The Jewish Renaissance Center is a Manhattan-based outreach program for women, offering quality classes to students of all ages, affiliations, and levels of scholarship. Since its inception in 1983, the Jewish Renaissance Center has provided thousands of students with a forum in which to embark on an intriguing journey through the Torah’s age-old wisdom, with a special focus on its relevance to the lives of modern Jewish women.

The JRC is more than just a learning program. It is a community. The welcoming, non-judgmental environment avails like-minded women the opportunity to connect with intellectually curious and growth-oriented contemporaries. Our staff of educators forge personal relationships with students, offering guidance both intellectually and spiritually.  We encourage our students to share their questions and welcome their feedback, an essential component in shaping our ever-evolving programs.  The JRC offers classes in Manhattan, New Jersey, and Brooklyn, as well as online classes.

Mrs. Leah Kohn, Founder

Mrs. Leah Kohn is the Director of the Jewish Renaissance Center. A tenth-generation Jerusalemite, she trained as an educator in her native Israel and has been teaching internationally for over 40 years. Mrs. Kohn’s intellectually inspiring classes are geared toward today’s woman, focusing on how the Torah’s age-old wisdom is relevant to our modern lives. Whether formally lecturing, leading a casual discussion group, or offering personal guidance, Mrs. Kohn’s unique blend of wisdom, insight and sensitivity leaves an indelible mark on all her students. She resides in Brooklyn with her husband, Rabbi Chaim Kohn.

Rabbi Chaim Kohn

Rabbinical Advisor of the JRC, Rabbi Kohn serves as the Dean of The Business Halacha Institute and is currently the Rabbi of a Synagogue in Flatbush.  He is widely consulted on all aspects of Jewish Law, specifically business law, his area of expertise.

Esther Gottlieb

Esther Gottlieb has been with the JRC since 1993. An attorney, she left the practice to pursue a more meaningful path and found it at the JRC.  For nearly 30 years, Esther has been Rebbetzin Kohn’s right-hand person. Although she has a wide range of responsibilities, Esther’s foremost duty is making sure that the JRC runs smoothly.

Rabbi Eliyahu Bergstein

Formerly a Systems Analyst in the Financial sector, Rabbi Bergstein is a renowned speaker who has informed and inspired many Jewish audiences. He lectures extensively for Aish HaTorah, the JRC, Project Inspire, and in many educational institutions. Rabbi Bergstein lives in Monsey, New York.

Ms. Chani Gotlieb

Chani Gotlieb is a dynamic educator, currently teaching in two prestigious girls’ high schools in New York.  She also lectures around the world to diverse audiences that span the gamut of Orthodox Jewry. With a Bachelor’s degree in Science earned in Israel, and a Master’s degree in Judaic Studies earned in the USA, Chani integrates the best of Israel’s yeshiva education with her academic training.   In her lectures, Chani analyses contemporary issues through the lens of diverse Jewish thinkers.

Mrs. Mina Glick

Mrs. Glick holds a Bachelors’s Degree in Philosophy from Barnard College and a Ph.D. in Bible Studies. Mrs. Glick has addressed Jewish women of all backgrounds throughout the United States and Israel and has lectured regularly at the Jewish Renaissance Center. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and children.

Mrs. Ivy Kalazan

Having studied and taught for years in Israel under Reb Tziporah Heller and Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, Ivy aka Chaya now teaches in New York in Masores High School, the New Seminary, Bnos Yaakov, Chochmas Nashim, and The Jewish Renaissance Center. Her specialty is breaking down deep concepts into easy to understand language with inspiring messages that women will carry with them all their life.

Rabbi Yinon Kalazan

With more than thirty-five years of experience in explaining the fundamentals of Judaism, Rabbi Kalazan regularly conducts many stimulating workshops and seminars on Jewish thought in Hebrew and English for the thinking Jewish adult. He has been a partner for many years and on the academic staff of Arachim, a team that conducts dozens of seminars and workshops on Jewish thought in Israel and abroad. Rabbi Kalazan resides in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and five children.

Mrs. Marcy Stern

Mrs. Marcy Stern has taught Tanach to women of all ages for over 40 years:  in Shevach High School, Bruriah High School, Stern College, Bais Yaakov Machon Ora High School where she was the founding principal,  as well as in various adult education settings. She is a graduate of Michlala, and holds a BA in English Literature, and a Masters in Jewish Education/ School Administration. Mrs. Stern makes the words of Tanach come alive through close textual analysis and helps students realize the applicability of Torah to their lives today.

Rabbi Yisroel Teichman

Founding member of the Miami Beach Community Learning Institute and the Young Israel of Cherry Hill, NJ, Rabbi Teichman currently acts as Rabbi of Kehillas Zichron Yitzchok, New Hempstead, NY, Associate Dean and Halacha teacher at Ateres Bais Yaakov Academy, and Rebbi of Yeshiva Heichal Hatorah of Teaneck NJ. Rabbi Teichman resides in Spring Valley, NY with his wife and children.

Mrs. Esther Wein

Mrs. Esther Wein is an internationally recognized educator and lecturer for over 35 years. She teaches ongoing courses for women of all backgrounds both online and in many different venues. She is known for teaching many different Judaic studies subjects on a conceptually advanced level, appropriate for students with all levels of education.

Ms. Aviva Yodaiken

Born in Ireland, Ms. Yodaiken made aliya with her family when she was 9 years old. She has a master’s degree in education and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and works as an Oncology nurse. Ms. Yodaiken has been teaching for many years and is known for her in-depth textual analysis.