Jonathan Shippel is a graduate of Columbia University and Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Maryland. After his studies, Jonathan returned to his city of birth, Cape Town, South Africa, where he founded a vibrant congregation, learning center, and day school. Today, Rabbi Shippel is the Rosh Yeshiva of the James Striar School for Undergraduate Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University. In 2010 he founded the Beis, a dynamic learning center, congregation, and community for Jews of all backgrounds and levels of engagement in New York City.