I have been teaching Torah for over 30 years. I currently serve as a Ra”m (senior Talmud teacher) at Midreshet Torah V’Avodah in Jerusalem, where I also teach Tanakh (Bible), Halakha (Jewish law) and Jewish philosophy.
I was one of the founders of Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY), where I taught and served as Director for 16 years. I have also taught at other institutions of Torah study including Bat Torah Academy in Suffern, NY, and Nishmat and Matan in Jerusalem.
In these venues and others, I’ve had the privilege of teaching over 2000 young women over the years, and I never use the terms “former student” or “former teacher” - my relationships with my own teachers, and with my students, are lifelong.
I’m also a licensed tour guide who specializes in educational tours for groups, families and individuals. In addition, I am a speaker and lecturer on various topics related to Torah study, Israel and Jewish education, and a writer, editor and translator for various Torah publications including the Koren Talmud Bavli and several editions of the new Koren Tanakh.
I grew up in a home that was proudly Jewish and traditional, but initially not completely observant. When I began elementary school in the early 1970s, my parents had intended to send me to a public school. But when they saw that I was one of only two Jewish children in the class, they decided to send me and my younger brother to Jewish day school instead. This decision, together with a move to the Livingston, NJ community led by Rabbi Moshe Kasinetz set our family on the path to becoming fully observant.
As a teenager, my personal connection to Judaism grew due to my involvement in NCSY. Serving as Regional President in my senior year, I realized I wanted to make a career of Jewish education. After high school I studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and Yeshiva University, ultimately earning a B.A. in computer science, a master’s degree in Medieval Jewish History, and smicha (rabbinical ordination). Later in life, in my mid-forties, I took an intensive two-year course at Haifa University‘s School of Tourism, to become licensed as a professional tour guide, which helped me develop my knowledge of, love for, and appreciation of the land of Israel.
My wife Monica and I live in Alon Shvut, Gush Etzion. I consider it a unique opportunity to live in such a beautiful and historic area, as well as in this amazing community, surrounded by many great Torah scholars and individuals who are dedicated to the causes of Am Yisrael and the State of Israel.
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