Campus Kiruv, Philadelphia

Shimon Kay graduated from Ner LeElef in 2007. He was offered positions in Palo Alto, Boston and Philadelphia. He accepted a position with Meor as Founding Director of Temple and Drexel Universities. During the first five years at Temple, Rabbi Kay saw much success with his students, gathering large groups who became shomer Torah u’mitzvos. The Kays gained a reputation for marrying off their students and have been involved in over 20 marriages, including many who met through the Maimondes program. Many students settled in Israel and those who came back to America are active and engaged members of their respective frum communities in New York and New Jersey. Others have returned as married couples with their children to Philadelphia and joined the growing community of Lower Merion where the Kays live. After Yeshiva and seminary, the married “students” have integrated beautifully into their communities learning in the kollels and really becoming mainstream, well-adjusted Bnei Torah. The Kays are very proud of their 10 + grandchildren!

In 2012, they moved over to Drexel University full-time in order to enable the Jewish college students there to have the same level of access to inspired and engaged Judaism as did those at Temple. Rabbi Kay became the chapter Rabbi of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. He was then given the highest honor for a campus Rabbi – he was inducted as an honorary brother!

Rabbi Kay also teaches a Gemara shiur for baalei baatim each day with an organization called First Seder. He feels privileged to be in Philadelphia teaching Torah and inspiring college students to take a more active role in their Judaism.