As the Educational Technology Director of the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, Benjamin Gross has one simple philosophy: that there is great potential in the use of educational technology to enhance instruction and learning, but it needs to be adopted carefully and with great thought. Under Benjamin’s leadership HAFTR recently has began implementing an innovative technology curriculum, grades preK-12. This cutting-edge program allows students to learn across multiple platforms, advancing learning and sparking creativity. These subjects include computer programming, 3D printing, blogging, iPads, engineering, video editing, film production, and many other exciting curriculum that is breaking new ground. In the larger Jewish community, Benjamin has worked with Legacy Heritage Fund to create a Media Center Grant to help reshape libraries in Jewish Day schools around the country. Currently, he is collaborating with CIJE to design new innovative STEM curriculum and labs. Benjamin’s passion is to help shape and mold Jewish Education for the 21st century. He is currently a PhD candidate in Educational Policy and Leadership at Hofstra University, with a specialty in STEM Education. Benjamin is studying the role of leadership in the development of educational technology. Benjamin knows that every Jewish child has an important job to become that light onto the nations. He wants to push the success of all his students so that Jewish Education can become the leading setting to create technology reform. As a father of two red headed girls, Benny cannot wait to teach them to play, code video games, and become a master Mah Jong player.