The Yomim Noraim are almost here. It is a time of family, tefillah and tzedakah.

 

In this issue of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Alumni Newsletter we reached out to a few alumni in Jewish education and scholarship and asked them to share their thoughts on what this time of year means to them and where they seek meaning. It is a time for all of us to think about the year ending and the new year about to begin.

 

On behalf of the Yeshivah of Flatbush, we wish you a year of simcha and bracha. 

Roslyn (Kestenbaum) Weiss (HS ‘70) is a professor of Philosophy at Lehigh University in Bethelehem, PA. 

 

She has an MA in Jewish Studies from Baltimore Hebrew University and a PhD in Philosophy from Columbia University. Dr. Weiss’ areas of academic interest are ancient Greek philosophy and Medieval Jewish philosophy. 

 

You can read her piece about Rosh Hashanah and Avraham Avinu HERE. 

Rabbi Michael Ribalt (ES ’99, HS ’03) was named Head of School at Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva (RPRY) in Edison, NJ earlier this year. 

 

He previously worked at Yeshiva of Central Queens, Manhattan Day School and SAR. 

 

A graduate of YU, Rabbi Ribalt received semicha Yoreh Yoreh from Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam under Rabbi Faskowitz.

 

He has an MS in Jewish education from the Azrieli Graduate School, a certificate in leadership and administration from YU, and a certificate in the art of leadership from Harvard University’s Principal Center.

 

You can read his piece on the meaning of the word Teshuva HERE. 

Prior to making aliyah Leora (Feigenblum) Bednarsh (ES '84, HS '88) was a teacher of Talmud and Halacha at YOF. 

She currently works as a Yoetzet Halacha on the Nishmat hotline, and teaches Talmud and Halacha, at Sha’alvim for Women, and Yeshiva University’s Midrashiyah women’s leadership program. 

 

She is a graduate of Drisha’s Scholars’ Circle and the Keren Ariel program for Yoatzot Halacha at Nishmat. She holds a BA in Psychology and Linguistics from Princeton University, and is currently pursuing an MSW at Wurzweiler School of Social Work. 

 

You can read her piece on Teshuva and Mitza HERE. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Norma (Chabbott) Mintz (ES ‘93, HS ‘97) currently serves as co-Director of Judaic Studies at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston, NJ. 

 

She holds a BA from Columbia University with a double major in English and education and an MS from Yeshiva University in Secondary Jewish Education. She also completed MaTaN’s Joan and Shael Bellows Advanced Bible Program. 

 

You can read her piece, Malchuyot, Zichronot, Shofarot, and the Akeidah HERE.