Administration

Rabbi Yamin Goldsmith (Menahel), who is well known and respected for his warm and engaging personality, attended Yeshivat Sha’alvim for two years before serving in the I.D.F with the Yeshivat Shaalvim Hesder Machal program. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University, a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University, was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University, and is currently completing his doctoral dissertation in Curriculum and Teaching at Columbia University’s Teachers College. He has worked in both formal and informal Jewish education in the United States and in Israel for 20 years. Rav Yamin lives with his wife, Joy, and their children in Beit Shemesh.

Michelle Elmaleh (Assistant Director/Dean of Students) received her BA and MSW from Yeshiva University. Mrs. Elmaleh has extensive teaching experience in both formal and informal settings. She has been involved in addressing adolescent issues and administrative policy at Yeshiva University High School for Girls and at Ma'aynot. Mrs. Elmaleh has served as head counselor at Camp Simcha--an oncology camp for children and young adults. She has also been the recipient of many prestigious awards for academic achievement.

Rabbi Gershon Turetsky (Rosh Beit Midrash) studied in Yeshivat Sha'alvim following high school. He received his B.S. in Accounting from Yeshiva University's Sy Syms School of business and then continued on to Yeshiva University's Kollel as part of the semicha program. Subsequently, Rabbi Turetsky returned to Sha'alvim as a member of its Kollel where he completed his semicha studies and received ordination from HaRav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg of the Beit Din HaGadol of Jerusalem. Following that, he joined Yeshiva University’s Gruss Kollel in Jeruslalem while serving as a teacher and the Av Bayit of Sha’alvim for Women. Today, Rabbi Turetsky is pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling, while serving as our Director of Student Programming.

Mrs. Michal Gruen (Director of Special Activities) studied in Michlalah before earning her B.A. from Stern College. Her outgoing and dynamic personality is a great asset in her dual position as Director of Student Activities and Rakezet at Shaalvim for Women. Mrs. Gruen has extensive experience in post-high school education, having served in various faculty roles at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY), Tiferet, and Machon Maayan. She is a certified aerobics instructor and gives classes regularly at a local health club. Mrs. Gruen grew up in Philadelphia, PA, and now resides in Ramat Beit Shemesh with her husband, Ari, and four children.