Meet our staff
Here at Midreshet Yeud we believe that each staff member has a meaningful part in the students experience. With this in mind, we carefully picked staff members who share both seriousness and love for there job whether its the head of the program or the maintenance supervisor.
Please click on the staff member you would like to learn more about
Rav Yaacov Shapira
Founder and Head of Midreshet Yeud
"על מנת לקרב את עם ישראל לאביהם שבשמים, צריך קודם לרדת אליהם אל הארץ"
"In order to bring Am Israel closer to their father in heavens, you must first come be with them on earth"
Rabbi Shapira is a graduate of the Har Etzion and Merkaz Harav Kook yeshivot.
He holds an MA in Jewish History from Beit Morahsa in Jerusalem and from Touro College.
In 1994, Rabbi Shapira founded Midreshet Yeud, and he serves as Head of the Midrasha ever since.
He lives in Ofrah a proud father of seven children and four grandchildren
Rav Hillel Van-Leeuwen
Head of Midreshet Yeud Overseas Program
"At Midreshet Yeud we don’t teach leadership. We practice it."
Born in Chicago and raised in Israel, Rav Van-Leeuwen is an insightful and dedicated educator, who believes in personal growth through discussion and thought. A former paratrooper in the I.D.F, he perceives problems as a challenge and an opportunity to grow, and is always open to new ideas. Rav Van-Leeuwen encourages his students to question everything, inspiring them to pursue the answers they need in order to be "Jews by choice".
Rav Van-Leeuwen has spent 3 years as a shaliach in Toronto, Canada, where he taught at the Community Hebrew Academy [CHAT] while being actively involved in several Jewish Education projects and summer camps in North America.
He lives in Ofra with his wife, Odeya, and their six children.
[Rabbinical degree - Israel's Chief Rabbinate; B.Ed in Tanach and Oral Law; B.Ed in Educational Counseling – Herzog College, Alon Shvut; M.A. equiv. – Oral Law].
Shmil Atlas
Executive Director
Born in Israel in 1969 and learned in the prestigious Yeshiva of “Har Etzion” in Gush Etzion for 6 years.
After graduating with a BA in Political Science from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, he was the director of a community day school’s program in the ‘Israeli Experience’, of the Jewish Agency. In this capacity, he was in-charge of many community day schools coming from around the world on an educational trip to Israel.
Prior to his role at Midreshet Yeud, Shmil served as the Jewish Agency's Shaliach in Kehilat “Orach Chayim”, Sydney, Australia for four and a half years as a Director of education and as the Rabbi's associate.
Shmil is married to Osnat and has three kids.
Rav Dovid Abrahamovitz
Mashgi'ach Ruchani
Rav Dovid is a native of Toronto, Canada. He spent two years studying at Yeshivat Shilo in Israel after high school and continued with his education at Yeshiva University in New York where he received his B.Sc.
R’ Dovid worked for NCSY for a number of years as the Director of Informal Education and the Director of Outreach in Toronto. R’ Dovid is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Jewish studies, majoring in Tanach. R’ Dovid’s passion lies in the realm of halacha. He currently teaches a number of classes at Midreshet Yeud.
He now lives in the Midrasha with his wife Aliza and their four children
Aliza Abrahamovitz
Em Bayit (Dorm mother)
"I don't teach my students, i learn with them!"
Aliza Abrahamovitz, a native of Toronto, Canada, spent one year studying at Michlelet Orot’s overseas program. She returned to Toronto where she received a B.A. and a B.Ed from York University. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Jewish Studies at Lander College. Aliza has served as Midreshet Yeud’s Em Bayit since September 2005, and learns with many students one-on-one and in small groups in addition to giving a weekly class.
She lives in Midreshet Yeud with her husband, R’ Dovid, and their four beutiful children, Moshe Chaim, Akiva, Adina and Noam
Mrs. Ester Hammer
Social worker and Educational guide.
Esther Hammer has a BA in psychology from Yeshiva University and an MA in counseling from Montclair University. She made aliya in 2000 and lives in Chashmonaim. Prior to making aliya she worked as a guidance counselor at Frisch High School in New Jersey. She also spent 4 years during that time as a guidance counselor at Mays High School also in New Jersey. In Israel, Esther also worked for the Israeli education system in Bet Shemesh. Esther has spent the past 12 summers in Camp Moshava, where she works as a camp mother.
She now lives in Hashmonaim, mother to three boys
Mrs. Sophie Goldstein
Book Keeper
Born in Israel, lived in london and now lives in Beitar Ilit with her husband Aharon and her 10 beutiful children. worked in the Diaspora Yeshiva and Beit Orot.
Rav Naftali Rothstein
Rav Naftali made aliyah with his parents and siblings from Los Angeles at the age of 13. He attended the Hesder Yeshiva in Shilo for seven years which included a year and four months of service in the IDF's Golani Brigade. He then continued on to study at the Meretz Kollel in Mevaseret Zion for three years, and he received rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Uri Cohen and Rabbi Sinai Adler. He received his B.A. in Education and Teacher's diploma from Lifshitz College (Jerusalem). Rav Naftali taught at Yeshivat Sha'arei Mevaseret Zion before heading to Champaign, Illinois with his family for four years of shlichut. Rav Naftali served as the Orthodox Union's JLIC Rabbi at the University of Illinois and has recently returned to Israel where he now lives with his wife, Tali and their four children in Jerusalem.
Yehuda HaKohen
Born and raised in Manhattan made Aliyah in Tishre 5762 (October 2001) and now lives in Southern Sameriah with his wife and 3 children. Studied at Syracuse University ,enlisted in the IDF when the 'Intifada' began and studied in the Machon Meir Yeshiva. Is currently the Director of the campus-based Zionist Freedom Alliance, Host of 'The Struggle' on Israel National Radio (focusing on global politics, Zionist history and ideology) and teaches Jewish history and activist training at a number of institutions in Jerusalem
Teaches Jewish history (with a focus on 2nd Temple period as well as the period between the 'Enlightenment' and re-establishment of the Jewish state) and Activist training for Zionist students on American University campuses
Rav Erez David
"When I teach, I try to impart a love and excitement for the study of Torah"
Born and raised in Toronto, spending a several years in NY while in university. Made Aliyah in 2005 and now lives in Jerusalem with his wife and four daughters. Has a in BA computer science, MA in Jewish Education and Administration. And a Hasmacha from RIETS (YU) 2008 Currently studies and teaches at Yeshivat Torah beTzion
Teaches gemara, hilchot shabbat, machshava
Rav Eli Deutsch
For the past 10 years he has been working to educate and inspire Jews of all backgrounds to take a fresh look at their Jewish heritage from the perspectives of Jewish Philosophy and Kabbalah. With a plethora of parallels and explanatory precision, Reb Eli succeeds in communicating abstract ideas in a clear and meaningful way to the well-read student and the newcomer alike. Reb Eli’s world-renowned lectures and writings have captured the minds and hearts of many, and have helped to open the door for those looking to integrate truth and spirituality into their lives in a down-to-earth manner. By dealing with the whys of Judaism in a sophisticated yet practical way, Reb Eli’s teachings are a breath of fresh air for anyone searching for happiness, love, fulfillment, wholeness, or themselves, as he breaks Jewish stereotypes and misconceptions along the way.
Rav Eli made aliyah to
Books authored include Shabbos Insights of the Maharal (Targum), Looking Inward: Kabbalistic Self-Help (MW), and The Trees In The Forest: Jewish Living In The Context Of Kabbalah (National Light).
For more from Rabbi Eliyahu Yaakov, visit: www.lightuntoournation.com
Mrs. Debbie Zimmerman
Born in New Jersey made aliyah with her family in 1997 to Beit Shemesh and now lives in Jerusalem. Mrs. Zimmeman has a B.A. in Social Work from Bar Ilan University and is currently working on her thesis for M.A. in Jewish Education from Hebrew University. Studied 2 years in Matan Master's program for Bible, and is currently in her second year studying Gemara in the Women's Beit Midrash in Beit Morasha. taught previously in Machon Gold and Sha'alvim for Women, and did Sheirut Leumi in Shearim College of Jewish Studies for Women
Teaches Tanach and Gemara
Mrs. Tali Kagan
"In my class called "Core Transformation" we will transform our selves through exploring our middot and gain a deeper understanding of how to cope with life. Lets delve into Torah concepts together with Life Coaching Skills"
Born and Raised in Joannesburg South Africa, Made Aliyah in 2006 and now lives in the Yeshiva University Israel campus in Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem, with her Husband Shmuli and their babby boy Yedidya. Studied 2 years in Michlelet Hertzog followed by a life coaching course
Teaches Life Coaching
.jpg)
Mrs. Esther Mendlowitz
"My goal is to help each student understand her inherent greatness, and to motivate her to want to reach her potential"
Born and raised in South Florida, moved to Philadelphia and made Aliyah in 2003. Now lives in the Old City of Jerusalem with her husband and three children. Has a BA from University of Florida and worked in Baer Miriam Eyaht, Aish HaTorah College of Jewish Studies for Women Jewel, and Aish HaTorah's Beginner Women's Program.
Teaches Middot/sefer Tomer Devorah & Love, Dating & Marriage
Rav Yaacov Don
Of Alon Shvut is a thought-provoking teacher and an inspiring mentor. A graduate of the Har-Etzion Yeshiva [Gush], Rav Don has been teaching in various programs, formal and informal – including programs with overseas students - since 1990. He also spent 4 successful years as a shaliach at CHAT - the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto. Upon returning to Israel he taught at Midreshet HaRova in the Old City of Jerusalem. He also served as principal of NOAM – a veteran elementary day school in Jerusalem. Rav Don received his smicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and earned an M.A. at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. At present, he teaches at the Ohr Torah High School in Efrat.
Rav Don has 4 children.
Rav Pinchas Langer
Born in New Orleans and raised in Chicago, Rav Langer made aliya in 1973. He lives in Neve-Daniel, and is a proud father of 6 and new grandfather of one. Rav Langer received his Smicha from the Itri yeshiva in Jerusalem. Over the course of the years, Rav Langer has taught at OJ, Machon Gold, Midreshet Moriya, Netiv Aryeh, Orot and more. He served in the IDF with the artillery corps. Rav Langer also holds a B.A. [History and Literature] and an M.A. [Jewish Philosophy] from Touro College. Rav Langer teaches Jewish Philosophy and Jewish Law at Yeud.
Ahuva Balofsky
Ahuva Balofsky grew up in Toronto, Canada. She attended Ulpanat Orot Girls' High School before obtaining her B.A. Hons. and B.Ed. at York University. She taught Tanach, Rabbinics and English at the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto. She made Aliyah in 2004 with her family and is currently completing a Master's degree in Tanach at Bar Ilan University. She can be reached at AhuvaˍBalofsky@edu.yorku.ca
Chana Deutsch
With years of Tanach study under the tutelage of world-renown teachers, and as a practicing Kallah teacher certified by the Israeli Rabbinate, Rabbanit Chana Deutsch brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to Tanach and women’s issues. Chana’s educational approach is to make learning practical, always with a focus on how one can incorporate the lessons of the classroom into one’s daily life. Over the years, Chana has inspired Jews of all backgrounds to a new-found love of learning, and has helped many women find their place in Judaism and Jewish family life.
Chana made aliyah to Israel from Toronto in 2000 and currently lives in the Old City of Jerusalem where she serves as a Temple Institute scholar, and opens her home to host inspirational Shabbat meals for hundreds of students and travelers each year.
Chana can be contacted at imachana@gmail.com
Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
Rav Eli Ozarowski teaches a number of halacha shiurim at Yeud. He has also taught at a number of other yeshivot & seminaries in Israel, including Shaarei Mevaseret, HaKotel, & Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY). Rav Ozarowski received his smicha from RIETS (Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary) and Masters in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School, & subsequently studied in Yeshiva University's Kollel Elyon. Rabbi Ozarowski has served as scholar in residence and guest lecturer in numerous communities in the U.S. as well as in Israel, often lecturing on contemporary halachic topics, such as medical & business ethics. He also served as Assistant Rabbi at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan. Rav Eli lives with his wife and four children in Yad Binyamin, where he also gives frequent shiurim.
|
|