Rabbi James M. Gordon — TSI Founder and President
Rabbi Gordon leads the day-to-day operations of Team Spirit Institute (TSI) and is the author of the Team Spirit Value Series (formerly known as MVP! Spiritual Values in the World of Sports). He utilizes his experience as a rabbi, author, administrator, attorney, educator, and parent, in ensuring TSI’s success.
Rabbi Gordon’s passion for sports and Jewish education inspired him to write the book Pray Ball! The Spiritual Insights of a Jewish Sports Fan (Gefen Publishing House, Jerusalem/New York, 1999) – a first of its kind in the literary world. The highly favorable reviews and outpouring of support for Pray Ball! encouraged him to later found Team Spirit Institute. Rabbi Gordon is widely-recognized for his innovative, engaging and thought-provoking ability to connect the Jewish tradition, as well as universal values, to the world of sports and athletics.
An alumnus of Jewish day schools and summer camping programs, Rabbi Gordon received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, Semikha (Rabbinic Ordination) from the Hebrew Theological College of Skokie, and a Juris Doctor from the Northwestern University School of Law. Upon completing law school, he served for five years as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General and later as a pulpit Rabbi.
In addition to his duties at TSI, Rabbi Gordon provides rabbinic services to various organizations (not-for-profit and corporate) and serves as an arbitrator. A past President of The Decalogue Society of Lawyers (1992-1993), Rabbi Gordon has authored articles on comparative law and other contemporary Judaic issues, and frequently lectures on these topics.
Alan E. Molotsky – TSI Vice President & Director
Executive Vice President, Oak Ridge Investments, LLC
A founding Board Member and Officer, Alan provides legal, accounting and business consulting services to TSI.
Alan is the Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel for Oak Ridge Investments, LLC and is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining Oak Ridge, he was in private law practice for over 23 years focusing on all aspects of corporate, partnership and business law and transactions, including substantial experience in federal securities law matters for both public and private companies. Alan later worked as a partner at the national law firm now known as Katten Muchin Rosenman, and was a founding partner at Hogan Marren, Ltd.
A Chicago native, Alan received his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Illinois, and his law degree from Northwestern University’s School of Law. Alan earned a Masters degree from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and he is a Certified Public Accountant.
Alan has a long history of involvement in Jewish communal activities and has an impressive resume of prestigious positions with prominent Jewish organizations and their boards. He currently serves on the board of The Decalogue Foundation, Inc.; the National Conference of Synagogue Youth – Midwest; the Associated Talmud Torahs; Congregation Or Torah; To Protect Our Heritage Educational Fund, Inc., and To Protect Our Heritage Political Action Committee.
Mark R. Weksler – – TSI Treasurer & Director
Certified Public Accountant, Mark R. Weksler & Company
Mark serves as TSI’s accountant & photographer and also utilizes his expertise as a youth sports coach to provide insight regarding curricula development.
A 1975 graduate of Illinois State University, Mark opened his own accounting practice in 1981. Currently he is the President of Mark R. Weksler & Company located in Palatine, Illinois.
Mark is involved in community activities as the Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of the Wheeling High School Instrumental League, a music booster group. He is also involved in the American Cancer Society’s annual “Relay For Life” fundraising drive. Over the years he has also been involved in synagogue leadership by serving as trustee and holding various officer positions on synagogue boards.
Marilyn Newman Gordon – TSI Secretary & Director
Medical Sonographer, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Marilyn brings her vast experience in healthcare and education to enhance TSI programming.
A former director of the Ultrasound Program at Rutgers University, Marilyn earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Cleveland State University. She received X-Ray Technology Certification from the Cleveland Clinic, and Ultrasound Technology Certification from New York’s Downstate Medical Center.
As a co-founder of a synagogue Gemilut Chasadim (Acts of Loving Kindness) Committee, Marilyn has been active in numerous projects in the Jewish community including: Bikkur Cholim (Visiting the Sick) programs and adult education instruction. The daughter of Holocaust survivors, Marilyn has a special interest in Holocaust education and children of survivors programs.
Marshall A. Brill – – TSI Director
Procurement Manager, Mondelez International
Marshall provides business, accounting and camping consultation services to TSI.
Marshall has been affiliated with Kraft Foods and Mondelēz International for over 30 years. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and in 1980 with a Master of Science in Finance. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Marshall is a member of the Camp Ramah in Wisconsin Board Of Directors and a founding member of the Board of Directors of The Ramah Day Camp in Wheeling, Illinois. Marshall is also on the Education and Youth Committees of Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Deerfield, Illinois, where he and his family are members.
Bruce L. Richman – – TSI Director
Principal, Reznick Group’s VTAG
Bruce Richman is a Principal in Reznick Group’s Valuation and Transaction Advisory Group (VTAG). Based in the firm’s Chicago office, he has more than 30 years of broad valuation experience which includes business valuations, mergers and acquisitions, and other financial and tax consulting matters. Bruce serves clients in a wide range of industries that includes real estate, manufacturing and private equity funds. He has extensive experience in the area of tax planning and compliance as well as the financial analysis and structuring of a wide variety of real estate projects including real estate syndications, due diligence, workouts, and the strategic planning for troubled real estate.
Bruce has directed hundreds of engagements and has been involved in major litigation support projects as an expert witness, having testified in numerous courts and arbitration panels. With specific experience in divorce and matrimonial disputes, his litigation experience also includes partner and shareholder disputes and corporate reorganizations/bankruptcy.
Prior to joining Reznick Group in 2011, Bruce was a Managing Director at UHY Advisors – FVLS, inc. He was also a Managing Director at Trenwith Valuation, LLC (a subsidiary of BDO) and was a partner in the Business Valuation Practice Group for BDO Seidman, LLP. Prior to joining BDO, Bruce was the President of the Investigative Valuation Group, LLC. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds numerous other distinctions including Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF).
Education
B.S., Business Administration – North Adams State College
M.S., Accounting – The Ohio State University
M.S., Taxation – Bentley College
M.B.A., J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management – Northwestern University