Experience in Teaching and Educational Administration:
1990 – Present Matan - Women's Institute for Torah Studies, Jerusalem
Chair, Department of Bible and Biblical Interpretation
At Matan, a unique institution in the Jewish educational scene, dedicated to advanced Judaic Studies for women,(www.matan.org.il) I established the graduate teacher training program in Bible and Biblical Interpretation. This program is a joint project. It began in conjunction with Baltimore Hebrew University. Thereafter, we partnered with Haifa University. Currently it is a joint venture with the Hebrew University Melton School of Education. The program has served to prepare a cadre of scholarly and inspired women who play prominent leadership roles in Jewish education. My responsibilities include curriculum planning, faculty selection, admissions, personal direction of program participants, and academic lecturing, supervision of theses, job placement for graduates. Some of the graduate courses I have taught include: Approaches to Biblical Narrative; The Book of Exodus: From Slavery to Redemption/From the Seneh to Sinai; Research Methods in the Study of Prophetic Literature; History and Theology in Jeremiah/Jeremiah Interpreted:the Rabbinic Analysis of the Prophet; Minor Prophets: Literary Artistry and Ethical Precepts; The Davidic Traditions in Samuel/ David’s Wives, David’s Sons; a Seminar in Medieval Biblical Exegesis; Scripture Envisioned: The Bible Through the Eyes of Rembrandt. I also teach classes in Bible and Midrash for participants committed to continuing Jewish education these have included: The Challenge of Destiny in the Book of Numbers; The Prophets of Wrath; Law and Ritual in the Priestly Code; Prophets of Proclamation: Elijah, Elisha and Jonah, and give special lectures during the holiday seasons and in the summer program. In our joint program with Hebrew University I taught a course together with the head of the Melton School entitled “The Interface between Text and Teacher”. This innovation was a required course for Matan women and Hebrew Union College Rabbinical Students (men and women). The course had an interactive (chevruta) component which generated sharing of ideas and vantage points in the tradition of “70 facets of Torah”. Another innovation was the establishment of an advanced institute for Master Teachers of Bible. I also serve on the academic advisory board of Massechet, matan’s academic journal.
2008-2009 Adjunct Professor of Education, Hebrew University Melton School of Education
2002-2006 Adjunct Professor of Bible, Haifa University
1998-2001 Adjunct Professor of Bible, Baltimore Hebrew University
Special Lectureships:
2002: International Conference Psychological Aspects of Biblical Concepts and Persons, 4-6 March, 2002 - Amsterdam.
2003: Highland Way - “Esai Einai el HeHarim”Emunah Women of Great Britain - Loch Lomand Scotland.
2004-2005: Paideia - The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden.
2005: Heritages de Rachi Colloque Scientifique d'Universitaires et de Chercheurs Specialistes de Rachi a l’occasion de la commemoration du 900eme anniversaire de la disparitioin de Rachi: Rashi Conference – Troyes-Paris, France, 27-29 juin, 2005.
2006: Project Kesher – Beit Bina Teacher Training Seminar - Moscow
2006: Limmud Conference - Vilna
2006: “Torah Study, Exegesis and Research”: International Conference marking the Centenary of Nechama Leibowitz’s Birth in cooperation with Yeshiva University, New York and Tel Aviv Universities - Jerusalem
2001-2002: Van Leer Jerusalem Institute – Public Lectures in Bible and Biblical Interpretation. In Jerusalem and in Kfar Blum Van Leer in the Galil
1991-2001: Wexner Jewish Heritage Foundation-- Israel Institute
1996-1997: Gesher Foundation - Teacher Training Institute
1990 – 2004 Midreshet Moriah, Jerusalem
Instructor of Bible
My work at Midreshet Moriah was primarily with post-high school students from North America, Europe and Australia who came to Jerusalem for an intensive year program in Jewish Studies. The major educational goal was to familiarize students with primary texts and tools to further their learning. One such example was Nach Yomi – “A Chapter a Day of Scripture” a regimen by which students finished studying all of prophetic literature by the end of the year. Courses I have taught included: The Book of Samuel; The Book of Exodus; Midrashic Literature; The Twelve Prophets. I also coordinated the independent study programs for second year students.
1997 Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education, Yeshiva U.
Instructor of Bible
I taught an intensive course in Teaching Bible to graduate students of Jewish education participating in the Israeli Summer Block program. This included 40 young men studying for Rabbinic Ordination. This course was previously taught by my mentor Prof. Nechama Leibowitz of blessed memory.
1980 - 1989 Michlala-Jerusalem College for Women, Jerusalem
Instructor of Bible
I taught Bible and Biblical Interpretation to Israeli students in a teacher training program and to foreign students participating in an intensive year program in Jewish Studies.
1978 - 1989 Touro College: New York/Jerusalem
Assistant Professor Of Bible
Resident Director Touro College Israel Program
I began my work at Touro’s New York campus as an undergraduate instructor of Bible (1978-80). Subsequently, I coordinated a program for Touro students participating in year-abroad programs at Israeli institutions, and established Touro’s Israel’s campus, including its graduate school of Jewish studies, where I taught Bible and Biblical Interpretation.
1977 - 1978 Yeshiva University High School for Girls, New York Instructor of Bible
I taught courses in The Five Megillot, The Book of Numbers, The Book of Job.
Instructor of Hebrew Language
In the framework of my graduate fellowship at McGill, I served as an instructor of Modern Hebrew Language, and developed a curriculum for teaching Hebrew Language and Literature.
Scholar-in-Residence in cities world-wide. To name a few: Toronto, New York, Pittsburgh, Palo Alto, Oakland, Portland, San Francisco, Berkley, Chicago, Seattle, Mount Kisco, Engelwood, London, Manchester, Bournemouth, Gothenberg, Stockholm Sweden.
Education:
1977-1986: Bernard Revel Graduate School, Yeshiva University. PhD in Bible. Dissertation Topic: Rashi's Commentary on the Book of Samuel: Critical Edition and Supercommentary. Advisor: Prof. Yeshayahu Maori. First woman to be awarded a PhD in Bible at Yeshiva University.
1976-1977: McGill University. MA in Biblical Interpretation. Dissertation Topic: Ibn Ezra's Two Commentaries on the Book of Esther. Advisor: Prof. B. Barry Levy. First graduate of the program.
1973-1974: Michlala-Jerusalem College for Women. Teacher's Degree.
1972-1976: Barnard College. BA in Jewish Studies. Dissertation Topic: The Midrashic Treatment of the Akedah. Advisor: Prof. David Sperling. First Jewish Studies major at Barnard College.