About the Author


Rabbi Yaakov Cohen

Rabbi Yaakov Cohen grew up in New York and earned his Bachelors in Psychology, his Rabbinic Ordination and his Masters in Education and Administration; all from Yeshiva University. He now lives in Chicago, IL where he works as the Judaic Studies Principal of Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School and Educational Director at NCSY. Rabbi Cohen is a passionate educator and an inspiring speaker who has travelled throughout the country speaking for organizations, schools, synagogues and universities on a variety of topics and to audiences of various sizes and affiliations. Rabbi Cohen is a community leader and is actively involved with several local organizations and synagogues.


 

Turning Pain into Purpose: Empathy as an Engine to Do Good

What drove two young sisters to save the life of a drowning father?

 

Feeling the Love on Yom Kippur

Who are we praying to on Yom Kippur?

 

You've Got a Friend: A True Story about the Power of Connection

The surprising impact from an unexpected letter from an old friend.

 

A Jew's Response in Difficult Times

An inspiring true story on the power of giving.

 

Torn Page of History: A Passover Message

Jewish boys in hiding receive a message of hope that they would never forget.

 

Expelled: How One Kind Act Changed Lives

Isaac was about to get expelled from school until one student's kind act changed everything.

 

Right Where You're Supposed to Be: This Really Happened

Sometimes your actions are instrumental in ways you're completely unaware of.

 

Flames of Hope: The Power of Hanukkah

The menorah represents the faith and hope of the Jewish people that cannot be extinguished.

 

Why Are the Jewish People Compared to Stars?

Each of us is a source of incomparable radiant light.

 

Sukkot, Corona, and the Secret to Joy

A survivor's smile taught me how to experience joy during this pandemic.

 

Squeeze My Hand: An Inspiring Yom Kippur Message

A true story about a father who refused to give up on his child.

 

Jump the Barricade: An Inspiring Rosh Hashanah Message

The true WWII story of Berel Gartner's encounter with King George VI.

 

The Five Words that Changed a Life

Whether you're a Jewish leader, doctor, parent or teacher, great leaders believe in the people they're leading.

 

Rabbi Kreiswirth and the Hidden Treasure

During the Holocaust a wealthy man gave the rabbi the numbers to his Swiss bank account. The unexpected happened.

 

The Antidote to Bigotry and Hatred

A rabbi's acts of kindness and respect make a surprising impact decades later.

 

Lost and Found: An Inspiring True Story for These Times

One lost tuition payment and the power of empathy.

 

Israeli Captive's Matzah in Syrian Prison

A timely reminder that after much pain and bitterness come freedom and hope.

 

Coronavirus: A Time for Kindness

An inspiring true story about the compassion of others.

 

A Life-Saving Kindness in Rome

A Shabbat in Rome doesn't go as planned.

 

"Remember You Are a Jew!": Inspiring True Story

No matter how far you've gone, you can always find your way home.

 

Never Left Behind: What Happened to My Grandparents

An inspiring true story of Divine providence in the darkest moments of history.

 

Triumphant Wicks from Bergen Belsen: A Hanukkah Message

Illuminating the meaning of Hanukkah and olive oil.

 

One Small Act of Kindness Can Impact the World

An inspiring true story of one compassionate act whose reverberations were felt decades later.

 

Giving It Your All: The Search for Two Lost Girls

Dov was an elderly man on crutches. That didn't stop him from showing up at 3 AM to do whatever he could.

 

During the Holocaust, A Kindness Returned: A Yom Kippur Message

An inspiring true story about survival, kindness and the way to treat others.

 

Queen Wilhelmina and the Munkaczer Rebbe

A royal encounter and the importance of gratitude.

 

Message in the Western Wall: A True Story

At the start of the Yom Kippur War, Uri Shachar received an encouraging message from a very unlikely source.

 

The Spirit Lives On: A Tisha B'Av Video

Just because we can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. A true story.

 

To Touch a Heart

An American soldier in Afghanistan defines true heroism.

 

Ziv Shilon’s Indomitable Spirit

The wounded Israeli soldier symbolizes the country’s resilience and strength.

 

Purim and the Secret to Happiness

An inspiring true story of a depressed college student who discovers true joy.

 

How a Prayer Book Saved an Israeli Soldier’s Life

Moshe Kamara’s remarkable true story from the War of Independence.

 

Dancing at the Concentration Camp

Celebrating being Jewish even in times of darkness.

 

Unleash Your Inner Potential

How to move mountains.

 

Seeds of Kindness: How One Small Act Impacted the World

Anyone can count the seeds in one apple, but only God can count how many apples are in one seed.

 

Life’s Most Important Question

Achieving our dreams begins with answering this question.

 

The Purpose of Passover: The Next Chapter of the Jewish People’s Story

At the Seder you and your family are adding the next link of the chain to our unfinished story.

 

Carrying the Torch: The Menorah and the Eternal Jewish People

The Arch of Titus reminds us what is the secret of the Jews' immortality.

 

A Chaplain's Compassion

Rabbi Zimmerman truly knew how to walk the talk.

 

The Next Generation and the Meaning of Kol Nidrei

The powerful reason why Yom Kippur starts with such seemingly uninspiring words

 

Napoleon and the Purpose of Mourning on Tisha B’Av

Why do Tisha B’Av and Passover always occur on the same day of the week?

 

Viktor Frankl, Passover, and the Meaning of Freedom

Taste the power of true freedom.

 

A Precious Wedding Gift

A bride's selfless act teaches us how to be a blessing to the world.

 

Giving Everything We’ve Got: An Inspiring Story

A little girl, a storeowner and a bag of coins remind us that it’s the effort that truly counts.

 

From Millionaires to Paraplegics: The Secret of Happiness

What determines the quality of our lives?

 

Hanukkah: Everything Is a Miracle

If there was enough oil to burn for one day, why do we celebrate Hanukkah for eight days?

 

The Greatest Gift You Can Give: An Amazing True Story

And it doesn't cost a penny.

 

Give Peace a Chance

Amazing true story about what happens when we make peace our top priority.

 

The Most Important Thing You Need to Know about Rosh Hashanah

How to show God you’re a worthy investment this New Year.

 

Small Act, Big Impact

Appreciating the spiritual power of performing a single mitzvah.

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