Blog

Tzipora Pogrund is a Rebbetzin and the Director of Community Engagement, Ohr Somayach Johannesburg, South Africa. She is also the Community Director for the Hazel Sassoon Women’s Learning Center. An enthusiastic mother of five, she also runs a weekly in person parenting schmooze and facilitates a number of community wide activities and programs for women […]

The Pesach Essay Collection is a series of inspiring thoughts written by OU Women’s Initiative educators Mrs. Esti Kimche, Mrs. Jaclyn Sova, Mrs. Shira Hochheimer and Mrs. Sara Malka Winter.

Mrs. Shira Hochheimer is a presenter for Torat Imecha Nach Yomi, the author of Eishes Chayil: Ancient Wisdom For Women of Today and is an administrator for WITS/formerly Maalot in Baltimore. Mrs. Esti Kimche lives currently in Baltimore, MD. She is a Jewish educator working in many capacities, as well as a popular Israel tour guide. […]

Mrs. Tobi Wolf completed a major in biology, with a minor in science education at Brooklyn College, and a BA in Judaic studies at Masoret Institute for Women in Far Rockaway, N.Y.  When she moved to South Florida, Tobi pivoted from teaching math and science to Judaic studies, incorporating her scientific background into a Torah […]

Mrs. Esther Wachstock is a dedicated teacher who has been in Jewish education for 19 years. Her particular passion is for teaching the books of Tanach that don’t get enough attention, specifically Ketuvim and Neviim Achronim, as well as showing how all of Tanach comes together. She is a founding member of the Ganei HaEleh community […]

As the principal of Projects in Philanthropy, Marian Stern works with a wide variety of organizations in the regional New York area, providing management and fundraising services, with particular emphasis on fundraising planning, board development and training, strategic planning, meeting facilitation, and professional coaching.  She also works with foundations and funders to define and implement […]

Bracha Poliakoff, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker, speaker, and writer. As founder and director of Bright Ideas Continuing Education, she provides high-quality professional development programs for mental health professionals across the United States and Canada. Bracha’s commitment to Jewish education is evident in her extensive teaching experience, founding of community initiatives, and co-authorship of Reclaiming […]

Tamar Frydman is the Director of the OU Impact Accelerator where she supports entrepreneurial ventures and innovatively addresses communal challenges through grants, education, mentorship and fostering collaboration. Before joining the OU, she served as Senior Director of Programs at the Jewish Funders Network, and prior to that held management positions at UJA Federation of New […]

Dr. Rachel Ginsberg is a principal researcher at the Center for Communal Research. She works with Jewish lay leaders, community members, and stakeholders to support their data-informed decision making through qualitative research. Rachel believes in the power of stories to illuminate the human experience. In her research, she creates the space for each unique and […]