Yemei Ratzon Tefillah Audio Series

Discover the Tefillot unique to Chodesh Elul through Erev Yom Kippur

Each day will feature a daily 10-minute reflection from  32 female educators and leaders

Dedicated in memory of our beloved mother, Rose Siegel, Sarah Russa bat Raphael, and her beloved sister, Celia Firestein, Tzirel bat Raphael, of Baltimore, Maryland by Yitzchok and Barbara Lehmann Siegel and family

Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman Introduction: The Addition of לדוד ה' אורי וישעי Read transcript here
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Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman is the director of the OU Women’s Initiative. She and her husband, Rabbi Avraham Shmidman, are Rabbi and Rebbetzin at the Lower Merion Synagogue in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Prior to her position at the OU, she taught Advanced Placement Psychology as well as Judaic classes in addition to directing the staff professional development program at Kosloff Torah Academy Girls High School in Bala Cynwyd, PA. She previously taught at Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, Hebrew Academy of Long Beach and the Manhattan High School for Girls. While living in Birmingham, AL, she was the director of the Knesseth Israel Synagogue Sunday School. Rebbetzin Dr. Shmidman earned a Teacher’s Certificate from Beth Jacob Seminary (BJJ) in Jerusalem. She graduated from Queens College in NY with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in psychology and later received a Master of Science in school psychology from the same institution. She also has a Master of Arts in Jewish education as well as a Certificate in Educational Technology from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration at Yeshiva University. She received a doctorate in educational psychology with a concentration in "Learning and Instruction in the area of Literacy" from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She and her husband are the proud parents of four sons.
Dr. Rivkah Blau A Daily Prayer with Special Significance This Time of Year: והוא רחום יכפר עון Read transcript here
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Dr. Rivkah Blau Dr. Rivkah Blau is an adjunct professor of English at Stern College for Women. She is the author of a biography of her father, Rav Mordechai Pinchas Teitz, z’l, entitled Learn Torah, Love Torah, Live Torah, the theme of his and his family’s work. She and her husband, Rabbi Yosef Blau, Senior Mashgiach Ruchani at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, are the parents of Rabbis Binyamin, Yitzchak and Yaakov Blau, who all teach Torah.
Mrs. Sara Malka Winter Aseret Yemei Teshuvah: The Addition of שיר המעלות ממעמקים Read transcript here
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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.
Mrs. Rivka Alter Aseret Yemei Teshuvah: Additions to Shemoneh Esrei Read transcript here
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Mrs. Rivka Alter Mrs. Rivka Alter has taught Tanach and Halacha for over twenty years in NY, NJ and CO. Presently, she is a member of the Judaic studies faculty at Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central). Rivka frequently teaches women and teens in Bergenfield, NJ, where she resides. She regularly teaches kallah classes and serves as a Yoetzet Halacha for the Riverdale, NY Jewish community. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Rivka taught Sefer Melachim II to over 4,000 women worldwide as part of Torat Imecha Nach Yomi, presented a shiur at the Siyum event, served as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence and presented a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series. Rivka, and her husband Daniel, are the proud parents of seven children ranging in age from 6 to 22.
Ms. Chani Gotlieb Rosh Hashana: Shemoneh Esrei Part 1 (ובכן תן פחדך) Read transcript here
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Ms. Chani Gotlieb Ms. Chani Gotlieb is a dynamic educator, currently teaching in two prestigious girls’ high schools in New York. In addition, she lectures around the world to diverse audiences that span the gamut of Orthodox Jewry. Born and educated in Israel, Chani successfully integrates the best of Israel’s yeshiva education with her high-level academic training. She holds a bachelor's degree in science earned in Israel, and a master's degree in Judaic studies earned in the USA. In her lectures, Chani analyzes contemporary issues through the lens of diverse Jewish thinkers. Her insights, gained by a rigorous approach to text, appeal to both intellectuals and laymen alike. As a historian, Chani's lectures are enhanced by the first-hand impressions she has formed of the many Jewish sites that she has visited worldwide. She has developed and implemented a unique curriculum for Jewish genealogy research which has exposed her to hundreds of personal narratives of multi-generational Jewish families. This work, together with her interviewing of Holocaust survivors for the Spielberg Shoah Foundation, provides Chani with a reservoir of memoirs to draw from, helping her to bring history to life for her audiences. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Chani has served as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence and presented a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series.
Mrs. Sharon Richter Rosh Hashana: Shemoneh Esrei Part 2 (קדושת היום)
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Mrs. Sharon Richter Mrs. Sharon Richter (Morah Sarah) has been the Lower School Associate Principal of Judaic Studies at Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy (SAR) since 2005. She began her career at SAR in 1986 as a Judaic studies teacher after receiving a bachelor's degree in Judaic studies from Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University. Over the years, Sharon has continued her education, most recently completing YU Lead, a 9-month intensive cohort geared to develop and advance leaders in Jewish education. Her Parashat haShavua series for students reflects her understanding that Torah guides who we are in all of our interactions and how we hold ourselves in the world. She presents shiurim and lectures around the country sharing her inspirational "Spiritual Sparks" workshops which facilitate the enhancement of families' celebrations of Shabbat and Chagim and the integration of parenting and Torah values. At the OU Women’s Initiative she was selected as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence and presented a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series.
Mrs. Emma Katz Avinu Malkeinu Read transcript here
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Mrs. Emma Katz Mrs. Emma Katz is originally from Highland Park, NJ. Emma attended Yeshivah of Flatbush, Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim, earned her bachelor’s degree in Judaic studies and education from Stern College for Women, and her master’s degree in Jewish education from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. Emma has taught in many formal and informal Jewish educational settings, including Shulamith High School for Girls in Cedarhurst, NY and Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago, IL. Emma participated in the Bellows Eshkolot Tanach Educators Program at Matan Yerushalayim, learning both Tanach content and new and innovative educational methodology from leading Jewish educators. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Emma presented a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series. Emma currently lives with her husband and 2 sons in Skokie, IL, and is the Director of NILI- The Womens Initiative of the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel in Chicago.
Mrs. Stacey Goldman Rosh Hashana: Torah Reading Day 1 (Birth of Yitzchak, Bereishit 21) Read transcript here
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Mrs. Stacey Goldman Mrs. Stacey 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 Young Israel/Aish in Las Vegas. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Stacey has presented shiurim as part of the Rosh Chodesh, Simchat Torah and Counting Toward Sinai programs. Stacey has published reflective essays and articles on chabad.org and you can find her audio classes on YUTorah.org.
Mrs. Liat Mayerfeld Rosh Hashana: Haftara Day 1 (Tefillat Chana and Birth of Shmuel, Sefer Shmuel I,1) Read transcript here
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Mrs. Liat Mayerfeld Mrs. Liat Mayerfeld is a popular and sought-after international speaker. She has been brought to speak in seminars in Spain, Poland, Israel, Denmark and Australia. An academic who loves to learn and read. Her wisdom and keen insight into people combined with her ability to distill deep ideas into tangible and relevant life lessons make her a superb educator. Born in New York and raised in Israel, Liat spent over 2 years working for Israeli military intelligence. She holds 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 is a superb hostess with an open-door policy, together with her husband Moshe and their 8 children they have welcomed 1,000’s to their Shabbat, festivals and random weekday dinners!
Mrs. Leah Silver Rosh Hashana: Torah Reading Day 2 (Akeidat Yitzchak, Bereishit 22)
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Mrs. Leah Silver Mrs. Leah Silver enjoys learning and teaching Tanach and Torah Sheba'al Peh. She has taught at several high schools in New York and New Jersey and was also a long-time junior high school morah for girls. Leah has studied at Midreshet Lindenbaum, Stern College for Women, Drisha and Matan, and now focuses on community shiurim. At the OU Women’s initiative, Leah has presented shiurim for the Rosh Chodesh and Counting Toward Sinai programs.
Mrs. Eliana Sohn Cohen Rosh Hashana: Haftara Day 2 (Yirmiyahu 31)
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Mrs. Eliana Sohn Cohen Mrs. Eliana Sohn Cohen is a Project Manager for the OU Women’s Initiative. Before joining the Women’s Initiative in January 2019, Eliana worked for Yeshiva University, first as a Project Coordinator for the YU School Partnership’s professional development division and then as the Programs Manager for Alumni Relations and Special Projects on the Yeshiva University campus in Jerusalem. An avid writer, Eliana’s writing has been featured by The Jewish Press, Times of Israel, YU Torah To-Go, The Layers Project and Nefesh B’Nefesh, in addition to serving as a copywriter for nonprofits and agencies. She earned a BA in English Literature from City University of New York, Queens College and a MS in secondary Jewish education from Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. She and her husband, Benji, live in New Rochelle, New York.
Mrs. Bruria Siegel Rosh Hashana: Teki'at Shofar Part 1 (Introduction and Inspiration) Read transcript here
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Mrs. Bruria Siegel Mrs. Bruria Siegel has been teaching Tanach for the last 15 years, primarily to high school girls. Originally from Teaneck NJ, she currently lives with her family in Los Angeles and teaches at YULA Girls High School. Bruria graduated from Stern College for Women and Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in fine arts, and she often integrates art in her Torah classes.
Mrs. Aviva Orlian Rosh Hashana: Teki'at Shofar Part 2 (למנצח לבני קורח) Read transcript here
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Mrs. Aviva Orlian Mrs. Aviva Orlian grew up in Baltimore, MD. She earned her BS in communication sciences and disorders from Towson State University and her MS in speech-language pathology from Brooklyn College. She teaches a weekly Tanach class to women in Monsey, NY, and has also been lecturing, giving shiurim and been a featured speaker for various community-wide women’s programming for the past 20 years. Most recently, Mrs. Orlian served as a presenter for the OU Women’s Initiative Simchat Torah program and taught Sefer Shmuel II to over 4,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program. Aside from her love and passion for teaching Torah, Mrs. Orlian is a full-time practicing speech-language pathologist. Mrs. Orlian lives in Monsey with her husband and children. A selection of her lectures and essays can be found on Torah Anytime, YU Torah and OU Holidays.
Mrs. Esther Wein Rosh Hashana: Teki'at Shofar Part 3 (היום הרת עולם)
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Mrs. Esther Wein Mrs. Esther Wein is an internationally recognized educator and lecturer for over 35 years. Elyon seminary, Shulamith high school, the Jewish Renaissance Center, and Juniversity.co are among some of her teaching venues. She is known for teaching subjects such as Parsha, Tefillah, Navi, and history on an intellectually advanced level, but gearing her shiurim towards students with all levels of education. With a strong text based and philosophical/kabbalistic emphasis, Mrs. Wein strives to expose students to fundamental and transformative Jewish ideas and their eternal truths. Drawing on great masters spanning from the Midrash, Rambam, and Ramban to more modern thinkers such as the Maharal, Ramchal, Rav Hirsh, her grandfather Rav Shimon Schwab and Rav Moshe Shapiro, she excites and inspires her audience with the ingenuity and profundity that is hiding just beneath the surface of the text. At the OU, Mrs. Wein has presented a Rosh Chodesh shiur for the Women’s Initiative, presented a shiur at Torah New York and taught a podcast Parsha series on OU Torah.
Mrs. Tali Pfeiffer Rosh Hashana: Mussaf Part 1 (מלכויות) Read transcript here
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Mrs. Tali Pfeiffer Mrs. Tali Pfeiffer recently made aliyah with her family and is currently living on Yeshiva University’s Gruss Kollel Campus in Bayit Vagan. She is teaching Tanach and Machshava at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY) and Midreshet Moriah. Prior to making Aliyah, Tali was a beloved Tanach teacher and girls Torah Bowl coach at Yeshivat Frisch in Paramus, NJ. She also served as the Adult and Teen Educator at Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck, NJ. Tali received her BA in Judaic studies with a minor in education and psychology from Stern College for Women and her MA from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.
Mrs. Zemira Ozarowsi Rosh Hashana: Mussaf Part 2 (זכרונות) Read transcript here
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Mrs. Zemira Ozarowsi Mrs. Zemira Ozarowski has been in the field of Jewish education for almost two decades. She currently serves as Director of Community Programming at the OU Israel Center where she runs the L’Ayla Women’s Learning Initiative. In that capacity, in addition to teaching, she runs many women’s learning programs including the monthly Rosh Chodesh seminar, mother-daughter programs, mini-midrasha programs, and more. Zemira has partnered with the OU Women’s Initiative Israel programs, helping coordinate the ALIT Summer Learning program in Israel (summer 2019) and the Pesach Ideas and Inspiration program. Additionally, she presented a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series. Zemira holds a master’s degree from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. She is also a certified Yoetzet Halacha and the author of the Torat Imecha Parsha Series books for children. Zemira lives with her husband and children in Mitzpe Yericho.
Dr. Marian Stoltz-Loike Rosh Hashana: Mussaf Part 3 (שופרות)
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Dr. Marian Stoltz-Loike Dr. Marian Stoltz-Loike has served, with distinction, as the dean of Touro’s Lander College for Women/The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten School for more than a decade and as the Vice President for Online Education. Dr. Stoltz-Loike has advised business leaders in the U.S. and North America, Europe, Asia and South America, and written books and articles on the maturing workforce, diversity, cross-cultural management, and work/life issues. Dr. Stoltz-Loike has spoken on higher education, business concerns, and women’s issue in the US around the world. She is an Associate Vice President of the Orthodox Union and a member of the Women’s Initiative commission.
Rebbetzin Tzipora Weinberg Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur: Mussaf Piyutim Part 1 (ונתנה תוקף) Read transcript here
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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 is the Rebbetzin of Kahal Lev Avos in North Woodmere and director at a museum. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Rebbetzin Weinberg presented a Rosh Chodesh shiur and a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series.
Rebbetzin Racheli Taubes Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur: Mussaf Piyutim Part 2 (וכל מאמינים) Read transcript here
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Rebbetzin Racheli Taubes Racheli grew up in Brooklyn, NY, studied at Michlalah College, Jerusalem and then graduated from Stern College for Women with a degree in Jewish education and chemistry. She was a part of the first cohort of the Legacy Heritage Jewish Educators Program, which combines courses in education, psychology and Judaic studies, with intensive classroom fieldwork. Racheli holds master’s degrees in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, and Bible from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. She has taught Judaic Studies at Yeshivat Noam Middle School in Paramus, NJ, Torah Academy of Philadelphia, and Ramaz Upper School. She, along with her husband Yaakov, previously served as the Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (OU-JLIC) educators at the University of Pennsylvania. Racheli currently teaches at Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck, NJ and Stern College for Women, and serves as the Rebbetzin and Yoetzet Halacha at Mount Sinai Jewish Center in Washington Heights, NY. She is the proud mother of three children.
Mrs. CB Neugroschl Tashlich
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Mrs. CB Neugroschl Mrs. Chaya Batya (CB) Neugroschl currently serves as Head of School at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck, NJ. She is an educator with over twenty-five years of pedagogic, curricular, and administrative experience in both Judaic and General Studies. Previously, Mrs. Neugroschl served as Head of School at Central (YUHSG) for a decade and as Assistant Principal and Co-Director of General Studies at SAR High School, where she introduced innovative curricular initiatives and special programming. Mrs. Neugroschl was part of the founding team of educators in the early years of Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, teaching Jewish history and philosophy and serving as the Director of Admissions. At the OU Mrs. Neugroschl has presented a Rosh Chodesh shiur for the Women’s Initiative and presented a shiur at Torah New York. Mrs. Neugroschl studied for two years at Michlalah Jerusalem College in Israel and earned her B.A. at Stern College for Women. She continued her studies at Yeshiva University’s Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, with a focus on the history of halakha and medieval Ashkenaz. She received her M.A. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University. Mrs. Neugroschl lives in Teaneck, NJ with her husband Jeff and their five children.
Mrs. Tal Attia Yom Kippur: Kol Nidrei Read transcript here
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Mrs. Tal Attia Tal Attia currently serves as an OU-JLIC (Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus) Director at Binghamton University with her husband Isaac, as well as a Senior Educator for Yavneh on Campus. After learning in Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY), she received a BA in psychology from Stern College for Women, and an MA in Nonprofit Management & Leadership from Hebrew University. In Israel, she worked for Ayeka Center for Soulful Education, and at MMY as an Activities Coordinator (Rakezet). Tal is passionate about teaching Torah and community-building and spent 2 years at Brandeis University with OU-JLIC. She is an avid reader, enjoys nature hikes, and plans to pursue further degrees in psychology and family counseling.
Mrs. Slovie Jungreis-Wolff Yom Kippur: Vidui Part 1 (אשמנו) Read transcript here
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Mrs. Slovie Jungreis-Wolff Mrs. Slovie Jungreis-Wolff is a noted teacher, author, relationships and parenting lecturer. She is the leader of Hineni Couples and daughter of Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis. Slovie is the author of the parenting handbook, Raising A Child With Soul. She gives weekly classes and has lectured throughout the Unites States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and South Africa. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Slovie was the featured speaker from the USA as part of the Pesach Ideas and Inspiration program.
Rebbetzin Penina Bernstein Yom Kippur: Vidui Part 2 (על חטא) Read transcript here
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Rebbetzin Penina Bernstein Mrs. Penina Bernstein is currently Campus Rebbetzin at Stern College for Women, and a Judaic studies teacher at Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls. She graduated from Stern College for Women and subsequently earned her master's degrees from Azrieli Graduate School for Jewish Education and Administration and Hunter College School of Education. 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. Penina lives with her husband and three children in Manhattan, NY.
Mrs. Sara Malka Reichman Yom Kippur: Selichot (13 Midot) Read transcript here
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Mrs. Sara Malka Reichman Mrs. Sara Malka (Poupko) Reichman holds a BS in both educational psychology and Jewish studies from Queens College and a master's degree in secondary education from Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration at Yeshiva University. She has also dedicated significant time to studying the great works of Jewish philosophy. Sara Malka has shared her passion for Torah and Jewish philosophy with her students in high school and seminary for decades, teaching at Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, Ateret Seminary Queens College, Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim and more. Sara Malka designed an honors beit midrash program and created original curricula enabling high school students to become independent learners. She has given lecture series on a variety of topics in Jewish thought and taharat hamishpacha in communities and forums throughout the NY Metropolitan area and in Israel. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Sara Malka taught Sefer Shmuel Aleph to over 4,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi Program and presented a shiur at the Siyum event. She also presented a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series. Ten years ago, she fulfilled a lifelong dream and moved to Israel where she and her husband are raising their family. She currently teaches at Midreshet Rachel/Shapell’s in Jerusalem.
Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz Yom Kippur: Piyutim (כי אנו עמך)
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Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz Dr. Schwartz earned a Ph.D. in history of science from Princeton University, writing her dissertation about the cultural history of the Manhattan Project. She has spent twenty years in Orthodox high school education, the last fifteen in Modern Orthodox co-ed high schools, and has served as an adjunct professor of history at Yeshiva and Stern Colleges. She speaks and writes widely about issues of importance in the contemporary Orthodox community. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Dr. Schwartz served as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence and presented a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series.
Rachel Sims, Esq. Yom Kippur: Torah Reading (Vayikra 16) Read transcript here
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Rachel Sims, Esq. Rachel Sims, Esq., is the General Counsel of the OU where she manages the OU’s legal and compliance work and provides guidance to all departments within the organization. Rachel joined the OU after spending five years as a senior litigator at Blank Rome LLP. She has nearly two decades of legal experience, at some of the top law firms in New York. Rachel incorporates her legal skills, knowledge and experience to help the OU continue to grow and to inspire the greater Jewish community. Rachel graduated from Brooklyn Law School magna cum laude, where she was a member of the Brooklyn Law Review.
Mrs. Shira Schiowitz Yom Kippur: Haftara (Yeshayahu 57-58) Read transcript here
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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 4000 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 4000 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.
Ms. Elana Flaumenhaft Yom Kippur: Mussaf Part 1 (עבודה)
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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 and the Rosh Chodesh Lunch ‘n Learn programs.
Mrs. Sivan Rahav-Meir Yom Kippur: Mussaf Part 2 (מראה כהן)
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Mrs. Sivan Rahav-Meir Mrs. Sivan Rahav-Meir is a media personality and lecturer. She lives in Jerusalem, with her husband Yedidya and five children. Sivan is currently with her family on shlichut, serving as the World Mizrachi Shlicha to North America, where she lectures in various communities. She works for Israel TV news, writes a column for Yediot Aharonot newspaper, and hosts a weekly radio show on Galei Zahal (Army Radio). Her lectures on the weekly Torah portion are attended by hundreds and the live broadcast attracts thousands more listeners throughout the world. Sivan lectures in Israel and overseas about the media, Judaism and Zionism. She was voted by Globes newspaper as most popular female media personality in Israel and by the Jerusalem Post as one of the 50 most influential Jews in the world. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Sivan was the featured speaker at the Weekend of Inspiration Elul 5779, and presented an audio shiur as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series.
Mrs. Racheli Luftglass Yom Kippur: Mussaf Part 3 (אלה אזכרה)
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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. Mrs. 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.
Mrs. Lynn Kraft Yom Kippur: Mincha (Maftir Yonah) Read transcript here
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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 4,000 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. Rachel Kosowsky Yom Kippur: Neilah Part 1 (Shmoneh Esrei) Read transcript here
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Mrs. Rachel Kosowsky Mrs. Rachel Kosowsky has been teaching high school Judaic Studies for over twenty four years. She is currently a teacher and Tanakh Department Chair at the Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, MD. She holds a BA in philosophy from Barnard College, and an MA in Jewish thought from Baltimore Hebrew University. She also studied at Drisha Institute in NY, and at Midreshet Lindenbaum, Nishmat and Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. At the OU Women’s Initiative, Rachel has presented shiurim for the Rosh Chodesh program, served as a Counting Toward Sinai Scholar-in-Residence and presented a recording on tefillah as part of the Counting Toward Sinai Tefillah Series. Rachel has served as a teacher mentor with the Jewish New Teacher Project and regularly lectures to adult audiences.
Dr. Chana Ringel Yom Kippur: Neilah Part 2 (Conclusion) Read transcript here
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Dr. Chana Ringel Dr. Chana Ringel is a practicing physician in New York. She has served on the faculty of The Frisch School, HAFTR High School and served as a group leader for JINSPIRE and Momentum. Chana has lectured extensively to both high school students and adults and brings a broad base of knowledge and a compelling, engaging enthusiasm to her talks.
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