English Department - Faculty List

Mrs. Esther Herzfeld is Chair of Ma’ayanot's English Department. After enjoying a number of inspiring junior and senior high school English teachers, Mrs. Herzfeld decided to pursue a degree in English. She earned a B.A. in English and an M.A. in American Literature from New York University. Prior to joining Ma'ayanot's faculty in 1998, she taught English and was Chair of the English Department at Yeshiva University High School for Girls. Throughout her years at Ma’ayanot, Mrs. Herzfeld has taught all levels of English, as well as electives such as New York State of Mind and Advanced Placement English Literature.  She is also a recipient of the prestigious New York State Principal’s Master Teacher Award.

Mrs. Enid Goldberg teaches English, directs Ma’ayanot's Writing Center, and advises the student newspaper, The Source. Mrs. Goldberg has spent many years teaching English 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. Rebecca Herman teaches creative writing and journalism electives. In addition, she serves as a writing coach in our Learning Center and as the faculty advisor for Sambatyom, Ma'ayanot's literary journal. Mrs. Herman holds a B.A. in English Literature from Brandeis University and a J.D. from Temple University Law School. Before embarking on her legal career, Mrs. Herman worked as a journalist; she worked as a features writer, a freelance reporter, and as the Delaware Bureau Chief for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Mrs. Shalvi Isseroff teaches English and serves as a ninth grade mehanekhet. Mrs. Isseroff holds a B.A. in English Literature from Stern College and an M.A. in English Education from Teacher’s College of Columbia University. Prior to coming to Ma'ayanot she worked as a student teacher at the high school and middle school levels. 

Ms. Samantha Kur teaches English at Ma’ayanot and is a mehanekhet for tenth grade. She earned a B.A. in English and an M.A.  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, and she taught Tanakh, Talmud and English at schools in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Ms. Kur also studied as a Fellow at the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies in Israel, and has a degree in graphic design.