| Rabbi Steven Weil | |
|---|---|
| Position | Executive Vice President |
| Organisation | Orthodox Union |
| Began | May 2008 |
| Predecessor | Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb |
| Personal details | |
| Born | New York |
| Denomination | Orthodox |
| Residence | Teaneck, New Jersey |
| Spouse | Yael |
| Alma mater | Yeshiva University |
| Semicha | Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary |
Contents |
Steven Weil grew up on a cattle farm in upstate New York. He attended Ohr Torah High School and Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh in Israel and Yeshiva University in New York. He was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and earned a Masters in Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business.
Weil became rabbi of the Young Israel of Oak Park Michigan and then at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, California. In both synagogues, he substantially increased membership and expanded programming. He has delivered invocations for President H. W. Bush, Vice President Cheney, Governor Schwarzenneger, and Beverly Hills Mayors Webb and Delshad. He has served internationally as scholar in residence while visiting congregations across the country and strongly advocating for Israel and Jewish Education. He has worked closely with leaders in AIPAC and has worked with the Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood Township, New Jersey.
In his term as Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation, Weil increased membership by over 250 families to 750 families. He increased the congregation's endowment fund by over $5,000,000 and was considered the most successful fundraiser in Southern California.
Weil currently resides in Teaneck, New Jersey with his wife Yael, their three boys and four girls.[1][2]
In May 2008, the Orthodox Union announced that Weil would succeed Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb as Executive Vice President. Weinreb, who held the position since 2002, went on to assume the position of Executive Vice President Emeritus. The transition took place in July 2009.
As chief professional officer of the Orthodox Union, Weil’s daily responsibilities include oversight of the Orthodox Union's vision, staff and programs, network member synagogues and fiscal well-being.
Weil’s appointment at the OU followed an eight year term of leadership at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, California, the largest Orthodox congregation outside of the metropolitan New York area. Prior to this, Weil served as Rabbi of the Young Israel of Oak Park, Michigan.
Before his departure from Beth Jacob in April 2008, Weil wrote to the congregation regarding his concerns for Jewish individual and communities worldwide:
Weil went on to detail the dual focus of his efforts, including both Orthodox Jewry and unaffiliated youth:
Upon Weil's appointment as Executive Vice President of the OU his predecessor, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, said:
“The OU's Executive Committee has chosen as my successor a distinguished rabbi whom I have known and worked with for many years. I look forward to working very closely with him in the years to come, and am confident that our past relationship will facilitate that process. Rabbi Weil brings to the position much outstanding strength, which he has displayed throughout his rabbinic career, especially in his current position in Beverly Hills. At his invitation, I have visited his synagogue and spoken there numerous times, and have witnessed the phenomenal growth of his shul in terms of the size of its membership and the dynamic programming that he has initiated. I wish him every success.”
Stephen J. Savitsky, the President of the OU, said:
“We are extremely pleased that Rabbi Steven Weil will be joining us as Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Weil has demonstrated in both his positions in Beverly Hills and Detroit that he is a remarkable leader. He brings energy, vision, and an incredible work ethic to this position. We look forward to his leadership and building on the great foundation that has been established by Rabbi Weinreb.”[4]