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. 

Chumash (Bible Studies) Parashat Lech Lecha

Avraham’s journey parallels the journey each of us follows in our lives. Just as G-d told Avraham, “Lech lecha” – go to yourself – to your source, each of us are on a continuous path of spiritual growth, whether we are aware of it or not. Avraham, our Father, together with Sarah, our Mother, forged the root of the Jewish people. We will become intimately familiar with their lives and learn how their greatness is due to the many challenges and tests they passed to reach perfection. These two foundational role-models inspire us to deal with our own challenges and tests. In addition to spiritual lessons gleaned, this course will elucidate fundamentals of Hebrew Grammar and basic vocabulary.

The Kuzari – The Foundation of Emunah 

This course serves as an in-depth analysis of The Kuzari on the backdrop of general medieval Jewish philosophy. Through reading, introspection, and discussion the student will discover the foundation of Jewish belief as portrayed by Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi. The course highlights the structure and pattern of the text of The Kuzari as well as the gradual development of the Khazar king’s self-discovery. Concurrent with her learning of the Khazar king’s gradual discovery of true emunah, the student, herself, will step by step develop and expand her own perspective. She will realize how emunah effects everything and how everything that we believe effects how we think and behave.

Spiritual Insights into the Hebrew Months

Based on Sefer Yetzira, through the lens of Rav Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Dinov, grandson of the Ba’al Shem tov, we will explore the mystical dimension of the Hebrew months. This course will facilitate students in tuning into the spiritual energy of the month through learning and discussing selected texts. We will tap into the Hebrew letter, tribe, sense, and organ associated with the Hebrew month, as well as its constellation. The learning will highlight sources that tap into accessing the energy of the month and its potential for spiritual growth.

Megillat Esther

This scroll sensitizes us to seeing G-d behind the mask of His hiding place. In our time at the verge of the redemption, the role of womanhood is in transition both within the family and in the world. The Scroll of Esther taking place in the transition period between the first two Temples sheds light on the rise of Feminine Consciousness and provides a powerful role-model for true Jewish feminism within the parameters of Halacha. By tuning into Esther reflection of the various phases of the moon, we will gain a deeper understanding of Jewish women’s role in the evolving process of redemption.  While reading the text, we will also touch upon topics such as “Divine Providence,” and “The Relationship between Good and Evil in the world.” Creative expression such as drama, dance and art will be incorporated when appropriate.

Women in the Prophets

Chana Bracha Siegelbaum has been researching and teaching women in Tanach for about thirty years. Her teachings always empower women while bringing new sources and a fresh perspective highlighting the importance the Women’s role in the Torah. This series of 10 experiential classes focus on an in-depth analysis of our Foremothers, highlighting sources that tap into women’s hidden power. A comprehensive source sheet in Hebrew/English accompanies the textual study of each of the classes integrating, Bible texts, Midrash, Chassidism and sometimes Kabbalah, weaving 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. Below is a short description of the women we will study in the upcoming course.

Netivot Shalom on the Parasha

Rav Shalom Noach Berezovsky, the Slonimer Rebbe, expresses a rare combination of gifts in his master piece the Netivot Shalom. Blending the warmth of the Chassidic approach with the sharp clarity of the Lithuanian yeshiva, the Slonimer Rebbe responds to relevant issues that pertain directly dilemmas we struggle with today. His inspiring teachings foster ethical and spiritual growth to those who aspire to get closer to Hashem, as Rav Berezovsky addresses issues such as  spiritual estrangement, wrestling with base desires and temptations, and serial failure. For each challenge of modern life, the Rebbe offers both prescriptions and encouragement.  In this class students will practice reading and translating the relatively easy Chassidic text, as well as discussing its concepts and how to apply them in life.

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. We will focus on the seven holy fruits of the Land of Israel with their mystical and medicinal properties. 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.

 

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 till contemporary halachic responsas.

Morah 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 H*erzog College. She is currently obtaining a MA at Hebrew University towards a PhD in Tanach. Tsipi lives with her family in Efrat, Gush Etzion.

 

The Book of Shemuel: 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 and learn the trials and triumphs that our leader David Hamelech overcame. Through the textual analysis of Sefer Shemuel, 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.

Rabbi 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.

Morah Devorah 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.

Climbing the Ladder of Tefilah 

Tefilla can be viewed as the ladder to self-transformation.  We will learn the inner meanings of our daily tefilot, going deep into the words, The class will spend a significant amount of time on the Amidah (Silent Prayer) which makes up the bulk of the daily prayers. We will learn the inner meanings of the various prayers, going deep into the words, to emerge rejuvenated and strengthened to fulfill our roles in life.

 

Morah Sarah Goldstein
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.

Discovering our Inner Roots

Together we will explore our roots, taking a deeper context of our life’s journey, the Jewish people’s journey, and the journey of humanity and what that means for us. We will explore our deeper essence and how to live from our deeper highest self and stay rooted in Hashem, our emunah and live a life of more meaning, vitality, joy and purpose.

Morah Miriam Raphael

Miriam grew up in Israel and has been involved in Jewish education for 20 years. She lives in Bat Ayin Bet with her husband and four children.

Interpersonal Relationships in the Torah

In this study group we will focus on sources from the Torah, midrash and chazal about interpersonal relationships. Each class will present texts on a different type of relationship within the family, between man and a woman, children and parents, between siblings and within the greater society. We will discuss how to build our personality from what we learn and how the Torah stories inspires a higher level of ethics and morality in our interpersonal relationships.

 

Morah Simcha Leah Guzzi

Simcha Leah Guzzi started painting professionally when she returned to Torah and realized that anyone who doesn’t believe in Hashem should just try painting an apple! She currently teaches art classes and is exhibiting her art in the greater Jerusalem area. Simcha Leah is deeply inspired by the amazing beauty of the spiritual landscapes in Israel. She lives in Bat Ayin and is grateful to be teaching at Midreshet B’erot Bat Aiyn. Her paintings and programs are found on her Facebook Page.

Painting the Parasha

This class we will focus on learning the weekly parshah and bringing it to life through painting. Bezrat Hashem we will bring deep Torah concepts into the heart through art while learning painting and drawing techniques. We will also place a special focus on celebrating and bringing out each student’s own style and unique way of seeing the world!

 

Morah Heather Gelb  

Heather raised five children in a wood house that her husband built in the Givat Hachish neighborhood of Alon Shevut. She is an aspiring writer, poet, banjo player, holistic nutritionist, reflexologist, creative yoga teacher, amateur actress, graphic designer and world traveler who also loves learning new tap steps in her dance class and immersing in endurance training for various road and trail runs across Israel and Europe. She published her memoir, a spiritual journey entitled From Hilltop to Hilltop: My Path from Rwanda to Israel.

Meditative Movement

In Meditative Movement we develop flexibility and strength, health and awareness through exercises focusing on the harmony and unity of body, breath, and mind.  We connect heaven and earth, the breath (neshima) and the soul (neshama). Through this connection we grow in tefilah (prayer) and mitzvot, growing in health, wellbeing peace and joy.