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Training Material

2025 Aleph Symposium – Spouses’ Track

Thursday, 06 March:

08:30 – 09:15 Breakfast

09:15 – 09:55 Welcome and Greetings: Rabbi Aaron Lipskar, CEO of the Aleph Institute

Rabbi Sholom Lipskar, Founder of the Aleph Institute

Overview: Rabbi Sanford Dresin, CH (COL) USA Ret., Endorser

Current Projects and Outlook: Ch, Maj Elie Estrin, Aleph Military Personnel Liaison, Executive Assistant to the Endorser

10:00 – 10:45 Icebreaker: Getting to Know You (Classroom 5)

10:45 – 11:25 Life After the Explosions: SSgt Boaz Hochstein (IDF Ret.), Founder, Restart Global

11:30 – 12:00 Kosher in Deployed and Austere Environments: LT Eli Eleff, USCGA, OU Director of Community Relations

12:00 – 13:00 Lunch

13:00 – 14:00 The Keys to a Successful Military Marriage 

  • Mrs. Batia Gold, former MFLC counselor (Classroom X)

14:05 – 14:50 Resources and More: Ms. Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO and Founder, Blue Star Families 

14:50 – 15:00 Break

15:00 – 15:45 IDF Combat Update: CAPT Roiy Sela, Israeli Navy, IDF Naval Attache to the United States 

15:50 – 16:15 Freedom of Religion Today: Mr. Daniel Blomberg, Esq., Lead Counsel, The Becket Fund 

16:20 – 17:15 Jewish Education Opportunities: Nigri Online School, CKids

19:00 – 21:30 Dinner. 

19:00 – 17:30 Retirement ceremony, SFC Colten Baitch, USA

CSM Sam Yudin Award Presentations

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Ken Fisher, CEO, Fisher House Foundation 

 

Friday, 07 March: 

08:15 – 09:00 Breakfast

09:00 – 09:30 Employment Opportunities: Blue Star

09:30 – 10:00 What to Know About PCSing: LTC Steven Kelly, USA Ret.

10:00 – 10:30 What to Know About Wills: Mrs. Hillary Kleinman, Esq.

10:30 – 12:00 Mikvah and the Military: Answering the Questions 

12:00 – 13:00 Lunch

13:00 – 14:00 The Transition In and Out of the Military: Mrs. Batia Gold, Blue Star

14:00 – 14:30 Ukrainian Conflict Update: Major General Borys Krementskyi, Ukrainian Air Force, Defense Attache to the United States

14:35 – 15:00 European Theatre Update: Col Michele Olsen, USAF, Director of ISR, USAFE and AFAFRICA

15:00 – 17:00 PT and Shabbat prep

 

Shabbat – Friday Evening: 

17:00 – 17:30 Formal group photo in The Shul sanctuary. Mandatory – must be on time!

18:07 Candle Lighting (in the Shul lobby) 

19:00 Shabbat dinner

Kiddush (Sabbath benediction)

Hamotzi (blessing over bread): CH (MAJ) David Ruderman, USA

Introduction of special guests: Rabbi Aaron Lipskar

Welcome: Rabbi Sholom Lipskar

Bat Mitzvah: Ms. Feina Ruderman

Introduction of Academy cadets: COL Benjamin Wallen, USA

Keynote Speaker: 

Grace after Meal: 

 

Shabbat Day, 08 March:

12:00 – 14:00 Community Kiddush (collation – Social Hall)

1700 – 17:30 An Inspirational Charge: (for spouses and female service members – Classroom 1

17:30 Community Women’s Torah class: Mrs. Chani Lipskar, The Shul Rebbetzin (Classroom 1)

18:20 Seudat Shlishit (light dinner – Social Hall)

19:01 Shabbat concludes. Maariv (evening services) and Havdalah (Sabbath conclusion ceremony)

Evening: free time

19:45 – 20:45 Father and Children community learning program (Social Hall)

20:00 – 21:00 Spouse’s night out (Classroom 5)

 

Sunday, 09 March: 

08:45 – 09:30 Break-out sessions by branch over breakfast: (Social Hall) 

12:15 – 12:30 Inspirational Charge: Rabbi Sholom Lipskar, Founder of the Aleph Institute 

12:30 – 13:30 Hot Wash, boxed lunches

Tzeitchem Leshalom. See you next year, B’ezrat Hashem!