YOETZET HALACHA SARAH CHESES
Degree: Masters of Public Health, Columbia University; BA in Biology, Stern College; Yoetzet Halacha, Nishmat
Sarah Cheses is a graduate of Nishmat’s Yoetzet Halacha Program and holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Columbia University and a BA in Biology with Honors from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women. Sarah has previously taught at Ulpanot Orot High School in Toronto and at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck, NJ. Sarah is currently the Yoetzet Halacha for the New England region. She can be reached at (339) 364-2848 by phone or text or via email at NE.yoetzet@gmail. com. For more information visit the New England Yoetzet Halacha Initiative of Ma’ayan’s web page www.neyoetzet.org.
RACHEL SHARANSKY DANZIGER
Degree: MA
Rachel Sharansky Danziger grew up in Jerusalem, where she completed degrees in philosophy and history and taught Tanach to new immigrants. Her MA focused on the way 18th century American protoevangelicals told their personal stories, and what their stories tell us about their experiences of emotions and self. Rachel explored similar connections between stories, religion, and emotions in workshops she led that combined Torah study and creative writing. She blogs about Judaism, Israel and parenting for the Times of Israel, Kveller, and other online venues.
RABBI YAAKOV JAFFE
Degree: BA, English Literature, Columbia University; MA, Bible, Yeshiva University; Doctorate, Education, Yeshiva University; Rabbinic Ordination, RIETS
Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe serves as the rabbi of the Maimonides Minyan, and as a member of the Judaic Studies Faculty at Maimonides School. He received his ordination and doctorate from Yeshiva University, where he holds graduate degrees in Bible, Jewish History, and Jewish Education. Besides teaching at Maayan, Rabbi Jaffe has lectured and written widely on topics in Medieval Jewish History, Jewish Education, and Jewish Law. Rabbi Jaffe’s unique approach to Tanach, Tefilah, and Hebrew poetry is informed by his BA in English literature from Columbia University and the historicist approach to the study of ancient texts.
DR. YAEL JAFFE
Education: BA Columbia College; Hunter College Graduate School; Graduate Program of Advanced Talmudic Studies at Yeshiva University; PhD Educational Psychology at Columbia University
Dr. Yael Jaffe is the Dean of the twelfth grade at Maimonides School and has been a member of the Judaic Studies faculty for a decade.  She is an alumna of Columbia College, Hunter College Graduate School, and the Graduate Program of Advanced Talmudic Studies at Yeshiva University. Recently, she completed her PhD in Educational Psychology at Columbia University with a focus on Talmud instruction. Dr. Jaffe has lectured widely, at Ma’ayan and other communal settings.
RABBI BENJAMIN SAMUELS
Degree: Rabbinic ordination, BA in English literature, Masters degrees in Bible and Medieval Jewish History from Yeshiva University, and Doctorate in Science, Philosophy, and Religion at Boston University
Rabbi Benjamin Samuels, Rabbi of Congregation Shaarei Tefillah of Newton Centre, received his ordination, BA in English literature, and Master’s degrees in Bible and Medieval Jewish History from Yeshiva University. A Master Teacher for Ma’ayan and long-time faculty member, he recently received a doctorate in Science, Philosophy, and Religion at Boston University.
ELLIE RIESEL
Education: BA Stern College; MA Loyola University of Chicago
Ellie Riesel holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Curriculum Supervision from Loyola University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in Judaic studies from Stern College for Women. She formerly served as a Tanakh teacher and Upper School Student Clubs and Special Projects Coordinator at Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, Maryland. She previously taught Tanakh at Darchei Binah Women’s School for Advanced Torah Studies in Jerusalem, and at Bruriah High School for Girls in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Ellie has always felt that engaging and inspiring Jewish youth through teaching Torah is her life’s calling. She currently is a Tanakh teacher and Director of Upper School Student Life at Maimonides School in Brookline. Ellie and her husband Yudi, who directs Greater Boston NCSY, live in Newton with their three children.