YOETZET HALACHA SARAH CHESES
Degree: Masters of Public Health, Columbia University; BA in Biology, Stern College; Yoetzet Halacha, Nishmat
Sarah Cheses is a graduate of Nishmat’s Yoetzet Halacha Program and holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Columbia University and a BA in Biology with Honors from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women. Sarah has previously taught at Ulpanot Orot High School in Toronto and at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck, NJ. Sarah is currently the Yoetzet Halacha for the New England region. She can be reached at (339) 364-2848 by phone or text or via email at NE.yoetzet@gmail. com. For more information visit the New England Yoetzet Halacha Initiative of Ma’ayan’s web page www.neyoetzet.org.
RABBI NOAH CHESES
Rabbi Noah Cheses serves as Rabbi of the Young Israel of Sharon, a dynamic, inclusive, and committed community on the south shore of Boston. He received his Semicha from Yeshiva University, a Master’s in Religion from Yale University, and a Master’s in Mental Health Counselling from Bay Path University. Teaching Torah in nature is an intersection of two of his great passions.
Degree: BA and MA Â from The Hebrew University
Rachel Sharansky Danziger holds a master’s degree in American history and a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy from The Hebrew University. Rachel explores connections between storytelling, faith, and emotions in the Hebrew Bible. She blogs about Judaism, Israel and parenting for the Times of Israel, Kveller, and other online venues.
RABBI YAAKOV JAFFE
Degree: BA, English Literature, Columbia University; MA, Bible, Yeshiva University; Doctorate, Education, Yeshiva University; Rabbinic Ordination, RIETS
Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe serves as the rabbi of the Maimonides Minyan, and as a member of the Judaic Studies Faculty at Maimonides School. He received his ordination and doctorate from Yeshiva University, where he holds graduate degrees in Bible, Jewish History, and Jewish Education. Besides teaching at Maayan, Rabbi Jaffe has lectured and written widely on topics in Medieval Jewish History, Jewish Education, and Jewish Law. Rabbi Jaffe’s unique approach to Tanach, Tefilah, and Hebrew poetry is informed by his BA in English literature from Columbia University and the historicist approach to the study of ancient texts.
DR. YAEL JAFFE
Education: BA Columbia College; Hunter College Graduate School; Graduate Program of Advanced Talmudic Studies at Yeshiva University; PhD Educational Psychology at Columbia University
Dr. Yael Jaffe is a scholar of Talmud and Jewish education. She earned her PhD in Reading & Talmud education from Columbia University’s Teachers College and has taught Talmud at the Yeshivah of Flatbush, SAR High School, and the Maimonides Upper School. Dr. Jaffe studied at Yeshiva University’s Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies, and also has degrees from Columbia College and Hunter College. She trains teachers in facilitating Talmud literacy and teaches widely throughout the community. She has previously taught other courses for Ma’ayan.
RABBI BENJAMIN SAMUELS
Degree: Rabbinic ordination, BA in English literature, Masters degrees in Bible and Medieval Jewish History from Yeshiva University, and Doctorate in Science, Philosophy, and Religion at Boston University
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels, Rabbi of Congregation Shaarei Tefillah of Newton Centre, received his ordination, BA in English literature, and Master’s degrees in Bible and Medieval Jewish History from Yeshiva University. A Master Teacher for Ma’ayan and long-time faculty member, he recently received a doctorate in Science, Philosophy, and Religion at Boston University.
ELLIE RIESEL
Education: BA Stern College; MA Loyola University of Chicago
Ellie Riesel holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Curriculum Supervision from Loyola University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in Judaic studies from Stern College for Women. She formerly served as a Tanach teacher and Upper School Student Clubs and Special Projects Coordinator at Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, Maryland and more recently at Maimonides School in Brookline, Massachusetts. She taught Tanach at Darchei Binah Women’s School for Advanced Torah Studies in Jerusalem, and at Bruriah High School for Girls in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She is currently working full time as the Director of Operations and Family Engagement for Boston NCSY along with her husband, Rabbi Yudi Riesel. The Riesels live in Newton with their four children.
ORA WEINBACH
Education: PhD in Jewish Studies from Gratz College, and BA in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University
Ora Weinbach is the Scholar in Residence and Mikvah Director at The Soul Center (Baltimore, MD), and is earning a PhD in Jewish Studies from Gratz College through the Walder Fellowship for Orthodox women in positions of communal leadership. Ora was a Wexner Graduate Fellow, holds a Masters of Divinity from Yale Divinity school, a BA in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University, and is a certified Sexuality Educator.