Irina Merkina
Liora Rosenblatt is originally from Montreal, and made Aliyah to Jerusalem. Liora has extensive writing, editing and project management experience, and a very deep passion for Torah and Kiruv. The womanโs role and place in Judaism has always been close to her heart, and Tzofia is an outgrowth of her years of passion and connection to Emet.
Dayan Shlomo Cohen, originally from London, is the Rabbi of Tzofia. He oversees the content and ensures its proper hashkafic and halachic suitability. Dayan Cohen came to Israel after qualifying as an accountant and working as a financial consultant in the City of London. In Israel, Dayan Cohen graduated from Yeshivat HaNegev after receiving semicha from its Rosh Yeshivah, HaRav Yissachar Meir, and went on to qualify as a dayan after spending close to a decade studying dayanut under Dayan Ezra Batsri. Dayan Cohen went on to serve as a dayan on the bet din of โAhavat Shalomโ, under the auspices of HaRav Naftali Nusbaum and HaRav Yaakov Hillel, where he served for fifteen years. During that time, Dayan Cohen wrote his books โPure Moneyโ, volume 1&2, which have become textbooks for students of Jewish Monetary Law.
Rabbi Cohen has been teaching Halacha for several years at Neve Yerushalayim, one of the largest Torah institutions for English-speakingย women. Rabbi Cohenโs extensive Torah knowledge and balanced outlook on life makes him a very important Rabbinical asset for Tzofia.
Tamara Klein (born Ezekiel) is a creative content writer, specializing in Torah and lifestyle articles for Tzofia, as well as Binah Magazine. Tamara also works as a grantwriter, helping Jewish charities with funding.
Chevy Weiss is a shadchan, community activist, and an active writer. She is a 30-year consultant and strategist for American politicians, serves as a marketing and public relations specialist for corporations and nonprofits around the world, and does academic research and writing in a number of fields, including psychology and education.
Talia Goodkin grew up and lives in London, UK. She is currently pursuing a degree in Jewish education. Talia has taught Jewish Studies in multiple schools, lead programmes for Jewish youth movements and Shuls, and given high-level talks on Torah topics to adults across the London community.
Talia is passionate about uplifting people by sharing the beauty, depth, and relevance of Torah, and is grateful for the opportunity to write for Tzofia.
Mindel Kassorla, originally from Woodmere NY, has been working in seminaries in Eretz Yisrael for over a decade. She lectures for women at all stages and is a popular columnist for Mishpacha Magazine. As a Shadchan and dating coach, she guides her students with empathy and wisdom. Mrs. Kassorla lives with her husband, Rabbi Naftali Kassorla, and their three children in Jerusalem.
Michal Caplan has a BA in English and an MSW. She spent a decade working as a clinical social worker. She then focused on promoting wellness for women and brides through blogging and coaching. Michal currently lives in Memphis, TN with her husband and two children. She enjoys volunteering in the community, learning Torah, and baking.
Leah Steinberg is a pen name. Leah works for a large Jewish nonprofit and writes for a magazine for Jewish women. She is passionate about writing and using the challenges Hashem gives us to foster creativity, grow, and help others. Leah is married and lives outside Jerusalem.
Shula Rosen is a pen name. Shula is a freelance writer, playwright and Mom of three located in Jerusalem. She has published several articles onย Chabad.org, the weekly publication Living Jewish, as well as other online and print journals, such as the Kenyon Review.
Malka Majer is a writer from Los Angeles specializing in fiction and Torah content. She is currently working towards a master’s degree in education and special education. She is also a poet and is in the process of developing a curriculum on the Poetry of Chazal for Bais Yaakov schools. Malka hopes that through Tzofia, her gift with words can be used to inspire others and spread the flame of Torah to women.
Ariella Sevitz Pinsky, originally from South Africa, lives in Jerusalem and is a clinical social worker and madrichat kallot.
Ariella and her family spent a number of years on shlichut in the UK, and have extensive training and experience in innovative Jewish informal education. With a passion for Torah and writing, Ariella is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Tzofia team.
Toby Finkelstein lives in Jerusalem with her family and loves writing to inspire and uplift.
She works as a freelance writer, grant writer and copywriter and appreciates the differences of each niche.
Toby is especially passionate about the Jewish peopleโs rich history and loves researching great characters from the past. She is grateful for the opportunity to write for Tzofia and share the beauty of the Torah to women.
Shani Gelb, originally from the United States, now lives with her family in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Shani is a Torah, literacy, and special education teacher turned copywriter and social media manager. Teaching English in a local school maintains her strong ties to education. She is passionate about Torah and Chinuch. Itโs a privilege to be able to spread Torah through Tzofia.
Jordyn Stone is an editor and writer from Cape Town, who now lives in Beit Shemesh. Jordyn has worked in high tech and corporate scenes, but her main passion is bringing authentic Jewish content to the masses.
Originally from England,ย Rivaย Kentย now lives in Jerusalem with her husband and children where she works as a freelance content writer. Through her work for Tzofia, Riva is able to combine her passion for Torah learning with her love of writing, and inspire women across the globe.
Esther Lewin made Aliyah from Kansas City in 2022, and now lives in Tzfat with her husband and son. In addition to writing, her passions include singing, photography, learning Torah, and having meaningful, inspiring conversation.
Miriam is a writer and editor living in Jerusalem with her family. She writes copy for small businesses and features for popular Jewish magazines. Miriam feels privileged to be sharing the beauty of Torah with Tzofia’s audience.