Rabbi Bear's special closeness to Gedolei HaDor like HaRav Elyashiv and HaRav Moshe Sternbuch enables him to bring a unique perspective to applying Halacha to daily life. His years of Shimush Talmide Chachamim has also supplied him with a wealth of stories and anecdotes that embellish every point that he teaches. Open and approachable, Rabbi Bear is often the address for students who want to discuss their personal growth in Torah and Yiras Shamayim.
Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination
Rabbi Yoseph Cohen
Sincerity, love of Torah, Yiras Shamayim and incredible Bekius in Tanach are what make Rabbi Cohen so well loved by his students. Rabbi Cohen's devotion to his students goes beyond the classroom. He generously makes time for Chavrusas and hosts them for unforgettable Shabbos meals in his home in Bnei Brak.
Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination
Mrs. Debbie Friedman
"I love Mrs. Friedman" is often heard around the hallways of Afikei Torah. Mrs. Friedman's honesty, openness and Ahavas Yisroel has endeared her to her students. Under her tutelage our Shana Bet students learn how to give shiurim. She gently encourages each student to develop her own strengths and personal style, imbuing them with confidence to share their learning with others.
Qualifications: Techer's Certificate, Machon Sarah Schenirer
Mrs. Suri Greenfield
Mrs. Greenfield's love of learning as appreciation of the beauty and depth of the Torah is evident in every Chumash class she gives. Every day brings a new adventure in learning and takes you to unexplored territory of Pesukim and Mefarshim. Originally from Far Rockaway, Mrs. Greenfeld and family live in Yerushalayim.
Qualifications: BA Queens College; MA Touro College Graduate School of Jewish Studies
Mrs. Raize Guttman
It is rare to find someone who personifies what she teaches as Mrs. Guttman does. With dignity, sensitivity and gentleness, she not only teaches but models the privilege of being a Jewish woman. Mrs. Guttman has years of experience in seminary education both in administration and teaching. Her Middos workshop is a forum for personal growth and refinement. One only has to meet Mrs. Guttman to learn the most powerful lesson of all.
Qualifications: BA Empire State College
Publications: The Royal Kingdom of Hashem, Frank Publishing, 1992; Midos Calendar Hishtadel Lehiyot Ish, 1988 - 2001
Rabbi Shimon Kurland
Rabbi Kurland is the visionary founder of Darchei Binah and Afikei Torah. Originally from Chicago, Rabbi Kurland and his family live across the street from Afikei Torah on the Darchei Binah campus. Although his main occupation as the Menahel of Darchei Binah, Rabbi Kurland teaches in Afikei Torah, where his unique course of Modern Halachic Problems never fails to fascinate and challenge his students.
Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination; BA Yeshivah University; JD Cordoza School of Law
Rabbi Reuven Lauffer
You can spot a student who has just left Rabbi Lauffer's class by the broad smile on her face. Rabbi Lauffer is able to transform the weightier issues of philosophy into enjoyable, uplifting, and even fun classes. His British humor complements his vast knowledge and results in a teacher whom students love to hear. In addition to teaching at Afikei Torah, Rabbi Lauffer teaches at Ohr Somayach, and is the editorial web advisor and contributing writer to Ohrnet, the web magazine of Ohr Samayach.
Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination
Publications: Editorial and Web Designer, contributing writer to Ohrnet, the Ohr Somayach Torah Magazine on the Internet.
Rabbi Elya Levin
Rabbi Levin is Rosh HaYeshiva of Shaarei Tevuna. His unique insight is rooted in his many years of Limud HaTorah, and there is never a dull moment in his class. With Rabbi Levin you can expect the unexpected. Refreshing and sometimes startling new ideas are delivered in this class, which challenges you to reevaluate your relationship with Hakadosh Baruch Hu to make it more real and meaningful.
Qulaifications: Rabbinic Ordination
Mrs. Rivka Lichtman
Unbounded energy and a great sense of honor personify Mrs. Lichtman. As mechanechet she devotes herself to our Shana Bet students ensuring that they use their time to the fullest. In all aspects of her student's lives, academic, social, and personal growth, Rivka is a driving force with innovative ideas, practical good sense and encouragement.
Qualifications: BA Psychology - Touro College; Teachers Certificate, Darchei Binah
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Rabbi Avraham Manning
Rabbi Manning's love for Halacha is infectious. He draws on his experience as a solicitor and instructor of law to create an organized and structured approach to Halachos of Bein Adam Lechaveiro. He takes students to the sources so that they can see how Halacha functions and understand how to apply the Dinim to their daily lives. Through their Shabbos hospitality students get to know Rabbi Manning and his family and see living examples of what they have studied in his class.
Qualifications: MA (hons) Law - Oxford University; Rabbinic Ordination:
Rabbi Hadar Margolin
Among Rabbi Margolin's numerous publications is a Sefer called BeSimcha Ubetuv Levav on the importance of Simcha. No one is better suited to write a book on the Midah of Simcha than Rabbi Margolin. His infectious sense of joy pervades each class that he gives. His ability to translate Hashkafic concepts into attainable goals makes his class a very popular choice.
It is rare to find a teacher as dedicated to her students as Mrs. Mendelowitz. Every Motzei Shabbos Mrs. Mendelowitz welcomes her students for a spontaneous Melave Malka in her home. Her passion for teaching Chumash is only matched by her love for her Talmidos. Students in Mrs. Mendelowitz Bereishis class are motivated to work to their maximum potential and beyond.
Qualifications: BA Thomas Edison State College
Rabbi Menachem Nissel
Rabbi Nissel is a renowned speaker and author who has inspired thousands of students throughout the world. Charisma, enthusiasm, and the ability to bring lofty concepts down to daily life make his shiurim tremendously popular.
Qualifications: MBA, London Business School, Rabbinic Ordination
Rabbi Orlofsky requires little introduction. His reputation as a stimulating speaker who can ease his audience from laughter to tears is known around the world. You may have heard many Rabbi Orlofsky tapes, but his Friday morning Parsha class will always be filled with novel insights and understanding.
Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination
Rabbi Noach Orlowek
It is Afikei Torah's privilege to have on faculty a personality of the stature of Rav Orlowek. Rabbi Orlowek shares his wisdom and life experiences with thousands of people around the world through his lectures, Shiurim, and Seforim. Despite the incredible demands on his time, he devotes two hours a week to teach at Afikei Torah, as well as a third hour during which he is available to students for private consultation.
Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination
Publications: My Child, My Disciple, Feldheim Publishers, 1993; My Disciple, My Child, Feldheim Publishers 1993; Raising Roses Among the Thorns, Feldheim Publishers 2002
Mrs. Geula Preil
Meeting Mrs. Preil is like meeting an old friend. An easy manner, bubbly personality and good spirits, invite students to forge relationships with her. Mrs. Preil's many years of experience, sensitivity and wisdom make her an ideal Mechanechet to mentor our students.
Mrs. Dahlia Reinheimer
Mrs. Reinheimer's broad smile and contagious laugh set the mood in her class. Students feel totally comfortable as she guides them in discussion of Torah perspectives on various areas of their lives. Her vivacious personality invites her students to see her as a confidante and mentor.
Qualifications: BA Thomas Edison State College
Publications: My Aleph Bais Mitzvos; Hachai Publishing 2005
Mrs. Nechama Resnick
Mrs. Resnick's broad smile and cheery disposition are a pleasure to behold. Her reputation as a "people person" has carried all the way over to Israel from New York. As Mechaneches, Mrs. Resnick gently encourages her students to take the maximum out of their year and to reach new heights.
Qualifications: BA Touro College; MSW New York University
Rabbi Yisroel Roll
Rabbi Yisroel Roll is a former attorney who has lived in Toronto, Jerusalem, London and Baltimore. As a rabbi in London for nine years, he led his community to win the Chief Rabbi's Community and Synagogue of the Year Award.
A creative educator, he founded the EncouterUSA outreach group which develops innovative educational programs being used around the world. A sought after and dynamic speaker, he conducts seminars and workshops on self-esteem and how to cope with life's ups and downs.
Rabbi Roll is the founder of the LIFE Task Force together with Dr. Abraham Twerski, M.D., which promotes self-esteem enhancement at home and at school.
Rabbi Roll visits Afikei Torah regularly through the year to supervise our Toras Chessed Course which provides a Torah approach to social sciences, an invaluable foundation for any career in that field. He also conducts workshops on maximizing potential and discovering inner resources.
Qualifications: MS Johns Hopkins University, LLB, University of Toronto, Rabbinic Ordination
Publications: Inner Peace, When The Going Gets Tough
Mrs. Nechama Rosenberg
There is no such thing as a boring trip with Mrs. Rosenberg. Her energy, enthusiasm, and dramatic stories make every Tiyul an adventure. In her class she imparts her tremendous love of Eretz Yisrael as Eretz HaKadosh. With Mrs. Rosenberg your experience of Eretz Yisrael is a unique privilege.
Rabbi Schuster's warm smile and friendly approach endear him to his students. He draws on his vast knowledge of machshava to build panoramic insights into the Yomim Tovim. Students in Rabbi Schuster's class discover depths of understanding of our cycle of Chagim which enrich their Yomim Tovim immensely.
Qualifications: BSC Tufts University; Rabbinic Ordinaion - Chaim Berlin
Mrs. Chaya Schweitzer
Tefilla is the Avoda of the heart. In Mrs. Shweitzer's class she introduces you to passionate prayer, Tefilla that comes from the heart, with both emotion and understanding. Her store of knowledge of the lives of Gedolei Yisrael provide plenty of background for the ideas she teaches and her Chassidish background provide the passion of the heart.
Qualifications: Teachers Certificate, Beth Jacob Teachers Seminary
Rabbi Ilan Segal
Rabbi Ilan Segal, the Menahel of Afikei Torah combines a wealth of Torah scholarship with years of experience as an educator and administrator. As Rabbi of Pretoria, South Africa and as a Rebbe and teacher in Eretz Yisrael he has inspired and enlightened hundreds of Talmidim with his extensive knowledge and warm personality. Rabbi Segal's devotion to his students is evident in his involvement of every facet of Afikei Torah. In the classroom, on Tiyulim, any problem from a minor repair to a major crisis, Rabbi Segal is there ready to help, guide, advise and encourage.
Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination
Mrs. Sheila Segal
Mrs. Segal is foremost a wife and mother. Her many other accomplishments complement and reinforce her qualification to help our students build the skills for building their homes of Torah. Her talents are many. She is an accomplished author who has published fiction articles in many Jewish publications. Many young women benefit from her lectures on HaBayis HaYehudi, which she has culled and developed from sixteen years as a premarital training counselor.
Qualifications: B.ED. Michlalah Jerusalem College for Women
Mrs. Chani Shaw
Her clarity and depth have established Mrs. Shaw's reputation as one of the leading teachers of Tanach. With Mrs. Shaw each Pasuk is an adventure. Students delve the depths of the Navi's words to discover treasures of meaning and relevance. At the same time they learn a systematic approach to the study of Tanach.
Qualifications: Teacher's Certificate, Beth Jacob of Jerusalem; BA Thomas Edison State College
Mrs. Chana Silver
Mrs. Silver is known to the world of seminary students beyond Afikei Torah from her "Ask Chana" column at the JemSem Website. Her amazing course exploring the wisdom of Shlomo HaMelech is filled with lessons for life. Students take advantage of her consultation hours to draw on her expert advice. Mrs. Silver's warm southern charm awaits you and she looks forward to seeing y'all in her class.
Mrs. Sklar's calm matter of fact approach creates a comfortable environment for students to discuss anything with her. Her sensitivity to each student's needs make her an ideal Mechaneches. Mrs. Sklar also heads our Chessed program taking great care to provide each student with an appropriate Chessed program that will give her the most fulfilling experience.
Mrs. Smiles reputation as a master teacher, teacher of teachers and captivating speaker go far beyond her. Mrs. Smiles and her family made Aliya from her home in Los Angeles to join the faculty of Afikei Torah. With her novel and creative teaching methods and tremendous depth, study of Tanach will be unlike anything that you have ever experienced before.
Qualifications: Teachers Certificate, Michlalah Jerusalem College for Women; BA Stern College for Women; MS Azrieli School of Jewish Education
Publications: Teachers Guide to the Prophets I, II and III Smiles Torah Project
Mrs. Esther Stauber
Mrs. Stauber takes her class on a fascinating journey exploring the depths of the Chumash. She teaches her students not to be satisfied until they have reached a true understanding of what they are learning. Devotion to Torah, love of learning and care for each student are the characteristics that make Mrs. Stauber an unforgettable mentor.
Qualifications: Teachers Certificate, Machon Bnos Yehudah; BA Touro College
Rabbi Jonathan Taub
A distinguished academic background in Cambridge University and many years of Limud HaTorah creates a personality of Torah greatness. Rabbi Taub has a profound influence on his students through his soul- penetrating study of Messilas Yesharim. Rabbi Taub is available for private discussion and has helped many of our students with important life decisions.
Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination; BA (CANTAB) Cambridge University, MA (CANTAB) Cambridge University
Publications: The Malbim Haggadah, Targum Press, 1993; The Malbim Esther, Targum Publishers, 1998
Rabbi Hanoch Teller
Renowned throughout the world as a legendary storyteller, you can pick up any one of his numerous books from any Jewish bookshelf and see how his characters and episodes spring to life. In class, Rabbi Teller keeps his students riveted, illuminating Torah philosophy with his wealth of tales.
Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination; BA Yeshivah University
Publications: Once Upon a Soul, NYC Publishing, 1984; Soul Survivors, NYC Publishing, 1985; Souled, NYC Publishing, 1986; Sunset, NYC Publishing, 1987; Courtrooms of the Mind, NYC, 1987; The Bostoner, Feldheim, 1990; Pichifkes, NYC Publishing, 1989; Bridges of Steel, Ladders of Gold NYC 1990; Hey Taxi, NYC Publishing, 1990; Storylines, NYC Publishing, 1991; A Matter of Principle, NYC Publishing, 1994 ; Welcome to the Real World, NYC, 1993; From Jerusalem His Word, NYC, 1995
Mrs. Karen Thaler
An aura of caring and compassion surrounds Mrs. Thaler as she greets you with her warm smile. Her years of experience teaching in Seminary and her vast knowledge make her a highly popular teacher. With her good humor and easy manner, Mrs. Thaler is a very approachable teacher.
Qualifications: BA Stern College for Women; MS Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Studies
Mrs. Rachel Verbov
If she weren't teaching at Afikei Torah, Mrs. Verbov would be on stage. Her dramatic, dynamic teaching style brings Chumash to life with lively illustration, role playing and all kinds of excitement. Mrs. Verbov is also the academic program coordinator for Afikei Torah. She guides her students through registration with her caring smile making the whole process straightforward and enjoyable.
Qualifications: Teachers Certificate, Michlalah Jerusalem College for Women; BA Thomas Edison State College; MA Touro College Graduate School of Jewish Studies
Rabbi Tzvi Wainstein
Rabbi Wainstein's enthusiasm for his subject and warmth toward his students makes his Hilchos Shabbos class exceptional. Along with Halachos and Malachos, he imparts a love of Shabbos that transforms your Shabbos experience each week. And you don't want to miss Rabbi Wainstein's kugel recipe or original Zemiros compositions.
Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination; BA Tanenbaum College
Mrs. Brochie Weinberg
In her role as counselor and mentor, students naturally gravitate to her caring and sensitivity. Calm, competent and empathetic, as Eim Bayit, Mrs. Weinberg has been a mother to our students. Mrs. Weinberg's intelligence and dynamic teaching style inspires her students to complete the entire book of Shmuel without compromising clarity and comprehension.
Qualifications: BA Thomas Edison State College
Mrs. Chaya Werfel
Mrs. Werfel's complete dedication and bubbly personality make her irresistible to her students. Known as an authority on Pre - School Education, Mrs. Werfel shares her rich experience and expertise with our students who choose to study Early Childhood Pedagogy.
Qualifications: Board of Jewish Education Teachers Certificate
