Heritage House was founded in 1985 by Rabbi Meir Schuster (OBM) to provide warm and comfortable accommodations for Jewish travelers in the heart of the Old City for a nominal fee. Since its inception, over 60,000 guests from across the globe have made Heritage House their home in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Rabbi Matan Weisberg - Executive Director
Raised in South Africa and Israel, R' Matan is fluent in Hebrew and English. After graduating high school, R' Matan joined the IDF's MLRS unit for 3 years. During those years, his interest in understanding Judaism was sparked. This lead to many years of serious religious and secular Jewish education. R' Matan's passion for enabling young Jews to be exposed to their rich heritage propelled him to undertake continuing Rabbi Meir Schuster's Heritage House from 2011. If you want to get on his good side, ask him an extremely tough Judaism question which will make him have to think for a couple days.
Chaya Weisberg - Co-Director
Born and raised in the USA, Chaya never ever imagined she'd live in what she then thought was Israel: a young, third world country. But fate proved otherwise. In 2000, on a what was supposed to be an 8 week archaeological exploration, she fell in love with Israel. Chaya studied Judaism alongside psychology and sociology, and holds a M.Sc. from University of North Texas. For many years, she balanced management of the women's Heritage House (since 2004) along with maintenance of a private practice, followed by dedicating herself fully to the Heritage House. More recently, she's taken a step back from her Heritage House work to take care of her large brood! Chaya is always up for a interesting, eye-opening and meaningful schmooze. She gives the best advice!
Mrs. Tali Stein - Coordinator
Mrs. Talia Stein dives into her role at Heritage House, eager to create and manage the Heritage House programs, ensuring every visitor's experience is truly memorable. Whether it's forging connections, meeting new faces, or guiding guests on their Heritage House journey, she thrives on creating meaningful relationships and sharing the wonders of the Heritage House home-away-from-home. Hailing from Toronto, her love for Israel led her to make the leap in November '23. Drawing from a background in administration and teaching, she bring a perfect blend of organization and passion to her role. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with laughter, learning, and cherished moments at Heritage House!
Mrs. Yaffa Swartz - Admin
Hailing from the sunny landscapes of South Africa, Mrs. Yaffa Swartz's journey led her to the vibrant streets of Jerusalem after her marriage. Nestled in this beautiful city with her husband and two adorable children, she finds joy in fostering connections and deepening understanding. Education is her passion, and she's on a mission to guide others on a meaningful journey of self-discovery. When she's not immersed in the world of wisdom, you'll catch her diving into captivating books, cherishing moments with her little ones, and engaging in heartwarming conversations with friends. Life's an adventure, and Mrs. Swartz is here to make it both enriching and enjoyable!
Rabbi Eli Deutsch - Educator
Get ready to be inspired by R' Eli Deutsch, the dynamic force behind Heritage House's captivating Friday night oneg and classes! R' Eli Deutsch is your go-to guru for all things Jewish philosophy, Chassidus, and Kabbalah. Whether he's mentoring individuals, couples, or groups, Rabbi Deutsch's courses on personal development, dating, marriage, and parenting are guaranteed to ignite positive change. He's got two bestselling books. "Jewish By Choice: A Kabbalistic Take on Life & Judaism,"- is hailed as the ultimate guide to unlocking the mysteries of Kabbalah and Judaism in a refreshingly clear and practical manner. “The Case for Judaism” -is widely recognized as the authoritative work for answering the age-old question — Why we believe in Judaism? Plus, his groundbreaking Male-Female Dynamic™ methodology promises relationship revolutions that last a lifetime!
Yoseph Ben Emanuel - Logistics Coordinator
Meet Yossi, Heritage House’s go-to logistics whiz with a creative spark! Originally from the US, Yossi first joined us as a madrich, guiding guests with warmth and energy, and now he keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes as our logistics coordinator. But don’t let the spreadsheets fool you—Yossi is a true artist at heart, a published author, and endlessly creative in everything he does.
Whether he’s orchestrating programs, solving last-minute challenges, or adding a dash of artistry to daily life at Heritage House, Yossi does it all with style, humor, and heart. If you’re lucky, you might catch him sharing a story, a sketch, or a spark of inspiration along the way!
