7-Week Fall 5782 Program

Oct 6th ~ Nov. 29, 2021 / ל' תשרי – כ"ו כסלו 5782

 Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin

 Fall program

 

In the Footsteps of our Mothers

  • Live on campus, or zooming in from around the world!
  • Full-time campus enrolment contact us at office@berotbatayin.com
  • All classes will be recorded for you for your convenience.
  • Suggested donation of $250 for the 7-week + program

 

Don’t just learn Torah but experience Torah.  

 

Our exciting B’erot Online Midrasha Community brings some brilliant teachers from Israel direct to your home! 

 

Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum, Director

Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum, a native of Denmark, is founder and director of Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin: Holistic Torah for Women on the Land. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Bible and Jewish Philosophy from Michlala Jerusalem College for Women, and a Master’s of Art in Jewish History from Touro College. Rebbetzin Chana Bracha creates curricula emphasizing women’s spiritual empowerment through traditional Torah values. She has published the following books: Women at the Crossroads: A Woman’s Perspective on the Weekly Torah Portion; Ruth: Gleaning the Fallen Sparks; The Seven Fruits of the Land of Israel with their Mystical & Medicinal Properties; Parasha Meditations for Spiritual Renewal and Strengthening Communication with the Creator and My Memoir: The Story of a Danish Jew who Fled the Nazis. Rebbetzin practices EmunaHealing as a gifted spiritual healer through Emunah, tefilah and energy work. Chana Bracha has a married son and several granddaughters, and lives with her husband and younger son on the land of the Judean hills, Israel.

 

Women in Tanach

A Textual, Mystical & Creative Exploration of Women Who Built the House of Israel

This series of experiential classes focus on an in-depth analysis of our Foremothers, such as Chava, the prototype of all women. The course includes well-known women like Sarah and Rivkah, as well as the more hidden Bilha & Zilpa. We will learn and discuss selected texts from the Torah, Midrash, Chassidut and Kabbala, highlighting sources that tap into Women’s hidden Power, to weave together and amplify the personalities of these holy women. Creative writing, art, & drama will help make the struggles and aspirations of these inspirational role-models come to life.

A comprehensive source sheet in Hebrew/English accompanies the textual study of each of the classes integrating, Bible texts, Midrash, Chassidism and sometimes Kabbalah.

 

Herbal Workshop, Torah & Healing

The Herbal Workshop integrates vast information of the ancient wisdom of our Torah about plants, herbology, nutrition and health with traditional folk medicine and medical research. The course delves into textual Torah sources on herbs and healing, as well as general knowledge of the use of herbs. For the Elul program, we will focus on the seven holy fruits of the Land of Israel with their mystical and medicinal properties, as this is the time of their ripening. A comprehensive source sheet in Hebrew/English accompanies the textual study of each of the classes integrating, Bible texts, Midrash, chassidism kabbalah, folk medicine and medical research.

 

Women’s Intimate Mitzvot

The mitzvot of Women & Intimacy are not random Jewish laws, designed to keep us from enjoying life. Rather, it is a wise system for ensuring the sanctity of relationships and knowing how to have a good time without infringing upon that sanctity. Learn about Women’s Intimate Laws from a Rebbetzin with whom you can feel comfortable to ask you most embarrassing questions. In this class we delve into topics such as Jewish dating and marriage, the laws of family purity, and more.  The course will also address sensitive issues such as Lesbianism, masturbation and intimacy between husband and wife from a Torah perspective.

 

Rabbi Mechael Siegelbaum, MD Rabbi of B’erot

Rabbi Dr. Siegelbaum holds a BA in Philosophy and Psychology from Yale University, and an MD from Rutgers Medical School, New Jersey. Rabbi Mechael received his rabbinical ordination from Toras Zekeinim, Jerusalem in 1987.  In addition to teaching halacha in B’erot Bat Ayin, Rabbi Siegelbaum learns Torah part time, is active in the Bat Ayin central synagogue, where he serves as the Gabbi and practices medicine in Bat Ayin and various other clinics.

 

Halacha

Rav Siegelbaum will discuss the halacha pertinent to the High Holidays. In addition, to learning the how” of the mitzvot, the student will come to appreciate the process of the development and transmission of halacha from the written and oral Torah.

 

Rav Hillel Benchimol

Born and raised in Gibraltar in southern Spain, Rabbi Benchimol at age 16 learnt in Sunderland Yeshiva, England and Beer Yakov, Israel. He received Semicha from Rabbi Shalom Messas זצ״ל, Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu זצ״ל and Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach זצ״ל. Served as Rabbi of the Turkish, Iranian and Iraqi communities in Miami and Los Angeles for over 20 years. A certified active Mohel since 1992, Rabbi Benchimol is married to Keter, has 6 children and lives in Moshav Aviezer in the Ella valley Israel.

 

Parashat HaShavua

Rabbi Benchimol will be teaching our Parashat HaShavua from an inner dimension viewing the weekly Torah portion as part of a bigger plan – part of the jigsaw puzzle and tapestry of life. You will receive a broad perspective as to how the parsha is lived today and how it pertains to your life today.

 

Rabbi Avraham Iskowitz

 

Rabbi Izkowitz spent the first 16 years of his life on American army bases in Europe and the United States while attending litvish yeshivot, after which he made aliyah with his family to Jerusalem. After high school, he pursued his hobbies as a rock keyboardist and songwriter, creative writer, and BMX biker, while tutoring at Yeshivat Ohr Sameach and working in the optometry industry. His hobbies led him to Manhattan where he almost signed a record contract with Atlantic Records, but Hashem had other plans for him. Avraham returned to Jerusalem, worked as a landscape artist whilst studying psychology and anthropology at the Hebrew University. At the age of 27, he ‘retired’ to study full time at the Bat Ayin Yeshiva for seven years. Avraham, his wife and 5 children live in Bat Ayin, where he teaches, practices safrut and therapy.

 

Derech Hashem – The Way of G-d

The classic work of the 18th century master Kabbalist and Talmudist, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (The Ramchal), enables the exploration of such questions as: “Why Hashem created the world,” ‘The principles of Hashem’s Providence over Human Affairs,” “The Suffering of the Righteous vs. the Success of the Wicked,”  “The Relationship between the Soul & the Body,” and “The Relationship between Israel and the Nations.”  Emphasis is placed on resolving some of the most basic contradictions and dualities which we tend to encounter as Jews, thus giving the student the clarity to strengthen her faith.

 

Tsipi Egert  

Tsipi Egert grew up in Israel where she attended high school. She received her B.A. in Jewish History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Tsipi has been teaching Nevi’im (The Prophets) at Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin since 1998 and has a Master’s in Education in Tanach from Herzog College. She is currently obtaining a MA at Bar Ilan University towards a PhD in Tanach. Tsipi lives with her family in Efrat, Gush Etzion.

 

The Book of Shmuel: Prophecy, Spiritual Transitions and Malchut 

In this class we will become acquainted with the Jewish people during the end of the era of the Judges’ (שופטים/shoftim) leadership. We will explore the relationship between leadership and the spiritual stature of the people. We will meet great Jewish leaders such as Elkana, Chana, Eli, Shmuel and Shaul.  Through them, we will try to understand, what is the spiritual make up of a good leader. How does the leader impact the people? How does a nation undergo spiritual change? What lessons can we take from these leaders into our own lives, as we too strive for greatness.


Sarah Prijs

Sarah has an extensive Torah education from various perspectives – from Old Gateshead seminary to B’erot Bat Ayin, Orayta summer program and learning at Shiviti. She has a BSc in psychology from BPP University in London. Sarah has been on her own internal journey to discover and receive the light, transformational wisdom and Divine connection available in the Torah. A lover of everything connected to the Torah of early chassidut, with a focus on the Torah of Rebbe Nachman and the writings of Rav Kook, she delves deeply into the texts of our tradition, while facilitating others to find their own connection and transformation as well.

 

The Inner Journey of Tefilah/Prayer

Our Mothers were barren because Hashem desired their prayers. Through the pain of their tefilah, they were able to connect with the Divine in the deepest way. Let us learn from our Mothers how to bring all of ourselves into our relationship with Hashem through sincere tefilah. In this class we will be delving deeper into the inner processes involved in tefilah, in terms of approaching it, what it brings up in us.

 

Devora Konikov

Devorah is a mother and grandmother, raising growing family in Bat Ayin for 21 years. She is striving and thriving with life skills ingrained from learning chassidut. Devorah is a long-time student of Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh shlita.

 

“Don’t Forsake the Torah of Your Mother”

How can the Jewish woman express her femininity in our day and time?

What can we learn from Jewish female role-models throughout the generations?

In this class we will touch upon the feminine Torah role, women as mothers and mentors, propelling the world forward towards its promised destiny.

 

Yedida Miriam Levy

Yedida Miriam grew up in UK and made aliyah early on. With a passion for education, and a background in theatre, she spent ten years teaching in Jerusalem, before returning to Bat Ayin in 2018. Her passion is ‘tutoring’, teaching the Holy texts, and Hebrew ~ making it accessible to students.

 

Spiritual Writing Workshop

Creative writing is a tool for connecting to ourselves to the Torah and to our Creator.  We will dig deeper through character writing based on Torah sources and commentaries on the Weekly Torah portion in Sefer Bereishit. The workshop combines techniques such brainstorming, meditation, spider-grams, and opening the heart, in order to develop our creative, spiritual and perceptual abilities. Each class combines a segment of theory, practice and analysis of our works in a warm, encouraging and noncompetitive atmosphere. The students are guided to explore and accept their inner thoughts and feelings and turn them into creative writing.

 Torah Tuesday Guest Speaker Series

is open to the public! You are welcome to join us on campus or Zoom-in, every Tuesday during our Fall Program from October 12 – November 23 at 10:15 am EST / 17:15 Israeli Time till 12:00 noon EST / 19:00 IT. The Zoom link is free with a suggested donation of $10, $18, $36, $180, or more. EVERY donation is greatly appreciated. Like all non-profit institutions, we survive on the donations from our supporters: https://www.berotbatayin.org/donate/ Thank you for your support. Please register for your free zoom link or RSVP if you will be joining us in person on campus with this same link (women only):  https://form.jotform.com/212771431137046

Don’t be shy to join our Torah Tuesday program if you can’t donate. We still want to introduce you to the B’erot Bat Ayin style of learning. Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum will be giving a free on hour + teaching prior to our guest speaker each week on Women in the Torah.

The recording are also available for donation to Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin suggested donation for the whole 7 week series is $36, $72,$180. The suggested donation for one lecture is $18. Donate through our website and comment in the Details section “For Tuesday Guest Speaker Recordings”  https://www.berotbatayin.org/donate/

Contact office@www.berotbatayin.org with any questions.

Rabbi Nir Minussi |The Rise of the Feminine: A Kabbalistic Vision | October 12

Nir Menussi is an author, public speaker and teacher. He has written and edited several books on Kabbalah and Hassidut, including Mi Zot Ola on the topic of women in the Torah. and lectures widely in Israel and abroad and teaches online classes in both Hebrew and English. He lives with his family in Ra’anana, Israel.

 

 

Rabbi Daniel Kohn | The Feminine Aspect of Prayer | October 19

Rav Daniel Kohn is the rabbi of Bat Ayin. He has taught hundreds of students, uniquely combining the world of Torah learning, Jewish mysticism and deep psychological insight. A talented musician and composer, Rav Daniel’s own spiritual path took him from university studies at Columbia College to many years of yeshiva learning and to ordination by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, Rav Zalman Nechmia Goldberg and the “Crown of Wisdom” by Rav Avraham Farbshtein.  Deeply rooted in Talmud and halacha, Rav Daniel also draws his innovative insights from his profound knowledge of Maharal, Kabbala, Rav Kook and Chassidut, especially the teachings of the first Lubavitcher Rebbe and his student Rav Aaron Halevi. Rav Daniel lectures and conducts meditation retreats and personal growth seminars for groups, academic staffs and communities throughout Israel. Rav Daniel has produced three music albums and recently published a learning package and book (in Hebrew) called The Siddur as a Spiritual Journey soon to be published in English. 

Rabbi Yosef Benarroch | Women and Redemption | October 26

Rabbi Yosef Benarroch serves as the Rabbi of Adas Yeshurun Herzlia Winnipeg’s only Modern Orthodox synagogue. He was born in Tangiers, Morocco and raised in Winnipeg. Following graduation from Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Phys. Ed and Biology, and a teaching certificate from the University of Manitoba. He studied at the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Israel and at the Yeshiva University Kollel (Gruss), and received his rabbinic ordination in 1989 from Machon Harry Fischel Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Rabbi Benarroch taught Jewish studies and served as a congregational rabbi in Phoenix, Arizona and in Vancouver. He was Rabbi and Educational Director of the Sephardic Educational Center in Jerusalem from 1999-2010 and Rabbi and Director of Midreshet Eshel Seminary for Sephardic Women in Jerusalem. Rabbi Benarroch commutes between Winnipeg and Efrat, where his family resides.

 

 

Sarah Yehudit Schneider | Kabbalistic Teachings on the Masculine and Feminine | Nov 9

Sarah Yehudit is one of our generations’ most unique and vibrant voices. She is recognized by a wide range of Torah scholars, spiritual seekers, teachers and students as an authentic embodiment of Torah learning and living. Her ability to translate abstract and complex concepts into an eloquent and common language, as well as her deeply personal and prayerful approach to study, teaching, counseling and living has endeared many to her. Her vital contribution to Torah scholarship, women’s Torah, and the Jewish people as a whole continues to grow daily. Sarah Yehudit authored Kabbalistic Writings on the Nature of Masculine and Feminine;You Are What You Hate: A Spiritually Productive Approach to Enemies; Eating as Tikun, P9urim Bursts I and II, and Evolutionary Creationism; as well as essays published in a variety of journals and anthologies. She has also produced a series of Illustrated Video Teachings on Jewish Meditation, Paradox, and Choice vs Destiny, see astillsmallvoice.org. Sarah Yehudit has a BA in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the4439 University of Colorado in Boulder. She has lived in Jerusalem since 1981.

Rebbetzin Devorah Fastag | The Return of the Feminine Light | Nov 2 & Nov 16

Devorah Fastag is a Bais Yaakov graduate who presently resides in Beitar. In addition to being a wife and mother of eleven children, she has been teaching women Torah for over thirty years. Her book The Moon’s Lost Light: A Torah Perspective on Women from the Fall of Eve to the Full Redemption was written under the pen name Devorah Heshelis. Her extended essay Whatever Happened to the Aschalta Degeula: The Hidden Reasons Behind the Events of the Pre-Messianic Period is available as a free download, also from Jewish ebooks.

 

Dr. Nurit Sirkis Bank, PhD | The Inner Strength of Jewish Women | November 23

Dr. Nurit was born in Boston, Mass. In 1964 to Israeli parents who were studying there. In 1991 during her doctoral studies, she discovered Judaism, and became Torah observant.  Since then, Nurit studies and teaches Chassidut regularly. She completed her PhD in Visual Arts in 2017, at the Bar-Ilan

University. The topic of her dissertation: Visual Aspects of Contemporary Chassidic Weddings in Israel. In 2019 Nurit was awarded by the President of Israel as Volunteer of the Year for activity in Art, Culture and Spirit.