Kollel Faculty

KOLLEL FACULTY

Stu Berger is a retired Chemical Physicist who has traveled extensively, visiting Jewish sites in many places, and has lived in Europe as an Ex-Pat.  He has researched the development of the Tanakh and the period of time of its development having read relevant books and articles and viewing over 100 hours of video courses given by experts.  The New Testament material was developed by Deacon Tom Driscoll (ret) in collaboration with Stu.  

Tammy Eisenberg is a certificated teacher and avid home chef of Sephardic descent. She loves cooking from her own background and other international cultures. 

Andrea Gluckman is an expert on policy, culture, education, and languages of the Middle East.  She has worked as a diplomatic advisor, professor, and writer at Harvard University, the University of the Middle East, and the University of Rochester.  She is also a photographer and collaborative artist.

Dr. Joseph Kelly retired from full-time teaching after 37 years. For 11 years, he was Professor of Hebrew Scriptures at St. Bernard’s Seminary on Lake Avenue in Rochester and then served for 26 years as Professor of Religious Studies at Nazareth College. Now he devotes his time to teaching Adult Education courses in Scripture and Religious Studies in various parishes and congregations in the Rochester and Upstate areas.

Orna Korn was born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel.  She teaches Hebrew, Judaica and Israeli culture to both young and adult students.  

David Orange is a Jewish spiritual leader and passionate educator serving the Jewish, and non-Jewish community of Rochester. David has been a member of Temple B'rith Kodesh for over 30 years. He serves Jewish Senior Life as Worship Leader and provides the Jewish residents of St. John's Meadows and St. John's Home with spiritual care, life-cycle observances, and study.

Rabbi Drorah Setel, JD is the Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El. She has taught biblical studies at Pacific Lutheran University and Wesley Theological Seminary’s Course of Study program as well as contributed to The Women’s Bible Commentary and The Oxford Companion to the Bible.

Sharon Shafir was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. She worked as an aide to Knesset Members and was the Spokesperson for a multi-cultural county municipality in Northern Israel; formerly taught a Melton graduate course as well as Hebrew for adults in various local venues. Sharon earned her B.A. in Middle East History and Political Science at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, and her M.Sc. in Communication at Cornell University. She is an independent policy communication consultant and an advocate for early childhood special education programs.

Herb Skerker is a retired Secondary Social Studies and Special Education teacher and administrator. Currently, Herb is the Director of The Rochester Kollel.

Juleen Squires is a member of Temple B’rith Kodesh and has been playing Mah Jongg since 1999.  She has taught the game to a variety of people over the years.

Rabbi Peter Stein, MAHL, is the Senior Rabbi at Temple B’rith Kodesh. He came to Rochester after serving Temple Sinai in Cranston, RI and Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh, PA. His rabbinate is defined by a love of teaching and learning.

Rabbi Rochelle Tulik is the Associate Rabbi and Director of Education at Temple B’rith Kodesh. She was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2009.  She also holds an MA in Hebrew Letters and an MA in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR.  Her undergraduate studies were at the University of California at San Diego, where she crafted an Independent Studies Major in Modern Israeli Society and Israeli Culture.