Biography
Rachel Besser is on the Tanach faculty at Stern College as well as the Nach Department Chair at Yeshivat Frisch in Paramus, NJ. A graduate of Stern College for Women, Rachel received her master’s degree in English literature from Hunter College in New York City. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Rachel taught Sefer Melachim, Sefer Yirmiyahu and Sefer Ezra to over 5,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program. She presented a Nach Yomi Siyum shiur, Rosh Chodesh shiur and served as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence. Rachel lives in Clifton, NJ with her husband Donny and six children.
Mrs. Lynn Kraft serves as Tanach Department Chair, Israel Guidance Counselor, and Mechanechet at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Skokie, IL. She was formerly the director of NILI: Chicago Institute of Women’s Learning, which offers shiurim and programs for girls and women of all ages in the Chicago community. She is a kallah teacher as well, teaching one-on-one classes and relaying women’s anonymous and confidential questions to rabbis through NILI’s Taharat Hamishpacha Hotline. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Lynn taught Sefer Melachim I to over 5,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi Program, presented Rosh Chodesh shiurim, served as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence and presented a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series. Lynn previously taught at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School in NJ, Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim and Sha’alvim for Women in Yerushalayim, and Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls in NY. She earned her BA in Judaic studies and Psychology from Stern College for Women and her MA in Bible from Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. She lives in Lincolnwood, IL with her husband, Rabbi Aaron Kraft, and their five children
Liat Mayerfeld is an international speaker. She has been brought to speak in seminars in Spain, Poland, Israel, Denmark and Australia. Liat is the co-director of Kii, an outreach organization engaging unaffiliated young professionals in NYC. Born in New York and raised in Israel, Liat spent over 2 years working for Israeli military intelligence. She holds a teaching qualification & degrees in Jewish studies and Special Needs Education from Michlala College, Jerusalem. Liat has worked and taught for Aish in England and New York City. While teaching and educating, she is completing her MA in Jewish education. Liat has an open-door policy, and together with her husband and their 8 children they have welcomed thousands to their Shabbat, festival and random weekday dinners!
Jaclyn Sova- After graduating from SKA High School for Girls, Michlalah, and Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women, Jaclyn got her Master’s in education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Education and Administration and is in the process of finishing the Doctoral program there. While in New York, Jaclyn taught at SKA. When her family moved to Baltimore, MD she started teaching at Bnos Yisroel and Beth Tfiloh’s High Schools while also lecturing throughout the community. She launched a program for high school girls called BGCubed, giving Bais Yaakov girls the opportunity to have meaningful Jewish experiences outside of school where they can grow socially, emotionally, and religiously.