Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff is president of Gratz College. He was previously chief academic officer of Hebrew Theological College and vice provost of Touro College Illinois.
A prolific scholar, he is the author or editor of nine books and more than fifty scholarly articles in the fields of Jewish Studies and American Religion. His most recent book is Authentically Orthodox: A Tradition-Bound Faith in American Life (Wayne State University Press, 2020).
Zev's research in American Jewish history has received numerous awards, including the American Jewish Historical Society’s Wasserman Prize and the Rockower Award for Excellence by the American Jewish Press Association. He is also a two-time finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, a member of the Academic Council of the American Jewish Historical Society, and one of the youngest faculty members promoted to full professor in Touro College’s history.
Dr. Eleff received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University and M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University. At Yeshiva University, Rabbi Eleff graduated from Yeshiva College and received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is a past Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar, a prestigious program for Jewish leaders and professionals. He resides in Merion Station, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Melissa, and their three children.
Speaker's Resources
e-TiM: A Synagogue Revolution? The Impact of "Independence" on American Judaism
Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
Program
Jun 13, 2023
Making Passover American (Part 3) - The Four Sons: From Ancient Times to American Climes
Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
Audio
Apr 4, 2022
Making Passover American (Part 2) - The "King of Egypt" and the Sermonic Makings of Evildoers
Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
Audio
Mar 28, 2022
Making Passover American (Part 1) - Passover Peanut Oil and the Making of an American Humra
Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
Audio
Mar 21, 2022
e-TiM: Torah, Turkey and Thanksgiving
Rabbi Dr. Ari Zivotofsky, Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
Program
Nov 21, 2020
Mourning in this “Happy Land”: Tisha B'Av and the American Jewish Experience
Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
Audio
Aug 3, 2020
Tisha B'Av Program 2020
Dr. Yardaena Osband, Dr. Yehudah Mirsky, Mali Brofsky, Rabbi Aviad Tabory, Rabbi Dr. Ari Zivotofsky, Rabbi Dr. Martin Lockshin, Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
Program
Jul 17, 2020
Contemporary Issues from a Historical Perspective
Dr. Leslie Klein, Dr. Marc Shapiro, Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
Audio
Apr 7, 2019