Rabbi Yaakov Bear

Rabbi Bear’s special closeness to Gedolei HaDor like HaRav Elyashiv and HaRav Moshe Sternbuch enables him to bring a unique perspective to applying Halacha to daily life. His years of Shimush Talmide Chachamim has also supplied him with a wealth of stories and anecdotes that embellish every point that he teaches.  Open and approachable, Rabbi Bear is often the address for students who want to discuss their personal growth in Torah and Yiras Shamayim.

Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination

Rabbi Yehuda Bulman

Rabbi Bulman has the unique ability to make the study of Halacha interesting, exciting and fun, while not compromising on clarity and comprehension.   He takes his students to the sources so they can see how Halacha functions and understand why and how to apply the Dinim.

Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination

Publications: Co – translated Longing for Dawn, Feldheim Publishers, 1995; Translated A Nation of Witnesses, Feldheim Publishers, 1996

Rabbi Reuven Lauffer

You can spot a student who has just left Rabbi Lauffer's class by the broad smile on her face. Rabbi Lauffer is able to transform the weightier issues of philosophy into enjoyable, uplifting, and even fun classes. His British humor complements his vast knowledge and results in a teacher whom students love to hear. In addition to teaching at Afikei Torah, Rabbi Lauffer teaches at Ohr Somayach, and is the editorial web advisor and contributing writer to Ohrnet, the web magazine of Ohr Samayach.

Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination

Publications: Editorial and Web Designer, contributing writer to Ohrnet, the Ohr Somayach Torah Magazine on the Internet.

Rabbi Hadar Margolin

Among Rabbi Margolin's numerous publications is a Sefer called BeSimcha Ubetuv Levav on the importance of Simcha. No one is better suited to write a book on the Midah of Simcha than Rabbi Margolin. His infectious sense of joy pervades each class that he gives. His ability to translate Hashkafic concepts into attainable goals makes his class a very popular choice.

Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination; Israeli Teachers License

Publications: Hadran Alach, 1989; BeSimcha U’Betuv Layvav, 1998; Pri Hadar, 1999; Kuntruss Shiurim, 2000; Bircat Moadecha, 2001

Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky

Rabbi Orlofsky requires little introduction. His reputation as a stimulating speaker who can ease his audience from laughter to tears is known around the world. You may have heard many Rabbi Orlofsky tapes, but his Friday morning Parsha class will always be filled with novel insights and understanding.

Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination

Rabbi Noach Orlowek

It is Afikei Torah's privilege to have on faculty a personality of the stature of Rav Orlowek. Rabbi Orlowek shares his wisdom and life experiences with thousands of people around the world through his lectures, Shiurim, and Seforim. Despite the incredible demands on his time, he devotes two hours a week to teach at Afikei Torah, as well as a third hour during which he is available to students for private consultation.

Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination

Publications: My Child, My Disciple, Feldheim Publishers, 1993; My Disciple, My Child, Feldheim Publishers 1993; Raising Roses Among the Thorns, Feldheim Publishers 2002

Rabbi Ilan Segal

Rabbi Ilan Segal, the Menahel of Afikei Torah combines a wealth of Torah scholarship with years of experience as an educator and administrator.  As Rabbi of Pretoria, South Africa and as a Rebbe and teacher in Eretz Yisrael he has inspired and enlightened hundreds of Talmidim with his extensive knowledge and warm personality. Rabbi Segal’s devotion to his students is evident in his involvement of every facet of Afikei Torah.  In the classroom, on Tiyulim, any problem from a minor repair to a major crisis, Rabbi Segal is there ready to help, guide, advise and encourage.

Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination

Mrs. Sheila Segal

Mrs. Segal is foremost a wife and mother.  Her many other accomplishments complement and reinforce her qualification to help our students build the skills for building their homes of Torah.  Her talents are many.  She is an accomplished author who has published fiction articles in many Jewish publications.  Many young women benefit on her lectures on HaBayis HaYehudi, and a meal at her home on Shabbos is testimony to her culinary skills.

Qualifications: B.ED. Michlalah Jerusalem College for Women

Rabbi Jonathan Taub

A distinguished academic background in Cambridge University and many years of Limud HaTorah creates a personality of Torah greatness. Rabbi Taub has a profound influence on his students through his soul- penetrating study of Messilas Yesharim.  Rabbi Taub is available for private discussion and has helped many of our students with important life decisions.

Qualifications:  Rabbinic Ordination; BA (CANTAB) Cambridge University, MA (CANTAB) Cambridge University

Publications: The Malbim Haggadah, Targum Press, 1993; The Malbim Esther, Targum Publishers, 1998

Rabbi Tzvi Wainstein

Rabbi Wainstein's enthusiasm for his subject and warmth toward his students makes his Hilchos Shabbos class exceptional. Along with Halachos and Malachos, he imparts a love of Shabbos that transforms your Shabbos experience each week. And you don't want to miss Rabbi Wainstein's kugel recipe or original Zemiros compositions.

Qualifications: Rabbinic Ordination; BA Tanenbaum College

Mrs. Suri Greenfeld

Mrs. Greenfeld’s love of learning as appreciation of the beauty and depth of the Torah is evident in every Chumash class she gives. Every day brings a new adventure in learning and takes you to unexplored territory of Pesukim and Mefarshim. Originally from Far Rockaway, Mrs. Greenfeld and family live in Yerushalayim.

Qualifications: BA Queens College; MA Touro College Graduate School of Jewish Studies

Mrs. Chaya Schweitzer

Tefilla is the Avoda of the heart. In Mrs. Shweitzer’s class she introduces you to passionate prayer, Tefilla that comes from the heart, with both emotion and understanding.  Her store of knowledge of the lives of Gedolei Yisrael provide plenty of background for the ideas she teaches and her Chassidish background provide the passion of the heart.

Qualifications: Teachers Certificate, Beth Jacob Teachers Seminary

Mrs. Esther Stauber

Mrs. Stauber takes her class on a fascinating journey exploring the depths of the Chumash. She teaches her students not to be satisfied until they have reached a true understanding of what they are learning. Devotion to Torah, love of learning and care for each student are the characteristics that make Mrs. Stauber an unforgettable mentor.

Qualifications: Teachers Certificate, Machon Bnos Yehudah; BA Touro College

Mrs. Rachel Verbov

If she weren’t teaching at Afikei Torah, Mrs. Verbov would be on stage. Her dramatic, dynamic teaching style brings Chumash to life with lively illustration, role playing and all kinds of excitement.  Mrs. Verbov is also the academic program coordinator for Afikei Torah.  She guides her students through registration with her caring smile making the whole process straightforward and enjoyable.

Qualifications: Teachers Certificate, Michlalah Jerusalem College for Women; BA Thomas Edison State College; MA Touro College Graduate School of Jewish Studies

Mrs. Nechama Slavin

The Slavin family rates high on the list of favorite names to visit for Shabbos.  Mrs. Slavin carries the warmth and sweetness of her home into the classroom. As she unwraps layer after layer of meaning in Megillas Esther you discover insights into yourself and insights on life that you never knew existed.

Qualifications: Teachers Certificate, Bnot Torah Institute; BA Eeyun HaTalmud Institute

Rebetzin Yehudis Samet

Renowned internationally through her speaking tours and books, Rebbetzin Samet is a truly great woman.  Her vast store of knowledge of the Halachos of Bein Adam LeChavero, Shemiras HaLashon and Dan Lekaf Zechus make her the most eminently qualified person to teach her course of Bein Adam LeChavero.  Her rich experience is the source of her many stories and examples with which she illustrates her point so aptly. Despite her hectic schedule and the many demands on her time, Rebetzin Samet is happy to spend time in private discussion with Afikei Torah Students, and they are always welcome in her home. 

Qualifications: BA New York University; MA New York University Graduate School

Publications: The Other Side of the Story, Artscroll Publications 1996; It Wasn’t How it Seemed, Artscroll Publications, 2000

Mrs. Raize Guttman

It is rare to find someone who personifies what she teaches as Mrs. Guttman does.  With the dignity, sensitivity and gentleness of a Bas Melech she not only teaches but also models the privilege of being a Jewish woman.  Mrs. Guttman has years of experience in seminary education both in administration and teaching.  Her Middos workshop is a forum for personal growth and refinement. One only has to meet Mrs. Guttman to learn the most powerful lesson of all.

Qualifications: BA Empire State College

Publications: The Royal Kingdom of Hashem, Frank Publishing, 1992; Midos Calendar Hishtadel Lehiyot Ish, 1988 - 2001