The class titles are impressive themselves, but it is the dynamic teachers that truly bring our subjects to life. Our philosophy at Machon Maayan is one of mutual respect and communication. Teachers treat us as adults, expecting us to question, struggle, and grow. In return, we have come to see them not only as instructors on the complexity of Torah, but as role models and mentors. These teachers are not one-dimensional; many of them contribute to various other aspects of our lives. They are tour-guides, spiritual leaders, yoga instructors, and Shabbat hosts. They lead by example, and welcome us to join them.

- Debbie Katz, Toronto Canada

Rabbi Ira Kosowsky, Director, is a dynamic and inspirational educator who believes in personal growth through open discussions, in-depth Torah study, and community involvement.

Rabbi Kosowsky has established Student Leadership Programs in many countries – including England, South Africa and the United States – that are characterized by practical leadership training, which has empowered the graduates to get involved in many meaningful challenges in the Jewish world. He has rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, and a Master's degree in Bible from Bernard Revel Graduate School.

Rabbi Ben Zion Goldfischer, Mashgiach Ruchani, is an extremely talented and popular educator both in the formal and non-formal realms. With the ability to relate to others at all levels of religious observance, intellect and age, he has inspired and affected countless students at Midreshet Moriah, Birthright, Aish Hatorah, NCSY, Reishit Yerushalayim and Torat Shraga, among others. While Rabbi Goldfischer's classes and programs are known to be challenging and enlightening, they are always delivered with humor and entertainment.

Rabbi Goldfischer has been involved in NCSY as far as he can remember but most significantly he founded and directs The Jerusalem Journey (TJJ), a month-long touring and learning program in Israel, where he connects public school students with their Jewish roots, sharing his vast knowledge of our heritage and history through archeological sites, Biblical texts, hikes and trips. Rabbi Goldfischer received his Rabbinical Ordination from Yeshiva University and holds a BA in Biology and History. He is also a licensed tour guide through the Ministry of Tourism of Israel.

Mrs. Meryl-Lee Abraham, Assistant Director and Coordinator of Internships, has an ability to impart her passion for Torah and Mitzvot in a manner that is truly unique. She is able to synthesize classroom curriculum into the terms of daily living, while building confidence and self-esteem in her students.

Meryl-Lee was the director for many years of a vast network of outreach programs throughout New Jersey known as L.A.V.E. (Life And Values Education). She founded the Ari Kraut Friendship Circle, which provides community assistance to families with special needs children, by pairing the children with trained and eager teen volunteers.

Mrs. Shira Reifman, Executive Director, holds a B.A., a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and a Masters of Social Work (MSW), all from Columbia University. Prior to making aliyah she spent 10 years directing informal Jewish educational programs, first as a Regional Director and National Director of Operations for the National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) and then as the Executive Director of the Jewish Student Union. Shira is a Wexner Graduate Fellow and has earned numerous distinctions for her work with NCSY and Jewish youth. Since making aliyah, Shira has worked as the Executive Director of Lamdeni and as a fundraising consultant for the UK-based consulting firm, Secure Prospects. Shira is married to Rabbi Daniel Reifman and the couple lives happily in Yad Binyamin with their five wonderful daughters, a dog and two cats.

Mrs. Shira Melamed, Eim Bayit and Assistant Coordinator of Internships, made aliya after high school. After learning at Midreshet Harova for a year, she did sherut leumi in Jerusalem as a music therapist working in a school for autistic children. Shira graduated from Bar Ilan with a degree in social work. In addition, she served as an intern in a drug rehabilitation center in Bnei Brak, including weekly sessions with clients, family therapy and group therapy.

Avraham Abboudi graduated from YU with a Master's degree in Jewish philosophy, and is currently practicing as a general dentist in Modiin. He has been involved in adult Jewish education for the past 13 years, and is relishing the chance to enter the world of formal education, despite keeping his day job. Avraham lives in Chashmonaim with his wife Ricki and five kids.

Rabbi Avi Baumol graduated from Yeshiva University with a degree in Economics and received a Masters degree in Medieval Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. He received Semicha from RIETS at Yeshiva University as well as from Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg. Rabbi Baumol has taught in high schools, Yeshivot and Seminaries for the past 15 years and was the Rabbi of Congregation Schara Tzedeck in Vancouver British Columbia. Rabbi Baumol has authored a book on Tehillim which is currently being published by Gefen Publishing. He lives in Efrat with his wife Hadley and his five children.

Dina Blank holds a BA from Columbia University and an MA in Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School at Yeshiva University. She is a graduate of the Atid Fellows program and is a mainstay on the faculty of Shaalvim for Women.

Rabbi Michael Bramson is a warm and engaging teacher, who caters to the needs of each individual student. His ability to incorporate comments and concerns from across the spectrum makes him a truly universal educator.
He currently teaches at Torat Chaim in Yerushalayim and at Tiferet in Ramat Bet Shemesh. The influence of his talents have been felt during the summers by the Ethiopian community of Natzrat Elit in Israel, during Shavuot & Simchat Torah in the city of Newport News, Virginia, on Shabbatonim throughout New Jersey, and as one of the most successful teachers at the Berman Hebrew Academy of Greater Washington. Rabbi Bramson has Rabbinical Ordination from Yeshiva University and a BA in Psychology.

Dina Etigson currently teaches at Tiferet. Students thrive on her rare combination of intellect and spirituality. After receiving her BA from State University of New York at Albany and working at Morgan Stanley, Dina moved to Israel and joined the Matmidot Program at Matan and then the Machon Gevoha Program at Nishmat.

Pesha Fischer has worked as the Campus Torah Educator at the University of Maryland. Previously she was the Judaic Studies Coordinator at Yavneh Academy in Dallas. Pesha has studied in the Bruriah Scholars program at Midreshet Lindenbaum and Matan. She holds a Master's Degree in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University. She has taught at MMY and Michlelet Neve Daniel and is also currently teaching at Tiferet.

Rabbi Daniel Hartstein has been in the business field for over 15 years, serving most recently as Executive Vice President of Sales for Kayote Networks. He has an impressive career in the business world, responsible for managing and increasing revenues for multi-million dollar telecommunication companies. Rabbi Hartstein has a BS in Marketing from Sy Symms School of Business-Yeshiva University and a Masters in Management Engineering from the University of Bridgeport. Rabbi Hartstein received semicha from Rav Aharon Soloveitchik and has been giving shiurim/classes for the past decade that have been featured on www.yutorah.org. Rabbi Hartstein and his family made aliyah in the summer of 2008 and reside in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Rabbi Dov Lipman is the author of "Discover a Book on Jewish Thought" for teenagers. His knowledge and depth of understanding comes alive in the classroom with his exciting and personable teaching style. Rabbi Lipman received Semicha from Rav Yaakov Weinberg zt"l of Ner Yisrael Baltimore and completed a Masters in Education from John Hopkins University. Rabbi Lipman was involved in outreach at college campuses in America and at a summer camp in the former Soviet Union. He was also the director of student life for Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah.

Rabbanit Dr. Avigail Rock holds a Ph.D in Bible from Bar-Ilan University, and is a Certified Rabbinical Advocate. She until recently headed the women's learning in Boca Raton, Florida, and now lives in Beit Shemesh with her husband and four children. She currently teaches Tanach to women in Israel and abroad, and trains Rabbinical Advocates in Jerusalem.

Daphna Secunda previously served as the Director of Women's Programming at the Center for the Jewish Future at Yeshiva University. She has also served as an instructor of Jewish Philosophy at Stern College for Women. In addition, she has lectured widely in Tanach and Jewish Philosophy both locally and in the United States. Daphna resides in Modiin with her husband Shai and their three children.

Rav Shlomo Sobol Rav Sobol is a graduate of Yeshivat Merkaz Harav and was a professor in the Talmud department at Bar Ilan. Always approachable, he has inspired many students with his clear and developed approach to topics in halacha. Rav Sobol was the Rosh Kollel in Detroit and currently serves as the rabbi of a community shul in Modiin.

Tali Sobol is a graduate of Bar-Ilan University in Torah Shebe'al Pe and in Hebrew Studies. Tali and her husband spent a few years on shlichut in Detroit where Tali invigorated the Women's Beit Midrash program with a diversified program that allowed so many access to the beauty of Torah. Tali's warmth and uplifting shiurim have given the students of Machon Maayan a new appreciation of Tehillim and halacha. She currently resides in Modiin and serves as a Rebbetzin of a community shul.

Penina Taylor is the Director of Shomrei Emet Institute for Counter-Missionary studies and the former Director of Jews for Judaism, Jerusalem. Penina is also the founder of Torah Life Strategies, an organization founded to promote skills in abundant living from a Torah perspective. Regardless of what topic Penina speaks on, her audiences always come away enlightened and inspired. Whether she's telling her own personal story, speaking on the subject of Judaism and Christianity or giving a motivational talk, Penina's dynamic style and personal warmth allows her students to connect with her and always leaves listeners wanting more. Penina Taylor's extensive experience in Christian and Messianic leadership as well as training in evangelism, outreach, and missions over 17 years has given her a unique perspective on missionary groups that target the Jewish Community.

Dr. Dodi Tobin has worked as a psychologist and researcher, and is the former Director of Social Services for Nefesh B'Nefesh. She has served on the administrations of Nishmat and Pardes, and is an alumnus of the ATID fellowship program in Jewish education. Dr. Tobin has published articles on the post-high school yeshiva program experience and the psychological aspects of aliya and klita.

Rabbi Aharon Wexler made aliyah after high school and studied in Yeshivat HaKotel. After Yeshiva, he studied for his BA in Archeology and then went back to Yeshivat HaKotel for his Rabbinic Ordination. Aharon went on to earn an MA in Jewish History and is now a Doctoral Candidate. Aharon teaches in many post-highschool Yeshiva programs and during the summers leads birthright-israel tours, and other educational touring programs.