About Us

Rabbi Naphtali Weisz was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio where he now serves as the rabbi of the Beth Jacob Congregation – the shul he grew up in. After attending the Columbus Torah Academy High School, Rabbi Weisz studied at Yeshivat Sharei Mevaseret Zion just outside of Jerusalem. Rabbi Weisz received his bachelor's degree from Yeshiva University, JD from the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law and rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.

 

Since assuming the pulpit previously held for 47 years by his grandfather, Rabbi David Stavsky zt"l, Rabbi Weisz has initiated several new programs aimed at growing the shul, attracting new members and reaching out to other Jewish institutions in the community. Rabbi and Abby Weisz have three young children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cantor Jeff Siegel has been Chazzan of Beth Jacob since 1993 and will begin his 18th Year at Beth Jacob with the upcoming High Holidays. Chazzan Jeff studied Cantorial and Jewish music with Velvel Pasternak, Cantors David Koussevitzky, and Cantor Zvi Aroni. Chazzan Jeff also studied German lieder with the renowned expert in Lieder Theo Lindenbaum. Chazzan Jeff has a Bachelor of Education from Touro College and A Bachelor of Music from the University of Alberta, and graduate studies in in music at Loyola College of New Orleans.

 

Chazzan Jeff is also a Licensed Social worker and is the program director of "Aspirations" a social skill program for higher functioning Adults and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum. The program is housed at the Nisonger Center at OSU. Chazzan Jeff works with the Developmentally Disabled Jewish population in Columbus and has extensive experience working with youth of all ages. Chazzan Jeff has appeared on WOSU'S "All Sides" hosted by Anne Fisher, and has interviewed with Christopher Purdy for the WOSU Autism site. Chazzan Jeff recently appeared on a panel discussion about the movie "Horse Boy' and has presented at various conferences about the Aspirations program.

 

Jeff's interests include helping adults on the Autism spectrum create more extensive social networks and higher quality employment outcomes; he also volunteers with American red cross blood drives, and sits on their Diversity Leadership Council.

 

Rabbi David Stavsky zt"l (1930-2004) was born in New York City in 1930. The Rabbi's credentials include B.A., Psychology, Yeshiva University; ordained at Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Theological Seminary (studied with master scholar Rabbi Soloveitchik); M.A., Psychology, Ohio State University. After ordination, the Rabbi served in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital and he was the Post-Chaplain at Fort Carson, Colorado. He served in the pulpit at Beth Jacob Congregation from 1957 until his death in 2004. Rabbi Stavsky founded the Columbus Torah Academy in 1958, and is a former National VP of the Rabbinical Council of America.