Huna Friedland | Dr. Avigdor Bonchek | Yona Pollack
Eli Behar | Rabbi Gedalia Rosen | Rabbi Yaakov Friedman

Director

Huna Friedland was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Toronto where he had his schooling. A talented musician, he worked professionally for eighteen years in a band. Huna went on to become a certified addictions counselor and worked for the Jerusalem Municipality in a number of rehabilitation centers. Huna's Unique and amazing personality has attracted hundreds of young men seeking and finding the guidance and direction in their lives. Huna designed and directs the therapeutic component of the program.

Clinical Psychologist

Avigdor Bonchek has Rabbinic ordination from Ner Israel Rabbinical College of Baltimore and a doctorate in clinical psychology from New York University. He has taught Torah studies at Yeshivot in Jerusalem. He has been a lecturer of psychological courses at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for the past 25 years. Previously he taught at the City University of New York, Yeshiva University and ben Gurion University in Israel. Dr. Bonchek is a practicing psychotherapist. Dr Bonchek is the official advisor to the Kesher therapeutic staff, monitoring and supervising the therapy and perfecting the model.

Senior Therapist

Yonah Pollak B.S., C.A.S.A.P. is a well known therapist in the Jerusalem area who specializes in addictions and other behavioral problems. He facilitates the Group Therapy component of the Kesher Institute and acts as an advisor to the Therapy staff. He is on the advisory board of the Kav L'Noar Counseling and Mentorship Program, is a senior lecturer at the Refuah Institute and speaks both nationally and internationally. He maintains a private practice in Jerusalem and in is in the process of completing a joint master/doctorate program in Physiological Counseling.

Rabbi Eli Behar recieved his Smicha from Rav Zalman Nechemya Goldberg and served as a Rabbi in Cincinnati, involved in adult and teen education for 6 years. He earned his Masters in social work from the University of Cincinnati in 2004. Since his arrival in Israel in August 2004, he has served as a therapist for several Yeshivas and is currently developing a private practice.

Rabbi Rosen was born and educated in Toronto. He went on to gain a Music Industry diploma in Engineering and worked for a number of years at a sound studio. When Gedalia moved to Jerusalem, he went on to receive a Rabbinic Ordination and taught at a local yeshiva before turning to therapy training. Rabbi Rosen earned a MSW and specializes in Progressive Relaxation, Gestalt, and Trauma therapy. He has practiced extensively in Israel and in the United States. Today, Rabbi Rosen is in private practice in Jerusalem using multi-disciplinary therapy in addition to being a member of the therapy team at Kesher.

Rabbi Friedman, C.A.S.A.P received his training and worked in a clinical setting as a Psychotherapist in Toronto in the 1970's. Moving to Israel to continue his Torah education, he learned in kollel for 5 years before serving as a Rebbe and Counselor in Yeshiva Neve Tzion for 16 years. Having pursued further training and earning certification as an addictions counselor, Rabbi Friedman is presently in private practice in Jerusalem. He has also worked as a professional musician, paralegal and graphic artist.