Rabbi Dr. Joel Zeff holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA in Hebrew Language, a master’s degree in Jewish History from Yeshiva University, and received rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University. He served as the spiritual leader of the Westwood Kehilla in Los Angeles for seven years before moving to Israel in 1994. For the decade since moving to Israel he was Senior Lecturer at the David Shapell College of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and subsequently the Dean of Yeshivat Hamivtar. Rabbi Zeff most recently served as the spiritual leader of the Kenesset Israel Torah Center, dividing his time between Sacramento and his home in Alon Shvut, Israel. Concurrent with his rabbinic work, he completed a doctorate in Pastoral Counseling and advanced training in TEAM-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, exploring the interface between psychology, spirituality, and ethics. Rabbi Joel and Donna Zeff are the proud parents of nine children and grandparents to eleven. Rabbi Zeff is well known as an unusually gifted speaker and teacher, and a compassionate, wise, and skilled pastoral counselor.