SKOKIE, IL— Hebrew Theological College - Beis HaMidrash LaTorah is proud to announce the recent appointment of Rabbi Joshua Zisook as Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement.
Rabbi Zisook has served in many key roles during his 15 years working for HTC, often at the same time. In his primary role as director of admissions, he served both Fasman Yeshiva High School and the Beis Midrash and College for Men, recruiting students locally, nationally, and those studying in yeshivos in Israel. He also oversaw alumni affairs, maintaining ongoing contact between HTC and its thousands of alumni. In that capacity, he took on an expanded role in HTC’s development team, where he coordinated several annual banquets, and solicited many major gifts for the annual campaign and the Centennial Campaign.
Over the last number of years, Rabbi Zisook has also directed special events for the Yeshiva, including local young alumni events, particularly the pre-Covid “Light up the Night” events, and played a major role in the Names, Not Numbers student-produced documentary film project and related fundraising. He has also been involved in HTC/FYHS marketing and systems integration, and played a major role in executing HTC’s yearlong Centennial Celebration in 2022-23, particularly with the five alumni Centennial events in Chicago, Teaneck, South Florida, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem.
The promotion of Rabbi Zisook into this role represents a natural culmination of his professional trajectory and personal growth at HTC. A true “Skokie Guy,” Rabbi Zisook came to Fasman Yeshiva High School from Seattle as a freshman and graduated in 2001. After studying in Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh in Israel, he returned to HTC to complete his B.A. in 2005, and eventually earned his semicha at the Yeshiva in 2008, while also earning an M.A. in Educational Administration from Loyola University. He is a proud Yeshiva alumnus, which comes out with every student and alumnus he interacts with.
“We’re thrilled to see Rabbi Zisook assume this role,” said Rabbi Shmuel L. Schuman, CEO of HTC. “He truly understands every nuance of our Yeshiva, along with our alumni and donor base, and our community. Our alumni relate to him because he’s one of them, and he has built upon that experience and those relationships to truly help grow our Yeshiva and the development work that supports it.”
“It’s vital to our growth and success to have someone who sits right at the crossroads between our Yeshiva’s Torah impact, and the modern, innovative tools to help sustain and grow our development work,” said Brian Levinson, HTC co-chair, who has worked closely with Rabbi Zisook for many years on HTC banquets and special events. “Josh doesn’t just understand those things; they’re his passions.”
Rabbi Zisook takes over this role following the departure of Mrs. Alexis Goldstein, HTC’s former director of institutional advancement, who served in that role for three years before taking the position of Vice President of Programs for Walder Operations.
“We are incredibly grateful to Alexis for her work here at HTC to help grow and strengthen our development operations and for her partnership in helping carry out our vision for our annual and capital campaigns, and especially our yearlong Centennial campaign and celebration,” said Rabbi Schuman. “We wish her much success in her new position.”
Rabbi Zisook begins his new role at HTC on February 5th. To contact him regarding HTC development-related questions, please email him at jzisook@htc.edu.