements, therapy, inspirational trips and of course, our two flag-
ship drop in centers, for teens to relax in a safe supportive environment and to call home base.
Faculty
Reb Yitz Tendler
Founder and Director
Reb Yitz’s sincerity, understanding, and acceptance make him a great rebbe and mentor. He is known for his availability to his boys and his open home for Shabbos meals, barbques, kumzitsin and just to shmooze. Reb Yitz learned in Yeshivas Mir, Jerusalem and is a talmid and musmach of Rav Yitzchak Berkovits of the Jerusalem Kollel, from where he received smicha
Dr. Jacob Freedmanr
Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist
Jacob L. Freedman, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and a business consultant based in Israel. After completing his training as an award-winning chief resident at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Dr. Freedman and his wife followed their lifelong dream and made aliyah to Israel with their family. When he is not with his patients, Dr. Freedman can be found learning Torah in the Old City or hiking in the hills outside of Jerusalem. He can be reached via his website, drjacobfreedman.com.
Rabbi Ethan Katz
Director of Operations
Rabbi Ethan Katz is originally from Chicago, Illinois. He is the Menahel, working on the development and programming of the Yeshiva, and is a learning Rebbi in the mornings. He received his semicha from R’ Yitzchak Berkovits at the Jerusalem Kollel. Rabbi Katz comes with experience working in Jewish outreach and education, including working as campus Rabbi at Emory University in Atlanta, as director of advanced progamming. He enjoys connecting with the students through learning, shmoozing, and trips. Reb Ethan is always down for a good game of basketball or ping pong.
Rabbi Mati Friedman
Talmud Muvhak
Rabbi Mati is a talmud muvhak and musmach of Rav Yitzhak Berkovitz and Harav Asher Weiss. As an accomplished Talmid Chochom and Posek, he serves as an invaluable resource to Lev Zion. He is available at all hours for any questions that arise.
Chaya Lock
Director of Programming – Girls
Chaya has extensive training and experience working in the mental health arena. She has worked in a wide range of environments, a hospital, St. Ann’s Hospice, Neshomo and Orot Hatora seminary. She opened an online platform for women across the globe to access help when they are in dire situations.
Barry Ringel
Director of Programming – Boys
Reb Yitz’s sincerity, understanding, and acceptance make him a great rebbe and mentor. He is known for his availability to his boys and his open home for Shabbos meals, barbques, kumzitsin and just to shmooze. Reb Yitz learned in Yeshivas Mir, Jerusalem and is a talmid and musmach of Rav Yitzchak Berkovits of the Jerusalem Kollel, from where he received
smicha.
Shimon Wexler
Director of Personal and Agricultural Development
Originally from Upstate NY, Shimon Wexler is a landscape builder turned outreach worker who connects with Bochurim through the programs at the Farm. Driven by Derech Eretz and Achdut, Shimon draws on his experiences in various programs and Yeshivas to guide his work. Having “been down the road” many struggling youth face, he is able to build a real connection with them and help prepare them mentally and emotionally to become productive members of Jewish society.