Orit Mark-Ettinger:
Orit Mark-Ettinger is a media professional, panelist on Israel’s Channel 13’s Morning Show, and an inspirational speaker sharing her life story and message of overcoming adversity, personal growth, and resilience.
In 2016, Orit’s father, Michael Mark, was killed in a terror attack near their home in Otniel, Israel, and her mother was severely injured. Two years later, her eldest brother, Shlomi Mark, was killed while working for the Mossad. On October 8, 2023 her cousin, Elchanan Kalmanson, was killed by terrorists after he saved over 100 people from Kibbutz Be’eri. And on October 31, 2023, Orit’s younger brother, Pedayah Mark, was killed while fighting in Gaza.
Through unending pain and grief, Orit founded an organization called “Or Michael” which organizes thousands of volunteers to spread light at hospitals and around Israel. Orit is the author of “Broken Ray of Light,” a bestselling book about turning tragedy into hope, soon to be released in English.
Rabbi Mendel Bluming:
Rabbi Mendel Bluming is the Chabad representative in the Potomac Maryland area and serves as the Rabbi of the Chabad Shul of Potomac. He received Rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Hillel Pewzner of Paris France, a leader in France's rabbinate, kashrut and Jewish educational system, and Rabbi Adin Stensaltz (Even Yisroel) of Jerusalem Israel, author of the Steinsaltz Talmud amongst many other works. He was ordained as a Jewish judge, a Dayan, by the late Rabbi Pinchas Hirshprung, the Chief Rabbi of Montreal, considered one of the foremost Torah scholars of our generation. Rabbi Bluming is a highly respected Rabbi in the Greater Washington area, and is a leading Possek for many day to day halachik questions for hundreds in the community. In addition to his scholarly wisdom, his sensitivity guides hundreds of people in their interpersonal relationships, helping them build stronger and trusting relationships with their spouses, children or friends.
Chana Slavaticki:
Mrs. Chana Slavaticki is director of adult education at Beth Tfiloh Congregation in Baltimore, MD and also teaches at Beth Tfiloh's high school. She lectures widely in the community and beyond on a broad range of Jewish topics including Tanach study, Biblical exegesis, Jewish philosophy and mysticism, and the spiritual dimension of marriage and mikvah.
Wendy J. Hookman, MD:
Renowned for her expertise, Wendy J. Hookman, MD, is a respected double board-certified psychiatrist and the visionary Founder of WCWCW. Dr. Hookman completed her medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia, followed by rigorous psychiatry training at the renowned Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Her rich professional journey led her to serve as the Director of the Women’s Mood Disorders Program at the reputable Georgetown University Hospital (MedStar Georgetown University Hospital) in the heart of Washington, D.C. During her tenure at Georgetown, Dr. Hookman not only supervised the clerkship in psychiatry for medical students but also imparted extensive knowledge in the department’s residency program, earning recognition for excellence in teaching. She is also recognized as an esteemed member of the teaching faculty at The George Washington University School of Medicine (GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences).
Dr. Hookman holds a deep passion for addressing women's mood and anxiety disorders, especially within the nuanced contexts of menopause, pregnancy, infertility, and sexual health.