Rabbi Noam Abramchik, a graduate of Touro College (New York) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, received his Smicha Yoreh-Yoreh/Yadin-Yadin (Advanced Rabbinic Ordination) from the Rabbinical Seminary of America.  Rabbi Abramchik studied at Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim for 17 years.  He has been active in outreach and youth programming, including directing a large NCSY chapter in Queens, New York.  In September 2000, Rabbi Abramchik founded the Jewish Learning Centre in Roslyn, New York.  The JLS has become a very successful educational centre for students ranging from ages 8 to 80.  Known for his warmth, patience and passion for learning, Rabbi Abramchik has been a guide to scores of teens.  Rabbi Abramchik’s wife, Rivka, is a professional educator and administrator currently teaching in the pre-school at the Vancouver Hebrew Academy.  Rabbi Abramchik, Rivka and their two children are excited to be continuing this work in Vancouver, BC.

Rabbi Dovid Davidowitz, a native of Rochester, New York, received his Smicha Yoreh-Yoreh/Yadin-Yadin (Advanced Rabbinic Ordination) from the Rabbinical Seminary of America.  A sought-after Rebbe and mentor, Rabbi Davidowitz has been a popular teacher of Gemara for advanced honours students at the Stanley M. Klein High School in Kew Gardens Hills, New York. He has coordinated the S.E.E.D program in several cities across North America.  Rabbi Davidowitz has initiated Sunday morning outreach programs for children and he has taught weekly Gemara programs as Congregation Ahava Yisroel, as well as serving as guest lecturer at several prominent New York congregations.  Along with his enthusiasm for learning and commitment, Rabbi Davidowitz brings to PTI a vibrant and caring approach to meet the needs of each student.  Rabbi Davidowitz’s wife, Yocheved, received her teaching certificate in Israel and enjoys raising their five children in Vancouver.

Rabbi Aaron Kamin, most recently from Long Island, New York, received his Smicha Yoreh-Yoreh/Yadin-Yadin (Advanced Rabbinic Ordination) from the Rabbinical Seminary of America, Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim.  This was the culmination of 16 years of intensive study, including two years on the Jerusalem campus.   Rabbi Kamin’s leadership qualities and expertise in Talmudic study brought him to the position of Rich Yeshiva of Mesivta of Rosly, Josef Grunberg Torah Academy.  While teaching high school and Beis Medrash classes, he became well known for his enthusiasm, concern for each student and love of sharing Torah values.  Several of his students have followed him to Vancouver to study under his guidance in the Beis Medrash program.  Rabbi Kamin’s broad experience includes developing outreach programs for public school children, teaching Gemara to Grade 11 in Mesivta of Forest Hills, and serving as guest lecturer in several Synagogues in Queens and Long Island, NY.  Along with his wealth of Judaic training, Rabbi Kamin brings to PTI a high level of commitment to education and love of working with students.  Rabbi Kamin’s wife, Rochel, is an Occupational therapist, and has her own practice, Vancouver Occupational Therapy For Kids.  They come to Vancouver with their six daughters to continue on their path of spreading Torah.

Rabbi Hillel Brody comes to the Yeshiva from Queens New York, where he received his Semicha Yoreh-Yoreh/Yadin-Yadin(Advanced Rabbinic Ordination) from the Rabbinical Seminary of America, Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. This was the culmination of 17 years of intens study, including two years in the Milwaukee campus and one in the Jerusalem campus. Rabbi Brody's warm and dynamic personality has made him a much sought-after educator. He spent 2 years teaching the Grade 11 honors students in Monsey at Yeshiva Zichron Yaakov, one year as the grade 10 Rebbi in Brooklyn at Yeshiva Tiferes Yisroel, and an additional 2 years teaching Jewish Law at the main Chofetz Chaim campus in Queens, New York. At all of these Yeshivas, Rabbi Brody was known as a patient Rebbi with outstanding classroom skills, who had a deep connection with all of his students. A true lover of Klal Yisroel, Rabbi Brody, was always searching for the best way to maximize his talents while simultaneously helping his fellow Jew as much as possible. Fortunately for our Yeshiva, Rabbi Brody and his wife Devora, also an expert educator in her own right, decided the best place for this was in Richmond, British Columbia where Rabbi Brody serves as the Rabbi of Young Israel of Richmond. Together, the Richmond community and the Yeshiva benefit from the Brodys' hard work on behalf of every Jew, their commitment to excellence, and their warm and caring personalities. Mrs. Brody currently teaches in the Vancouver Hebrew Academy and is the director of the Schara Tzedeck Sunday morning Hebrew school. The Brodys have 4 children ranging in age from 9 to 6 months.

Mr. Sandy Wohl works tirelessly to assist PTI in strengthening its General Studies Program. With PTI’s complete secondary school program encompassing Grades 8 through 12, Mr. Wohl monitors classroom instruction and ensures that the academic program complies with the requirements of British Columbia’s Graduation Program. Under Mr. Wohl’s guidance, our General Studies Program has shown growth and success. Pacific Torah Institute has been certified by the Independent Schools Branch, Province of British Columbia, until June, 2014.
Mr. Wohl has had a distinguished educational career of 37 years in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and British Columbia. He is the recipient of several national and international awards including the Prime Minister’s Award, NSTA/Ohaus Middle Level Teaching Award (presented in St. Louis, Mo.), a Reader’s Digest National Leadership in Education Award and the 2000 Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators Award (presented in London, England). Mr. Wohl is a published author and consultant for more than one dozen science textbooks used across Canada and in the United States. He has conducted workshops for over 3000 teachers. Mr. Wohl retired from the BC Public School system in June, 2006 and currently also teaches in the Faculty of education, University of British Columbia.
Mr. Wohl has served in several volunteer capacities within the Jewish Community. Including the Executive Board for Vancouver Hillel, a former chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver School Debates Program and Board of Directors of Vancouver Talmud Torah School. He has served as Provincial Secretary for the BC Science Teachers’ Association since 1992. Mr. Wohl has held numerous positions in Education including Vice-Principal, District Science Coordinator (K-12) and School Science Education Facilitator (ten years). He is a member of Eitz Chaim Orthodox Congregation in Richmond. He is married to Barbara, his wife of 36 years. Their son, Barry, graduated with a BS degree in biomedical engineering from the School of Engineering And Applied Sciences, Columbia University and completed his Master of Applied Science degree in 2005-2006 at Stanford University. Barry works for Medtronic, a world leader in developing and improving medical technology.

Mr. Scott Anderson returns to PTI to teach Social Studies 8-11, History 12, Geography 12, Drama and Physical education (PE). He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a strong major in History.  Mr. Anderson developed successful educational programs at the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre over a two-year period where he was also co-curator of three museum exhibitions. He has authored and edited articles for the Centre’s magazine, Zachor. Besides his computer skills, Mr. Anderson has worked with mentally- and physically-challenged children and adults.  He assisted in developing an employee data base and training manual for a major retailer. Mr. Anderson is also a BC Education Consultant for the Historica project. Mr. Anderson describes his leisure activities as including “a passion for outdoor and indoor sports” including kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, running, basketball, hockey and swimming.

Mr. Colin Cameron returns to PTI to teach English 8-12. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria and has recently settled in Vancouver with his wife and son. Mr. Cameron has several years of prior teaching experiences as an instructor at Selkirk College in Castlegar, BC from 1999-2002 in the Faculty of Business Entrepreneurship and Technology and the Faculty of Renewable Resources. He also volunteered at the Castlegar and District Youth Centre. Prior to 1998, Mr. Cameron worked in the computer applications industry. He is a member of Golden Key Honours Society and Canadian Information Processing Society and is a Microsoft Certified Professional. He loves to sea kayak, camp, hike, telemark, downhill and cross-country ski. Mr. Cameron is an accomplished tri-athlete, swimmer and runner, and has enjoyed bike racing. His most recent endurance sport accomplishment is the completion of four marathons in the past three years.

Mr. Bruce Lee returns to PTI to teach Science 8-10 and Chemistry 11. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree as well as a Graduate Diploma in Education. Mr. Lee, a former teacher of Grades 8 through 11 from Edmonton, now lives with his wife and daughter in Vancouver. His teaching career and professional service to teachers have been meritorious.  Mr. Lee has served as a dedicated teacher and vice-principal in several Alberta schools, mentoring young teachers new to the profession. He has attended professional conferences in Orlando, New Orleans, Boston, Anaheim and other cities. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Lee has ably coached volleyball and soccer and has served as a Professional Development Consultant for the Alberta Teachers’ Association. His colleagues and former school administrators describe Mr. Lee as “patient”, “dependable” and “a valuable staff member.

Mr. Simon Lyons joins PTI having spent five years building up a successful private tutoring practice in Vancouver specializing in Mathematics and Science. A Canadian citizen since 2004, he immigrated from the UK where he previously worked in the information technology sector.  With a strong background in science and technology, Mr. Lyons is an avid experimenter and a prolific inventor. His academic qualifications include an MA in physics and theoretical physics and a postgraduate diploma in computer science, both from the University of Cambridge, and a professional project manager certification.  Some of Mr. Lyons' additional interests include hiking, biking, motorcycling and furniture making.