Enhance your Hebrew while expressing creativity, learning Torah & making new friends in the Holy Land!

The Structure of the Hebrew Language in a Nutshell

• Build Hebrew Vocabulary
• Increase Textual Skills
• Learn Secret of the Hebrew Letters
• Build Hebrew skills through music
• Connect with Israeli families
• Practice Meditative Movement in Hebrew
• Expand your Hebrew knowledge via drama!

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’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.

Women of Tanakh
A Textual, Mystical & Creative Exploration of Women Who Built the House of Israel
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. Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum offers presentations through selected texts. We will learn and discuss selected texts from the Torah, Midrash, Chassidut, and Kabbala 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.

Netivot Shalom on the Parasha
Rav Shalom Noach Berezovsky, the Slonimer Rebbe, expresses a rare combination of gifts in his masterpiece 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 to dilemmas we struggle with today. His inspiring teachings foster ethical and spiritual growth for 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.

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.

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.

From the Exodus to the Temple of Love
We will continue our journey from the Exodus from Egypt through the fifteen steps of elevation toward the yearning for a consummate relationship with our Creator. The classes will excite your imagination, facilitate your understanding, and open your heart to receive the Shechina when our Holy Temple will be built, may it be soon!

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.

Eichah (Lamentations)
The deep summer months bring with them also the days of mourning on the destruction of the first and second Batei Mikdash and ruin of the Jewish homeland in Eretz Israel. In class we will study the timeless words of the prophet Yirmiyahu as he laments this destruction. In this scroll, Megillat Eichah, read every year on the 9th of Av by Jews around the world, Yirmiyahu gives voice to the pain of the Jewish people. Through the Megillah we will examine the causes for the destruction and listen to the lessons Yirmiyahu shares with the people on how to cope with the theological difficulties surrounding it. We will explore Yirmiyahu’s descriptive imagery, and the unique poetic tools and language which he used to help his readers not only understand the tragedy but experience it as well.

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.

The Inner Secret of the Hebrew Letters
The 22 sacred letters are the raw material of creation. They are primal spiritual forces which combine endlessly just as the elements of chemistry. We study the form, name, numerical value, and dimensions hidden beneath the surface of the letters. As building blocks of holiness in the world, their study returns us to the roots of Torah.

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.

Transforming Darkness to Light – Moving from Exile to the Promised Redemption
Transforming darkness to light is the hidden potential of the 3 weeks of national mourning, between 17 of Tamuz- 9 of Av. Bezrat Hashem, we will learn about the profundity of this time and how it informs our avodah personally, and collectively as the nation of Israel. We will explore how to set into motion personal growth and positive change, and ultimately, how we can do our share of bringing about universal positive transformation.

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.

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.

Selected Topics in Rav Kook
Rav Kook is known as our modern-day prophet. He is a visionary whose spiritual and redemptive teachings speak to the individual, the people of Israel, and humanity as a whole. We will explore Rav Kook’s deep spiritual, philosophical, and psychological insights through learning and meditating on the deep writings of Rav Kook and his understanding of selected topics.

Morah Kochava Rozenbaum
Kochava is the current Dorm Mother of Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin and lives on campus with her husband and three children. She especially enjoys teaching and one-on-one tutoring at the midrasha, going on special tiyulim and creating a lively and warm atmosphere on campus. Aside from her role as Dorm Mother she is a creative content writer and ceramics arts teacher.

Creative Expression
This class will focus on bringing Torah to life through various forms of artistic expression. In a warm classroom setting, we’ll express our Torah through creative expressions of various arts and crafts. We will also place a special focus on celebrating and bringing out each student’s own style and unique way of seeing the world! Each class combines a segment of theory, practice, and analysis of our works in a warm, encouraging, and non-competitive atmosphere.

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 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.