Our Staff

Our Mission • Location • Our Vision • About Naava

Ohr Naava is comprised of a team of professional educators and caring individuals who serve as role models and mentors. Private appointments can be made with each staff member to discuss personal matters. Traveling from New Jersey, Monsey, Long Island, and Brooklyn, our faculty is dedicated to giving their audience an enriched learning experience. Our staff is trained to discuss matters on all levels, and they make themselves available on a daily basis. In addition, well-known guest lecturers from both America and abroad are invited to speak in Ohr Naava regularly.

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Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein, Founder and Director of Ohr Naava, was raised in Monsey, NY. Under the strong influence and guidance of his parents, he entered the chinuch world at the young age of 21. Since then, Rabbi Wallerstein has been in chinuch for 30 years, teaching and inspiring young adults in the Jewish world to return to their roots. The position of eighth grade boys’ rebbe at Yeshiva of Crown Heights has been his for almost thirty years. He has gained the loving title of “Rebbe” to his students, who turn to him for chizuk, guidance and inspiration. His commitment extends far beyond the classroom, as his talmidim become his children, whom he continues to guide throughout the years. Rabbi Wallerstein gives two chaburas weekly, at Ohr Yitzchok for boys and at Ohr Naava for girls. Rabbi Wallerstein lives with his wife Estee, children and grandchildren in Brooklyn.

Mrs. Judy Bodner, originally from Columbus, OH is a certified life coach who specializes in Dating, Relationships and building one’s Self Esteem. Judy is on the staff of Ohr Naava, giving classes at Ohr Naava, Ateres Naava and Bnot Chaya Academy as well as one-on-one counseling with their students. “Judy’s Place" has become an open home for the girls to spend Shabbos, Yom Tov or just a place to go and relax. She also has been a shadchan for the past 20 years. Judy and her husband Pinny reside in Monsey and have much nachas from their children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Baila Caller is the founder of Jewmba, the Jewish Zumba. Baila's high energy gives the women and teens who attend her classes not only an intense workout, but reJEWvenates their body and soul! The Wednesday night Jewmba class at Ohr Naava for women young and old, from 12-120yr. old, is the highlight of Baila's week. Baila is a wife and mother of 6, and knows how important daily exercise is for a woman's physical and emotional well-being. 

Yanky Elefant, dubbed the “right hand of Ohr Naava,” grew up in Boro Park, and attended the Mir Yeshiva High School, followed by Bais Medrash and in Mir and Torah Vodaas. He then received a degree from Touro College, and currently works in M.T. Packaging. He is the brother of Mrs. Estee Wallerstein, which makes him ‘family’ to Ohr Naava. Despite his regular ‘day job,’ Yank y’s real passion, to which he devotes his days, nights, and all hours in between, is the success of Ohr Naava. He is behind every major decision, and is constantly consulted regarding every new endeavor. Yanky and Lisa play an active role in Ohr Naava shidduchim, and are always available for Ohr Naava, devoted with heart and soul. Yanky and his wonderful wife, Lisa, are the parents of five adorable children, residing in Brooklyn, NY.

Rabbi Gil Frieman is the pulpit Rabbi of Jewish Center Nachlat Zion, the home of Ohr Naava. He is certified as a shochet, sofer, and has given lectures in the United States, Canada, and throughout Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi Frieman is currently the American Director of seminaries Darchei Binah, Afikei Torah, and Chochmas Lev in Eretz Yisroel, and teaches in Nefesh High School, Camp Tubby during the summers, and lectures weekly at Ohr Naava. In addition, Rabbi Frieman teaches all tracks in Ateres Naava Seminary.

Miss Chevi Garfinkel has been teaching for over 10 years and is currently teaching Judaic Studies in Shulamis and Bruriah High Schools. During the summers, Miss Garfinkel directs Camp Frontier, a teenage hiking camp. Miss Garfinkel lectures throughout the United States, Canada and Eretz Yisroel. She has been teaching Tefilla and Moadim at Ohr Naava since its inception on a bi-monthly basis. Chevi’s upbeat and down-to-earth style of teaching has kept her students coming back year after year, long after graduation. You’ll know if a girl has been at Miss Garfinkel’s shiur if there is a thoughtful look in her eyes and a smile on her face.

Mrs. Daphne Hanson, LMSW, is the co-founder and Program Director at Ohr Naava. After spending a few years studying in Eretz Yisroel, Daphne returned to the U.S. to complete her Master’s Degree in Social Work, which she has utilized in various Jewish institutions over the past few years. Daphne is also the administrator and teacher of Torah and Psychology and Michtav M’Eliyahu in Ateres Naava Seminary, subjects which she has taught for seven years. Daphne and her family live in Brooklyn, NY.

Mrs. Ivy Kalazan is a dynamic lecturer who teaches  the spiritual depth and meaning behind the mitzvot that people often keep by rote.She graduated summa cum laude from Touro College with her B.S. in mathematics and spent over 25 years teaching Jewish philosophy from a logical perspective.  Drawing from the teachings of Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller, Rav Noach Orlowek and Raabbi Dovid Gottlieb,her analytical teaching style appeal to both the mind and the heart. Her classes have been taught from Yeshiva University of Los Angeles to Neve Yerushalayim in Israel. She presently teaches in Ohr Naava, The New Seminary, The Jewish Renaissance Center and Maalot seminaries in Brooklyn

Rabbi Label Lam, former collegiate athlete, is a graduate of Colgate University. He was matriculated at Harvard Extention School. While pursuing a Masters of Education, Rabbi Lam studied many years at Yeshiva Ohr Sameyach before launching his career in Jewish Education. Rabbi Lam has been inspiring businessmen, college students, and prisoners, through Hamayan Institute and Ohr Sameyach International for two decades. He is the co-founder of Foundations for Jewish Learning, an outreach project in the US and abroad. His lectures, comprised of his rich life experience, profound wit and infectious love for the Jewish people, inspire all who hear him. His insights on the weekly Parsha are received by over 15,000 people worldwide, and can be found at www.torah.org. Rabbi Lam lives in Spring Valley, NY, with his wife, Chaya, and 10 children.

Mrs. Blima Lichtig has been teaching and studying dance for thirty years. Blima is a well-known choreographer and dance teacher, having worked with various musicians and singers. She teaches dance in Flatbush and in various hotels in the summer. She also gives private dance lessons to brides and their family members so they can feel confident on their special day. Blima resides with her husband in Brooklyn, NY.

Rabbi Ezra M. Max is a certified professional life coach and founder of KosherCoaching.com. His in-depth experience with at-risk youth, for almost 15 years, enables him to leverage this expertise and focus on early intervention and PREVENTION. He directed “The Living Room” project under the clinical supervision of Rabbi Shimon Russell, LCSW and successfully brought it to worldwide recognition. The Living Room has become a model program for supporting young adult growth and re-integration with society, family and religion of origin. Rabbi Max is a recognized coach, facilitator, trainer and mentor in the areas of young adult communication, development and life skills. He is an associate of the Parent As Coach Academy and an advisor to many programs supporting young adults. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and five children.

Mrs. Avivit Mikhli, MBA, is the Director of Operations at Ohr Naava. Her marketing and administrative experience, which she gained at SpeedDating as Program Director, Discovery as Research Analyst, both of Aish HaTorah, as well at The Jewish Theological Seminary as Development Associate, is exemplified in the way she brings her enthusiasm and passion to her work at Ohr Naava. She attended Chabura at the very beginning and immediately knew that this is where she belongs. Avivit makes herself readily available to everyone at Ohr Naava and is on site throughout the week to support the over 3,000 members and staff with a friendly smile. She resides in Brooklyn with her husband and daughters.

Rabbi Motti Miller was born and raised in London, England. He has been involved in Jewish Education and outreach for over 15 years. Rabbi Miller is assistant principal and manhig ruchani at The Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston, NJ. In addition, he lectures throughout NY on a variety of topics, including Hashkafa, parenting, Jewish education, dating and relationships. Rabbi Miller has spent many years counseling teenagers and young adults in various forums. He Resides in Highland Park, NJ with his wife and four children.

Mrs. Elisheva Perlman is the Director of Communications, fueling the creative force behind Ohr Naava’s advertising and publicity. She can usually be found thinking up of new ways to promote an event, produce an idea or hang another butterfly. Elisheva’s career spanned from teaching in Be’er Hagolah High School, to being Director of Programming for NY NCSY, to spending her summers as an Assistant Head Counselor for Chai Lifeline/Camp Simcha. Her degree in Marketing and Public Relations, together with her non-profit event coordination experience, brings an added touch to Ohr Naava. She resides with her husband and newborn daughter in Brooklyn, NY.

Rabbi Shmuel Skaist studied at Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv enjoying a close relationship with Rabbi Shlomo Friefeld z”tl. Rabbi Skaist, a talented speaker and musician, has been teaching Torah and been involved in Kiruv across the US and Israel for over 20 years. Rabbi Skaist and family lived in Eretz Yisroel where he was a Mashgiach at Neve Tzion, a Magid Shiur at Bat Ayin Yeshiva, and an adjunct Professor at Bar Ilan University. It was in Eretz Yisrael that Rabbi Skaist gained popularity as a “go-to” person for young adults seeking advice in both Hashkafic and personal issues. Now in the US, Rabbi Skaist is continuing chinuch and outreach, lecturing and performing at over 20 college campuses here and in Canada. Currently a Rosh Yeshiva at The Yeshiva at IDT, Rabbi Skaist is at Ohr Naava every Tuesday night, teaching and counseling beginner, intermediate and advanced talmidos.

Mrs. Sheindy Spector is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise. She has been teaching women and girls of all ages for close to two decades. Sheindy is currently a gym teacher in BY of Boro Park High School. In addition, she instructs various types of exercise classes for girls and women, which include Yoga, Weight Training, Cardiovascular, Fitness, and General Body Toning. Over the summers, Sheindy has worked in girls’ camps, holding the position of Sports Program Director and head lifeguard. Sheindy and family reside in Brooklyn, NY.