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?
SAR High School`s Fine Arts Department Chair, Mr. David Friedman describes the thought and meaning behind the Alight Me’erim project, a multimedia work that brought SAR faculty and students together to artistically reflect on the world after October 7th.
“We gave each other permission to create even when—especially when—we didn’t know what we were creating.”
Read the full article here:
https://machonsiach.org/alight-meerim-when-words-fail-we-create/
SAR High School History teacher Mr. Ben Zion Ferziger reflects on the first year of the SAR Historical Society, an extracurricular club that gives students the opportunity to investigate the roots of the school they call home while simultaneously developing their broader historical skills.
“Like any intimate family history, exploring our school history was fun and motivating, allowing the student-historians to build a deeper connection with the space they inhabit and the community they belong to.”
Read the full article here:
https://machonsiach.org/the-value-of-local-history-reflections-from-the-first-year-of-the-sar-historical-society/
Dr. Gillian Steinberg challenges teachers to reconsider their role in student writing. Instead of thinking of themselves as judges of final drafts, how can teachers coach students through their writing process?
"Like a coach, I want everyone to win at this game, so being with them during practice – the writing itself – in addition to showing up for the games – the final draft – is most likely to ensure success."
Read the full article here: https://machonsiach.org/the-teacher-as-coach-not-judge/
Hatan`s Exemption from Keriat Shema as Presented in Berakhot 16A by Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot
"It may be that the chatan cannot be on the derekh, because he is supposed to be at home; he may not leave his home – a kind of intense sense of not going back into the regular world."
Continuing his discussion of the laws of Keriat Shema in Masekhet Berakhot, Rabbi Nati Helfgot examines the reason behind the bridegroom`s exemption from the recitation of the Shema. Rabbi Helfgot carefully guides the reader through the various layers of the sugya, ultimately showing that the path not taken can often illuminate unexplored aspects of the discussion.
Read the full article here: https://machonsiach.org/hatans-exemption-from-keriat-shema-as-presented-in-berakhot-16a/
Discover Makom B`Siach: Parent Learning Program
Looking for Torah learning that is deep, thought-provoking, and accessible?
Curious about the unique approach to study that makes SAR Torah learning so special?
Hoping to join a diverse, welcoming community of adults who love to learn?
If so, Makom B’Siach might be just what you’re looking for.
Over the course of seven engaging seminar classes, you’ll be invited to explore our tradition, texts, and values from fresh perspectives—deepening your learning and connection in meaningful ways.
To learn more about the program - email makombsiach@sarhighschool or visit machonsiach.org
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/
Upcoming Events
Social Development Strategy – GGC Cohort 5.5 Session 1
Understanding GMC’s- GGC Cohort 5.5 Session 2
Strengthening Your Family Bond- GGC Cohort 5.5 Session 3
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.
