Rabbi Reuven Kigel, Emet Campus Director, was born during the heyday of communism to capitalist-
aspiring parents in Kiev, USSR, and immigrated to the USA as a young child. Rabbi Kigel graduated from
the University of Michigan with a finance degree and worked as a stock and options trader on the NY
Stock Exchange. He studied at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach in Monsey, and at Yeshivas Bircas Hatorah in Jerusalem, where he adopted their dynamic style of making the Talmud’s teaching come to life. In 2005,
the Kigels decided to make a huge life and career change. Rabbi Kigel left finance and went to kollel
(yeshiva for married men). After spending two years immersed in Torah learning, he transitioned to his
dream job of Kiruv rabbi. Rabbi Kigel joined Emet in 2008 and is a charismatic teacher, leading Emet’s
campus programs in NYC, as well as maintaining relationships with his past students of 15 years. Rabbi
Kigel received his Rabbinic Ordination from Rabbi Moshe Heinemann. He also functions as a Jewish
chaplain at Baruch College.