Hanhala
Rabbi Shlomo Dovid Neuberger
Rosh Mechina
A native of Ner Yisrael’s Yeshiva Lane in Baltimore, Rabbi Shlomo Dovid Neuberger has distinguished himself as a Talmud Chochum and a premier Mechanech in the Chicago community. During his eight years of learning in the Chicago Community Kollel, Rabbi Neuberger served as a Rosh Chabura. Prior to opening Ner Naftali, Rabbi Neuberger served as an 8th grade Rebbe at Arie Crown Hebrew Day School for five years, and as Associate English Principal at Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi during the 2019-2020 school year. Rabbi Neuberger is the son of Rabbi & Rebbitzen Sheftel Neuberger, Menahel of Yeshivas Ner Yisrael. After graduating from Ner Yisrael, Rabbi Neuberger learned in Mir Yerushalayim. Rabbi Neuberger lives in Chicago with his wife, Elisheva (daughter of Rabbi and Rebbitzen Zev Cohen) and their 5 children.
Mr. Ben Goldstein
General Studies Principal
A native of Skokie, IL, Ben Goldstein has been teaching in the Chicago Public School system (CPS) for over 16 years and in the Chicago Jewish day school system for 18 years. In addition to serving as English Studies Principal, Mr. Goldstein teaches at Northwest Side Steinmetz College Prep (CPS), where he serves as Department Chair of Special Education, Case Manager of Special Education and a Special Education Teacher. Mr. Goldstein received his Bachelor’s Degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 2004, and his Master’s in Education Administration and Supervision from Loyola University Chicago in 2007. He currently resides in Chicago with his wife Chani (daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. David Cohen) and their 5 children.
Rabbi Yehuda Baum
Mashgiach
Originally from Passaic, NJ, Rabbi Yehuda Baum, a noted Talmid Chochum, learned in the Peterson Park Kollel for four years before joining Ner Naftali. His endless devotion to helping community members grow during his time at the kollel, and his exceptional rapport with students at Ner Naftali has garnered him tremendous respect community wide. Rabbi Baum currently serves as a rebbe for the 9th grade.
Rabbi Ari Ziffer
10th Grade Rebbe
A Baltimore native and talmid of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, Rabbi Ari Ziffer joined MNN a after spending the last 8 years in Kollel D’Baltimore serving as the Rosh Kollel for 2 years under Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer. Rabbi Ziffer learned in Ner Yisroel for 6 years, and then in Eretz Yisrael at Yeshivas Kodshim under HaRav Tzvi Kaplan. Rabbi Ziffer also served as a Rosh Chaburah in Beis Medrash Gevoha for five years. Rabbi Ziffer (son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Ziffer), together with his wife Devorah (daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzchok Cohen) and their six children recently moved to Chicago to expand MNN to 10th grade.
Rabbi Binyamin Walfish
11th Grade Rebbi
Originally from Toronto, Rabbi Binyamin Walfish has been a talmid of Yeshivas Ner Yisrael for more than 11 years. For the last four years he has served as a Shoel U’Meishiv in the yeshiva, two years in its Mechina and two years in its Beis Medrash. Prior to his most recent stint in Ner Yisrael, Rabbi Walfish learned for a number of years in Eretz Yisrael, primarily in Yeshivas Kodshim under HaRav Tzvi Kaplan and in the Brisker Kollel. Rabbi Walfish (son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Walfish), together with his wife Devorah (daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Hauer) and their four children, moved to Chicago this summer and serves as our 11th grade Rebbi.
Rabbi Avi Schwartz
Executive Director
A native Chicagoan and formerly a beloved 7th grade Rebbe at Arie Crown Hebrew Day School, Rabbi Schwartz joined Ner Naftali as Executive Director during Summer 2021. Rabbi Schwartz spent more than five years learning in Yeshivas Bais Yisroel where he earned S’micha and served as Rosh Chaburah under Rabbi Daniel Lehrfield. Since returning to Chicago six years ago, Rabbi Schwartz has served in many additional capacities at ACHDS including Logistics Director and Special Programming Director for Limudei Kodesh. Rabbi Schwartz also served as Director of Camp Mayan Midwest. Rabbi Schwartz (son of Rabbi and Mrs. Shlomo Schwartz) and his wife Faygie (daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Aaron Cardash) lives in Chicago with their four children.