Our Faculty

In Migdal Oz, we make sure that every student feels comfortable and supported. Overseas students can turn to everyone in the overseas staff, including Racheli Schmell, Director of Overseas Students, Shayna Goldberg, Mashgicha Ruchanit, their overseas madrichot, and their overseas “eim bayit”. They can also turn to anyone on the Beit Midrash Staff, including their Ramim, Ramiot, and Mellavot (Israeli madrichot). Staff members are here to help each student with their physical, spiritual, emotional, medical and mental health needs. 

Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg

Rosh Beit Midrash

Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg

Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg founded Beit Midrash Migdal Oz in 1997, and has served as the Rosh Beit Midrash since its establishment. Prior to Migdal Oz, Rabbanit Esti served as the Rosh Beit Midrash of the Midreshet Lindenbaum Israeli Program. After graduating high school, she studied Tanach in the Israeli program in Michlalah and then went on to graduate from Hebrew University with a B.A. in Hebrew Literature. She is an active member on the board of Bnei Akiva. She and her husband live in Alon Shvut and have seven children.

Administrative Staff

Mrs. Bracha Ne’eman

Administrative Manager

Mrs. Bracha Ne’eman

Bracha joined Rabbanit Esti in managing the Beit Midrash in 1999, and had been the Administrative Managerever since. She holds both a B.A. in Social Sciences and a Teaching Certificate from Bar Ilan University. Bracha and her husband live on Kibbutz Migdal Oz, and have six children.

Rabbanit Bat Sheva Samet

Educational Director

Rabbanit Bat Sheva Samet

Rabbanit Bat Sheva holds a B.A. in Torah Sheb’al Peh and Jewish History and an M.A. in Talmud from Bar Ilan University. She became a Toenet Rabbanit through Midreshet Lindenbaum, and studied at Beit Midrash Morasha and in the Hilchita program at Matan. Rabbanit Bat Sheva writes Teshuvot and Halacha articles for the Meyshivat Nefesh project. She has been teaching at Migdal Oz since 2013. Rabbanit Bat Sheva lives in Nokdim with her husband and five children.

Mrs. Nechama Vorogs

Office Manager

Mrs. Nechama Vorogs

Nechama has been the Beit Midrash’s Office Manager since 2014. She lives in Netiv Ha’avot with her five children.

Overseas Staff

Mrs. Racheli Schmell

Director of Overseas Students

Mrs. Racheli Schmell

Racheli studied at Migdal Oz for Shana Aleph. She has a B.A. in social work from Bar Ilan University, an M.A. in educational counseling, and a teaching certificate from Herzog College. She first became Head Madricha for the Bnot Chul in 2008, and became the Overseas Director in 2011. Racheli made aliyah with her family when she was eight. She now lives in Efrat with her husband and five children.

Mrs. Racheli Schmell

Director of Overseas Students

Mrs. Racheli Schmell

Racheli studied at Migdal Oz for Shana Aleph. She has a B.A. in social work from Bar Ilan University, an M.A. in educational counseling, and a teaching certificate from Herzog College. She first became Head Madricha for the Bnot Chul in 2008, and became the Overseas Director in 2011. Racheli made aliyah with her family when she was eight. She now lives in Efrat with her husband and five children.

Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg

Mashgicha Ruchanit

Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg

Rabbanit Shayna holds an undergraduate degree in Judaic Studies from Stern College, and went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Secondary Jewish Education at Azrieli, while simultaneously studying Talmud and Halacha as a GPATS (Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies) scholar. She is a Nishmat Yoetzet Halacha, a contributing editor for Deracheha: Womenandmitzvot.org, a frequent blogger for Times of Israel and the author of the book “What Do You Really Want? Trust and Fear in Decision Making at Life’s Crossroads and in Everyday Living” (Maggid, 2021). Prior to making aliya in 2011, she worked as a Yoetzet Halacha for several New Jersey synagogues and taught at Kohelet in Philadelphia and Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School in Teaneck. She lives in Alon Shevut with her husband and five children.

Mrs. Eliana Kaplan

Eim Bayit

Mrs. Eliana Kaplan

Eliana made Aliya from Cleveland at age five and grew up in Chashmonaim. She went to Migdal Oz for Shana Aleph in the Israeli program, and then went on to do two years of national service. For her first year of national service, Eliana worked in a school in Netivot, and for her second year she worked as a madricha in Midreshet HaRova. After completing her national service Eliana, returned to Migdal Oz for Shana Bet. She is now finishing her degree in Occupational Therapy at Hebrew University. She lives on campus with her husband, Sammy, and their house is always open for the Bnot Chu”l (overseas students).

Shana Alef Ramim and Ramiot

Rabbanit Tzivia Bahat

Ramit

Rabbanit Tzivia Bahat

Rabbanit Tzivia is an alumna of both Migdal Oz’s shana alef program, and of Migdal Oz’s Kolel Iyun. She has been teaching here since 2018. Rabbanit Tzivia has a degree in Tanach and Torah Sheb’al Peh, and is a Yoetzet Halacha. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband and four kids.

Rav Kobi Gigi

Ram

Rav Kobi Gigi

Rav Kobi studied in Yeshivat Har Etzion, and has Smicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He has a B.A. in teaching from Herzog College, and an M.A. in teaching from Bar Ilan University. He started teaching in Migdal Oz in 2018, and teaches in Nishmat as well. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and four children.

Rabbanit Shiri Himmelfarb

Ramit

Rabbanit Shiri Himmelfarb

Rabbanit Shiri is an alumna of Migdal Oz’s Shana Aleph program, as well as our Kollel Iyun and our Advanced Halacha program. She holds a B.A. in Tanach and Torah Sheb’al Peh from Herzog College, and is working towards her Masters in Talmud at Bar Ilan University. In addition to teaching at Migdal Oz, she oversees visits to our alumnae serving in the IDF.

Rabbanit Batsheva Sykes Kolt

Ramit

Rabbanit Batsheva Sykes Kolt

Rabbanit Batsheva is an alumna of Migdal Oz Shana Bet, Migdal Oz’s Kollel Iyun, and Migdal Oz’s Advanced Halakha program. She holds a B.A. in Jewish Philosophy and History from Hebrew University. In addition to teaching at Migdal Oz, she oversees visits to our alumnae serving in the IDF. Outside the Beit Midrash, Rabbanit Batsheva teaches the advanced Gemara class at Pelech Girls High School in Jerusalem. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband and two children.

Rav Netanel Buks

Ram

Rav Netanel Buks

Rav Netanel studied in Yeshivat Har Etzion, and has Smicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He has a B.A. in Jewish Philosophy and Torah Sheb’al Peh from Herzog College, and an M.A. in Jewish Philosophy. Rav Netanel started teaching in Migdal Oz in 2011. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and four kids.

Rabbanit Maayan Gil

Ramit

Rabbanit Maayan Gil

Rabbanit Maayan is an alumna of both Migdal Oz’s shana alef program, and of Migdal Oz’s Kollel Iyun. She holds a B.A. in Chemistry and Jewish Philosophy, and an M.A. in Chemistry from Hebrew University. Rabbanit Maayan has taught in Migdal Oz since 2015. She lives in Efrat with her husband and four children.

Rav Dr. Sefi Marcus

Ram

Rav Dr. Sefi Marcus

Rav Sefi studied in Yeshivat Har Etzion, and in the Kollel Gavoah there. He received Semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. Rav Sefi holds both a B.A. and M.A. from Herzog College, and a Doctorate in Talmud from Bar Ilan University. He is a professor in Herzog College, and has taught in Migdal Oz since 2010. Rav Sefi lives in Karmei Tzur with his wife and six kids.

Rabbanit Dr. Yosefa (Fogel) Wruble

Ramit

Rabbanit Dr. Yosefa (Fogel) Wruble

Dr. Yosefa holds a BA from Stern College in Judaic Studies and English Literature, a Teaching Certificate from Herzog College, and a Doctorate in Tanach from Bar Ilan University. In addition to teaching at Migdal Oz, she also teaches at Matan in Jerusalem, and hosts their weekly podcast. Dr. Yosefa is a Yoetzet Halacha and a Kallah teacher. She made aliyah after graduating college, and now lives in Gush Etzion with her husband and children.

Rav Zev Friedman

Ram

Rav Zev Friedman

Rav Zev studied at Yeshivat Hakotel and in the Eretz Chemda Kollel. Prior to teaching at Migdal Oz, Rav Zev was a Ram at Yeshivat Makor Chaim. He continues to teach Midrash and Torah Shebaal Peh there. Rav Zev has been teaching at Migdal Oz since 2003. He and his wife live in Jerusalem and have six children.

Rabbanit Millette Halperin Yaniv

Ramit

Rabbanit Millette Halperin Yaniv

Rabbanit Millette is an alumna of both Migdal Oz’s shana aleph program, and of the Kollel Iyun. She holds a B.A. in Torah Sheb’al Peh and Literature from Herzog College, and an M.A. in Art Theory from the Bezalel Academy at Hebrew University. Rabbanit Millette has taught at Migdal Oz since 2019. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband and two children.

Rabbanit Shira Mnitentag

Ramit

Rabbanit Shira Mnitentag

Rabbanit Shira has a B.A. in Torah Sheb’al Peh and Jewish Philosophy from Herzog College. She studied in the Shiur Hemshech and in the Keren Ariel program at Nishmat, as well as in the Kollel Iyun at Migdal Oz. She is a Yoetzet Halacha and answers Halakhic questions on Taharat Hamishpacha on the Yoetzot Halacha website and for her community.

Rabbanit Bat Sheva Samet

Educational Director

Rabbanit Bat Sheva Samet

Rabbanit Bat Sheva holds a B.A. in Torah Sheb’al Peh and Jewish History and an M.A. in Talmud from Bar Ilan University. She became a Toenet Rabbanit through Midreshet Lindenbaum, and studied at Beit Midrash Morasha and in the Hilchita program at Matan. Rabbanit Bat Sheva writes Teshuvot and Halacha articles for the Meyshivat Nefesh project. She has been teaching at Migdal Oz since 2013. Rabbanit Bat Sheva lives in Nokdim with her husband and five children.

Shana Bet Ramim and Ramiot

Rav Meir Nehurei

Ram

Rav Meir Nehurei

Rav Meir studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and received Semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He has an M.A. in Talmud from Bar Ilan University. Rav Meir serves on the rabbinic board of Tzohar and is the community Rav of Moshav Masuat Yitzchak. Rav Meir has served as a Ram in the Beit Midrash since 2001. He and his wife live in Masuat Yitzchak and have six children.

Rav Avishay Schreiber

Ram

Rav Avishay Schreiber

Rav Avishay studied in Yeshivat Mercaz Harav and in Yeshivat Siach Yitzchok. He teaches in Yeshivat Siach Yitzchok, and has taught in Migdal Oz since 2009. Rav Avishay and his wife have eight children and live in Jerusalem.

Rabbanit Dina Nagar

Ramit

Rabbanit Dina Nagar

Rabbanit Dina is an alumna of Midreshet Lindenbaum’s Israeli program, and of the Advanced Talmud Institute at Matan. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in Talmud from Hebrew University. Rabbanit Dina started teaching in Migdal Oz in 2011. She lives in Tekoa with her husband and five children.

Rabbanit Lior Porat

Ramit

Rabbanit Lior Porat

Advanced Programs Staff

Rabbanit Naomi Adler

Head of the Tochnit Mitkademet

Rabbanit Naomi Adler

Rabbanit Naomi has taught in Migdal Oz since 2005, first as a Ramit and now as the head of the Kollel Iyun, the advanced Talmud program for women who have been learning for 4+ years. She holds a B.A. in Computer Science from Bar Ilan University. Rabbanit Naomi learned in Midreshet Lindenbaum’s Beit Midrash program, the Advanced Talmud Institute of Matan, and participated in Rav Lichtenstein’s gemara shiurim for three years. Rabbanit Naomi lives in Jerusalem with her husband and four children.

Rabbanit Ohr Machlof

Shana Gimmel-Dalet Ramit

Rabbanit Ohr Machlof

Rabbanit Ohr completed the Advanced Talmud Institute of Matan in addition to learning in Migdal Oz’s Beit Midrash for five years. She has a B.A. in teaching from Herzog College, and an M.A. in Talmud from Bar Ilan University. Rabbanit Ohr began teaching in Migdal Oz in 2015 and lives in Jerusalem with her husband and two children.

Rabbanit Chani Klieman

Shana Gimmel-Dalet Ramit

Rabbanit Chani Klieman

Rabbanit Chani studied in Migdal Oz for five years, as well as in Midreshet Lindenbaum and Beit Morasha. She holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Jewish Philosophy from Hebrew University and an M.A. in Jewish Philosophy. She is working on her Doctoral studies on Sefer Hazohar. Rabbanit Chani taught Chassidut and Machshevet Yisrael in Pelech High School, and has been a Ramit in the Beit Midrash since 2010. She lives in Tekoa with her husband and three children.

Afternoon Teachers

Rav Ezra Bick, a Ra”m at Yeshivat Har Etzion since his aliyah from New York in 1977, is the director of the Israel Koschitzky Virtual Beit Midrash, with more than 30 weekly shiurim and tens of thousands of monthly users. Rav Bick earned his semikha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, and holds an M.S. degree in Jewish Philosophy from YU and a M. Phil. degree in Philosophy from Columbia University. He is the author of ‘Yud-Gimel Middot Shel Rachamim,’ and ‘The Shemonah Esrei.’

Rav Aviezer Cohen studied at Yeshivat Torah V’Emunah for five years, and in Beit Morasha for four years.  Rav Aviezer teaches Jewish Philosophy in Migdal Oz. 

Rav Amnon Bazak is a Shiur Bet Ra”m at Yeshivat Har Etzion, and teaches Bible and Oral Law at the Herzog College and the Women’s Beit Midrash in Migdal Oz. He completed his hesder army service in the military rabbinate, was later ordained as a rabbi and received his B.Ed. degree at Herzog College for Teacher Training. Rav Bazak has authored several books on Tanakh study, including: ‘Shmuel Alef: Melekh in Israel,’ ‘Shmuel Bet: David’s Kingship,’ ‘Nekudat Peticha: Studies in Parshat Hashavua,’ and To This Very Day: Fundamental Questions in Bible Study.’

An alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion’s hesder program, Rav Yuval Cherlow is the founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orot Shaul in Kfar Batya. Rav Cherlow concentrates on bringing parts of Israeli society together as founder of the organization Tzohar, and is a frequent contributor to newspapers and journals. He is also a teacher and lecturer across Israel. Rav Cherlow has authored several psakim and books that deal with the overlap of modern society and a halakhic way of life, and serves on multiple ethics committees and boards.

An alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion, Beit Midrash Beit Morasha, and the Torah Institute of Higher Education at Bar Ilan University, Rav Tani serves as the Rav of Kehillat Ilana DeChayei in Jerusalem. Rav Tani has a bachelor’s degree in medical sciences from Hebrew University, and a master’s and PhD degree in Bar Ilan University. His doctorate deals with Aggada and Halacha in the Babylonian Talmud. Rav Tani teaches Gemara in the Women’s Beit Midrash at Migdal Oz and Toshb”a at Herzog College and Bar Ilan University.

Rav Baruch Gigi, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion, received his semikha from the Israeli Rabbinate and his B.Ed. from Herzog College. In addition to teaching at Migdal Oz, HaRav Gigi also teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum, and serves as the Rav of the Sephardic Synagogue in Alon Shevut.  He previously was a Ra”m and Rosh Kollel at the Hesder Yeshiva “Ma’alot,” and since 1988 has taught at Yeshivat Har Etzion.

Rav Tamir Granot  studied at Netiv Meir and Yeshivat Har Etzion. He received a bachelor’s degree in education at Jerusalem College, a master’s degree in Jewish philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and completed a doctoral thesis on the revival of Hasidism after the Holocaust. Rav Tamir founded the Beit Midrash for military graduates in Katsrin and Beit Midrash L’Torah V’Hachaim in Hasfin, of which he serves as head.

An alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion, Rav Hauser holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Herzog College, and teaches Jewish philosophy and Chassidut at Migdal Oz and Midreshet Lindenbaum.

Rabbanit Dr. Ahinoam Jacobs holds a doctorate in Hebrew literature. In addition to teaching in Migdal Oz, she also teaches at Herzog College. Over her 25 years as a teacher, she has held various educational positions in the Ministry of Education, including membership in the Bible Professional Committee. She was a partner in writing the new Bible curriculum, and has mentored teacher teams.

Rav Medan teaches widely and serves as Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion. He studied in Yeshivat Har Etzion starting in its first year in 1968. Rav Medan served in the hesder program as part of the Armored Corps, after which he returned to the yeshiva and started serving as a Ra”M. He received rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Har Etzion, a B.Ed. from the Michlalah in Bayit Vegan, and an M.A. from Touro College. In 2000, Rav Medan, along with Professor Ruth Gavison, composed the “Foundation for a New Social Pact between Religious and Secular Jews in Israel,” and were awarded the Avi Chai Prize in 2001. 

Rav Ra’anan studied at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav and served in the IDF from 1991 to 1995. In 1996, he became a founding member of  Yeshivat Siach Sadeh. Rav Ra’anan earned his semikha and completed a Bachelor of Education degree from Herzog College. He has also served as a Ra”m at Mekor Chayim Yeshiva High School in Kibbutz Kfar Etzion. In 2011 he joined the staff of Yeshivat Har Etzion and has served for the past decade as a Shana Alef Ra”m. Rav Nechemia is currently Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Hesder Shadlot Mechola.

Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon is an internationally acclaimed posek, as well as an author, educator, and lecturer. Through his book series, Halakha MiMekora, Rav Rimon has become known worldwide for developing an innovative methodology for teaching Halakha. Rav Rimon is also the Founder and Chairman of Sulamot, an organization that empowers Jews to explore their Jewish heritage and deepen connections to the Jewish people through revolutionizing the way Torah is taught, as well as of La’Ofek (formerly JobKatif), which was founded to help those expelled from their homes during the evacuation of Gush Katif support themselves. He is the Chief Rabbi of Gush Etzion, Rosh Yeshiva of Lev Academic Center (JCT), and Rabbi of the “New Shul” in Alon Shvut. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Rav Rimon has received multiple awards and recognitions.

 

Rabbanit Surale Rosen, a graduate of Matan’s 5 year Halakha program, is founder and head of Matan Women’s online Halakhic Responsa project (to be launched Sep 2018). Surale is also a certified Rabbinical Arbitrator and a graduate of Matan’s Advanced Gemarah Institute. For the past 5 years she has headed Metivta – Matan’s Advanced Gemarah Program. She has taught Midrash, Talmud and Halakha (and daf yomi) in a wide array of shuls and communities, besides the Matan Beit Midrash, and written many responses to halakhic questions through the Meshivat Nefesh online forum. 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. Rabbanit Rosen is also invested in communal service on both local and national levels. This is her third year of participation in the joint project of the UK Foreign Ministry and SFCG of leading Muslim and Jewish figures creating a basis for religious dialogue in the Arab – Israeli conflict.

Rav Reuven Tabul studued in “Ateret Kohanim”. After his military service, Rav Reuven studied for several years at the Ramat Gan yeshiva. He holds a doctorate in Hebrew literature from Bar-Ilan University. Rav Reuven is one of the leaders of the Shuva Midrasha for girls in Ofra, leads the literature department at Orot Israel College, and educates widely on the Bible, Jewish thought, and Hebrew literature. He lives with his family in Rosh Tzurim.

Rav Moshe Taragin has been a Ra”m at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Gush Etzion since 1994. He has semikha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, a BA in Computer Science from Yeshiva University, and an MA in English Literature from City University. Rav Taragin previously taught Talmud at Columbia University, lectured in Talmud and Bible at the IBC and JSS divisions of Yeshiva University, and served as Assistant Rabbi at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue. He has authored a Yom Ha’atzmaut Machzor for Koren publishing house. Rav Taragin lives with his wife and eight children in Alon Shvut.

 

Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky, a leader in Torah and women’s issues throughout the Jewish world, holds a Master’s degree in law and a Doctorate in Talmud from Bar Ilan University. She is the founder of an umbrella organization for women Torah scholars in educational leadership positions and is the director of the Moshe Green Beit Midrash for Women’s Leadership and the Women’s Halakha Program at Beit Morasha. She lives with her husband and seven children in Nof Ayalon.

Dr. Shmuel Wygoda holds a Ph.d. cum laude from the Hebrew University and wrote his thesis on the Talmudic philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas. He was the president of Herzog College from 1995 to 2006. During his time as president, he helped establish the Migdal Oz Beit Midrash. Dr. Wygoda currently serves as the head of the Department of Jewish Philosophy at Herzog College. He taught in the Department of Jewish Philosophy at Hebrew University, edited several books, and published a series of articles on general and Jewish philosophy. Dr. Wygoda also serves as a consultant for Jewish education in Europe and North America.

Watch Our Video

Mailing List

Join our mailing list to get updates and news from Migdal Oz.
Please enter your email in the box below

Join us on social media

Envelope Facebook Youtube

Beit Midrash For Women, Kibbutz Migdal Oz, Gush Etzion,
9091500 l Tel: 02-9934520 l Email: officemigdaloz@gmail.com