Meet the Rabbis

Rabbi Yerachmiel D. Fried, Dean
Noted scholar, acclaimed author, and community leader, Rabbi Fried received his rabbinical training from the world-acclaimed leader of our generation, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach of Jerusalem. Rabbi Fried, his wife Miri and their family were invited to move to Dallas to found DATA in the fall of 1992, by visionary community leaders. He heads both the post-graduate Torah studies of the DATA Rabbis and the adult-education/outreach effort of the organization. Rabbi Fried is a prolific author of Halachic work, most notably Yom Tov Shini K’Hilchasa. Known for his wisdom, wit, and wonderful sense of humor, Rabbi Fried enjoys walking, swimming, and lawn work. He and his wife Miri, a registered pharmacist, have seven children: Tsippi, Benny, Elazar, Elisha, Tehilla, Shlomo Zalman and Tzvi.

Rabbi Bentzi Epstein, Director
Known for his charisma, dynamism, and genuine love for every Jew, Rabbi Epstein is the driving force behind all DATA programs. Each week he also delivers many classes, including the popular Breakneck Through the Bible. A native of Monsey, NY, who received his rabbinic ordination in 1992 from Yeshiva Heichal HaTalmud, Jerusalem, Rabbi Epstein enjoys basketball, construction projects, and meeting new people. His wife Batya is the co-chair of Uniquely Ours and Educational Director of Mikveh Israel of Dallas. The Epsteins moved to Dallas as founders of DATA in 1992. They have seven children.

Rabbi Yehudah Abrams, Chief Operating Officer
A native of Denver, Rabbi Abrams received his rabbinical ordination from the renowned Rabbi Hillel David in June, 2000. A popular teacher and scholarly lecturer, Rabbi Abrams has taught DATA classes as diverse as Mission Control and Crash Course in Hebrew Reading. Known for his unmatched organizational skills, giving nature, and great integrity, Rabbi Abrams enjoys teaching, writing, and serving the Jewish community. He and his wife Esti, who is extremely active in community organizations and teaches Jewish History at Mesorah High School for Girls, moved to Dallas in 1998.

Rabbi Nasanya Zakon, Director, DATA of Plano
Charming, charismatic, and extremely popular, Rabbi Zakon delivers many weekly classes including Character Development. He is also a frequent guest lecturer for community organizations. A native of New York who received his ordination from Beth Medrash Govoha Rabbinical Seminary in 1998, Rabbi Zakon enjoys walking, good books, and good conversation. He and his wife Devorah, who received her M.A. in speech pathology from Brooklyn College in 1996, joined the ranks of DATA in August 2000. They have four children, Miriam, Yaakov, Shifra, and Nechuma.

Rabbi Sharron and Avishag Cohen,

Directors of DATA Israeli Branch
Rabbi Sharron and Avishag Cohen are natives of Israel. Rabbi Cohen received his training at the esteemed Kol Torah Rabbinical Institute of Jerusalem. The Cohens spent 6 years in a leadership role in a Kollel in Mexico City, where Rabbi Cohen honed his unique, brilliant style of speaking and lecturing. A scholar of rare erudition, Rabbi Cohen excels in the esoteric areas of Torah. In a short time the Cohens have had an immense impact on the Israeli community of Dallas/Plano, and his numerous classes and lectures are attended by hundreds weekly. An excellent teacher herself, Mrs. Cohen serves as assistant director, and works tirelessly to ensure the many programs and classes are a huge success, besides raising their six children.

DATA of Far North Dallas

DATA/JEX

DATA/Israeli Division

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Rabbi Mayer Hurwitz, Assistant Dean

Rabbi Mayer and Elana Hurwitz, both originally from New York, made Aliya and lived in Jerusalem for the past decade. Rabbi Hurwitz has attended some of the most prestigious yeshivot, most notably Yeshiva Mir Yerushalayim. For the last several years he has held the title of Rosh Chaburah, a title bestowed upon individual that accept responsibility for the oversight of a mini-group of Torah scholars within the larger Yeshiva with a focus on a particular tractate of Talmud or section of Jewish law. The Hurwitz’s and their five children return to America to bring the joy and wisdom of Judaism to all Metroplex Jews.

Rabbi Doni Frolich

Rabbi Doni Frolich grew up in New Jersey and pursued a degree in computer science. He spent the next several years studying in Israel, earning the reputation of a “matmid”, a dedicated and focused Torah scholar. With a keen an analytical mind, along with a 1000-watt smile, Rabbi Doni enjoys engaging in discussions on any topic. Rabbi Frohlich and his wife, Rochel, are the proud parents of Yaakov Noach, Shamshi, and Layah

Rabbi Shmuel Muschel

Rabbi Muschel has the distinction of having made Aliya twice! His family moved to Israel when he was a small child, returned to America for a brief stint, and then decide to settle again in Israel. Bi-lingual, Rabbi Muschel hosts a weekly class for Israelis. Daughters, Sarah and Tila, and son, Avi, are the Israeli American children of Rabbi Shmuel and his wife, Chana.

Rabbi Meir Wahrsager

Rabbi Wahrsager and his wife, Liz, come to Dallas with a passion for reaching out to Jewish youth. While in New York, Rabbi Wahrsager spent day and night in the pursuit of Torah study, raising the bar for the fellow Yeshiva students. He has spent many summers serving as a camp counselor, giving over the joy and beauty of Torah to the next generation. Betzalel and Shifra are the proud children in the Wahrsager clan.

Rabbi Tzvi Goldman

Originally born north of the border in Toronto, Rabbi Goldman, has a penchant for travel and recreation. He and his wife, Tzipporah, moved to Dallas after spending a year as active members of the Toledo, Ohio Jewish Community. While in Toledo, Rabbi Goldman served as guidance counselor of the Toeldo Yeshiva’s evening study program. The Goldman are blessed with two adorable girls, Rochel and Shoshana.

Rabbi Shlomo Abrams, Director, DATA of Far North Dallas

Rabbi Shlomo Abrams, ordained by Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits of the Jerusalem Kollel, is dedicated to the growth of every fellow Jew. Since 2006, Rabbi Shlomo, along with his wife, Hudy, have been focusing their energy on the Far North Dallas/Brentfield area. With Rabbi Abrams at the helm and with core values that include a deep sensitivity to the needs of the individual and a burning passion for making things happen, Brentfield boasts the Rabbi Shaya and Gitel Elbogen DATA Center. The center hosts monthly shabbatons, children's and holiday programming and a warm and caring atmosphere that many call home. The Abrams’ are blessed with a daughter and two sons.

Rabbi Yogi Robkin, DATA of Plano

Rabbi Yogi is the youthful, spiritual, and dynamic co-rabbi of DATA of Plano. Rabbi Yogi is known for his openness in tackling and discussing difficult and sometimes misunderstood or taboo subjects in his well-attended Torah classes. Together with his incredible wife, Shifra, Rabbi Yogi welcomes countless guests to his home for weekly Shabbos meals, and before people know it they have become part of the Robkin extended family (while you are at the Robkin home make sure to take in all of Rabbi Yogi’s famous Shabbos songs, and wicked table drumming).

Coming from a less Torah observant background, Rabbi Yogi has a special understanding and unique connection to individuals just beginning their spiritual journeys, and for this reason students find themselves naturally attracted to him and his teachings.

Rabbi Yogi studied in Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore, and received his Masters Degree in Education and Administration from Layola University in Chicago. Rabbi Yogi and his wife, Shifra, have four children - Shira, Dina Sara, Rachel Naomi, and Shimon.