Our Mission
MEOR Maryland is a campus-based organization dedicated to extending Jewish learning opportunities to the broadest spectrum of Jewish students at the University of Maryland, College Park. Through timely classes, lively discussions, transformative trips and other programming, our goal is to inspire a life-long love affair with Jewish learning and living.
Meet The Team
Rabbi Ari Koretzky
Executive Director
Raised in Baltimore, Maryland, “Rabbi K” made his way to College Park via stops Israel, Ner Israel Rabbinical College and Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a Masters in Creative Nonfiction Writing. Rabbi K brings his passion for Judaism, podcasting (check out “Jews You Should Know“!), piano, jetskiing and racquetball to his work as Executive Director. Rabbi K lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife Malka, and their four children – Meir, Rena, Shalom and Ahuva
Rabbi Zalman Goldtsein
Educational Director
Rabbi Zalman is the only member of the MEOR team who born and raised in New York. Adding insult to injury, Rabbi Zalman eventually left the Big Apple to attend Trinity College of Arts & Sciences (a handy euphemism for a Duke alumnus displaced in a hostile College Park). In those green Methodist pastures, Zalman discovered his strong passion for Judaism, and has since devoted his career to learning, teaching, and living its profound messages.
Along the way, Rabbi Zalman earned an MS in Counseling at Johns Hopkins University. He lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife Mariel and their 6 children.
Mariel Goldtsein
Director of Women's Education
Raised in New Jersey, Mariel developed her love and enthusiasm for Israel and Judaism at the prestigious Michlala Seminary in Jerusalem. After completing her studies there, she earned her BS in Biology at Stern College in New York City, and then a BS in Nursing at NYU.
Mariel has since worked as a pediatric nurse at Baltimore’s Sinai Hospital and at Camp Simcha, a summer escape for Jewish children suffering from cancer and chronic illnesses. She also has organized, lectured, and mentored for many Jewish education initiatives. Mariel balances learning with students on campus and creating women’s programming at MEOR with being a wife to Rabbi Zalman and mother to her 6 children. She invites you to meet them around her beautiful Shabbat table!
Rabbi Moshe Schonbrun
Senior Educator
Rabbi Moshe, originally from Brooklyn, NY, spent 12 years learning in some of the most prominent Talmudic centers of the world- the Talmudic Research Center in Passaic NJ, the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and Beth Medrash Gevoah in Lakewood, NJ. He began his rabbinic career at the University of Arizona, serving as the Rabbi for JAC for 3 years. He is known for his easygoing nature, scintillating conversations and lasting relationships. When not spending time with his wife or children Yehuda, Rivka & Blima. Moshe can usually be found on a basketball court or in a coffee shop. He is thrilled to join MEOR Maryland for this next chapter!
Rabbi Ari Koretzky
Executive Director
Raised in Baltimore, Maryland, “Rabbi K” made his way to College Park via stops Israel, Ner Israel Rabbinical College and Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a Masters in Creative Nonfiction Writing. Rabbi K brings his passion for Judaism, podcasting (check out “Jews You Should Know“!), piano, jetskiing and racquetball to his work as Executive Director. Rabbi K lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife Malka, and their four children – Meir, Rena, Shalom and Ahuva
Rabbi Zalman Goldtsein
Educational Director
Rabbi Zalman is the only member of the MEOR team who born and raised in New York. Adding insult to injury, Rabbi Zalman eventually left the Big Apple to attend Trinity College of Arts & Sciences (a handy euphemism for a Duke alumnus displaced in a hostile College Park). In those green Methodist pastures, Zalman discovered his strong passion for Judaism, and has since devoted his career to learning, teaching, and living its profound messages.
Along the way, Rabbi Zalman earned an MS in Counseling at Johns Hopkins University. He lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife Mariel and their 6 children.
Rabbi Moshe Schonbrun
Senior Educator
Rabbi Moshe, originally from Brooklyn, NY, spent 12 years learning in some of the most prominent Talmudic centers of the world- the Talmudic Research Center in Passaic NJ, the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and Beth Medrash Gevoah in Lakewood, NJ. He began his rabbinic career at the University of Arizona, serving as the Rabbi for JAC for 3 years. He is known for his easygoing nature, scintillating conversations and lasting relationships. When not spending time with his wife or children Yehuda, Rivka & Blima. Moshe can usually be found on a basketball court or in a coffee shop. He is thrilled to join MEOR Maryland for this next chapter!