The class titles are impressive themselves, but it is the dynamic teachers that truly bring our subjects to life. Our philosophy at Machon Maayan is one of mutual respect and communication. Teachers treat us as adults, expecting us to question, struggle, and grow. In return, we have come to see them not only as instructors on the complexity of Torah, but as role models and mentors. These teachers are not one-dimensional; many of them contribute to various other aspects of our lives. They are tour-guides, spiritual leaders, yoga instructors, and Shabbat hosts. They lead by example, and welcome us to join them.

- Debbie Katz, Toronto Canada

Rabbi Ira Kosowsky, Director of Machon Maayan, is a dynamic and inspirational educator who believes in personal growth through open discussions, in-depth Torah study, and community involvement.

Rabbi Kosowsky has established Student Leadership Programs in many countries – including England, South Africa and the United States – that are characterized by practical leadership training, which has empowered the graduates to get involved in many meaningful challenges in the Jewish world. He has rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, and a Master's degree in Bible from Bernard Revel Graduate School.

Rabbi Ben Zion Goldfischer, Mashgiach Ruchani, is an extremely talented and popular educator both in the formal and non-formal realms. With the ability to relate to others at all levels of religious observance, intellect and age, he has inspired and affected countless students at Midreshet Moriah, Birthright, Aish Hatorah, NCSY, Reishit Yerushalayim and Torat Shraga, among others. While Rabbi Goldfischer's classes and programs are known to be challenging and enlightening, they are always delivered with humor and entertainment.

Rabbi Goldfischer has been involved in NCSY as far as he can remember but most significantly he founded and directs The Jerusalem Journey (TJJ), a month-long touring and learning program in Israel, where he connects public school students with their Jewish roots, sharing his vast knowledge of our heritage and history through archeological sites, Biblical texts, hikes and trips. Rabbi Goldfischer received his Rabbinical Ordination from Yeshiva University and holds a BA in Biology and History. He is also a licensed tour guide through the Ministry of Tourism of Israel.

Mrs. Meryl-Lee Abraham, Assistant Director of Machon Maayan and Coordinator of Internships, has an ability to impart her passion for Torah and Mitzvot in a manner that is truly unique. She is able to synthesize classroom curriculum into the terms of daily living, while building confidence and self-esteem in her students.

Mrs. Abraham was the director for many years of a vast network of outreach programs throughout New Jersey known as L.A.V.E. (Life And Values Education). She founded the Ari Kraut Friendship Circle, which provides community assistance to families with special needs children, by pairing the children with trained and eager teen volunteers.

Mrs. Shira Melamed, Eim Bayit of Machon Maayan and Assistant Coordinator of Internships, made aliya after high school. After learning at Midreshet Harova for a year, she did sherut leumi in Jerusalem as a music therapist working in a school for autistic children. Shira graduated from Bar Ilan with a degree in social work. In addition, she served as an intern in a drug rehabilitation center in Bnei Brak, including weekly sessions with clients, family therapy and group therapy.

Rabbi Avi Baumol graduated from Yeshiva University with a degree in Economics and received a Masters degree in Medieval Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. He received Semicha from RIETS at Yeshiva University as well as from Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg. Rabbi Baumol has taught in high schools, Yeshivot and Seminaries for the past 15 years and was the Rabbi of Congregation Schara Tzedeck in Vancouver British Columbia. Rabbi Baumol has authored a book on Tehillim which is currently being published by Gefen Publishing. He lives in Efrat with his wife Hadley and his five children.

Dina Blank holds a BA from Columbia University and an MA in Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School at Yeshiva University. She is a graduate of the Atid Fellows program and is a mainstay on the faculty of Shaalvim for Women.

Rabbi Michael Bramson is a warm and engaging teacher, who caters to the needs of each individual student. His ability to incorporate comments and concerns from across the spectrum makes him a truly universal educator.
He currently teaches at Torat Chaim in Yerushalayim and at Tiferet in Ramat Bet Shemesh. The influence of his talents have been felt during the summers by the Ethiopian community of Natzrat Elit in Israel, during Shavuot & Simchat Torah in the city of Newport News, Virginia, on Shabbatonim throughout New Jersey, and as one of the most successful teachers at the Berman Hebrew Academy of Greater Washington. Rabbi Bramson has Rabbinical Ordination from Yeshiva University and a BA in Psychology.

Rabbi Ari Cutler is the Founder, Executive Director of Lamdeni Educational Services and the Rosh Beit Medrash of the Community Beit Medrash of Modiin. He received Semicha from Yeshiva University, has a Masters in Social Work from Wurzweiler School of Social work and a Master of Jewish Education from Azrielli Graduate School of Jewish Education in progress. Rav Cutler is also a Ram at Yeshivat Hakotel. Ari Resides in Modiin with his wife Leah and three children.

Rebbetzin Toby Einhorn runs classes which combine in-depth textual learning and skill building with spiritual inspiration and a holistic way of looking at our world. She has taught courses in Bible and Jewish Thought in the United States, the former Soviet Union, Israel, Hong Kong and South Africa. She holds a Master's Degree from Bernard Revel Graduate School in Bible and a BA from Stern College for Women in Philosophy and Jewish Studies.

Dina Etigson currently teaches at Tiferet. Students thrive on her rare combination of intellect and spirituality. After receiving her BA from State University of New York at Albany and working at Morgan Stanley, Dina moved to Israel and joined the Matmidot Program at Matan and then the Machon Gevoha Program at Nishmat.

Pesha Fischer has worked as the Campus Torah Educator at the University of Maryland. Previously she was the Judaic Studies Coordinator at Yavneh Academy in Dallas. Pesha has studied in the Bruriah Scholars program at Midreshet Lindenbaum and Matan. She holds a Master's Degree in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University. She has taught at MMY and Michlelet Neve Daniel and is also currently teaching at Tiferet.

Anton Goodman is currently the Director of Education of the World Bnei Akiva Hachsharot Department, and the Academic Coordinator of the Jewish Agency's Machon Dati. Anton and his family spent time in Australia on Shlichut.

Mrs. Dara Knapel grew up in Paramus, New Jersey. She received a BA in Judaic Studies from Stern College and a Masters Degree in Special Education from Hunter College. Mrs. Knapel has taught at Hillel Yeshiva High School in Deal, New Jersey. She also taught at Shore Hebrew High School, doing outreach with Public School students. Since making aliyah in the summer of 2004 with her family, Mrs.Knapel has been teaching and has been the guidance counselor at Midreshet Ayelet Hashachar as well as a faculty member at Tiferet. Through her warm and caring personality she has developed many close relationships with her students and remains in contact with many of them.

Rabbi Dov Lipman is the author of "Discover a Book on Jewish Thought" for teenagers. His knowledge and depth of understanding comes alive in the classroom with his exciting and personable teaching style. Rabbi Lipman received Semicha from Rav Yaakov Weinberg zt"l of Ner Yisrael Baltimore and completed a Masters in Education from John Hopkins University. Rabbi Lipman was involved in outreach at college campuses in America and at a summer camp in the former Soviet Union. He was also the director of student life for Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah.

Rav Sinai Prebor studied at Yeshiva University and received a BA in economics, an MS in Jewish education and Rabbinic ordination. He taught at Yeshiva high schools in the United States for 11 years before making Aliyah. Rav Prebor lives in Neve Daniel with his wife and 5 children.

Rabbanit Dr. Avigail Rock holds a Ph.D in Bible from Bar-Ilan University, and is a Certified Rabbinical Advocate. She until recently headed the women's learning in Boca Raton, Florida, and now lives in Beit Shemesh with her husband and four children. She currently teaches Tanach to women in Israel and abroad, and trains Rabbinical Advocates in Jerusalem.

Dr. Dodi Tobin has worked as a psychologist and researcher, and is the former Director of Social Services for Nefesh B'Nefesh. She has served on the administrations of Nishmat and Pardes, and is an alumnus of the ATID fellowship program in Jewish education. Dr. Tobin has published articles on the post-high school yeshiva program experience and the psychological aspects of aliya and klita.

Rabbi Aharon Wexler made aliyah after high school and studied in Yeshivat HaKotel. After Yeshiva, he studied for his BA in Archeology and then went back to Yeshivat HaKotel for his Rabbinic Ordination. Aharon went on to earn an MA in Jewish History and is now a Doctoral Candidate. Aharon teaches in many post-highschool Yeshiva programs and during the summers leads birthright-israel tours, and other educational touring programs.