Kinus 5785 Presenter Bios
Rivka Arnold is the assistant principal at Bnos Chomesh and has been in Chinuch for five years. She works closely with students to support their academic success and personal growth, and helps run incentive programs to keep girls engaged and motivated.
Liba Borisute (Rimler) is going into her eighth year at Cheder Chabad of Monsey, where she teaches 4th grade Limudei Kodesh, 8th grade Mechaneches class, and 6th–7th grade Writer’s Workshop. She has developed curriculums including Ready, Set, Daven!, a 180-page journal, and Life TIPs (Mechaneches lessons). She also offers workshops on time management for educators and building connections with students.
Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun is the Morah D’Asra of Crown Heights and executive member of the Bais Din. He is an authority on Halacha and a renowned Posek.
Rivka Caroline is the author of ‘From Frazzled to Focused’ and believes it takes more effort to be disorganised than organized, and that we are just a few simple systems away from a streamlined life. As a mental health professional she provides children, teens and their families with insights, perspectives and tools on how to navi-guess life. She loves the synthesis of Chassidus, Positive Psychology and Emotional Intelligence.
Rivkie Chesney has been on Shlichus in Metairie, LA for almost 10 years serving in various capacities both in elementary and preschool at Slater Torah Academy and Jewish Preschool of the Arts. She has a Master’s degree in Montessori Leadership and is passionate about bringing out the potential of all children (and adults!).
Aviana Dahan teaches 8th and 9th grade Judaic studies at the Jewish Online School and has been passionate about Jewish education for the past seven years. In 2023, she launched Judaic Resources, offering curricula in Jewish History, Halacha, Navi, and more—designed to support and inspire fellow Judaics teachers. Her latest release includes the NEW Chabad Teacher Planner, a unique tool tailored to the needs of today’s educators.
Batsheva Deren is a veteran educator and administrator with more than 40 years of experience in education. Throughout her career, she has mentored countless teachers, imparting her passion and sensitivity towards meeting the needs of each individual student. Most of her work to meet this goal was done through observation and feedback of Leverage leadership.
Zeesy Deren is the Director of Development and a founder of the Jewish International School Cape Town, and holds a masters in Spiritual Education. The school offers unique elements of personalised education in a holistic framework. Zeesy is also a Shlucha of the Blouberg Jewish Community and a mother of 7 k”ah. Zeesy’s mission (through echadcoach.com and beyond) is to bring soulful mindfulness to women, guiding them on a journey toward spiritual alignment and personal growth, fostering a deep sense of Menucha–harmony–and well-being across body, mind, and soul.
Chanie Geisinsky is the Co-Director of Chabad of Great Neck and the Head of School at Silverstein Hebrew Academy — a warm and academically rigorous Jewish day school serving children from toddlers through eighth grade. With over 35 years of experience in education, Chanie has taught and inspired in both formal and informal settings, all guided by a deep commitment to Jewish values and identity, led with the belief that when educators truly believe in their students, the students will believe in themselves.
Rebbetzin Rivkah Groner is the Director of Ohel Chana Institute of Advanced Jewish Studies for Women in Melbourne, Australia, where she has been a Shlucha together with her husband, Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Groner for over 41 years. She has been an educator in elementary school, seminary and for adults at her Chabad house, Ohel Devorah. Mrs. Groner is the mother of 11 incredible children, many of whom are also in the field of Chinuch, and is a mentor for many previous students across the globe.
Mrs. Kesem Mia Hetsrony is a long-time Mechaneches and public speaker, known for her unique blend of wisdom, spiritual awareness, and inner joy as she illuminates Torah teachings and Chassidus for hundreds of women, students, and readers world over. As a published author, her work has been featured in the HaChayol Magazine, JEM’s Children Narrations, and various projects for Merkos Linyonei Chinuch, bringing the Rebbe’s teachings to thousands of individuals. She currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband and growing family, where she leads Nshei Chabad and has the esteemed title of Tzivos Hashem Base Commander at Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia.
Chanie Hurwitz, MS Ed., has guided hundreds of teachers across 50+ schools to kick math anxiety to the curb and teach with confidence. As founder of Coffee & Pi, she empowers K-8 teachers to help students not just learn math, but love it through her zero-fluff workshops and practical approach.
Racheli Jacks, M.Ed has been involved in education for over 20 years. She began teaching in Montreal, spent several years living in Melbourne, Australia, and now resides in Toronto, Canada, where she served as a middle school Mechaneches, and later as Principal at Eitz Chaim. She is the author of Raising Giants: 21 Parenting Tips Inspired by Daddy’s Legacy (available on Amazon), a book that helps parents cultivate emotional strength and a nurturing mindset to raise children with inner strength and resourcefulness. From her years in the classroom, including creating Tanya CDs, to her later work in school leadership, Racheli is passionate about creating positive, supportive environments where children can thrive emotionally, spiritually, and academically.
Yaffa Kenan has been in the field of Chinuch for over 10 years, working across all levels—from preschool to high school. She is now an Associate Certified Coach (ACC), specializing in Chinuch, and recently published a new Hilchos Kashrus curriculum. Driven by a passion to reach every student, Yaffa is committed to instilling core values and life skills. Whether teaching circle time, Halacha, Chassidus, Sichos, Yahadus, or Navi, her goal is to make learning engaging, hands-on, and memorable—so it stays with students for life.
Rochel Leah Kosofsky has been working at LYA (Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy) in Longmeadow, MA since 1988. She was a recipient of the 1997 and 2008 Harold Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. Rochel Leah was a 2008 recipient of the National Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. For over 25 years Rochel Leah has been teaching Chumash, Navi, Ivrit and Jewish History. Since 1999 Rochel Leah has been organizing and chaperoning her school’s biennial Israel Trips.
Nechama Lapidus is the director of Cheder Chabad Florida Preschool and has over two decades of experience in early childhood education. With a deep belief that every child’s Neshama is a world of its own, she strives to nurture each one with care and understanding. Nechama is dedicated to cultivating a positive, unified staff culture where teachers feel valued and energized.
Mushkie Lipsker M.Ed, has 15 years of experience in the classroom and in leadership roles. She is the founder of @evergrowingeducator – a platform to encourage teachers to develop and sharpen their growth mindset. Mushkie loves all things education – but she especially loves giving teachers practical tips to empower them to have a creative, innovative and engaged classroom. She mentors teachers and presents professional development in a variety of school settings. You can find practical tips on her on instagram @Evergrowingeducator or she can be reached at [evergrowingeducator@gmail.com](mailto:evergrowingeducator@gmail.com)
Rabbi Yaakov Mintz is an educational advocate for Work At It, supporting young people in the Jewish community who struggle in traditional school settings. With specialized training in alternative, at-risk, and trauma-sensitive education, he focuses on understanding each student’s experience and strengths to help them find their path to success.
Racheli Muchnik is a wife, mother, co-director of Chabad of Oxnard, and founder of Lamplighters Jewish Academy. Her passion is finding practical ways to live, parent, teach, and learn with a Moshiah Mindset.
Dr. Chani Negin holds a B.A. in Psychology, a Master’s in Education and Administration, a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, and a Doctorate in Education. With over 25 years of experience teaching in both elementary and high school settings, she also served as Department Chair of Judaic Studies and spent 7 years as a school principal. She currently serves as Director of Curriculum at the Lubavitch Educational Center in Miami, Florida, and provides consulting, professional development workshops, and teacher coaching.
Mrs. Shterna Rappaport is driven by a deep passion for Chinuch and serves as COO of the Merkos Chinuch Office, where she leads efforts to advance Chinuch on a global scale. Her expertise is in early childhood education, curriculum planning, lesson structuring, and classroom management. She supports teachers with insight and care.
Tova Rottenberg is an award-winning Kriah expert and educator with over a decade of kindergarten teaching experience at the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland. Now the Kriah Coordinator at Fuchs Mizrachi, she oversees instruction for grades 1–5. She has authored seven textbooks and developed thousands of curricular resources used by educators in over 75 schools across North America. Tova provides professional development, leads bi-weekly support groups, and co-created a streamlined Kriah assessment program. Her innovative work has made her a respected leader in Kriah education.
Rabbi Dr. Yosef Shagalow is a Rav and Shliach in Minnesota since 1986. With the blessing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, he went back to school in 1992 while continuing to teach in the local schools. After receiving extensive experience with DBT in his doctoral internship, Rabbi Dr. Shagalow opened a group of clinics beginning in 2001 in the Twin Cities specializing in DBT. Currently he runs a clinic in Minneapolis and Buffalo, MN and a private practice in Brooklyn, NY. He works with adolescents, adults, families and couples. His areas of practice include personality disorders, suicidal ideation and behaviors, chronic mental illness, depression, anxiety, addiction, as well as parenting and generational issues.
Chana Shagalow is passionate about helping families navigate the ups and downs of raising children with identified needs throughout their life. Bringing 35 years of educational leadership and special education experience to her work, her expertise is unparalleled. Chana works directly with parents to help them gain an understanding of assessments, navigating school systems, developing appropriate interventions and mainstream supports, and guiding parents in practical parenting. Chana approaches her work from a place of compassion and personal experience.
Miri Shaffer, MS-CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with 15 years of experience supporting children in schools with language-based challenges. She is passionate about helping children find their voice and advocate for their needs. Miri collaborates with families, teachers, and school staff to provide the most effective support possible.
Danit Schusterman, M.S. Ed., has been inspiring students for over 25 years. She currently teaches at Bais Rivkah Elementary School, Chabad Girls High School, Bnos Chomesh, and Teach For Lubavitch, bringing a heartfelt passion for educating each child with love and individuality.
Mrs. Shana Tiechtel has been the educational leader of Bais Rivkah High School for many years. Before becoming principal, Mrs. Tiechtel taught both Judaic and general studies in elementary and high school classrooms. While working in a moisad under the Rebbe’s leadership, Mrs. Tiechtel had the privilege of being guided by the directives of the Rebbe, along with the guidance of Rabbi Hadokov. She has been instrumental in establishing a school culture that adapts to the current educational needs of students while remaining focused on strengthening their Torah and Chassidishe values. Mrs. Tiechtel will supervise the program and guide the students to their success.
Sara Michal Touger, has been teaching for 26 years, primarily in the high school division. Sara currently works in Monsey Beis Chaya Mushka High School where she has served in various positions of Hanhala, curriculum development, and teaching over the last 18 years. Sara is passionate about using her creativity to approach classes with a varied approach, giving all students a chance to enjoy and relate to the material.
Aviva Wasser is a veteran educator, administrator, curriculum developer, and teacher mentor with over 20 years of experience in both Limudei Kodesh and general studies. She has mentored teachers through the Menachem Education Foundation, the Jewish New Teachers Project, and Seminar Lemoros, and has supervised student teachers at the Azrieli Graduate School, where she is currently pursuing a PhD. Aviva has developed Chumash and Jewish History curricula for schools in New Jersey and Mexico City, and led a Jewish Studies curriculum project for Hidden Sparks. Her work invites deep thinking, reflection, and connection, helping learners engage not just with content, but with meaning.
Chaya Wilhelm has been a secretary at Bais Rivkah for three years, and has learned a lot of computer skills on the job. She feels passionate about sharing her best practices so teachers can feel empowered and confident while using technology.
