Staff Biographies
Joel E. Hoffman
Similar to rabbi's throughout most of Jewish history, Joel Hoffman has a regular "day job" while teaching and writing about Judaism in his free time. He worked at Jewish non-profit organizations for 10 years, and is currently in his ninth year working as a special education teacher -- teaching math and science courses.
Over the years Joel Hoffman has given 100s of lectures—all for free--in 12 different states (CA, CO, TX, LA, MO, OH, PA, NY, CT, RI, MA, and NH) in which his focus has been to introduce Jews to the richness of the Talmud and to how Hasidic teachings can spiritually enhance one's life.
A couple of teaching highlights include being the scholar-in-residence for an all-day retreat of the Los Angeles Board of Rabbis, and speaking at an Evangelical gathering about Israel advocacy with 700+ people in attendance. Joel has also published over 30 d'vrei Torah, online essays, journal articles, and opinion-editorials, as well as several Blogs. (see Writings.)
Joel has a B.A. from the University of Illinois (’91) where he played on the ice hockey team. Joel spent three years in graduate school pursing master's degrees in Jewish studies and Jewish education; worked for a couple of years in the field of Jewish education; and spent three years studying Jewish texts in Israel--the final two years at Yeshivat Darche Noam (a.k.a., "Shapells")--which culminated in obtaining rabbinical ordination ('99).
Additionally, Joel has completed 3/4ths of a M.Ed. in special education from Bridgewater State University (2010-13), and has a Massachusetts Teacher's License in special education (grades 5-12), math (grades 5-8), and science (grades 5-8).
Joel Hoffman lives in the Boston area, has three teenage children, and he enjoys hiking, mountain biking, working out, and rooting for the New England Patriots.
For more details about Rabbi Hoffman's professional background, see his Linked-in profile:
www.linkedin.com/in/joelhoffman123/
For a newspaper article about Rabbi Hoffman from 2005, see:
www.howardblas.com/articles/connecticut-jewish-ledger/100/2005/02/16/90/new-dje-director-plans-to-expand-adult-ed-increase-exposure-of-program
There Are No Other Staff Members at this Time.
Joel E. Hoffman
Similar to rabbi's throughout most of Jewish history, Joel Hoffman has a regular "day job" while teaching and writing about Judaism in his free time. He worked at Jewish non-profit organizations for 10 years, and is currently in his ninth year working as a special education teacher -- teaching math and science courses.
Over the years Joel Hoffman has given 100s of lectures—all for free--in 12 different states (CA, CO, TX, LA, MO, OH, PA, NY, CT, RI, MA, and NH) in which his focus has been to introduce Jews to the richness of the Talmud and to how Hasidic teachings can spiritually enhance one's life.
A couple of teaching highlights include being the scholar-in-residence for an all-day retreat of the Los Angeles Board of Rabbis, and speaking at an Evangelical gathering about Israel advocacy with 700+ people in attendance. Joel has also published over 30 d'vrei Torah, online essays, journal articles, and opinion-editorials, as well as several Blogs. (see Writings.)
Joel has a B.A. from the University of Illinois (’91) where he played on the ice hockey team. Joel spent three years in graduate school pursing master's degrees in Jewish studies and Jewish education; worked for a couple of years in the field of Jewish education; and spent three years studying Jewish texts in Israel--the final two years at Yeshivat Darche Noam (a.k.a., "Shapells")--which culminated in obtaining rabbinical ordination ('99).
Additionally, Joel has completed 3/4ths of a M.Ed. in special education from Bridgewater State University (2010-13), and has a Massachusetts Teacher's License in special education (grades 5-12), math (grades 5-8), and science (grades 5-8).
Joel Hoffman lives in the Boston area, has three teenage children, and he enjoys hiking, mountain biking, working out, and rooting for the New England Patriots.
For more details about Rabbi Hoffman's professional background, see his Linked-in profile:
www.linkedin.com/in/joelhoffman123/
For a newspaper article about Rabbi Hoffman from 2005, see:
www.howardblas.com/articles/connecticut-jewish-ledger/100/2005/02/16/90/new-dje-director-plans-to-expand-adult-ed-increase-exposure-of-program
There Are No Other Staff Members at this Time.
