ABOUT THIS EPISODE Menachem Bombach was raised in an extremely religious neighborhood in Jerusalem, but jokes that he "immigrated" to Israel at the age of 20, which is when he first began speaking Hebrew, in addition to his native Yiddish! A lover of people, and frustrated by a perceived lack of educational opportunities in Israeli ultra-Orthodox society, Bombach became the ultimate reformer from within - working with established and mainstream families to enhance academic learning and disrupt the cycles of poverty often present in many such communities. Along the way, he taught himself Hebrew and English, earned multiple degrees, opened several schools, received education prizes from the Israeli government, helped pioneer a Chareidi division at the famed Mandel Leadership Institute, and gone "viral" for his Yom Hazikaron (Israel Memorial Day) ceremony with Chassidic pupils. Watch that tribute here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsaJXHKF5Cg -------------------------- ABOUT THIS PODCAST Jews You Should Know introduces the broader community to interesting and inspiring Jewish men and women making a difference in our world. Some are already famous, some not yet so. But each is a Jew You Should Know. The host, Rabbi Ari Koretzky, is Executive Director of MEOR Maryland (www.meormd.org), a premier Jewish outreach and educational organization. MEOR operates nationally on twenty campuses and in Manhattan; visit the national website at www.meor.org. Please visit www.JewsYouShouldKnow.com, follow us on Twitter @JewsUShouldKnow or on Facebook. Have feedback for the show, or suggestions for future guests? E-mail us at JewsYouShouldKnow@gmail.com. Want to support this podcast? Visit Patreon.com/JewsYouShouldKnow. A small monthly contribution goes a long way!!