Dovid Kaplan

Dovid Kaplan is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, kiruv educator, author, and speaker. He is known for his inspirational and humorous storytelling both in his international speaking engagements and in his Impact! series of books.

Early life and education Kaplan was born in Chicago. and great-nephew of Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, rosh yeshivas at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois. Kaplan graduated from Fasman Yeshiva High School (the Skokie Yeshiva) in 1976, and attended Northeastern Illinois University. In 1987 he switched tracks and became a teacher of Talmud at Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem, where he currently serves as senior lecturer. He is also a mashgiach ruchani at Yeshivas Bais Yisroel in Neve Yaakov, Jerusalem.

Kaplan launched his writing career with a 64-page "guidebook" for entry-level Talmud students titled The Ohr Somayach Gemara Companion (2000). Kaplan saw the book as a tool for baalei teshuva to know "what they should do and, more importantly, what they shouldn't do". He is also active as an international lecturer on Jewish education, parenting, and other subjects. In a 2011 interview, he said he had "about 2,500 stories on file" to use in speeches.

Personal Kaplan and his wife, Tammy, and their family reside in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of Jerusalem.