Prepare yourself for the Spiritual Renewal of the High Holidays with Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin’s 7-week Elul Session: Return To The Land of Your Soul

• Gain insights into the special Torah readings during Tishrei as Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum reveals the significance of the Torah reading of Rosh Hashana and inner dimensions of Sefer Yonah!
• Bond with like-minded women integrating Torah, Nature & Creativity!
• Learn how Chana prayed and why prayer is based on a feminine personality as you delve deeply into Sefer Shmuel!
• Develop a deeper connection to the tefilah of the High Holidays when you explore Spiritual Insights on the Machzor!

Elul is the time to immerse yourself in Torah. Our Elul program offers the best of Bat Ayin Rabbis, scholars, and female role models. It moreover features a well-rounded exposure to Torah texts from Tanach, classical Jewish thought, and various kinds of Chassidut including the teachings of Chabad, Rebbe Nachman, and Rav Kook.

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.

Basic Jewish Concepts
This class is for beginners and those who have focused on the inner dimensions of the Torah and want to fill the gaps in their basic Torah knowledge. In Basic Jewish Concepts, we will systematically cover the foundation of the Torah, including Torah Hebrew terminology, reviewing the Tanach, The Written Torah (Bible); the development and structure of Torah She’Ba’al Peh – (Oral Law); Emunah (Jewish Faith); major Torah personalities who contributed to biblical, medieval and modern History; summarizing the Jewish holidays and more. Whereas Basic Jewish Concepts is not exclusively for conversion students, the topics have been gleaned from the Rabbis’ questions at the final Beit Din for conversion. The class is interactive, each week students are given an assignment to present to the class.

The Rosh Hashana Torah Reading
Why was the story of Sarah’s infertility and subsequent pregnancy and birth selected as the Torah reading for the first day of Rosh Hashana? How do we learn from Sarah to juggle the roles of wife and spiritual seeker? How does Rashi learn out from the text that Avraham was inferior to Sarah in prophecy? How come the theme of ‘laughter’ is the red thread in the Torah reading of such serious day? Through in-depth textual analysis (Iyun) of Rashi, Midrash, Chassidic, and kabbalistic commentaries, students will receive tools for gaining a clearer and deeper understanding of Chumash (The five books of Moses). We will also discuss moral and religious issues involving the characters, the relationship between them and the dilemmas they face in the light of the High Holidays themes.  

Chana, the Mother of our Prayer
Delve into the Rosh Hashana Haftora from the book of Shmuel and learn how Chana invented a new kind of prayer through her prophetic spirit, which became the blueprint for the central prayer in our Siddur.  Chana teaches us how to speak to Hashem in a way that opens us to receive all the abundance that Hashem has in store for us.  Chana teaches us not to be afraid to be creative and invent new ways of worship. She broke through normative behavior in her zeal and heartfelt prayer, without being concerned about what others would think about her. The intensity of her prayer pierced through conformity, to the extent that Eli the Kohen Gadol thought she was drunk. Indeed she was drunk with prayer!

Torah and Herbology
The Herbal Workshop integrates vast information from 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.  

Kabbalah and Self-Healing: Healing with the Sefirot [Separate Registration]
If you are interested in healing your life, join us to gain awareness of the spiritual light that surrounds you and tap into its healing properties.  You will gain a wealth of information and spiritual healing techniques in this course. Participants learn a comprehensive understanding of the deeper meaning of the Sefirot (Hashem’s Kabbalistic Emanations) and how to use them in healing. If you already have a background in various Eastern healing methods, you will welcome learning to differentiate between the Jewish and the Eastern modalities of healing. Packed with Torah texts, meditations, and spiritual healing exercises, this intensive course will provide you additionally with useful skills for true forgiveness.

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.

Rav Daniel Kohn
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 staff, 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.

Yearning for Divine Connection
Elul is the month when “The King is in the Field,” and we have a special opportunity to cleave to him, as we prepare ourselves to meet the King during the High Holidays. The classes will excite your imagination, facilitate your understanding, and open your heart to connect with your own yearning for a consummate relationship with your Creator.

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 Yonah 
“And the word of Hashem came to Yonah son of Amitai, saying: Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and proclaim against it …. “  So begins the book of “Yonah,” one of the most intriguing books of the Tanach. What happens when a prophet tries to escape his mission? Is that at all possible? What happens to him as a person? As a prophet? And repentance, is that at all possible? What is true repentance? And why does Hashem accept it? And why is Yona trying to run away from his mission? All these questions and more will be the focus of our Elul Yonah mini-course.  

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.

Chumash: The Ten Tests of Avraham
Our founding father, Avraham, lived a life of constant trials and tribulations. His unwavering emunah in Hashem gave him the strength to succeed in overcoming every challenge. As his descendants, we have inherited his ability to rise above nature as we come closer and closer to Hashem. By studying together about Avraham’s tests, we will learn how to tap into our inner strengths in preparation for the new year. 

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.

Spiritual Insights into the Machzor
During this course, we will start with an introduction to some important terms and concepts connected to the siddur (Jewish prayer book) and specifically the Machzor (the High Holiday prayer books).  The class will spend a significant amount of time on the Amidah (Silent Prayer) which makes up the bulk of the High Holiday Services – and learn some unique things about prayer customs during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. 

Morah Avital Gastwirth
Avital Gastwirth teaches at Ulpanat Orly and is a certified kallah teacher. She studied in Nishmat’s Yoetzet Halacha course and Machon Puah’s Yoetzet Refua V’halacha (halachic medical counselor) course. In addition to her degree in Tanach, Israel studies, and education from Michlelet Herzog, Morah Avital brings a wealth of fascinating experiences to our midrasha as a previous editor of Mizrachi Magazine, coordinator of various educational programs, and as a talented artist. She lives in Alon Shvut with her husband and children.

Lights of Teshuva: Rav Kook on Repentance
“Teshuva (repentance) does not come to embitter life, but to sweeten it.” (Orot HaTeshuva). Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook was a visionary whose spiritual and redemptive teachings speak to the individual, the people of Israel, and humanity as a whole. Together we will explore Rav Kook’s outlook on the inner wisdom of Teshuva based on his book, Orot HaTeshuva. Through our studies we will discover the secret to repentence – the incredible journey back to ourselves.

Morah Raizi Rosen
Raizi Rosen holds a BA in Judaic Studies, a Hebrew Teacher’s Diploma from Stern College/Yeshiva University, and an EdM TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Boston University. Raizi started out teaching Hebrew/Jewish studies in day schools in the US. After making Aliyah she taught English in Adult Ed in Jerusalem, and worked in English publications and PR. Her teaching career went from Hebrew to English and back to Hebrew. Raizi taught private students for many years and served as Ulpan teacher at Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin for several programs. Raizi lives with her family in Neve Daniel, Gush Etzion.

Conversational Hebrew
The goal of the Ulpan class is to enable students to navigate basic Hebrew. Improve your Hebrew speaking skills and comprehension with interactive exercises, grammar reviews, and conversation. We’ll look at everyday situational Hebrew, learning basic vocabulary, and practicing it. Each lesson is built around one major topic: for example: travel, medical treatment, shopping,
1. Introduce and practice relevant vocabulary
2. Write a sample dialog
3. Practice together as a class.
4. Divide into pairs or groups to gain more experience using the language format and vocabulary, so that they can maximize actually speaking.

Various speaking and written exercises will provide an overview of Hebrew Grammar, and help you become equipped with basic modern Hebrew skills for communicating in Israeli society. Come ready to roll, and build your confidence, and Hebrew knowledge through this interactive class. Every student no matter what level will benefit from the class.

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 this Jewish stretch and bend session, we learn further instruction on the deepening process of teshuva. Not only do we find benefit by saying Tehillim at this time of year, but we are conditioning our bodies, and building the temple of our souls with breath and meditative movements. Through Tehillim and body movements, we learn to lessen the gap between ourselves and Hashem, impacting our souls and the world. Moving with the flow of the approaching Jewish New Year while living in Eretz Yisrael radical teshuva and transformation become real and possible.

Tzvi Taylor
Tzvi has always loved Tanach and has a master’s degree in Ancient Middle Eastern Studies with a specialty in Tanach.  He made aliyah from Baltimore, MD with his family two years ago, and they have happily made their home in Bat Ayin.  By profession, Tzvi is a healthcare consultant for an American company.  The Taylors regularly host B’erot students for Shabbat meals, and Tzvi enjoys creating engaging material for Shabbat discussions, such as Jeopardy on the Parasha, Earth Torah, Chassidut, and Facts about Israel.

Parashat HaShavua
Delve into the depth of the weekly Torah portion integrating textual and inner dimensions of the Torah with practical takeaways for bettering ourselves. In this class you will receive a broad perspective on how the parsha pertains to our lives today.