Lecturers

teaches literature in the Masorti High School.  She is a facilitator of creative writing workshops and a poet.  Her book In the New Life that I will Have ("בחיים החדשים שיהיו לי) was published by Even Hoshen in 2014.

is the director of author and illustrator stewardship for PJ Library, the largest distributor of Jewish children's books in the world. Catriella holds a BA in religion from Princeton University and an MA in Jewish studies from Harvard University. She’s studied at Midreshet Lindenbaum and Drisha and has lectured widely on subjects ranging from Maimonides to Jewish peoplehood and is the author of the Melton curriculum Foundations for Jewish Family Living. She and her husband are raising four kids in Zichron Ya’akov.

teaches Parshat HaShavua at Matan and other Jerusalem venues. She holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from Cambridge University. She is an internationally sought after Bible teacher, and has published five well acclaimed books. She travels widely lecturing in Jewish, academic and psychoanalytic venues.

studied for a B.A. at Michala College Jerusalem jointly with Nishmat.  She is studying for an M.A. in Bible at Haifa University and Matan Jerusalem.

is the Rector of Matan’s Bellows Eshkolot Educators Institute for Tanakh and Jewish Studies.  She is founder and chair of the Bible and Biblical Exegesis program at Matan and has been teaching Tanakh at Matan for over 25 years.  Dr. Levy is one of the most esteemed Bible teachers in Israel and throughout the world.  She is also a leader in the movement for women’s Torah studies and was the first woman awarded a doctoral degree in Biblical Studies by Yeshiva University.  She has created four Torah websites which serve as creative educational tools for learning and teaching the Tanakh (www.brnyalevy.com).  Dr. Levy also runs “Matan Toratenu”, a unique Beit Midrash program focusing upon Tanakh and the arts.  Her book Waiting for Rain: Reflections at the Turning of the Year has recently been published in Hebrew.

has been a sought after Jewish educator for over thirty years. She was the recipient of the Baumel award as the most outstanding faculty member at Yeshiva University where she earned her doctorate in Jewish Education and Administration. Since making aliyah with her family in 1997 to Nof Ayalon, she has taught in Bar Ilan University, Michlelet Herzog and Matan.

is a lecturer at Bar Ilan University's Multidisciplinary Department of Jewish Studies and a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Jewish Thought at Ben Gurion University. Jonnie's academic forte is medieval kabbalah and he has published two books on the topic (The Kabbalah of Joseph ben Shalom Ashkenazi and Joseph ben Shalom Asheknazi's Commentary on Sefer Yesira: A Critical Edition). Jonnie also orchestrated the publication and translation into English of the Judeo-Arabic literary piece from WWII in Morocco, The Hitler Haggadah (with Adi Schnytzer and Avishai Bar-Asher). Jonnie's debut novel was a Mossad thriller, The Way Back. Forthcoming Jonnie is orchestrating the publication and translation into English of a medieval Ethiopian Jewish Shabbat midrash, Tezaze Sanbat (with Qes Ephraim Lawi).

is a graduate of the Matan Tanakh program. She holds an M.A. in Tanakh from Bar Ilan University and an M.A. in Psychology and Occupational Therapy. Nava has taught in Midreshet Lindenbaum, Midreshet HaRova and Midreshet Yeud. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Tanakh at Bar Ilan.

Dr. Tanya White is an international lecturer, writer and educator with a focus on Tanach and Contemporary Jewish Thought. She is Senior lecturer at Matan Institute for Torah Studies and a guest lecturer at other institutes including Pardes and LSJS. Tanya holds a doctorate in Jewish Philosophy from Bar Ilan University and is the recipient of Schupf Fellowship for outstanding students. A collection of her articles, blogs and published material can be viewed on her blog-page: www.contemplatingtorah.wordpress.com

Dr. Tehilla Elitzur is a graduate of Matan's Advanced Talmudic Institute, and a lecturer in Talmud and Rabbinic Literature in Matan's Petichta Program and at Herzog College.

is the head of the Kitvuni Fellowship and a Matan lecturer. Dr. Ziegler teaches Tanakh at Herzog College and has lectured widely on various Tanakh topics in Israel, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Europe. Dr. Ziegler is the author of Promises to Keep: The Oath in Biblical Narrative, Lamentations: Faith in a Turbulent World, and Ruth: From Alienation to Monarchy.

holds a B.A. from Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University in Judaic Studies and creative writing; she has a teaching degree in Tanakh from Herzog College and is a graduate of Matan's Tanakh Scholars' Program.  Her Masters and doctoral studies have been completed at Bar-Ilan University's Bible department.  She is also a madrichat kallot trained by Matan and Merkaz Eden.

Elisheva grew up in Rochester, NY and made Aliya to Raanana many years ago. She is a member of the faculty at Midreshet Torathessed where she teaches Tanach and Halakha. As a graduate of Matan's Morot L'Halakha Program, Ellie enjoys teaching kallot and serving as a resource for women in the broader community. In addition, she lectures for various adult education programs.

made Aliya from the U.S. in 1983. She studied at Bar Ilan University. Gina has been involved in adult education since 1988 and for the past 22 years she has been lecturing in Jewish studies at Matan. She is currently giving Torah classes in the Ra'anana and Netanya branches of Matan.

is the programming director of the Matan Bellows Eshkolot Educators Institute. She has been involved in formal and informal Jewish education for both adults and children for almost 30 years. Melissa has a degree in computer science from Stern College and certification from the Dyslexia Training Institute. After teaching Judaic studies at Shevach High School and at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, Melissa and her family made aliyah to Beit Shemesh, where she is the Director of Matan Beit Shemesh, teaches children with dyslexia and leads a very popular Tanakh chabura at Congregation Nofei Hashemesh.

holds a BA from Bar Ilan University in both Sociology/Anthropology and Jewish history. She’s done shlichut in Toronto twice where she taught for several years. Currently Michal teaches Civics and Jewish Studies at Pelech Zichron Yaakov. She lives in Karkur with her husband and 4 kids.

Graduate of Matan's Hilkhata program. A certified Rabbinical Arbitrator. M.A in Talmud studies from BIU. Graduate of Beit Morasha Talmud program. Rabbanit Bat Sheva serves as a Ramit and coordinator of the Bekiut Halakha program in Migdal Oz and answers Halakhic questions online.

is a graduate of Hilkhata, Matan's Advanced Halakhic Institute and is a certified Meshivat Halakha. In addition she is a Yoetzet Halakha, and a graduate of Matan’s Advanced Talmud Institute.  Rabbanit Krauss teaches Halakha in the Morot L’Halakha program at Matan HaSharon and gives shiurim to the general public, which focus on the interface between Halakha and society, family and welfare.  She is a senior social worker specializing in old age, disability and community.

graduated from Matan’s  Advanced Talmudic Institute.  She has an M.A. in Talmud from Bar Ilan University and is a Certified Halakhic Advisor (Yoetzet Halakha) by Nishmat.  For the last 18 years she has taught Talmud and Midrash in a number of women’s Batei Midrash. She is in the first cohort of Hilkhata Matan’s Advanced Halakha Institute and a lecturer in Matan’s Metivta program.

Debbie Zimmerman graduated from the first cohort of Hilkhata – Matan’s Advanced Halakhic Institute and is a Halakhic Responder. She is a multi-disciplinary Jewish educator, with over a decade of experience in adolescent and adult education. After completing a BA in Social Work, Debbie studied Tanakh in the Master’s Program for Bible in Matan and Talmud in Beit Morasha.

Hannah Hashkes directs the International Halakha Scholars Program (IHSP) of Ohr Torah Stone, and teaches Halakha and Talmud in various frameworks. She is a graduate of the Women's Institute of Halakhic Leadership, holds a PhD in philosophy and is the author of the book Rabbinic Discourse as a System of Knowledge, "The Study of Torah is Equal to them All", 2015.

was in the first cohort of the Matan Kitvuni Fellowship program and her book is in the publication process. She has a B.A. in Bible from Hebrew University and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Talmud from Bar Ilan University. Adina studied in Midreshet Lindenbaum, Migdal Oz, Havruta and the Advanced Talmud Institute in Matan. She currently teaches Bible and Talmud at Matan, and at Efrata and Orot colleges. Adina lives in Adam (Geva Binyamin) with her family.

has just completed a book on the interplay of sexuality and religion for unmarried individuals, from halakhic and ethical perspectives. Previously, she served for five years as the Manhiga Ruchanit (female spiritual leader) in Efrat, where she also directed the rabbinic court for financial matters. She received permission to give halakhic rulings (“heter hora’ah”) from Rabbi Shlomo Riskin and Rav Shuki Reich, after completing the Susi Bradfield Women’s Institute for Halakhic Leadership program at Midreshet Lindenbaum, and she holds a PhD in English from the CUNY Graduate Center. She co-authored Et Le’ehov: The Newlywed’s Guide to Physical Intimacy (Gefen 2011; Hebrew translation 2013).

is in the second cohort of the Kitvuni Fellowship. She is writing a commentary on the first half of Talmud Berakhot. She is a graduate of the Morot L’Halakha Program at Matan HaSharon and a lecturer at Matan. Karen has an MA in Rabbinic Literature from NYU. She is the creator of the #PowerParsha and the founder of Kivun l’Sherut, a pre-army/sherut leumi guidance program for religious girls. Karen is also a podcast host and lectures at a number of women’s Torah institutes.

Leah Herzog is an educator, writer and psychologist who currently teaches at MATAN, as well as international zoom classes, and is a museum educator at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem. She earned her Teacher’s Certification from Michlalah, the Jerusalem College for Women. She graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Psychology from Barnard College, when she was also inducted into the Phi Betta Kappa society. Leah earned her M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago and continued her doctoral work in the same field; she also received certification from the Administrator Development Academy at the University of Cincinnati. Leah has taught Tanach and psychology to high school students and adults for over 30 years; in addition, Leah chaired Tanach Department at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School . Before her aliya in 2019, Leah taught Tanach and was the co-director of Israel Guidance at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck, NJ for 13 years. Leah is also a writer, a Sefaria Educator, a certified mentor and an expert in Project-Based Learning in the Jewish studies classroom. She also liaises with the human networks around people with impairments, as well as supporting and educating regarding infertility and pregnancy loss. She lives in Givat Ze’ev with her husband, Rabbi Avi Herzog and has two adult children.

is a graduate of Hilkhata, Matan's Advanced Halakhic Institute and is a certified Meshivat Halakha. In addition she is a Yoetzet Halakha, and a graduate of Matan’s Advanced Talmud Institute. She has an M.A. in Talmud from Bar-Ilan University. She is a graduate of Nishmat’s Yoetzet Halakha program as well as qualifying as a sex educator through Yahel and the Eden Center. She teaches contemporary Halakha and Talmud at Matan and Pardes, as well as teaching in Torah V'Avodah (TVA), a Bnei Akiva gap year program based in Matan. She is an active member of Beit Hillel and participates in interfaith dialogue through Roots, based in Gush Etzion.

is the founder, director and a lecturer at Matan HaSharon and creator of Matan’s International Mother-Daughter Bat Mitzvah program. She has a B.A. in Machsevet Yisrael and Hebrew Literature from the Hebrew University and is a graduate of the Matmidot program in Matan Jerusalem.  Rabbanit Koren runs the Gavna choir.

teaches Gemara, halakhah, and Jewish thought in high school and a variety of adult education contexts. She works as a writer for Sefaria and as yoetzet halakhah for Beit Knesset Carmei Zion in Carmei Gat. Rachel studied and taught in the Beit Midrash at Migdal Oz for several years and holds a BA in history and Jewish studies from Columbia University.

is a graduate of Hilkhata, Matan's Advanced Halakhic Institute and a certified Meshivat Halakha. She is also the Director of Hilkhata Rachelle was in the first graduating class of Matan's Advanced Talmud Institute. She is a Yoetzet Halakha and teaches Talmud and Halakha at Matan and other institutions.

is a distinguished alumna of the Matan Beit Midrash program. She received her M.A. in Tanakh and Talmud from Bar Ilan University and is certified as a Halakhic Advisor. Shani is the Educational Director of Matan’s Bellows Eshkolot Educators Institute for Tanakh and Jewish Studies and of the Morot L’Halakha program in Matan HaSharon and she is the curriculum coordinator for the Bnei Akiva-Matan Program (MTVA). In addition Shani teaches courses at Matan and other advanced women's Torah Institutes in Israel.

is a graduate of Hilkhata, Matan's Advanced Halakhic Institute and is a certified Meshivat Halakha. She is the Director of Shayla. In addition she is a certified To'enet Rabbanit and a graduate of Matan’s Advanced Talmud Institute. Surale has taught Midrash, Talmud and Halakha and Daf Yomi in a wide array of shuls and communities, including the Matan Beit Midrash. Surale is a graduate of Bar Ilan University and holds degrees in English Literature and Talmud. This past year she wrote the weekly Parashat HaShavua column for Chumash Shemot in the leading religious Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon and periodically writes Divrei Torah for weekly Torah publications.

has a B.A. in History and Education from Hebrew University and she studied education at Machon Kerem. She has a joint M.A. in Bible from Haifa University and Matan Jerusalem.  She teaches at Matan HaSharon and Hashmonaim and is a facilitator in the Matan Bat Mitzvah program.

is a graduate of the Yeshivat Hesder in Maalot.  He is one of the leaders of the nonprofit El Ami which enhances and strengthens Jewish identity in Israeli society.  Rav Cohen teaches Tanakh and Jewish Thought in a number of frameworks and is a Rav in Ramat HaShavim.

is the Rav of Hilkhata, Matan’s Advanced Halakha Institute.  He is a Dayan and Posek.  Rav Holland teaches Gemara and Halakha and is a senior lecturer at Matan and the Steinsaltz Institute in Jerusalem.  He headed Matan’s Talmudic Institute, has been a RAM in Yeshivat Tekoa and a researcher in Rav Steinsaltz’s institute.  He is involved in training Rabbis and the establishment of a system of conversion throughout Europe.

is a graduate of Yeshivat Ein Tsurim and has rabbinical ordination. He is active in Tzohar and answers Halakhic questions as part of Beit Hahoraah Shaarei Halakha UMishpat. He has explored all facets of Halakha including Kashrut, personal status, marriage and the development of Halakha. He has also taught Jewish thought and Parshat HaShavua. Rav Chen has been giving a series of popular classes at Yakar on Halakha for the last five years. He is a fantastic guide and mentor, and helps his students find clarity in the complex and amazing world of Halakha.

specializes in Jewish and general philosophy, contemporary Jewish thought and Biblical exegesis.  He teaches in Matan’s community program, and in the Rimonim and Ayanot Batei Midrash.  He also teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum and at the Institute of Psychology at Tel Aviv University.  Rav Epstein has Semikha from the Rabbanut and is a graduate of the Harry Fischell Institute.  He has an M.A. from the University of Strasbourg, France.  He has written books and articles in Hebrew and French.  He edited and translated the book Chapters in the Philosophical Teachings of Emmanuel Levinas that was published in 1997 in cooperation with Matan.  His book Close and Far, on the thought of Emmanuel Levinas was published by the Ministry of Defense in 2004 and his translation of Levinas’ book Talmudic Readings was published by Schocken.

is the head of Meizam 929 – Tanakh and a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute.

attended Columbia University, received his semicha from Yeshiva Bnei Torah, and completed a joint degree in dentistry and business from Nova Southeastern University. He founded Yeshivat Migdal HaTorah in 2011, fulfilling a dream of creating a gap year yeshiva experience rooted in the rationalist tradition. In addition to his shiurim at Migdal, Rabbi Ginsberg is a highly sought after lecturer, covering topics ranging from Analytical Talmud to Philosophy, Physics and Halacha. Rabbi Ginsberg lives in Chashmonaim with his wife and four children.

is the Rabbi of Kehillat Shivtei Yisrael. Rav Ben David served in several rabbinic posts including in Lincoln Square Synagogue, the Yeshiva of Cape Town, SAR High School, and West Side Sephardic Synagogue.

is the Rav of Kvutzat Yavneh.  He is a graduate of Yeshivat Kibbutz HaDati in Maaleh Gilboa and of the Beit Midrash in Beit Morasha.  He has Semicha from the Rabbanut HaRashit of Israel.  Rav Ofran is a psychologist, and has a degree in Talmud from Bar Ilan University.  He is a teacher in Tzahali and at the Yaakov Herzog College.

founder of the Tanakh Study Center www.tanach.org, is an internationally acclaimed Bible scholar and pioneer of Jewish education on the internet. His essays on Parshat Ha’Shavua reflect his vibrant thematic-analytical approach, blending the methods of modern scholarship with traditional approaches.  As a Rebbe at Yeshivat Har Etzion, where he founded the Yeshiva's Virtual Beit Midrash, he is best known for his ability to teach students how to study Tanakh.   Rabbi Leibtag also teaches at Yeshivat Shaalavim, Midreshet Lindenbaum, and Matan and routinely lectures around the globe, primarily as a scholar in residence in communities in North America.

is a graduate of Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav and has a degree in Law from Bar Ilan University. He is the head of the Keter Institute for Torah Economics and is the Rav of East Raanana.

was born in Paris, France where he completed his studies in mechanical engineering with a specialty in artificial intelligence and robotics.  He studied at Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva and participated in the Halakha Berura project.  At the same time he completed an M.A. in Jewish Philosophy and published a translation and revised version of the work Or Neerav (Moses Cordovero) based on the manuscripts.  He is a doctoral student in Jewish philosophy and teaches in various institutions in Israel.

is the Rav of Kehillat Kinor David in Raanana and the Rav of the Amit Rananim School.  He teaches at Matan and at Midreshet Lindenbaum.  Rav Koren graduated from the Hesder Yeshiva at Shalavim, from Yeshivat Har Etzion and Beit Morasha.  He has a B.A. in Humanities from the Open University, is a member of Beit Hillel and a former member of the board of directors and head of the Beit Midrash Raayoni.  Rav Koren is a founder of Yeshivat Amit Nachson in Beit Shemesh.

Rachel Hershberg just loves learning and teaching Tanakh and Jewish philosophy. Originally from Palo Alto, California, she graduated from Columbia University in New York with a degree in World Religions. A recent participant in the Eshkolot and Lapidot Fellowships, she has taught at She'arim College of Jewish Studies for Women and Amudim Seminary, and is co-director of the Women's Online Beit Midrash. She is married +4 and lives in Beit Shemesh.

is a graduate of the first class of The Joan and Shael Bellows Bible and Biblical Interpretation Program. Rachel founded and runs Ulpana Emunah for the arts in Jerusalem; she also managed a program to train school principals at the Jerusalem College in partnership with Anvei Rosha. Rachel established and continues to teach at the "Mevaser Shalom" Women's Study Center in Mevasseret Zion. She manages the Beit Midrash as well as the Matan Torateinu program at Matan.

is a Jerusalem-born writer and educator. Having researched connections between faith, emotions, and storytelling in 18th century America for her MA thesis in American history, she continues to explore similar connection in Tanach and other Jewish texts. Rachel teaches at Matan, Maayan- Torah from the Sources, Pardes, and Torah-in-Motion and her writing can be found in The Times of Israel, Tablet, 929 English and other online venues. Currently a Sefaria Word-by-Word fellow, Rachel is working on a book about Judges.

Rivi Frankel is the Administrative Director of Matan's Bellows Eshkolot Fellowship. She has a B.S in Management and an MA in Jewish Educationand is a graducate of the Matan Bellows Eshkolot Fellowship. She is also a licensed tour guide through the Ministry of Tourism. Rivi teaches in Matan and in Midreshet Emunah v'omanut as well as guiding various educational groups throughout Israel.

is a lecturer at Matan. She earned an M.A. in Jewish Studies from Baltimore Hebrew University. Her area of interest is Medieval Commentary. Rivka is a graduate of Matan's Bible and Biblical Exegesis Program.

is the head of the Petichta and Tzerufim Batei Midrash at Matan.  She teaches Tanakh and Jewish Thought in Modern Times: Torat HaRav Kook and the writings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslav.  She is a graduate of Matan’s program in Jewish Thought and has an M.A. in Jewish Thought and History from Touro College.  Rivka has a B.A. in Tanakh, Education and Jewish Thought from Bar Ilan and Tel Aviv universities.

is a graduate of Hilkhata, Matan's Advanced Halakhic Institute and is a certified Meshivat Halakha. She is also a graduate of Matan's Talmud Institute, and has an M.A. in Talmud from Bar-Ilan University. Her responsibilities in Matan include coordinating the Daf Yomi daily shiur as well as the weekly Tzurba Halakha program.

Sharon Ra'anan has been teaching Tanach, the Slonimer Rebbe, and t'filah to women in Beit Shemesh for over a decade. She earned her Master's from Herzog in 2021. Her areas of specialty include the Shivat Tzion period: Ezra and Nechemia, Hagai, Zecharia and Malachi; and various courses in t'fillah including Shacharit, the Shemona Esreh, and Tehillim.

is a lawyer (LLB), and a proud mother and grandmother.  She works as a lawyer and mediator.  Formerly she was a legal advisor for the municipality of Rehovot.  Shulamit has been a student at Matan HaSharon for nine years and is a member of the board of Reut.  She is a volunteer in the nonprofit Paamonim and the Rehovot Municipal Mediation Center.  She believes in the power and right of every woman to be educated and independent and to use her skills to further self-growth and contribute to the world around her.

is a licensed tour guide and lectures and leads the tours in Matan’s Learn & Tour programs. She has an M.A. in Jewish History from Columbia University and is a graduate of the Matan Scholars Program.

Simi Peters teaches Tanakh, Midrash, and Parshanut (Biblical Exegesis) at Nishmat and Matan in Jerusalem, as well as lecturing on these topics internationally. The author of Learning to Read Midrash (Urim Publications), Simi has been involved in adult Jewish education, educational consulting, and teacher education since making aliya 40 years ago. She specializes in providing access to a wide variety of classic Jewish texts for students at all levels of Jewish literacy and experience. Simi has a Master’s Degree in Linguistics from the Graduate Center of CUNY, and is an alumna of the prestigious Jerusalem Fellows program.

Tamar Weissman is a lecturer in Tanakh and Land of Israel Studies at Matan, as well as a licensed tour guide. Her book, "Tribal Lands: The Twelve Tribes of Israel in their Ancestral Territories" (2015) explores the personalities of the sons of Jacob and the contours of their nahalot. She is currently writing a book on Megillat Esther.

Tammy Levy holds a masters degree in Occupational Therpay form the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Her passion, however is in Jewish Education. She served as the coordinator of enrichment activities at the Yeshiva College Girls' High School and ran the Beit Midrash track in Tanach for many years before making Aliyah with her husband and 4 children in 2020. Tammy is part of the faculty of the Academy for Jewish Thought and Jewish Learning in South Africa where she teaches Tanach classes in adult Jewish education. Tammy is a certified Madrichat kalla through Yeshiva University's Gruss Kollel and the Eden Centre. Tammy joined the staff of Matan HaSharon in 2021 in the area of project development and started the Beit Midrash Erev, where she studies the Nevi'im Rishonim with her students.

has her Master’s degree in Judaic Studies from Columbia University. Prior to making Aliyah, Yael taught Tanakh at the Upper School of Ramaz, and then went on to join the Judaic Studies faculty at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women where she taught advanced Bible courses. She has taught Continuing Education courses at Drisha Institute for Jewish Education and served as Resident Scholar at the Jewish Center of Manhattan. She is currently teaching at Matan Women’s Institute for Torah Learning and is a frequent lecturer in North America and Europe. Yael has a book forthcoming on Ezra-Nehemiah through Koren Press, in collaboration with the Matan Kitvuni fellowship. For more of Yael’s writing visit: yaelleibowitz.com

is a lecturer at Matan, at the Midrasha in Bar Ilan University and in a number of other educational frameworks.  She is particularly interested in and teaches: Tanakh, Midrash and the world of the Tanaim.  She is involved in establishing the Museum of the Tanaim in Lod.  Yael has an M.A. in History and Jewish Thought from Touro College and a B.A. in Tanakh and Literature from Michlala College for Women in Jerusalem.