Nurturing Hope Speakers

Ambassador Marcy Grossman

Criminal psychologist by training and international diplomat by design, Marcy rose from working inside the prison system through the highest ranks of Canadian diplomacy to become the world’s first Jewish woman ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Along the way, she advanced Canada’s economic, political, and public safety interests as the head of international trade in Dallas and Los Angeles, and as Consul General in Miami, Denver and Dubai. Today, she emboldens women to rise, organizations to break barriers and nations to inch closer to global peace.

Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum

Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum is Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS), formerly known as Jews’ College, where he holds the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought, established by the Zandan family. He also serves as Scholar-in-Residence at the Central Square Minyan in Hampstead Garden Suburb. He has a PhD in Theoretical Physics from King’s College London, an MA in Education from University College London, rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Sacks zt”l and the Montefiore Kollel, and is a graduate of the Mandel Leadership School in Jerusalem. His writings on Bible, philosophy, education, and Jewish life regularly appear in the Jewish press, academic journals, and book collections. Rabbi Dr. Zarum's book 'Questioning Belief: Torah and Tradition in an Age of Doubt' is available for purchase on Amazon. 

Rabbi Dr. Erin Leib Smokler

Rabbi Dr. Erin Leib Smokler is the Director of Spiritual Development and Publications Editor at Yeshivat Maharat, where she teaches Hasidism and Pastoral Torah. She won the National Jewish Book Award in Modern Jewish Thought and Experience for her collection, Torah in a Time of Plague: Historical and Contemporary Jewish Reflections (Ben Yehudah Press, 2021).

Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider

Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider serves as chief-editor of OU Israel's 'Torah Tidbits', Coordinator of Rabbinic/Leadership Training at Yeshiva University's RIETS Gruss Kollel,  and Faculty member at the Rabbinical Council of America's 'Machon Melton' conversion program in Jerusalem. He is the author of the best-selling Haggadahs, The Night That Unites (Urim Press), and Layla Shel Achdut (Yediot Achronot). He just published Torah United, a book on the weekly parashah from Rav Kook, Rabbi Soloveitchik, and the Chassidic Masters (OU Press).

He is also the founding director of the In Our Hearts Project, www.inourheartsproject.com, which offers guidance, strength, and support after the loss of a child.

Racheli Fuld

Racheli Fuld is a published author, an observant Jew, and a mother of five. She resides with her family outside of Jerusalem and has written extensively on various topics including the Jewish religion and heritage. Racheli has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing; two degrees she has put to good use with her writing over the years.

Dr. Jacques Gauthier

Dr. Jacques Gauthier is a Canadian international lawyer and scholar. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Geneva. He is the founder of the Toronto law firm Gauthier & Associates which was established in 1984. He has served as legal counsel to different governments including the governments of France, Spain, Mexico and Canada. In 2000, he was knighted by the President of France as Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite. In 2015, he was again knighted by the President of the Republic of France as he was appointed Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. He received the Canadian Anti- Semitism Education Foundation 2020 Advocate Award of Excellence. Dr. Gauthier is listed by The Algemeiner newspaper of New York as “one of the top 100 individuals who have positively influences Jewish life in 2019”.

Dr. Gauthier has presented his findings on the Sovereignty over the City of Jerusalem and the disputed territories in many international centers including London (House of Commons and House of Lords), Washington (US Congress), Rome (Italian Senate), New York (United Nations), Brussels (European Union Parliament), Tokyo (Japanese Parliament), Ottawa (Canadian House of Commons), and The Hague (Dutch Parliament).

Rabbi Eric Grossman

Rabbi Eric Grossman is Bible scholar, and Head of School at the Akiva School of Montreal.  He lectures across North America at universities, federations, synagogues, and academic conferences on Biblical theology, Jewish history, music, art, and philosophy.  His articles appear in scholarly and popular journals and around the web. Rabbi Grossman is a recipient of the Claus Nobel Educator of Distinction award and is a two-time recipient of the Hebrew University Bible Prize.  Rabbi Grossman studied in the department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University, Yeshivat HaMivtar, and York University. He was a fellow at the Hartman Institute and at the Institute for Advanced Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.   His “Lesson Plans” is the leading podcast for parents, administrators, and teachers on educational theory.

Hillel Fuld

Dubbed Israel's top marketer, Hillel works with leading tech entrepreneurs, investors, and visionaries to accompany them on their journey from idea to revenue. Across the globe, audiences have been captivated, enlightened, and inspired.