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.

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. Rivki Nyer teaches several Writing and English electives. In addition, she will be working as a Writing Fellow to help our Science, Talmud, and History teachers integrate more writing into their teaching. She received a BA in Psychology from Thomas Edison State College and a second BA, in English, from Kean University, followed by an MA in English Education from NYU. She has taught English and Writing in private and public school settings.