Board of Trustees

Rabbi Chay Amar
Rabbi Chay Amar is a Mashgiyach Ruchani and an esteemed Member of Board of Trustees at FHU. Rabbi Amar is an internationally renowned speaker and educator. He speaks several languages and lectures worldwide frequently hosting relationship seminars attended by hundreds of young professionals. Rabbi Amar teaches meditation and provides coaching based on the ancient traditions of Kabbalah, aiming to transform individuals by helping them discover and actualize their spiritual potential. His counsel is sought by people from all walks of life.
Rabbi Amar is the author of the book "To Be or to Become" and a creator of transformative Torah-based NLP Certificate Program at FHU the Counseling/Neshamah Daat Department. He also consults for Neshamah Daat Curriculum Design. Rabbi Amaar holds a degree in philosophy and languages from Aix-les-Bains University in France and has completed rabbinical studies in Israel and England. He and his wife, Nechama Dina Amar, are co-Directors of Chabad of Golden Beach in Sunny Isles Beach, FL.

N. Esther Basha (Chase), MBA
N. Esther Basha is the Founding President and Academic Dean at FHU. She is a passionate Torah educator and linguistic researcher with proficiency in Lashon Kodesh, several Slavic and European languages.
Born and raised in Kharkov, Ukraine, she came to the USA in 5758/1998 as a winner of the "Future Leaders of the 21st Century" government scholarship awarded by the U.S. Department of State. She received her B.A. in Sociology and Management with High Honors and an MBA from MSU, and completed graduate Summer Program at Stanford followed with over a decade of experience in Human Resources Management in the advertising and film industry.
N. Esther Basha is a former editor-in-chief of Piano Performer Magazine.
She is a veteran homeschooler and the founder of the International Torah Academy, a K-12 online school for Torah-observant Jewish homeschoolers.
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Dr. Sam Richardson, Ph.D.
Dr. Samuel Richardson, M.Div., Ph.D., serves as a consultant for the Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at Florida Hebrew University and is a dedicated Member of the Board of Trustees. A traditional Jewish scholar and sociologist, Dr. Richardson combines his academic expertise with a deep commitment to Jewish education and community engagement.
Dr. Richardson earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Virginia in 2017. His ongoing research project, “The Generational Transmission of Jewish Values in Small Communities: The Utility and Magic of Thinking Small,” explores how small Jewish communities perceive themselves and their role in transmitting Jewish values to the next generation.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Richardson has extensive experience in the IT sector, having worked as a professional for several Fortune 100 companies. His diverse career also includes involvement in local politics and active participation in Jewish communities across Colorado, Connecticut, and Virginia. In each of these communities, he has significantly contributed to the Jewish education of both children and adults.
Dr. Richardson is the founder of Jerusalem Data Services, an education and nonprofit consulting firm. His broad range of skills and experiences allows him to address contemporary issues effectively, aiming to transmit core American values to the latest generation and strengthen families, institutions, and local communities.
Dr. Richardson's love for Yiddishkeit profoundly influences his approach to education and community service. He is passionate about fostering a deep connection to Jewish traditions and values within the communities he serves.
Richardson is a devoted husband to Amy and father to Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel. All three daughters were homeschooled and are now pursuing their own family and career dreams.

Jessica Zwaiman Lerner, MBA
Mrs. Jessica Zwaiman Lerner is a dynamic leader born and raised in Mexico City. She is the Founder and President of V’nishma, Inc., a kosher media company dedicated to providing content for Jewish children.
Mrs. Lerner also consults FHU on Communications program design, leveraging her extensive experience to guide and innovate educational frameworks.
She is an active participant in the non-profit sector, holding leadership roles in organizations such as Lubavitch Aventura South, The Shabbat Project, American Friends of the Hebrew University, Greater Miami Jewish Federation, H2Os Foundation, Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Center, Jewish Women’s Association of Hong Kong, and Bnai Brith Canada.
Mrs. Lerner brings a wealth of experience in media and consulting, encompassing programming, production, branding, and strategy. She has held executive management and leadership positions at respected organizations such as Corus Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, Univision Communications, Discovery Networks Latin America/US Hispanic, and Microsoft. Her outstanding contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including Emmys, Promax, BDA, World Fest Houston, and New York Festivals.
Fluent in Spanish and English, with proficiency in Hebrew and conversational skills in Mandarin, Mrs. Lerner's linguistic abilities complement her diverse professional expertise. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Radio and Television from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the Schulich School of Business at York University.
Married with elementary school children, Mrs. Lerner balances her professional endeavors with a commitment to her family and community.

Dr. Miriam Menaker, MD
Dr. Miriam Menaker (MD) is a distinguished member of the Board of Trustees at Florida Hebrew University and the Torah-Based
Nutrition Certification Program Director. Her professional evolution from allopathic medicine to a more spiritual understanding of health, inspired by her studies in Chassidut and Kabbalah, reflects her personal and professional growth.
As a trained medical professional and homeopath, Dr. Menaker brings a unique blend of medical expertise and holistic healing to
her roles. Her M.D. from Caracas, Venezuela, and homeopathic degrees from both the British Institute of Homeopathy (UK) and The California Institute of Homeopathy, along with her experience as a Torah teacher, make her a well-rounded practitioner.
She is deeply committed to her practice, offering homeopathy and nutrition coaching in Miami, Florida, since 5778/2018.
Dr. Menaker is a dedicated wife, mother, and proud grandmother in North Miami Beach, FL.

Eva Stein
Eva Stein serves as a dedicated Member of the Board of Trustees and a Consultant for the Tzniut Fashion Program at Florida Hebrew University. Her passion for fashion and design is matched by her commitment to fostering modest fashion and upholding Torah-based standards of modesty.
Ms. Stein is a graduate of FIDM in Fashion Design. With over two decades of experience in design and product, Eva's career began with notable achievements, including earning a Tommy Award for best-selling prints at Cherokee Apparel in Los Angeles.
Eva's career in the fashion industry includes serving as a Senior Designer at The Jones Group Inc., where she revitalized and expanded notable brands like Gloria Vanderbilt Casuals and re-launched the Pappagallo brand. Eva has also worked as a Designer at Sheri Martin/Dawn Joy.
Throughout her career, Eva has consistently driven new business, whose designs engaged major retailers like Ross Stores, T.J. Maxx, and Macy’s.
Eva's hobbies include drawing, sewing, music, dance, and reading on Shabbat. She enjoys the warm weather in Miami and values her good friends.
Eva's views on fashion reflect her deep understanding and appreciation of quality and modesty: “Buy what you love,” “Cheap is expensive,” “There is nothing more beautiful than tzniut,” and simply, “Smile!”

Daniel Goodman
Mr. Daniel Goodman is a consultant for the Department of Communications at Florida Hebrew University.
He began his career at NYU, where he studied under award-winning film directors and TV producers, specializing in producing documentaries.
Transitioning into the business world, Daniel applied his creative talents to advertising and video production. He scripted and narrated compelling advertising videos, such as the successful launch of the FobBlocker anti-theft device, where he adeptly explained complex technical concepts in a persuasive and engaging manner.
Daniel's entrepreneurial spirit led him to found several technology companies. At ResQStick Corp, he developed an innovative consumer product that revolutionized data recovery for consumers. Additionally, with Officelock/Interfuse Technology Corp, he pioneered data security software that provided automatic encryption, significantly enhancing data protection for users.
In addition to his entrepreneurial achievements, Daniel has been a dedicated educator. Currently, he teaches technology and Judaic studies at the Torah Academy of Boca Raton, where he has developed a comprehensive curriculum for young students.
Daniel is also passionate about furthering Torah-observant culture and is dedicated to teaching parents how to effectively limit their children's screen time, promoting a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.
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