Rabbi Yakov Horowitz is the founder and dean of Yeshiva Darchei Noam of Monsey, and founder and Director of Project Y.E.S. (Youth Enrichment Services). He is recognized throughout the Jewish community as an authority on raising children in these troubled times. His bold and insightful presentations, workshops, CD’s, and articles have helped to mold a generation of parents and educators. He is the author of two books, Growing with the Parsha and Living and Parenting, and has produced a whole host of best-selling parenting audio-visual materials. He is a regular contributor on Torah, educational, and parenting topics to The Jewish Observer, The Jewish Press, Mishpacha, and Hamodia periodicals.

In September 1997, Rabbi Horowitz founded Yeshiva Darchei Noam of Monsey, a yeshiva noted for its positive and child-centered learning environment. Darchei Noam provides its talmidim with an academically challenging Limudei Kodesh and General Studies curriculum that are both structured and skills-based. The motto of the Yeshiva is “Inspiring our children today for the challenges of tomorrow.” In recognition of Yeshiva Darchei Noam’s commitment to educational excellence, the Boston-based PEJE (Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education) Foundation awarded a 3-year Challenge Grant to Yeshiva Darchei Noam for the 2002-05 school years. Rabbi Horowitz was awarded the 2002 Rockland Educator of the Year Award, and received national recognition as a recipient of the coveted Grinspoon-Steinhart Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.  The Covenant Foundation has awarded Rabbi Horowitz with the prestigious 2008 Covenant Award, presented to outstanding Jewish educators in North America.

Rabbi Horowitz attended Yeshiva and Mesivta Torah Vodaas, where he developed a close relationship with the Rosh Yeshiva, Hagoan Horav Avrohom Yaakov Pam z’tl. He served as an eighth grade rebbi for fifteen years, in Boro Park, Brooklyn and later in Monsey, New York. This experience inspired him to author a searing article in the May '96 issue of The Jewish Observer, titled “An Ounce of Prevention,” which galvanized the Orthodox community to address the issue of at-risk teens. Rabbi Horowitz was invited to address the 1996 National Conventions of Agudath Israel of America and Torah Umesorah – the National Society for Hebrew Day Schools, on the at-risk teen issue. Rabbi Moshe Sherer z’tl, the legendary and dynamic president of Agudath Israel of America enlisted the assistance of Rabbi Horowitz, to found Project YES which provides at-risk teens with a ‘big brother and sister’ teen mentoring program, school and job counseling and placement, a parent mentoring program, and the KESHER School Program -- designed to train educators in clinically proven methods of reaching out to children at-risk. Project YES has helped countless teens regain their footing to continue on the path towards leading productive and accomplished lives.