After spending 17 years in Kollel while simultaneously running youth programs in his neighborhood, and interacting with educators to further his  understanding of chinuch habanim, Rabbi Goodman launched the Yedidim Mentoring Program with the encouragement of Gedolei Yisroel in 2004. As Founder and Director of Yedidim, Rabbi Yaacov Goodman initiated and oversees the extensive programs of the Yedidim Mentoring Program. Rabbi Goodman ensures the organization’s high level of success and quality programming. What started with a handful of teens now comprises some 500 participants and 200+ mentors, making Yedidim the largest mentoring program in Israel focusing on the Anglo community.