Torat Imecha


Mrs. Tzivi Zuckerman
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Mrs. Tzivi Zuckerman Tzivi Zuckerman holds a B.A. in history and an M.A. in Jewish history and has been in the field of Jewish education for almost 20 years. She has taught world history, Jewish history and Tanach at a variety of schools, including Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, Michlalah Jerusalem College, Bais Yaakov of Baltimore and Columbus Torah Academy. Since moving to Columbus, Ohio, where her husband is the Assistant Rosh Kollel of the Columbus Community Kollel, Tzivi has taught a range of community classes on Taharas HaMishpacha, relationships, Jewish history and Jewish thought. In addition to teaching women in the community, Tzivi teaches High School Navi at CTA’s GHSP division. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Tzivi presented at the Haggadah Ideas and Inspiration Program and Rosh Chodesh Lunch N Learn, was a scholar in residence for Nach Yomi Nach Shabbat 2022 and 2023, and taught Melachim II for Nach Yomi Torat Imecha.
Mrs. Jaclyn Sova
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Mrs. 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.   
Mrs. Keshet Starr, Esq.
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Mrs. Keshet Starr, Esq. Keshet Starr, Esq., is the Executive Director of the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (ORA), the nonprofit organization addressing the agunah (Jewish divorce refusal) crisis on a case-by-case basis worldwide. At ORA, Keshet oversees advocacy and early intervention initiatives designed to assist individuals seeking a Jewish divorce, along with prevention initiatives to eliminate abuse from the Jewish divorce process. Keshet has written for outlets such as the Times of Israel, The Forward and Haaretz, and frequently presents on issues related to Jewish divorce, domestic abuse, and the intersection between civil and religious divorce processes. Keshet has also authored academic work focused on get refusal and domestic abuse and is a Wexner Field Fellow. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Keshet lives in central New Jersey with her husband and four young children. In addition to her work with ORA, Keshet supports local women's learning initiatives and presents shiurim on a broad range of Tanach related topics. Keshet particularly enjoys connecting Tanach to issues in modern life.  
Mrs. Norma Mintz
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Mrs. Norma Mintz Mrs. Norma Mintz has been in the field of Jewish education for over 15 years, and she is passionate about both learning and sharing Torah. She holds a B.A. from Columbia University with a double major in English and education and an M.S. from Yeshiva University's Azrieli Graduate School of Education and Administration in secondary Jewish education. She also completed MaTaN's Joan and Shael Bellows Advanced Bible Program. She has taught both language arts and Tanach, and she currently serves as the Tanach Department Chair at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School. Norma resides in Passaic, New Jersey, with her husband and family. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Norma taught Sefer Daniel to over 5,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program. 
Mrs. Penina Bernstein
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Mrs. Penina Bernstein Mrs. Penina Bernstein is currently a doctoral student at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, as well as a teacher at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim. Previously, she was the Campus Rebbetzin at Stern College for Women, and a Judaic Studies teacher at Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls and at SAR Academy. Penina also spent a year learning at Matan’s Bellows Eshkolot Institute for Tanakh and Jewish Studies and is an OU/RCA/Nishmat Certified Kallah teacher. At the OU Women’s Initiative, she has presented as part of our Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series and Torat Imecha Nach Yomi, teaching Sefer Chavakuk to over 5,000 women. Penina made aliyah this past August, and lives with her husband and four children in Alon Shvut, Israel. 
Professor Smadar Rosensweig
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Professor Smadar Rosensweig Smadar Rosensweig is a world- renowned Jewish Educator and Lecturer in Tanakh. She lectures extensively throughout the United States and internationallyShe is a Clinical Associate Professor of Bible and Judaic Studies, at Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University, and a lecturer in the Graduate Program for Advanced Torah Studies at Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University. Professor Rosensweig received her B.A from Barnard College in History and her M.A. and M. Phil from Columbia University in Jewish History, where she studied under Professor Yosef  Hayim Yerushalmi and was a Presidential Fellow. Previously, she was a Professor of Judaic Studies at Lander College for Women, Touro College and a Senior Lecturer of Tanakh at the Allegra Franco Teachers College. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Professor Rosensweig taught Sefer Iyov and Sefer Shmuel Aleph to thousands of women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program. 
Mrs. Sara Malka Winter
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Mrs. Sara Malka Winter Mrs. Sara Malka Winter holds a Master of Science degree in education and is a sought-after speaker in her community of Silver Spring, Maryland. As a teenager, Mrs. Winter founded Ashreinu, a Canadian kiruv organization dedicated to Jewish outreach to the Russian immigrant community, which has influenced hundreds of girls. Mrs. Winter lived in Israel for eight years with her family, where she taught and lectured across Jerusalem in seminaries, outreach centers and high schools. In 2008, Mrs. Winter moved to Maryland to help found the Greater Washington Community Kollel, together with her husband, Rabbi Menachem Winter. She continues to lecture throughout the Washington DC area as a Senior Lecturer for the Kollel on diverse topics including Tefillah, Chumash, Nach, Tehillim, Chagim, and Mitzvos. Mrs. Winter is also a beloved teacher at the Yeshiva of Greater Washington Girls Division. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Sara Malka taught Sefer Tehillim 53-62 and 120-134 to over 5,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program.   
Mrs. Batyah Brander
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Mrs. Batyah Brander
Batyah Brander, ne’ Lahasky, is a New York native, living in Los Angeles for over 30 years.   Batyah earned her bachelor’s degree from Cooper Union School of Engineering and her teaching certificate from Machon Gold Seminary.   Over the past 30 years, she has been involved in Jewish Education on the High School and adult levelShe currently teaches Nach and STEM at Machon Los Angeles and for the LINK Kollel, which her husband founded.  Mrs. Batyah Brander enjoys challenging herself and her students to delve deeply into the text and uncover the multilayered majesty that G-d has planted within His Torah. 
Mrs. Shira Hochheimer
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Mrs. Shira Hochheimer Mrs. Shira Hochheimer has been a noted educator of women and girls for over fifteen years.  She is passionate about empowering women to find more fulfillment in their lives by learning Torah. Shira was a Rebbetzin in Rochester, NY and currently serves in a leadership position in girls’ Jewish education in Baltimore, MD. She is the author of Eishes Chayil: Ancient Wisdom for Women of TodayAt the OU Women’s Initiative, Shira taught Sefer Yechezkel to over 5,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program. She also taught a series, Tefillah Challenges: Focus on Ashrei, for its Yemei Ratzon Ideas and Inspiration program. Her proudest accomplishment is her role as a wife and mother of five. 
Mrs. Racheli Luftglass
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Mrs. Racheli Luftglass Mrs. Racheli Luftglass is the Principal of Judaic Studies at YULA Girls High School in Los Angeles, CA.  and a kallah teacher.  Before moving to the West Coast, she taught at The Frisch School in Paramus, NJ, in the Nach Department and in the Learning Center.  At the OU Women’s Initiative, Mrs. Luftglass has served as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence, presented shiurim and taught Yirmiyahu’s Canon for Calamity” - an interactive in-depth course at the ALIT Virtual Summer Learning Program. She also taught Sefer Nechemia to over 5,000 women worldwide for Torat Imecha Nach YomiMrs. Luftglass began her career at The Moriah School in Englewood, NJ, where she taught both mainstream and enrichment Judaic Studies classes as well as secular studies in the school’s Gesher Yehuda Program. Mrs. Luftglass graduated from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women with a B.A. in music and psychology and holds an M.A. from Columbia University’s Teachers College with a concentration in Education of the Gifted and of the Learning Disabled. She has also completed coursework at Columbia University towards a doctorate degree in neuropsychology. Mrs. Luftglass lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and five children. 
Ms. Elana Flaumenhaft
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Ms. Elana Flaumenhaft Ms. Elana Flaumenhaft is Associate Principal at Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls. She has been teaching Tanach for over two decades. Elana holds a master's degree from Azrieli Graduate School of Education and Administration at Yeshiva University and received the 2005 Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. She delivers shiurim and lecture series and presents at Yemei Iyun throughout the Metro New York and New Jersey area. Elana enjoys learning with people of all ages and backgrounds.  At the OU Women’s Initiative, Elana has served as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence and has presented shiurim as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series, the Rosh Chodesh Lunch ‘n Learn programs, and Torat Imecha Nach Yomi.  
Mrs. Stacey Nechama Goldman
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Mrs. Stacey Nechama Goldman Mrs. Stacey Nechama Goldman teaches Tanach at Kohelet Yeshiva High School in Philadelphia. She also teaches adult education classes throughout the greater Philadelphia area including Aish Chaim, Lower Merion Synagogue, and Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Barnard College and the U.S. Yoetzet Halacha Program of Nishmat's Miriam Glaubach Center and currently serves as Yoetzet Halacha for the Philadelphia community and for Young Israel/Aish in Las Vegas. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Stacey Nechama has presented shiurim as part of the Rosh Chodesh, Simchat Torah, Nach Shabbat, and Counting Toward Sinai programs. She taught Sefer Divrei HaYamim I to over 5,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program. Stacey Nechama has published reflective essays and articles on chabad.org, audio classes on YUTorah.org. She also posts original Torah content on Instagram @staceyfruengoldman.
Professor Shoshana Schechter
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Professor Shoshana Schechter Professor Shoshana Schechter is the Associate Dean of Torah Studies at Stern College for Women and the director of the Mechina program at the college. She is a graduate of Stern College for Women, with a B.S. in both Judaic Studies and English Literature and holds master's degrees from Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies and Columbia University School of Journalism. Shoshana is a frequent lecturer on topics in Tanach and has been involved in Jewish outreach programs on four continents. At the OU Women’s Initiative, she taught an in-depth course at the ALIT summer Virtual Beit Midrash program, has presented a shiur for Rosh Chodesh, served as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence and taught Sefer Bereshit for Torat Imecha Parsha. Shoshana lives in New Hempstead, NY with her husband, Yitzchak, and five children.   
Mrs. Rachel Besser
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Mrs. Rachel Besser Rachel Besser is the Nach Department Chair at the Frisch School in Paramus, NJ, where she also teaches Tanach and Jewish philosophy and is a member of the Israel Guidance Department. 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 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
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Mrs. Lynn Kraft 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, Adira, Tani, Eli, Avi, and Akiva.
Mrs. Michal Horowitz
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Mrs. Michal Horowitz Michal Horowitz delivers weekly shiurim in her community of the Five Towns, NY, while her zoom shiurim reach audiences around the world. She has been a scholar in residence in schools and communities, nationally and internationally. In September 2023, Michal was a keynote speaker at Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis' Pre-Yamim Noraim Conference, for the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. At the OU Women’s Initiative, she inaugurated the Torat Imecha Parsha program presenting weekly shiurim on Sefer Bereishit. Michal taught Yehoshua, Tehillim 36-41, and Divrei Hayamim II to over 5,000 women across the globe as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi cycle I. She taught Tehillim 1-41, and Mishlei for cycle II.  Michal presented Rosh Chodesh, Selichot Night and Nach Yomi Siyum shiurim and taught in-depth courses at the ALIT Virtual Summer Learning Programs of 2020, ’21, ’22, and ’23.  Michal's weekly OU Parsha shiur can be found on the AllParsha App. She has thousands of audio and video shiurim online.  Her writings have been published in YU’s Torah-To-Go, HaMizrachi, the OU’s Jewish Action magazine, and most recently in “Reclaiming Dignity: A Guide to Tzniut”.  Her story can be found on all major streaming platforms on the “Rolling With the Punches” Podcast, Episode 14, Sounds of Silence. Michal lives in Woodmere, NY with her husband and family. 
Rebbetzin Tzipora Weinberg
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Rebbetzin Tzipora Weinberg Rebbetzin Tzipora Weinberg is an acclaimed lecturer, educator and consultant, serving museums and educational institutions in the US and abroad, with specialization in the fields of Tanakh and Holocaust Education. She has received numerous fellowships and awards for her historical work, including the Dr. Sophie Bookhalter Fellowship at the Center for Jewish History. She is currently a Fellow at the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture. Rebbetzin Weinberg is creator and host of Veiled Reference, a podcast that focuses on Jewish women’s histories. She is the founding Director of The WELL, a groundbreaking daytime women’s learning center in Brooklyn, and is Rebbetzin of Kahal Lev Avos in North Woodmere. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Rebbetzin Weinberg presented has given multiple shiurim including: Rosh Chodesh Lunch ‘n Learn shiur, Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series, Nach Shabbat Scholar-in-Residence Program, and Sefer Tehillim 42-89 for Torat Imecha Nach Yomi. 
Mrs. Esther Tokayer
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Mrs. Esther Tokayer Esther Tokayer is a passionate and creative educator who has impacted the lives of thousands of members of the Sephardic community in Brooklyn for over three decades. She is currently the founding Associate Principal of Barkai Yeshivah High School, which is set to open in September 2023. She served as Associate Principal of Magen David Yeshivah High School for the last 22 years. She began her career at MDYHS as a History and Tanakh teacher before being appointed Assistant Principal. Her educational philosophy encourages students to be creative and engage with the world, and to develop leadership and communication skills to benefit themselves, the community and the greater society.   She is the Rebbetzin of Kingsway Jewish Center in Brooklyn, NY and is married to Rabbi Etan Tokayer.  She is the proud mom of three children.
Mrs. Shira Schiowitz
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Mrs. Shira Schiowitz Shira Schiowitz is a Tanach teacher at SAR High School where she also serves as Co-director of Professional Development. She previously taught Tanach and chaired the Tanach Department at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School in Teaneck, NJ.  Shira served as Assistant Dean at Lamdeinu of Teaneck during its first year, planning and implementing the opening of Lamdeinu, a full-time learning program initiative in Teaneck.  At the OU Women's Initiative, Shira taught the first part of Yeshayahu to over 5,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi Program and an interactive in-depth course examining the relationships between the melachim and Nevi’im in Tanach at the ALIT Summer Learning Program. At the OU Women's Initiative, Shira taught the first part of Sefer Yeshayahu to over 5000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi Program and taught an in-depth course as part of the ALIT Summer Learning Program.  Shira is the rebbetzin of the Shaare Tefillah community in Teaneck, NJ where she and her husband have served for the past 16 years. She received her master’s degree in Bible from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University. 
Mrs. Amy Horowitz
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Mrs. Amy Horowitz Amy Horowitz studied English Literature at Stern College for Women and holds a Master’s Degree in Education from NYU. Although she began her career as a copyeditor, Amy quickly discovered her passion for teaching Tanach, which she has done at Katz Yeshiva High School of South Florida for the past 19 years, also serving as Director of Girls Judaic Studies and Chairperson of the Tanach Department. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Amy taught Sefer Yeshayahu to over 5,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program in addition to Rosh Chodesh Lunch ‘N Learn. In addition to teaching high school students, Amy frequently teaches classes to the adult community in Boca Raton, FL, where she lives with her three children.