Machon Siach empowers teachers to be thought leaders through meaningful exploration of topics in Modern Orthodox education.
Faculty Beit MidrashOur Faculty Beit Midrash provides opportunities for practical and collaborative learning on important issues in these areas of Jewish education.
Educational ProjectsFaculty learning and writing serve as the basis for practical and action research projects in Jewish education.
Community ProgramsOur programs are designed to include parents and young adults in the conversations generated by our faculty work and action research.
The Grand Conversation
Listen to the latest episode below, or browse the full list.
- Supporting Sephardic Students in our School
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This episode of The Grand Conversation: “Supporting Sephardic Students in Our Schools” features an important conversation between Rabbi Shmuel Hain and Ms. Denise Samstein, Judaic Studies faculty member and Director of Sephardic Engagement at SAR High School. Questions discussed include: What is the experience of Sephardic families and students in schools where they are a minority? What more can we do to include Sephardic history, culture and halakha in our school life?
Last week, over 17 Yeshiva Day Schools came together at SAR High School for M’mizrah L’Ma’arav, a conference focused on supporting Sephardic students in our schools, held in partnership with Machon Siach, JIMENA, and UJA. The program featured a historical overview by Dr. Ronnie Perelis, a presentation by Dr. Elana Riback Rand on school culture and student belonging, a panel of principals from Ramaz, Flatbush, North Shore, and BPY reflecting on institutional practices, and a session by Ms. Denise Samstein exploring Sephardic halakha, minhag, and cultural norms. Together, we examined what meaningful Sephardic representation looks like and shared ideas for practical implementation across curricula, tefillah, and school culture. The day sparked important conversations that we look forward to continuing.
On Monday, May 12th, Jewish day schools leaders came to Machon Siach to learn about the 2025 Yeshiva League substance use survey results. Several schools located outside of the tri-state region attended over Zoom. The conversation centered around the most recent survey results and how they compare to the previous survey, conducted in 2023. Following the presentation, schools shared their Guiding Good Choices updates or other plans for interventions while expressing shared commitment to surveying again in 2027.
Learn more about the substance use survey and Guiding Good Choices here: https://machonsiach.org/programs/guiding-good-choices/
@sarhighschool
Teaching and Learning with AI, by Ms. Gloria Schneider
“As educators, we want to teach students how to think and write critically, analytically, and creatively. We want to build their skill sets and provide them with a strong foundation on which to continue to expand and deepen their thinking, knowledge, and abilities.”
In this article, Ms. Schneider shares reflections from the Faculty Beit Midrash cohort on AI and education.
Read the full article here: https://machonsiach.org/teaching-and-learning-with-ai/
📄Unpacking the Rabban Gamliel Mishnayot of the Second Half of Mishnah Berakhot 2 | Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot
In this article Rabbi Helfgot explores using literary techniques in the study of Mishnah in the high school Gemara classroom. Taking cues from the literary study of Tanakh, Rabbi Helfgot leverages literary features including structure, theme words, and allusions to help students analyze the second perek of Masekhet Berakhot and derive meaning and insight from the artistry of the perek.
Read the full article here: https://machonsiach.org/unpacking-the-rabban-gamliel-mishnayot-of-the-second-half-of-mishnah-berakhot-2/
The Lifelong Value of Chesed, by Ms. Zehava Seidman-Wernick
“We see chesed as a focal value point in Jewish education, one that cannot be overlooked or relegated to a certain day of the week or year. Instead, our students constantly learn through service in every part of their lives, and we hope to instill that value in them for a lifetime.”
In the latest Siach BaSadeh article, Ms. Zehava Seidman-Wernick runs through SAR’s robust chesed offerings that make an impact at every level.
Read the whole article here: https://machonsiach.org/the-lifelong-value-of-chesed/
🔈 It’s Deeper than College Admissions: A Conversation with Professor Daniel Markovits
American Jews have long benefited from access to higher education, yet growing concerns about campus climate and the relentless college admissions process raise important questions. Yale Law’s Professor Daniel Markovits joins Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz to explore whether we can redefine merit and excellence without the heavy costs of our current system.
Listen to the podcast here: https://machonsiach.org/podcast-episode/its-deeper-than-college-admissions-a-conversation-with-professor-daniel-markovits/
Words Matter: An Approach to Teaching Poetry | Ms. Allison Miller
“The study of poetry is especially compatible with the way we study Tanakh and Gemara, as both subjects operate on the assumption that words matter–an individual word choice ripples with connotation and connections to other contexts where that word appears.”
In the latest Siach BaSadeh article, Ms. Allison Miller explains how she teaches poetry at SAR, making sure the learning is both rigorous academically and exciting for students.
Read the whole article here: https://machonsiach.org/words-matter-an-approach-to-teaching-poetry/
Learning Math Lishma, by Aviva Bukiet:
"I stress to my students that, just as with Torah study, the value of learning math is not solely in its practical application. There is an intrinsic worth in the process of learning itself—the way it shapes our thinking, sharpens our reasoning and challenges us to engage deeply with ideas."
In the latest Siach BaSadeh article, Ms. Aviva Bukiet writes about the beauty of learning math – or any subject – just for the sake of learning.
Read the whole article here: https://machonsiach.org/learning-math-lishma/
🔈Jewish Sexual Ethics with Ms. Shuli Taubes
This special episode of the Grand Conversation is devoted to the subject of teaching Jewish sexual ethics at SAR high school and in the broader Modern Orthodox community. Rabbi Hain speaks with Ms. Shuli Taubes, the author of This Too is Torah, SAR High School’s tenth grade beit midrash program on Jewish sexual ethics, values, and practice.
Listen here: https://machonsiach.org/podcast-episode/jewish-sexual-ethics-with-ms-shuli-taubes/
📄On Teaching the Opening Lines of Kiddushin (2a-2b) | Rabbi Tully Harcsztark
Rabbi Harcsztark shares his experiences and techniques for teaching the opening sugya of Kiddushin. The questions the Gemara asks seem overly technical and pedantic, as students (and commentators) are quick to note. By analyzing the Gemara carefully and including insights from Rishonim and academic scholars, Rabbi Harcsztark reviews the sugya, with an eye towards making meaning of the sugya for contemporary high school students.
Read the full article here: https://machonsiach.org/on-teaching-the-opening-lines-of-kiddushin-2a-2b/
Upcoming Events
Social Development Strategy – GGC Cohort 5.2 Session 1
Social Development Strategy – GGC Cohort 5.3 Session 1
Approaches to Tanakh Study: How and Why We Read Tanakh – Makom B’Siach Cohort 9 Session 1
Belda Kaufman Lindenbaum z”l
Our Legacy
Machon Siach is named in loving memory of Belda Kaufman Lindenbaum z”l, an advocate for serious women’s learning, addressing the plight for agunot, and women’s leadership in the Jewish community.
