Yonah Pollak, M.SC, CASAP

Senior Therapist

Yonah Pollak joined the Genesis Program as senior clinician after providing individual and group therapy for at-risk youth in Tikva Seminary and Kesher Yeshiva. His clinical approach integrates cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic and reality therapies.

After graduating magna cum laude in 1975 from Boston University School of Business with a Bachelors of Business Administration (B.S.B.A.), Yonah worked in business management and finance until making Aliyah in 1990. He spent 2 years learning full-time at Yeshiva Ohr Sameach prior to transitioning into the field of psychotherapy. He earned a Masters Degree in Psychology from California Coast University and has been involved in the field of addiction treatment for the past 27 years. He is a Certified Addictions and Substance Abuse Professional (CASAP) and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC). He completed a full time 3 year internship at the Nachat Ruach residential drug rehabilitation program in Jerusalem. He also completed a 2 year certificate program in Professional and Therapeutic Counseling from the Refuah Institute in Jerusalem, under the directorship of Professor Joshua Richie, M.D., and completed 3 levels of training in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model of psychotherapy.

Yonah is a member of the advisory board of the Kav L’Noar counseling and mentorship program, and maintains a private practice out of both his Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh offices.

Chana Sachs

Senior Therapist

Chana Sachs has been a respected member of the behavioral health field in the Jerusalem community for the past 25 years. After a decade directing Tikva’s alternative seminary for young women, she has maintained a private practice in addition to working closely with seminaries and yeshivot. As Clinical Director, Chana oversees clinical operations, including program development and ongoing innovative supervision and training of clinical staff.

Chana began her professional life as a registered nurse and moved into the field of public health, earning a Masters Degree in public health education. Chana then earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in Berkley, CA. With a consistent focus on the interface between health behaviors and psychology, Chana completed her Psychology internship at Stanford University’s Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center in Palo Alto, CA.

Aharon Friedman

Vice President of Operations

Aharon lived in both New York and Israel, giving him a distinct understanding of troubles facing the Jewish Community globally. After tumultuous years as a teen that left him stronger, Aharon feels his purpose in life is to help others in similar situations. Aharon spends much of his time working one-on-one with alcoholics and drug addicts who are starting their journey into the world of recovery. He also runs weekly groups at a local rehab and halfway houses.

Aharon’s years as an account manager for a boutique personal finance company gave him an invaluable ability to not just be there for his clients but to anticipate their needs and provide for them. With a background also in Hospitality Management, Aharon developed an attention to detail that supersedes the status quo, leaving nothing to chance, always being ready. As an Operations Manager in a large retail environment Aharon gained the ability to implement systems and procedures that boost productivity.

Merging his passion in helping others with experience in operations and management, Aharon is uniquely qualified to ensure that the Genesis program runs smoothly and that each client is given the best possible care.

Avi Steinherz DSW, CASAC, CBT, Schema & EMDR

Program Director

Avi is a doctor of clinical social work , and a licensed CBT, Schema and advanced EMDR practitioner specializing in the treatment of trauma, addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders. Avi is a strong proponent of the belief that treating the underlying causes and trauma concurrently while addressing symptoms is the true holistic path to healing. Avi strives to synthesize skills based therapies, cognitive retraining, and mindfulness with a deep trauma informed theoretical foundation to treat the whole person and their system; past, present, and future.

After earning degrees in pre-med and educational psychology, Avi went on to earn his Masters of Clinical Social Work from Long Island University Brooklyn and his Doctorate of Clinical Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Avi has over thirty years of experience in adolescent and adult education focusing on treating trauma and anxiety as well as self-esteem and stage of life struggles. Avi trained at the prestigious Hazelden Center for Youth and Family, gaining invaluable experience working with substance abuse and behavioral addictions. Avi then spent years training and working at Hebrew University Hadassah Hospital in the Cognitive Behavioral outpatient clinic. Avi is the founder and former clinical director of the PsychoTrauma and Crisis Response Unit of United Hatzalah. Avi is an advanced in-field medic with decades of experience responding to critical incidents, including terrorist attacks and mass casualty events. Avi has led international rescue missions to natural disasters and critical incidents around the globe. Along with serving as in-field commander, Avi designed the educational syllabus and treatment protocols for the PsychoTrauma and Crisis Response Unit and trained EMS responders in countries throughout the world.

David Mosberg

COO

David has spent over a decade working in the healthcare field.
He majored in business and marketing at Hofstra University and completed his course studies at Touro College. Following his college career, David became a representative for restaurant owners, transforming franchises into successful leaders in the industry. He then decided to transition into Healthcare as Chief Administrator & Principal of Hollis Women’s Center.

In 2015, his passion and personal long term recovery story led him into the substance abuse treatment field, where he founded Starbent Recovery, an all-Women’s Recovery Residence in New York. In 2019, David relocated to Florida to join Onward Living as Executive Director. His extensive experience, along with his knowledge and compassion, made him a valued member of the team. Most importantly, he improved community outreach and referent relations and has continued to build his reputation of honesty, integrity and superior client care.

In 2021, David established Genesis Israel together with Aaron Levine as a global model and highly sophisticated abuse rehabilitation for young Americans in the heart of Jerusalem.

Aaron Levine

CEO

Aaron is a seasoned healthcare professional with the ability to intertwine clinical oversight with business acumen. His career in behavioral health spans over 15 years. In the Summer of 2021, Aaron and his long-time friend David Mosberg founded Jerusalem’s Genesis Israel with the vision of bringing superior clinical care to the Jewish community. Inspired by a unified mission in filling a dire void with an unsurpassed level of clinical sophistication and specialty in understanding and treating a particular sect of the population, they bring the latest research, knowhow and practical application of emotional and behavioral health therapy to the Jewish market.

Throughout his professional advancements, Aaron has achieved several prominent recognitions. He is a graduate of Adelphi University, achieving academic distinction and was presented with the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice. He furthered his education at New York University where he earned his Master’s degree in social work. Aaron continues to advance his learning, and in 2019 completed a Certificate program from The University of Pennsylvania at the Wharton School in Business Analytics. Additionally, he is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Faigy Ort, LCSW, CASAC-T

Therapist

Since 2017, following a decade of work as a speech language pathologist, Faigy Ort has worked with families, young adults, individuals and couples dealing with the full spectrum of mental health diagnoses. Faigy approaches her therapy sessions with creativity, sensitivity, and respect for each individual and the system from which they drive.

Faigy draws from a variety of methods to create an individualized approach that resonates with an individual’s strength, goals and struggles. She integrates DBT, EFT, IFS and SE to provide a multidisciplinary supportive platform for her client’s journey toward healing.

Faigy has a MSW, with a concentration in Substance Abuse, and is CASAC-T certified.
She also has a BS and MS in Speech Language Pathology and a certificate degree in Creative Arts.

Benji Elson, LCSW

Primary Therapist

Benji Elson has over a decade of experience in the mental health field, specifically dealing with trauma, substance abuse, addiction, comorbidity, and other psychological and behavioral issues. He is also a Jewish environmental educator, transformational experience facilitator, musician and author. In these capacities, Benji has taught and led transformative experiences all around the world including in the US, Israel, Mexico, Canada, Turkey, and India.

As a caring professional, Benji brings a unique set of skills to Genesis. In addition, Benji’s own personal journey of “going off the derech” as a teenager and young adult, hanging out with the “wrong crowd”, and “dabbling in substances” has given him a first-hand understanding of the complex challenges and needs of the individuals and families facing these situations.

Benji received a B.A. in Psychology from Touro University, where he served as Lead Editor of two different Journals of Psychology (Journal of Experimental Psychology and Journal of Theoretical Psychology). He also holds a Master’s in Social Work from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, where he is currently working on his Ph.D. on intergenerational trauma and its influence on young people’s defection from the Orthodox community. In addition, Benji received semicha (rabbinic ordination) from Rav Elisha Anschelowitz.

Rabbi Dovid Charlop

Rabbinical Advisor

Rabbi Charlop has 40+ years of teenager and young adult teaching experience, including Modern Orthodox, Ba’alei Teshuva, and Orthodox backgrounds. Certified in IFS family counseling, he has been conducting couple’s therapy in the Jerusalem area for the last ten years, and has spent the last 25 years working with at-risk young men in Yeshiva Neveh Zion – Telz Stone. In addition, he has organized and led 17 trips to Poland to encourage knowledge of the Holocaust along with organizing and hosting dozens of Shabbos programs based around education and spirituality.

Rabbi Dovid Charlop earned his Semicha from Rav Shraya Dublitsky in Bnei Brak. He also earned his Bachelors of Science in Education from Empire State College New York.

Judah Weiner

Family Liaison

Judah Weiner is a NYS certified School Psychologist, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor and Recovery Coach. In addition to his 40 year career as a school psychologist, Mr. Weiner has worked in the field of substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery support since 1986 in a variety of facilities and programs, including Yatzkan, Retorno, Mask, Madraigos, Jacs, The Living Room and Caron Renaissance. He has also maintained a private practice and consultancy throughout his career and views working with individuals, their families and parents to assess, address, cope and thrive through the journey from addiction to long term recovery as a distinct privilege.