Meet the Brukirers
Rabbi Shlomo Brukirer and Ruchie Brukirer
Shlomo Brukirer grew up in Suffern, NY, and descends from over 30 generations of Jewish educators. While learning in the Mir Yeshiva in Israel, he helped cofound ZAY, a program for young adults struggling with substance abuse. He spent two years learning Halacha in Yeshivas Torah Voda’as, before marrying his wife, Ruchie. After moving to Israel, they joined the Jerusalem Kollel Rabbinical Training Program where he received smicha from Rabbi Berkovits shlita. Shlomo is always ready and willing to have a conversation or debate on classical political philosophy, ethics, and morals. He appreciates good music, experimenting in the kitchen, and getting to know people.
Ruchie Brukirer grew up in Monsey, NY, and is a proud mother of three rambunctious boys. She worked with special needs adults while studying for her bachelor’s degree. After moving to Israel, she balanced being a part of the Jersualem Kollel, earning her master’s degree in Speech Therapy and making Shabbos meals for the many guests they had. While in the Jerusalem Kollel, she studied topics from Rabbi Berkovits shlita such as Jewish theology, Cycle of Life, and Halacha as well as a course in training to give Kallah classes. Ruchie enjoys reading a good book, drawing, and taking a nature hike. She enjoys getting to know people over a traditional home cooked meal.
To speak with Rabbi Shlomo Brukirer please contact him at:
To speak with Ruchie Brukirer please contact her at:
Meet Chaya Pollak
Chaya Pollak was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Chaya attended Touro College
where she majored in Speech Language Pathology, minored in Education and graduated with honors. She went to Israel for her gap year and returned in 2017 for another two and a half years to study at the renowned Neve Yerushalyim in order to expand her Torah knowledge and deepen her connection to Judaism. Chaya currently teaches Jewish History at Hadar Bet Yaakov, a Bucharian all-girls high school in Queens, as well a variety of introductory level Torah topics at Shalsheles, a Brooklyn based high school for girls who come from unaffiliated backgrounds. Her overall mission is to provide her students with an understanding of who G-d is and how they can develop a personal connection with Him. Chaya has mentored at outreach programs for young professionals, learned one-on-one with students at Meor NYU and helped run Israel trips for college students. Chaya is super excited to be joining the JLIC Queens College team as an educator. She looks forward to getting to know students on a personal level, planning and implementing fun and engaging programming and is happy to learn with anyone who is interested. Chaya loves traveling (Ask her about her craziest travel stories. She has lots of them.), making art, and people.
To speak with Chaya Pollak please email her at: