made Aliya with his parents at the age of 12. After graduating high school from Yeshivat Netiv Meir, Ari studied in Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh (KBY). He served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) artillery corps and was later appointed a military chaplain. He learned in the Yeshiva for nine years, completing his S’micha Ordination, and earning a teaching diploma. Rabbi Katz and family then went on a memorable shelichut to Memphis, Tennessee, where he taught in the high schools at the Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South for five years. Upon his return to KBY, he was appointed Assistant Mashgiach Ruchani and delivered a popular shiur for the overseas students. In 2004, Rabbi Katz moved with his family to Gush Katif, becoming the Rosh Yeshiva at the local boys’ high school. After the Disengagement, Rabbi Katz returned to KBY where he was the Executive Director for eight years. Thereafter, he assumed the position of Program Director and Dean of Overseas Students.
Rabbi Katz also ran the overseas women’s program at Midreshet Yeud in Yeurushalyim. He currently is the Director of Public Relations of the Max and Ruth Schwartz Sderot Hesder Yeshiva, the largest hesder Yeshiva in Israel.
