If you’re game, so are we. Without the fellowships, without the fanfare, One-on-One is simply the way it was always supposed to be. Choose any topic you like. Ask whatever’s on your mind. Learn with any member of staff at your leisure, tuned to your schedule. You bring the enthusiasm and leave the coffee to us.
THE BIOS:
 Rabbi Shmuel Lynn,
Executive Director
Born in the Big Apple, raised in Palm Beach, graduate of Duke University and NYU's Tisch Film School, Rabbi Lynn figured out early on in his career that most people are really writing and directing in Hollywood on the side in the hopes of one day becoming a Rabbi. He's one of the few who made it. Irony of all ironies, he once refused to even apply to Penn because it was too Jewish. Five years in Hollywood led Rabbi Lynn to the epiphany that what you see in the world and what the world wants you to see are sets on a stage and behind it lies a surprise much grander than the Wizard of Oz. A short hiatus (sabbatical in other cultures) in Jerusaelm led to a longer one, and yet again to an even longer one, culminating in his engagement and marriage to Ruthi (see below).
Sometime between the Chuppah and Naftali's first steps (born in the Rosey maternity ward in Cambridge where mommy was putting the finishing touches on a lucrative degree), Rabbi Lynn got his big break and changed careers, heading straight back to Jerusalem for a reciprocal five years of Torah study and rabbinical training. Four kids later, he landed in Philly (stranded, more like it) and made the most of it. He may not so readily admit it, but he loves what he's doing and where's he's doing it.
Email Rabbi Lynn ::
 Ruthi Lynn
Hailing from the Florida of England, Bournemouth, Ruthi somehow managed her way into Cambridge (small town girls didn't usually make it to the top) through a trail of fast cars (dad's a car dealer), show horses (she was once quite the equestrian) and a typically foul English sense of humor (bolstered by two raucous brothers). There she survived the wrath of an anti-religious oriental studies department for her irreverent commitment to Judaism, getting the last laugh by bearing a child in the middle of her final year's exams – an insult beyond reproach. Ruthi, once back in Israel with husband and child in tow, became the apprentice to Jerusalem's foremost expert on Jewish child-rearing for the subsequent five years and continues to share her knowledge (and now far more experience) with Jewish women in the NY, NJ and Philadelphia areas (when she's not teaching at Penn, of course). Mother of five (Naftali, Sara, Rosa, Chana Bluma, and Yehuda), stickler for proper English Tea, and forever lost on the right side of the road, those who know her don't forget her.
Email Ruthi ::
 Rabbi Moshe Rudenstein,
Director of Advanced Studies
Raised in the small town south of Boston known as Sharon, Rabbi Rudenstein graduated from the University of Massachusetts with the idea in mind to pursue a career in Psychology. As he simultaneously delved into both his studies in psychology and Judaism, he realized how Torah provides an even greater insight into the human psyche. He later found himself in Israel using both of his backgrounds in psychology and Torah knowledge to help motivate students to reach their personal goals.
In Israel, Rabbi Rudenstein spent seven years studying at some of the top Yeshivas in the world and returned to America with his family to teach what he learned abroad. He is excited to begin his role this fall as the Director of MLF2 and plans to teach advanced classes that focus on building textual skills and that challenge students to further understand the Torah learning process.
Email Rabbi Rudenstein ::
 Deedee Rudenstein
Having been raised in Miami, DeeDee Rudenstein later made her way to New York City to study Broadcast Journalism at Stern College. After spending some time at MTV, she soon realized that the glamorous life in broadcast television is not all that glamorous. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and further pursued her career in Public Relations, where she has represented many fortune 500 companies and high-tech start-up companies.
After a long flight to Israel (and meeting Rabbi Rudenstein on it!), DeeDee left New York City to make her home in Jerusalem, where her two beautiful boys – Meir and Chaim - were born. She later returned to the United States with her family and is thrilled to learn with the students at Penn and enjoy many a meaningful Shabbats together.
Email Deedee ::
 Yael Seruya,
Program Coordinator
Chicago born, Chicago bred, and only left NCSY Kansas when she accidentally clicked her heels and landed in Philly. She has been dubbed by many as the rhythm section of the Maimonides program at Penn. Although having spent many years with Jewish high-schoolers through NCSY, she seems to have finally graduated and gone to college (her taste in Jewish music may still be stuck back there, but the college-jewish-music-scene is pretty dead anyway, so she doesn't suffer much as a result). We are thrilled to have her on board and spend far too many hours convincing her to take time for herself! She loves what she does and it's often infectious.
Email Yael :: |
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One-on-Ones
