English Department - Faculty List

Mrs. Esther Herzfeld is the Chair of the Ma’ayanot English Department, and a master teacher of English. After having a series of inspiring junior and senior high school English teachers, Mrs. Esther Herzfeld decided to pursue a degree in English. She received her B.A. and M.A. in English and American Literature from New York University. Immediately after graduation from college, Mrs. Herzfeld rejoined her alma mater, Yeshiva University High School for Girls, as a faculty member. She then became Chairman of the department before coming to Ma’ayanot in 1998 to teach all levels of English, as well as electives such as New York State of Mind and Advanced Placement English Literature. In 1983 she received the New York State Principal’s Master Teacher Award. Mrs. Herzfeld particularly enjoys teaching students to relate literature to their own lives.

Ms. Shira Billet teaches English Literature at Ma’ayanot. She has a B.A. in Religion, Summa Cum Laude, from Princeton University. In addition to teaching at Ma’ayanot, Ms. Billet is Director of Research at the Center for Jewish Law and Contemporary Civilization at Cardozo Law School. She has taught at the Drisha Institute, and has studied at Midreshet Lindenbaum, the Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrashfor Women (Migdal Oz) and the Drisha Matmidot Program. She brings to Ma’ayaot a commitment to the English Department’s goal of fostering close reading of texts and cultivation of superior writing skills.

Mrs. Enid Goldberg teaches English and Writing, and directs the Ma’ayanot Writing Center. She also advises the student newspaper, The Source. Mrs. Goldberg spent many years teaching English and writing at the high school and college levels, and has served as director of communications in organizations in both the corporate and university sectors. Mrs. Goldberg is the author of over a dozen books—some for adults and others for teenagers—including four historical biographies for high school students, copies of which are in the Ma’ayanot Library. She received a B.A. in English from Cornell University, an M.A. in English and Education from Columbia University Teachers College, and an M.A. in English Literature from New York University. She also is A.B.D. in the NYU English Department doctoral program.

Mrs. Enid Goldberg teaches English and Writing, and directs the Ma’ayanot Writing Center. She also advises the student newspaper, The Source. Mrs. Goldberg spent many years teaching English and writing at the high school and college levels, and has served as director of communications in organizations in both the corporate and university sectors. Mrs. Goldberg is the author of over a dozen books—some for adults and others for teenagers—including four historical biographies for high school students, copies of which are in the Ma’ayanot Library. She received a B.A. in English from Cornell University, an M.A. in English and Education from Columbia University Teachers College, and an M.A. in English Literature from New York University. She also is A.B.D. in the NYU English Department doctoral program.

Ms. Samantha Kur teaches English at Ma’ayanot and is a mehanekhet for tenth grade. She has a B.A. in English and a Master’s in English Education from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Ms. Kur came to Ma’ayanot with a variety of teaching experiences. She taught English, History and Drama in South Africa and England. She also taught Tanakh, Talmud and English in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Ms. Kur studied as a fellow at the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies in Israel, and has a degree in graphic design.

Mrs. Ruth Wang Birnbaum, Associate Principal, is in charge of academic life and is a master teacher of English Language, Literature, and Writing who came to Ma’ayanot after twenty years of contributing to every aspect of academic and social life at Shulamith High School. A dynamic, creative, student-centered professional, Mrs. Birnbaum earned a Master’s Degree from CUNY, and is an A.B.D. in English Education at New York University. She also holds a New York State Principal’s Certificate in School Administration and Supervision. Mrs. Birnbaum has been recognized as New York State Council of Education Teacher of the Year. She is a former member of the Board of Education at ASHAR and served as its chairman for the 2004 and 2005 academic years.