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 eighth 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, opinion-editorials, and Blogs. (see Writings.)
Joel Hoffman has a B.A. from the University of Illinois (’91) where he played on the ice hockey team (ACHA Division-1), earned a master's degree in Jewish studies from Spertus College, and then spent three years intensively engaged in Jewish studies in Israel--the final two years at Yeshivat Darche Noam (a.k.a., “Shapells”)—which culminated in obtaining rabbinical ordination ('99). Additionally, Joel has a master's degree in education and a Massachusetts Teacher's License.
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
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 eighth 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, opinion-editorials, and Blogs. (see Writings.)
Joel Hoffman has a B.A. from the University of Illinois (’91) where he played on the ice hockey team (ACHA Division-1), earned a master's degree in Jewish studies from Spertus College, and then spent three years intensively engaged in Jewish studies in Israel--the final two years at Yeshivat Darche Noam (a.k.a., “Shapells”)—which culminated in obtaining rabbinical ordination ('99). Additionally, Joel has a master's degree in education and a Massachusetts Teacher's License.
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
