Both Sharon and Kobi have found a unique niche. Together they combine information and experience. Attendees of the programs they do together, admire how their styles compliment each other and how they feed off each other. They set an objective and go after it with passion and with humor.
"First let me say, I was impressed with Kobi the first time I approached him concerning the teaching of
the Crash Course in Jewish History. Kobi responded in a positive fashion from the beginning. As Program Director for Temple
Shalom I was looking for a new 'fresh' approach to expand Adult Education for our congregation and Kobi appeared to be
the logical choice. Kobi's approach to Jewish history is intense, thought provoking, and highly entertaining. The CCJH
was a complete and total success thanks to Kobi."
Don Thomas
Program Director, Temple Shalom
Colorado Springs, CO
"Kobi is sooooo knowledgeable and delightful. He is an outstanding presenter!"
Adrienne Alyn
Colorado Springs, CO
"Kobi Chumash is a thoughtful and engaging speaker. I learned so much from his talk!"
Maxine Lipeles
Professor of Law at Washington University in St. Louis
"This was an excellent course. Kobi was extremely knowledgeable and the format was very interesting. I learned so much and definitely want to take a trip to Israel. Thank you!"
Erica Boals
"The seminar provided vast insight into everyday life in Israel and the many different types of lifestyles that co-exist. I highly recommend this seminar, and hope to visit Israel in the future. Thank you!"
Bob Fortune
"It's a great intro to learn about Jewish life. I've learned more by coming to this class about Jews, Jewish life and customs and thoughts,
than I ever could have imagined. More importantly I've gained a real liking for it."
Lidia Catarisano
"Israel is my spiritual home. I wanted to understand something of its history and culture. Kobi included so much more than I had thought to ask! Thank you! Todah Rabah!"
Donna Schmidt
"Kobi is an excellent presenter!
We look forward to more Kobi Chumash events/presentations!"
Susan Schnee
Colorado Springs, CO
"We were very much enriched by the Crash Course in Jewish History taught by Kobi Chumash under the
auspices of the Reform Jewish Movement. He was very clearly knowledgeable in Jewish/Israeli history and imparted his thorough
knowledge and expertise with professionalism, humor and charisma. His lectures were always upbeat and interesting because his
teaching methods were interactive and stimulating. Raves. Raves. Raves. NEVER boring!"
Judy and Ed Kaiser
Colorado Springs, CO
"Originally my husband was more interested than I was in going to learn about Israel, but once Kobi
started speaking I found my interest peaked and my attention grabbed… time went by so fast… he is really a captivating speaker."
Linda Marks
President and Founder, Rollover Red Rover
San Francisco, CA
"Very informative. Kobi is a great communicator and the last session was my favorite session — great pictures and real life stories of the land and the people."
Gerri Gill
"Kobi's course provide a very relevant understanding about the nuances and value of Jewish people and the culture. An effective course on such a pivotal country and region of the world."
Rajeev Shaw
"Kobi Chumash is so informative, detailed, knowledgeable, and professional with all his experience and living in Israel experiences.
Top person to teach this course!"
Phyllis Tyler
"I so enjoyed Kobi's presentation—he was very knowledgeable and straightforward. Good topics. Definitely want to go to Israel now."
Sue Mullin
"Kobi provided a great overview of Israel and it was incredibly interesting. It inspired me even more to visit Israel."
Birgit Miranda
The following is reproduced from the Colorado Springs Independent September 1-7 2005
Last month, local Israel expert Jacob "Kobi" Chumash spent restless hours poring over Web sites and staying up to watch live broadcasts from the Middles East.
Israel, after decades of strife, removed by force its settlements from Gaza, a Palestinian-dominated strip of land bordering Egypt.
Chumash, who moved his family from Tel Aviv to Colorado Springs two years ago so his two young sons could grow up without fear of
terrorist bombings, calls the removal an inevitable step toward peace.
"We all expected [the removal] to be much worse than it was," he says of the general consensus among his friends in Israel. "Any step,
even if it's a small step, is a step toward peace."
Chumash, a 48-year-old architect by training, says he tries to contribute to peace every day. Last year, he founded Effective
Communications, through which he serves as a consultant on Israeli business and cultural issues.
"It's just a drop," he says of his efforts toward building understanding.
Working alongside Palestinians in his architectural practice in Tel Aviv, he learned that the war between Israelis and Palestinians
often is distorted.
"I tell [clients] a lot of my own stories about my friends on the other side," he says about his days working with Palestinians.
"Living on the same street, you cannot fight with your neighbor ... you don't need to hug them, you just say good morning and good
night."
If enough people learn to understand both sides, leaders in the Middle East will be forced to unite, he says.
"If there is more and more pressure from the bottom for people to come together, they'll have to do it."
Dan Wilcock
