Virtual Summer Beit Midrash

Dr. Esther Shkop is renowned for her dynamic and innovative approach to learning and teaching Tanach, which has fascinated and inspired audiences of varied ages and levels of erudition and Biblical literacy. She previously served as a Professor of Tanach and as Dean of the Blitstein Institute of Hebrew Theological College. A tenth-generation Yerushalmit, Dr. Shkop’s education was divided between Israel and the United States, and she is fluent in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. She earned a B.A. in English Literature and Philosophy, a Master’s Degree in Biblical Literature, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy Analysis. Her eclectic background has broadened her horizons and enriched her classic study of Torah. Dr. Shkop has been active in various community service organizations, has won various awards for her public service and scholarship, including the Freedom Award of the Templeton Foundation. 

Mrs. Channah Cohen is a Senior Educator for Yavneh, a division of the OU’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus. She heads their Young Professional leadership division, creating a network of early-career professionals who run meaningful Torah classes and Jewish programming in communities across the country.

Mrs. Emma Katz earned her bachelor’s degree in Judaic studies and education from Stern College for Women, and her master’s degree in Jewish education from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. Emma has taught in many formal and informal Jewish educational settings, including Shulamith High School for Girls, Ida Crown Jewish Academy, Bruriah Middle School, and Stern College for Women. Emma participated in the Bellows Eshkolot Tanach Educators Program at Matan Yerushalayim, learning both Tanach content and new and innovative educational methodology from leading Jewish educators. Emma served as the Director of NILI, the Chicago Institute of Women’s Learning (The Women’s Initiative of the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel of Chicago) creating high-level learning opportunities for the women of the Chicagoland community and beyond. Emma currently serves as the Community Program Coordinator for the OU Women’s Initiative. Emma lives in Linden, NJ and serves as the Rebbetzin of Congregation Anshe Chesed in Linden, NJ alongside her husband, Rabbi Yossi Katz, and 4 children. 

Mrs. Shifra Rabenstein has been teaching Limudei Kodesh subjects to high school students for over twenty-five years.  She has served as a mentor to high school teachers, offering guidance on issues such as lesson preparation, classroom management, implementation of instructional strategies, and addressing the needs of specific students.  She helped structure a high school curriculum to educate students in being responsible users of technology, and revised manuals for teachers on how to teach the Foundations curriculum. Mrs. Rabenstein received a M.Ed. in School Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University.  She was an award finalist for the Grinspoon Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.  She also received the Rabbi Herbert Birnbaum Award from the Center for Jewish Education for extraordinary dedication to the Jewish people and outstanding teaching. Mrs. Rabenstein currently serves as a teacher, 12^th grade counselor, and teaching mentor in Bais Yaakov High School of Baltimore.  She teaches, as well, in Baltimore’s Women’s Institute of Torah Seminary.  She leads weekly learning groups for women and lectures for women and high school girls across the country.