Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, LCSW is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. and Lakewood, N.J. for over 35 years. He served as a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series' and the Artscroll Mishna Series and was a member of the Chavrei Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath for over 30 years.
Rabbi Salomon received his B.A. (cum laude) in psychology from the City University of New York. He graduated with Honors from the Hunter College School of Social Work, from where he got his Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. He worked as a clinical supervisor for the Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services and was an Adjunct Professor in the Master’s program of Long Island University.
Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg z’tl, of the best-selling book, “What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment,” and the author of, “Something to Think About; Extraordinary Reflections About Ordinary Events,” and “Salomon Says,” all published by Artscroll.
He is the co-producer of the highly acclaimed Kiruv films, “INSPIRED!” and “INSPIRED TOO; KIRUV ACROSS AMERICA.” He is also the Creator and Director of “iProd,” “HIDDEN YIDDEN,” “THE SHAKE,” and several other inspirational films.
He writes a weekly column, Out of the Box; Musings on Timely Issues for the Flatbush Jewish Journal.
Rabbi Salomon’s video blog, “Salomon Says,” on www.aish.com, was seen weekly for ten years by hundreds of thousands of people across the world.
His speaking, writing, and musical talents have delighted audiences, from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between.
He lives in Jackson, NJ, surrounded by his loving family.
(12) Anonymous, January 10, 2013 9:58 AM
Larry David
Larry David
(11) Omri, January 4, 2013 7:54 PM
Excellent!!!!
Excellent nomination! I concur 110%!!!
Lilly Zeman, January 7, 2013 4:18 AM
Im proud if You!
Congratulations.
(10) Rahel Limor, January 4, 2013 3:35 AM
Person of the Year
I agree with your nomination. I hope it includes WOMEN too. If not, I would suggest Nehama Liebowitz, Another group I would nominate is the Breslov publishers who, like Artscroll, are doing amazing kiruv work by way of books.
(9) Anonymous, January 2, 2013 1:23 PM
Artschroll had been around for a while
Artschroll had been around for a while, and say those Rabinical publishers are Jews of the year, would be in my view inaccurate. Perhaps Jew of the decade.
(8) David S. Levine, January 2, 2013 12:50 AM
I've Thought About It
Let's expand Rabbi Solomon's suggestion to all publishers of English language Jewish texts, although Art Scroll is obviously the best. I salute Rabbi Solomon for his, literally, out of the box suggestion.
(7) Melvyn S. Berger, January 1, 2013 5:36 PM
Couldn't agree more.
I study from the Artscroll Talmud at The Young israel of Eltingville with Rabbi Menachem Goldman of The Yeshiva of Staten Islandand have donated each volume I have studied with him to the shul. I have also donated several other of their works to the shul. Being not as fluid in Hebrew as I should be, their bookd are invaluable to me.
(6) Bob Rabinoff, January 1, 2013 5:06 PM
I Agree
Good choice -- and it's not just Bavli, it's Yerushalmi, Midrash Rabbah, Rashi, Ramban, on and on. All more or less a closed book to me without Artscroll. Also agree with Gavriel. The last cycle and a half I learned how to read Talmud from Artscroll. This cycle I'm using Koren: simply putting the vowels in the text and in Rashi is a fantastic idea!
(5) Avraham Mensch, January 1, 2013 4:53 PM
Great nomination!
Artscroll helps me immensely literally every day learn Torah - Mishna, Gemara and Chumash
(4) Jonathan Levy, January 1, 2013 4:26 PM
THANK YOU RABBI SALOMON!
I live in Johannesburg, South Africa, and read your weekly commentary "religiously!" I cannot say that I am a very religious Jew but I do learn so much from your words - which I find down to earth and simple to understand and apply in life. Thank you again and I look forward to every blog that you post. Shalom.
(3) Gabriel, December 31, 2012 2:54 PM
Koren
Artscroll is undoubtedly fantastic but I think Koren deserves a mention as well. Their Gemarrah format, translation, notes & contextual halakha is increadible. After breaking my teeth on Gemarrah for 25 years I've finally found a format that works. BTW I nominate Moshe Feiglin as Jew of the year.
(2) Rosen, December 30, 2012 2:05 PM
Jewish education and marriage
Having a good Jewish education and marrying Jewish are the cornerstones that assure Jewish continuity (for a Jew to intermarry would defeat that purpose in Jewish continuity). The Jewish education I currently receive are from attending Mussar services every couple of weeks or so, as well as having an Aish.com learning partner call me every week or so as well as communicate with him via e-mail on Jewish matters.
(1) Lisa, December 30, 2012 12:33 PM
I take them for granted!!!
Your right! I love Artscroll....I have so many of their books....Hebrew as well as English ....!! They defiantly made a dent in my furthering my Jewish knowledge .....& on a side note they also enhanced my kitchen table with their many fabulous cookbooks... Which enhances my Shabbas ....so it goes full circle.