Kenneth Brander (Hebrew: כתריאל ברנדר; born April 18, 1962)[1] is an American Modern Orthodox rabbi who is president and Rosh HaYeshiva of the Ohr Torah Stone network of institutions.[2][3] He is a member of the Jewish Federations of North America's Rabbinic Cabinet Round Table.

Rabbi Dr.
Kenneth Brander
Brander in 2018
Personal
Born (1962-04-18) 18 April 1962 (age 62)
ReligionJudaism
Alma materYeshiva College
Jewish leader
PredecessorRabbi Shlomo Riskin
PositionPresident and Rosh HaYeshiva
OrganisationOhr Torah Stone
SemikhahRabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary

Biography

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Brander is a 1984 alumnus of Yeshiva College and received his ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary where he was a student of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik.[4] He studied at Florida Atlantic University, obtaining a PhD in general philosophy and comparative literature. His dissertation was titled "The Temple in Jerusalem Idealized and the Historic-Synagogue-Institution: A Study in Synagogue Purposes in an American Context."[5]

From 1990 to 1991, Brander was the acting rabbi of New York's Lincoln Square Synagogue, after serving for four years as its assistant rabbi.[6] He served as the senior rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue for 14 years (1991–2005).[2][6] From 2005 to 2018, he served as vice president of Yeshiva University.[5] In 2018, he assumed the position of President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Ohr Torah Stone.[2][7]

Works

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  • “Kabbalat Shabbat: Why Is This Night Different from All Others?” in Mitokh Ha-Ohel, From Within the Tent: The Shabbat Prayers ed. Daniel Z. Feldman and Stuart W. Halpern (Maggid Books: Jerusalem, 2016), 37–44.
  • “Fashioning Our Spiritual Garb” in Mitokh Ha-Ohel, From Within the Tent: Essays on the weekly Haftarah Reading ed. Daniel Z. Feldman and Stuart W. Halpern (Maggid Books: Jerusalem, 2011), 451–456.
  • “We have Met the Enemy … and He Is Us” in Mitokh Ha-Ohel, From Within the Tent: The Weekly Parashah ed. Daniel Z. Feldman and Stuart W. Halpern (Maggid Books: Jerusalem, 2010), 101–107.
  • “Our Members, Our Communities: A ‘Sh’ma’ Roundtable,” Sh’ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility, October 2012, 9–13.
  • “In the Eye of the Storm: Shabbat Observance During a Hurricane or Severe WeatherEvent,” Journal of Halakha and Contemporary Society, LXIV (Fall 2012), 41–65.
  • “Ethics in Philanthropy: Should Synagogues and Mosdot Chinuch Accept Tainted Funds,” in Toward a Renewed Ethic of Jewish Philanthropy, The Orthodox Forum 19, Ed. Yossi Prager (Ktav: Jersey City, 2010), 291–306.
  • “Introduction,” Life Values and Intimacy Education: Health Education for the Jewish School, Grades 3 – 8, ed. Yocheved Debow and Anna Woloski-Wruble (Ktav: Jersey City, 2008).
  • “Foreword,” The West Side Institutional Synagogue Megilat Esther, ed. Shlomo Einhorn (I.S, Press: New York, 2008): 7–14.
  • “The Rov as a Personal Rebbe,” in Mentor of Generations: Reflections on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, ed. Zev Eleff (Ktav: Newark, 2008), 324–328.
  • “Sex Selection and Halakhic Ethics: A Contemporary Discussion,” Tradition 40:1 (Spring 2007), 45–78.
  • “Memories of a Giant,” in Memories of a Giant: Eulogies in Memory of Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt"l, ed. M. A. Bierman (Urim: Jerusalem and New York, 2003).
  • “Gynecological Procedures and Their Interface with Halakha,” Journal of Halakha and Contemporary Society, XLII (Fall 2001), 30–44.
  • “Artificial Insemination and Surrogate Motherhood through the Prism of Jewish Law,” B’Or Ha’Torah, XII, (2000), 59–65.
  • “Chanukah Through the Prism of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s Teachings”, Jewish Action 60:2, (Winter 1999).
  • “An Analysis of Had Gadya”, Journal of Jewish Music and Liturgy, (New York, 1995).
  • “Tutorial Programs For Hebrew Schools,” The Pedagogic Reporter: A Forum for Jewish Education, Jewish Education Service of North America, Inc., 40:1 (1989).
  • Editor, The Yeshiva University Haggadah (Ktav: New York, 1985).
  • “Laws and Approaches Regarding the Commandment to Live and Settle in Eretz Yisrael,” Beit Yitzchak, (New York, 1987) (Hebrew), 155–164. [citation needed]

Personal life

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In 2018, he moved from the United States to Israel with his family.[2][8][9] He has five children.[5]

Further reading

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References

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  1. ^ ROSENBLATT, GARY (10 October 2017). "'Huge' Moment For Advocates Of Orthodox Women Rabbis". New York Jewish Week. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Kratz, Elizabeth (25 July 2018). "Rabbi Kenneth Brander Makes Aliyah: Will Lead Ohr Torah Stone". Jewish Link of New Jersey. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  3. ^ PALMER, JOANNE (16 August 2018). "Jewish identity, taught by emissaries and suitcases". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  4. ^ “The Rov as a Personal Rebbe,” in Mentor of Generations: Reflections on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik , ed. Zev Eleff (Ktav: Newark, 2008), 324-328.
  5. ^ a b c "Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander". Ohr Torah Stone. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  6. ^ a b "New President and Rosh HaYeshiva at OTS". Ohr Torah Stone. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Rabbi Kenneth Brander succeeds Rabbi Riskin at Ohr Torah Stone". The Jewish Star. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  8. ^ ZIEVE, TAMARA (26 July 2018). "SHOAH-ERA SUITCASE ARRIVES IN ISRAEL". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  9. ^ Bratt, Heidi Mae (8 August 2018). "A Dream Come True – 230 Olim Touch Down In Israel". The Jewish Press. Retrieved 5 September 2018.