She'arim Staff
She’arim’s faculty are experienced educators with diverse backgrounds and approaches. Their knowledge of Torah, combined with their caring attitude, allow students to learn and grow in a warm and supportive environment.
Rebbetzin Holly Pavlov
Rebbetzin Holly Pavlov is an outstanding Jewish educator with over 35 years of experience. She has an international reputation as a lecturer on Midrash, Jewish Philosophy and Ethics, and a keen expertise in teaching textual skills.
In 1994, Rebbetzin Pavlov founded She'arim College of Jewish Studies for Women. Recognizing the need of today's women to learn in an intimate environment that challenges them intellectually and fosters spiritual growth, she assembled a group of dedicated rabbis and teachers who shared her vision. Her wholehearted dedication to her students creates the special atmosphere for which She'arim is famous.
Rebbetzin Pavlov published works include Mirrors of Our Lives: Reflections of Women in Tanach, which discusses the lessons a modern woman can learn from the personalities, life experiences and struggles of our matriarchs. In Water From the Well, Reflections on Being Jewish at the End of History Rebbetzin Pavlov explores the experiences, struggles and triumphs of our forefathers and the inspiration we can gain for living our lives as Jews today.
Rebbetzin Malka Kaganoff
Rebbetzin Malka Kaganoff, originally from Long Island, NY, graduated from Queens College N.Y. in 1975 with a BA in Biology Education. After receiving an MA in Science Education in 1976, she began teaching Jewish Studies in the US. In 1993 she published Dear Kallah, a handbook on marital harmony for brides. After making aliyah from Baltimore in 1997, Rebbetzin Kaganoff began teaching Chumash, Parshat HaShavua, Prophets, and philosophy of Rambam at She'arim. She teaches a class entitled "New Hats, New Roles".to our newly married students In 2000, she became the Educational Director of She’arim. She is a much sought after lecturer and a columnist for Horizons Magazine.
Rebbetzin Gitty Appell
Rebbetzin Gitty Appell, originally from New York, graduated from Touro College in NY with a BA in Jewish Studies. In 1979 she moved to Israel where she received her advanced educational certification from Michlalah College for Women in Jerusalem. She has been teaching Chumash, Prayer and Maharal at She'arim since its inception.
Rebbetzin Faige Ashenberg
Rebbetzin Faige Ashenberg originally from Chicago, IL, graduated from Yavne Seminary in Cleveland with a Teacher's Diploma and a Bachelor's Degree in Humanities. She continued her education at Loyola University in Chicago where she received a Masters in Administration and Supervision from the Loyola School of Education. She has been at She'arim since 2008 teaching Parsha and The Jewish Calender. Rebbetzin Ashenberg also teaches at Ateres Bnos Yerushalayim and Afikei Torah.
Ms. Miriam Brunner
Ms. Miriam Brunner was born and raised in Manchester, England, and attended Gateshead Teachers Training College. Aside from her classes on Mitzvot and Parsha taught at She'arim, she teaches at Midreshet Tehillah and Lahav. She has been active in kiruv, assisting in Aish HaTorah's Jewel program, is currently delivering International conference shiurim, and running a summer kiruv tour.
Rebbetzin Rivi Brussel
Rebbetzin Rivi Brussel, originally from Elizabeth, NJ, received her BA in Psychology from Barnard College, NY in 1980 and attended a Masters program in Jewish History at Touro College, NY in 1984. Rebbetzin Brussel teaches classes in Interpersonal Relationships and Shalom Bayit at She'arim. In 2001, she helped found the Chen Institute, a multi-faceted resource project that offers resources and support in the form of classes, chessed projects and community integration programs to newly married women from overseas. Rebbetzin Brussel is currently involved in new projects for couples and alumnae overseas.
Rabbi Alexander Cohen
Rabbi Alexander Cohen, , originally from Montreal, Canada came to Israel in 1994. He pursued his Torah studies in Bnei Brak at the Rabbinical College “Ohel Naftaly” headed by Rav Shaul Waysman,. He attends the Mir Yeshiva and also teaches in different Torah establishments including: Ohr Hayim Yeshiva, and Beth Ramchal Institute . Rabbi Cohen gives a weekly shiur in the Ponevitz Yeshiva in Bnei Brak on Ramchal’s writings. Rabbi Cohen teaches She'arim's halacha class within the context of our Sephardic Heritage Program. He also teaches an advanced class in Jewish philosophy based on the Ramchal.
Rebbetzin Rivka Cohen
Rebbetzin Rivka Cohen, originally from Paris, France came to Israel in 1991. Fluent in more than four languages, Rebbeztin Cohen found her place as a mentor and tutor in She’arim. She holds a “Kallah Teacher Diploma “and has prepared many young women to build strong and healthy Jewish homes. Rebbetzin Cohen also teaches various issues in kashruth, in order to prepare our students to keep a kosher kitchen.This includes practical applications of the halachot of kashruth.
Mrs. Sandie Freishtat
Mrs. Sandie Freishtat, originally from Wilkes Barre, Pa., earned her B.A. in history from Stern College for Women. After spending a year learning in Israel in 1978, she married and teamed up with her musician husband to write and produce a series of popular children's CDs. Mrs. Freishtat began learning at She’arim when the school opened and became a tutor and dorm coordinator a few years later. Now is She'arim's registrar. Mrs. Freishtat is a certified life coach and is available to She'arim alumnae via phone, email or even better in person! She is the proud mother of 8 (5 girls and 3 boys) and grandmother of 8 (5 girls and 3 boys)!
Rebbetzin Barbara Friedman
Rebbetzin Barbara Friedman was raised in New York and studied at Yeshiva University Stern College for Women, where she received a degree in Jewish Studies, History and Political Science. She finished her education with graduate work in Jewish Studies at Bernard Revel Graduate School for Jewish Studies of Yeshiva University. Rebbetzin Friedman has taught at Midreshet Lindenbaum, Neve and Bnos Chava. At She'arim she teaches Chumash, Prayer and Jewish Thought.
Rebbetzin Rachel Hershberg
Rebbetzin Rachel Hershberg, from Palo Alto, California, received a BA in Religion from Columbia University in 1992. After making aliyah in 1995, she studied at Midreshet Rachel and Nishmat, and was a Fellow at Midreshet Moriah's Bogrot program. Mrs. Hershberg teaches Jewish Calendar in She'arim's Taste of Torah program and is a tutor for various levels. She teaches Jewish Calendar, Chumash and Medieval Philosophy.
Rebbetzin Gila Manolson
Rebbetzin Gila Manolson graduated Yale Univeristy magna cum laude in 1979 and from 1981 to 1983 studied Torah in Israel. In 1984 she married and settled in Jerusalem, where she currently resides with her husband and children. She is an internationally known speaker and has taught for Discovery, the Jerusalem Fellowships, the Bet Midrash program at Hebrew Univeristy, the Michlalah Overseas Program, V.I.S.A. (Visiting Israel Students Association), Isralight and other programs. She is a regular speaker at a number of post high school seminaries for American women, including Bnos Torah (Sharfman's), Michlelet Esther, Michlelet Lindenbaum, Be'er Miriam, Darchei Bina and Afikei Torah as well as colleges for ba'alot teshuva, including Neve Yerushalyim, Midreshet Rachel and She'arim where she teaches regularly. She appears in the Aish-HaTorah sponsored film Inspired and in the Bnos Melochim film Who AM I? Rebbetzin Manolson's overseas lecture tours have brought her to numerous schools and kiruv organizations in North America, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Africa and Russia. She teaches classes in Jewish philosophy.
Rebbetzin Manolson is the author of three best selling books (all of which have been translated into several languages): The Magic Touch: A Jewish Approach to Relationships, Outside/Inside: A Fresh Look at Tzniut and Head to Heart: What to Know before Dating and Marriage.
Rebbetzin Diane Liff
Rebbetzin Diane Liff studied in Michlala College for Women in Jerusalem. She worked as a graphic artist for Targum Press for 18 years. During that time, she pursued her passion for learning Torah under the tutelage of Rav Nachman Bulman, zt”l, and Rebbetzin Esther Kitov. Originally from Burlington, Vermont, she has lived in Israel for the past 38 years. After working many years as a graphic artist, she turned her passion into another career, and began teaching young women in seminary. She has been a loved and respected member of the She’arim staff ever since.
Rebbetzin Shoshana Raff
Rebbetzin Shoshana Raff, made aliyah from New York with her family while still a small child. She has a degree in special education and Tanach from Michlalah College for Women in Jerusalem. Rebbetzin Raff has been teaching Prophets and Parshat HaShavu’a at She’arim since 1994 and serves as a mentor and liaison to shadchaniot for our students who seek shidduchim.
Mrs. Nathalia Rottman
Mrs. Nathalia Rottman came to Israel, from Antwerp, Belgium in 1982. She received her BA in Education with specialization in Hebrew, Limudei Kodesh, and French. In addition to working at She'arim as the dorm-coordinator, Mrs. Rottman works as a Kallah teacher and Shalom Bayis counselor, and together with her husband is raising their five children. Mrs. Rottman has also worked as a Ner L'Elef's program organizer.
Rebbetzin Riva Sperling
Rebbetzin Riva Sperling made aliyah in 1987 after completing her degree in Linguistics from Sydney University, Australia. In 1990, she received a teaching diploma from Michlalah College for Women in Jerusalem. She taught and coordinated student activities at Nishmat for eight years. Rebbetzin Sperling has been teaching Prophets, Chumash and Women in Tanach at She'arim since 1999.
Rebbetzin Chaya Tavin
Rebbetzin Chaya Tavin, originally from New Jersey, made aliyah in 1983 after receiving her BA in International Relations from John Hopkins University. From 1983-84, she studied at Brovender's (Midreshet Lindenbaum). Rebbetzin Tavin has been teaching Women in Tanach, Megillot, Mussar, Hashkafa and Bein Adam L'Chavero at She'arim since 1995. She is the Student Adviser for the Taste of Torah program at She'arim. From 1999 until the present, Rebbetzin Tavin has been teaching a training course for Jewish Diaspora Outreach professionals at Ner L'Elef. She is often invited to lecture to various groups in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Moishe Yoselevitz
Rabbi Moishe Yoselevitz originally from Mexico City, came to Jerusalem over twenty years ago. After learning at the Mir Yeshiva for many years, he continued his studies, specializing in Halacha (Jewish Law) in depth for over nine years. He received Rabbinical Ordination from various leading Jerusalem Rabbis. Rabbi Yoselevitz has been teaching for ten years in many places, including Ohr Somayach's Spanish Speaking Program, Yeshivas Ner Chaim, Ayelet HaShachar Girls' Seminary, Centro Jerusalem Girls' Seminary, and Portenol (Spanish speaking women's organization). Rabbi Yoselevitz teaches Halacha at She'arim.