Our Speakers

• Mrs. Sivan Rahav Meir
  Practical Approach to Teshuva Watch Now! Rosh Chodesh Elul: Dedicated in merit of a refuah shelaimah for Yitzchak ben Hadassah Monday, August 29, 12 PM EDT More about this speaker

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  Mrs. Sivan Rahav Meir

  Sivan Rahav-Meir is a media personality and lecturer. Married to Yedidya and mother of five, she lives with her family in Jerusalem. She previously went on shlichut her family, serving as the World Mizrachi Shlicha to North America, where she lectured in various communities. She works for Israel TV news, writes a column for Yediot Aharonot newspaper, and hosts a weekly radio show on Galei Zahal (Army Radio). Her lectures on the weekly Torah portion are attended by hundreds and the live broadcast attracts thousands more listeners throughout the world. Sivan lectures in Israel and overseas about the media, Judaism, Zionism and new media. She was voted by Globes newspaper as most popular female media personality in Israel and by the Jerusalem Post as one of the 50 most influential Jews in the world.

• Ms. Raizi Chechik
  The Genesis of Repentance: Adam, Kayin, and the Power of New Beginnings Watch Now! Selichot Night: Dedicated in memory of Jamie Lehmann חיים מנחם בן רי מנשה רפאל ושרה ז"ל by the Manfred and Anne Lehmann Foundation Selichot Night Motzai Shabbat September 17 (pre-recorded) More about this speaker

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  Ms. Raizi Chechik

  Ms. Raizi Chechik, Head of School of Manhattan Day School, is a creative and dynamic educator who brings to her position over two decades of school leadership experience and a passion for learning and teaching. She studied Tanach and Counseling at Michlala Jerusalem Teacher’s College, holds an MA in Jewish History, and has done doctoral work in both Education and Jewish Studies. Ms. Chechik is a recipient of numerous professional and academic awards, among them the national Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.  A graduate of the Intensive Training Program for Day School Leaders at Yeshiva University, Ms. Chechik served as a mentor to new school leaders through their Principal’s Partnership program and continues to support new Principals and Heads of School.

  In her tenure as Principal of SKA, Head of School at the Ilan School, and prior to that, Assistant Principal of Manhattan High School for Girls, Ms. Chechik earned a reputation as a warm, caring and innovative educational leader with high standards of scholarship, expertise in professional development, and sensitivity to the needs of each individual student. She is a gifted speaker and thinker who has lectured internationally on topics of education and Jewish studies.

• Mrs. Michal Horowitz
  Adult Torah Educator; Noted Lecturer The Rosh Hashana Liturgy and Chana’s Redemption: Teshuva Bein Adam La’Chaverio Watch Now! Selichot Night: Dedicated in memory of Jamie Lehmann חיים מנחם בן רי מנשה רפאל ושרה ז"ל by the Manfred and Anne Lehmann Foundation Selichot Night Motzai Shabbat September 17 (pre-recorded) More about this speaker

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  Mrs. Michal Horowitz

  Michal Horowitz delivers weekly shiurim in her community of the Five Towns, NY, while her Zoom shiurim reach audiences around the world. She has been a scholar in residence in schools and communities, nationally and internationally. In September 2023, Michal was a keynote speaker at Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis’ Pre-Yamim Noraim Conference, for the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. At the OU Women’s Initiative, she inaugurated the Torat Imecha Parsha program presenting weekly shiurim on Sefer Bereishit. Michal taught Yehoshua, Tehillim 36-41, and Divrei Hayamim II to over 5,000 women across the globe as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi cycle I. She taught Tehillim 1-41, and Mishlei for cycle II.  Michal presented Rosh Chodesh, Selichot Night and Nach Yomi Siyum shiurim and taught in-depth courses at the ALIT Virtual Summer Learning Programs of 2020, ’21, ’22, and ’23.  Michal’s weekly OU Parsha shiur can be found on the AllParsha App. She has thousands of audio and video shiurim online.  Her writings have been published in YU’s Torah-To-Go, HaMizrachi, the OU’s Jewish Action magazine, and most recently in “Reclaiming Dignity: A Guide to Tzniut”.  Her story can be found on all major streaming platforms on the “Rolling With the Punches” Podcast, Episode 14, Sounds of Silence. Michal lives in Woodmere, NY with her husband and family. 

• Ms. Rivi Frankel
  Seeds of Teshuva Rooted in Our History: A Virtual Tour to Kever Rachel and Hevron Watch Now! Tzom Gedalia Wednesday, September 28, 12 PM EDT More about this speaker

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  Ms. Rivi Frankel

  Ms. Rivi Frankel is the Director of Programming of Matan’s Bellows Eshkolot Fellowship. She has a B.S in Management, and an M.ed in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University She is a licensed tour guide through the Ministry of Tourism. Rivi lives in Jerusalem and teaches in Midreshet Emunah v’Omanut and Matan, as well as guiding various educational groups throughout Israel.

• Dr. Shoshana Klein Poupko
  Teshuva: Forgive? Forget? Thrive! Watch Now! Aseret Yemei Teshuvah Monday, October 3, 12 PM EDT More about this speaker

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  Dr. Shoshana Klein Poupko

  Dr. Shoshana Poupko is a beloved teacher and counselor in Congregation Ahavath Torah. As the Rebbetzin, Dr. Poupko is an invaluable spiritual resource to women and families. She prepares many brides for their wedding, and young women for their Bat Mitzvah. Dr. Poupko currently works as a therapist at Achieve Behavioral Health in Monsey, NY. Prior to her working as a social worker, Dr. Poupko served as the Dean of Students at Ma’ayanot High School, and prior to that she worked at the North Shore Hebrew Academy High School for 16 years. In her capacity at the NSHAHS, Dr. Poupko was the Chairperson of the Chumash Department, Director of Israel Guidance, and the Assistant Principal of Judaic Studies. Dr. Poupko began her career at the HAFTR High School where she taught Judaic Studies and coached the softball team.

  Dr. Poupko earned her BA, MS, and Ed.D from Yeshiva University, and she recently completed her MSW at Rutgers University School of Social Work. In her spare time, Dr. Poupko can be found gardening, playing tennis, kayaking, or reading books on positive psychology and mindfulness.