TAL ATTIA

Degree: BA, Psychology, Stern College for Women; MA, Nonprofit Management & Leadership, Hebrew University

Tal Attia holds a BA in Psychology from Stern College for Women, and an MA in Nonprofit Management & Leadership from Hebrew University. She and her husband are the current directors of OU-JLIC at Binghamton University and past directors at Brandeis University. Prior to her current position, she worked for Ayeka Center for Soulful Education as Development Associate, and Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim as Activities Coordinator/ Guidance Counselor.

SABRINA BURGER

Degree: BA, English and Art History, Hebrew University; MA, Clinical Psychology, Lesley University (Ongoing)

A dynamic educator and attentive listener, Sabrina Burger combines her love for Jewish learning with her sensitivity as a psychotherapist to facilitate learning experiences that weave the wisdom of traditional Jewish texts with relevant issues particular to our lives. Sabrina lived in Israel for 12 years where she studied traditional Jewish texts at the Nishmat Center for Advanced Jewish Studies. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, Sabrina has developed an ability to reach a wide range of denominations in the Jewish community. Her absolute favorite topics to learn and teach focus on parenting, moral growth and development, and mindful prayer practice. She lives outside of Boston with her husband and 4 energetic teenagers.

YOETZET HALACHA SARAH CHESES

Degree: Masters of Public Health, Columbia University; BA in Biology, Stern College; Yoetzet Halacha, Nishmat

RACHEL SHARANSKY DANZIGER

Degree: MA

Rachel Sharansky Danziger grew up in Jerusalem, where she completed degrees in philosophy and history and taught Tanach to new immigrants. Her MA focused on the way 18th century American protoevangelicals told their personal stories, and what their stories tell us about their experiences of emotions and self. Rachel explored similar connections between stories, religion, and emotions in workshops she led that combined Torah study and creative writing. 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 the Dean of the twelfth grade at Maimonides School and has been a member of the Judaic Studies faculty for a decade.  She is an alumna of Columbia College, Hunter College Graduate School, and the Graduate Program of Advanced Talmudic Studies at Yeshiva University. Recently, she completed her PhD in Educational Psychology at Columbia University with a focus on Talmud instruction. Dr. Jaffe has lectured widely, at Ma’ayan and other communal settings.

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.

RACHEL SLUTSKY

Degree: BA from Stern; MA in Hebrew Bible, University of Chicago.