Bnot Torah/Sharfman’s offers an all-star faculty that includes some of the most inspiring, warm and dedicated educators and role models. We proudly maintain what is probably the highest ratio of faculty to students in all of Israel to ensure that you receive maximum personal attention. Through knowing our faculty, you can better appreciate how we are uniquely designed to offer you a real student-centered seminary experience. We encourage you to enjoy the biographical sketches of some of the many people to whom you can connect with and gain intellectual inspiration and spiritual growth.
Rabbi Label Sharfman
Rabbi Label Sharfman grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn and made Aliyah with his wife in 1976. He subsequently established Bnot Torah Institute in September 1977, beginning with 12 students. Rabbi Sharfman spent his formative years at The Rabbinical Seminary of America (Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim), studied at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, and received his Rabbinic ordination from the late Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, zt”l, at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Theological Seminary. He graduated as a Phi Alpha Theta Scholar, from Queens College specializing in Chinese history and, did graduate work in Counseling at Teachers College of Columbia University and in Ancient Jewish History at the Bernard Revel graduate school of Yeshiva University.
While Rabbi Sharfman is viewed as one of the visionary founders of the seminary movement in Israel, he is also acclaimed for his musical talents in that he was one of the founding members of The Rabbis’ Sons as well as co-director, producer and lead vocalist of arguably one of the most famous Jewish music groups D’veykus. While Rabbi Sharfman is known for his smooth voice and memorable kumzitz’s, he is also renowned for his ability to convey intricate principles of Jewish law in an organized and concise manner. To that extent, in conjunction with the Orthodox Union and NCSY he has authored, The Pesach Seder: A Practical Guide, as well as most recently, Hadlakat Neirot Shel Shabbat: A Practical Guide. Rabbi Sharfman has been cited in Time Magazine and has been involved in educating Jewish youth for over 35 years, running outreach programs in Israel, the United States, and South Africa. He lives with his wife and family in the Sanhedria HaMurchevet neighborhood of Yerushalayim.
Mrs. Shani Gibraltar
Raised in Monsey, New York, Mrs. Shani Gibraltar hails from a family passionate about having a deep and meaningful connection to Torah. The daughter of the revered Rav Zorach Shapiro zt”l, who was a student of the revered Chofetz Chaim, Mrs. Gibraltar has served as an educator for now four decades and is internationally noted for her enthusiastic and caring personality and her enlightening approach to clarifying Jewish issues relevant to our daily lives.
Rabbi Michoel Green
Rabbi Michoel Green studied at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, the Mirrer Yeshiva, and Ohr Samayach Tanenbaum College. He is a graduate of Ner Israel Rabbinical College, Baltimore, Maryland and also received semicha/ordination from Rabbi Zalmen Nechemia Goldberg, a Chief Justice of The Supreme Rabbinical Court of Jerusalem. In addition to composing Jewish music, Rabbi Green has been involved in Jewish outreach throughout North America and has served as a popular lecturer and Scholar-in-Residence around the globe. Rabbi Green is internationally noted for his powerful and enlightening approach to clarifying Jewish issues relevant to our daily lives. To that end, he responds to important life questions for JewishAnswers.org and is the managing editor of NLEResources.com. His first book, 5 Ways to Increase Your Spirituality: Ancient Wisdom to Enhance Your Daily Life was recognized by the Forbes Magazine Book Club. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, he resides in Jerusalem with his wife and children. Their home is known for its hospitality throughout the year.
Mrs. Hindy Fuld
Mrs. Hindy Fuld hails from Queens, New York and graduated from Central Yeshiva High School. She attended Bnot Torah Institute for two years. Mrs. Fuld received her advanced Teacher’s License from Rika Breuer Teacher’s College, where she also taught a popular course in Navi. At the same time, she taught a stimulating Machshava course at Bruriah High School for Girls in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She graduated with an M.A. in Curriculum Development from Adelphi University, New Jersey, where she further honed her skills as one of the up and coming Jewish educators. She is renown for her ability to incorporate ancient to contemporary sources thereby unlocking and revealing the intimate connection that Jewish women have towards Tefilla. At the end of the year, not only will you see results but your Siddur will be meaningfully marked with notes and life-lessons that will resonate forever. Indeed, Mrs. Fuld is known for her ability to cultivate ever-lasting relationships with her students. To her, every student is an individual, with a unique neshama, and her every gesture symbolizes this idea. After making Aliyah via Nefesh B’Nefesh, Mrs. Fuld settled in the neighborhood of Ramat Eshkol with her husband, Rabbi Simcha Fuld, a certified Mohel, and their children.
Rabbi Menachem Nissel
Rabbi Nissel has been an educator for over twenty years is a renowned speaker and author who has inspired thousands of people around the globe. He is known for revealing intricate concepts in Hashkafa and Machshava and conveying deep, meaningful insights using laughter and a great sense of British humor. Rabbi Nissel’s letters are widely published and is the author of Rigshei Lev – Women in Tefila (Targum / Feldheim 2001) and Jerusalem Jems (Targum 2002). He is also a lecturer for Ner LeElef and is the rabbinic resource for NCSY. Rabbi Nissel is a graduate of Itri and Mishkan HaTorah and is a Talmid of Rav Shlomo Wolbe zt”l and Rav Moshe Shapiro zt”l. Rabbi Nissel resides with his wife and children in the Har Nof section of Yerushalayim, where students are often invited to come for wonderful Shabbos meal.
Mrs. Gabi Horovitz
MRS. MALKA ORENSTEIN
Rav Mordechai Burg
Prior to joining the Hanhala of Yeshivat Mevaseret, Rav Burg was one its outstanding Talmidim. Upon returning to the states, Rav Burg, a founding member at Lander College for Men, pursued his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Special Education and Judaic Studies. He learned in their Kollel, and was a founding member of Kollel Elyon as well. Rav Burg earned his Semicha, while learning B’Chavruta with Rav Yehuda Parnes, a world renowned Lamdan and Talmid Chacham. In 2008, Rav Burg made Aliyah. His warmth and innovation to motivate students come across in his deep, engaging and entertaining class that spanes all areas of Torah, Tefillah, and Hashkafa, along with contemporary Jewish life. He draws inspiration from the classic Rishonim, and includes a range of sources from Rav Samson Rafael Hirsch to the Tanya, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, as well as modern psychology. Rav Burg is a well sought after international speaker, invited by many affiliations to deliver inspiring and poignant lectures.
Mrs. Malka Glick
RABBI ELIEZER FULD
Mrs. Batsheva Freilich
Mrs. Batsheva Freilich was born and raised in Monsey, New York and is a graduate of Ateres Bais Yaakov and Machon Raaya Seminary in Jerusalem. Prior to moving to Israel, Mrs. Freilich joined the Ateres Bais Yaakov faculty as a teacher, student advisor, Mechanechet and extra-curricular programming coordinator. Mrs. Freilich was involved in all aspects of the school experience and truly loved helping each student achieve their potential. In addition to her work in school, Mrs. Freilich worked at Camp Simcha for many summers and re-invigorated the Monsey Chai Lifeline branch, giving sick children and their families the respite, care, love and help they need. Mrs. Freilich has spent many years mentoring teens in the Monsey community as well as in Camp Sternberg where she worked for many summers. Her caring and charisma combined with her common-sense approach, bring out the best in those around her. Mrs. Freilich lives with her husband and daughter in Ramat Eshkol, right around the corner of Bnot Torah/Sharfman’s.
Rabbi Naftali Kassorla
Rabbi Naftali Kassorla, originally from Silver Spring Maryland, studied in the Mir Yeshiva in Yerushalayim and after marriage in Brisk under the tutelage of Rav Meir Soloveitchik zt”l. Rabbi Kassorla is currently a Maggid Shiur in Yeshivas Tiferes Yisroel and teaches a popular and meaningful Hilchos Shabbos class in Sharfman’s. His wife and children live just down the block and their house is always open to students.
Mrs. Shoshana Kohn
Our Office Manager, Mrs. Shoshana Kohn, was born and raised just minutes away from our classrooms and Beit Midrash. Although she was never actually a student at Bnot Torah/Sharfman’s, she’s lived and breathed it from its inception. Mrs. Kohn began her educational career as a highly esteemed Beit Midrash Tutor. In recent years, she has served as a tutor, mentor, and Aim Bayit at a number of Jerusalem-based seminaries. In addition to her warm demeanor, she is known to our students as someone who is incredibly patient, real and caring, and the most non-judgemental and artistically creative person you have ever met. When a student needs some TLC or just feel likes chatting at Mrs. Kohn’s desk, she is always there to give of her time and advice.
Rabbi Meir B. Kahane
Rabbi Meir Kahane proudly hails from Memphis, Tennessee, where in his youth, he served as NCSY Midwest Regional President. For his sterling character and achievements, he was inducted into the elite Ben Zakai Honor Society, an honor reserved for the most distinguished members of NCSY. Rabbi Kahane came to Israel and attended Yeshivas Toras Moshe where he ultimately served as a Rosh Chabura, a title given to a few select members of the kollel. He received rabbinic ordination from the the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Moshe Meiselman. Today, Rabbi Kahane is considered one of the most sought after English speaking lecturers in Israel. In addition to being a regular for Aish HaTorah’s various programs, he has lectured for the likes of The Jewish Awareness Movement and Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalayim. His quest for depth and innovation is apparent in all of his classes. Rabbi Kahane lives with his wife and family minutes away from our school.
Rabbi Gavriel Friedman
Originally from New York, Rabbi Gavriel Friedman has spent the last decade studying and teaching in various yeshivas and seminaries throughout Israel. A sought after speaker, Rabbi Friedman has lectured in dozens of locations around the globe, including South Africa, England, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, and across the United States. Rabbi Friedman’s charisma captivates audiences of all ages and inspires men, women and children across the Jewish spectrum. His unique ability to present Torah concepts in an intriguing yet entertaining fashion leaves his audiences thirsting for more. Rabbi Friedman currently resides up the road from our school and lives in the French Hill neighborhood of Jerusalem, with his wife and children.
MRS. ASHIRA SENTER
Rabbi Moshe Kohn
Mrs. Debbi Nissel
Mrs. Debbi Nissel hails from Memphis, Tennessee. She attended Bnot Torah for two years and subsequently served as both Madricha and secretary. An erstwhile aerobics instructor, who is married to the inspirational author and lecturer, Rabbi Menachem Nissel, she spent a year in England, and then returned to Israel. Since their return, with the exception of a two year hiatus doing Kiruv work in Memphis with her husband, Mrs. Nissel has been working at Bnot Torah in the role of Head Aim Bayit and Chessed Coordinator as well as in numerous other capacities. Mrs. Nissel’s warm, caring personality makes her a natural magnet for students. In spite of her busy schedule, she always finds time to speak with girls both at school and at home.
Mrs. Hadassah Warburg
RABBI YONI DENITZ
Mrs. Chana Silver
Mrs. Chana Silver is a beloved teacher of ours and is also a senior lecturer for Aish Hatorah’s Discovery Programs and Ner Lelef. Mrs. Silver has thirty years of expert experience in Jewish education and outreach and continues to lecture around the world to many different types of people on a wide array of eclectic yet relevant topics. Mrs. Silver is a crises intervention counselor as well as the head tour leader for Legacy/Nesivos trips to Poland and Eastern Europe. She is also the site manager, coordinator and author of the column ‘Dear Chana’ on the site www.JemSem.org and is a dating mentor and a marriage adviser to couples. She is famous for making well over fifty shidduchim and remains a source of inspiration and knowledge to our students well after they graduate.
Mrs. Ahuva Becher
Originally from Israel and raised in Monsey New York, Mrs. Ahuva Becher’s caring and perceptive personality lend for working very well with people. After attending Bnos Sarah Teacher’s Seminary she pursued a Bachelor’s degree minoring in psychology. At the same time, Mrs. Becher has spent a number of years guiding and mentoring teens and has spent many a summer serving as a counselor, specialty staff and head of division in the pioneer program in Camp Sternberg. Additionally, Mrs. Becher has spent much of her free time volunteering and working with the special needs community. Her work included running weekly overnight respite programs, serving as an advisor on Chessed 24/7 Shabbatons, working one-on-one in HASC Bais Ezra’s school in Monsey and spending a summer as a counselor in Camp Kesher in Sternberg. After getting married and moving to Israel, Mrs. Becher worked at United Hatzala of Israel as an executive assistant and also at Tomer Devorah Seminary. Currently, Mrs. Becher has begun her Masters in Social Work at Bellevue University’s Israel cohort and also serves as a warm Rakezet to our students. She lives with her family in our Ramat Eshkol neighborhood, where her home is open and welcoming to each and everyone of her students.
Mrs. Samuel
Rebbetzin Aviva Haymann
Mrs. Aviva Haymann was born and raised in San Jose, California. A graduate of the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County (HANC), she attended seminary at Bnot Torah Institute, where she later also served as a Madricha from 1992-1999. Holding a B.S. in Mathematics from Empire State College, Mrs. Haymann is known for her sharp mind and as a stimulating speaker who conveys deep, meaningful insight using laughter and a great sense of humor. She has the extraordinary ability to captivate audiences using a vast array of sources, weaving them together into one beautiful tapestry highlighting the major themes relevant to a Jewish woman. Her ability to relate to students is seen by all, as she caringly guides her students. Currently, she resides with her husband and children in Tel Zion, where students are often invited to celebrate a vibrant Shabbat experience.