The Dee Pirkei Avot Project

This week’s idea on Mishna 5:14 is written by Hannah Benaim. After going to Michlalah, Hannah did an undergraduate degree in Psychology and is now doing a masters in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Alongside this, she works part time at a Jewish organization supporting women’s mental health in our community. Although Hannah doesn’t know the Dee family personally, she has been extremely inspired by this project and by the strength displayed by the Dee family in light of the tragedy that befell them.

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This week’s idea on Mishna 5:13 is written by Eliana Millet. Eliana was in the same class as Maia Dee in IJDS and remembers Maia’s friendly, warm and joyous character. Alongside studying marketing Eliana has co-founded a London based charity, Avi Ve’imi, which helps support and creates a sense of community for women ages 19-35 who have unfortunately lost a parent.

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This week’s idea on Mishna 5:12 is written by Joel Herman. Following learning for a year at Yeshivat Reishit, Joel now studies Spanish and History at the University of Leeds, currently on a placement year in Argentina. He feels privileged to have been in the same primary school class as Maia and also learnt from Rabbi Dee in primary school. Albeit in tragic circumstances, Joel was also able to reconnect with Rabbi Dee last year when he visited and inspired the Jewish Society in Leeds through a powerful talk given to the community.

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This week’s idea on Mishna 5:11 is written by Joel Bornstein. Joel was a classmate and neighbour of Rina Dee and remembers her friendly and generous spirit. Joel is now in his final year at Hasmonean in London and hopes to make aliyah.

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This week’s idea on Mishna 5:10 has been written by Adam Duke. Adam is 19 and is from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire in the UK. He is in his second year studying War Studies and History at King’s College London. Whilst he doesn’t have a personal connection with the Dee family he has been taking part in the project every week, reading the sheets together with his parents at the Friday night table. Adam loves trains, and when he is not studying you can find him trainspotting or reading the latest news on high-speed trains. He considers it a great privilege to be able to contribute to the project which he has been thoroughly enjoying.

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This week’s idea on Mishna 5:9 is written by Dalia Kreike who learned at Midreshet Lindenbaum (Jerusalem), and made Aliyah during her Shana Aleph. She is currently doing Sherut Leumi at Hadassah ein Kerem hospital in Jerusalem on the pediatric oncology unit. She has participated in shiurim that learn the ideas shared in this project and enjoys the discussions and inspiration that come from them.

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This week’s idea on Mishna 5:8 is written by Rabbi Barry Kleinberg who lives in London. He is a Teaching Fellow at the London School of Jewish Studies and was in the inaugural cohort of Sacks’ Scholars. Barry knew the Dee family from their time in Radlett and Barry’s daughters were at School with Maia and Keren in London.

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This week’s idea on Mishna 5:7 is written by Elisheva Newman. Elisheva, born and educated in London UK, has been dedicated to Jewish education, both formal and informal, for the past 15 years. Currently an educator for Aish UK and previously Aish on Campus in Bristol. One student at Bristol was particularly close to the Dee girls and by extension the whole family. Initially, Elisheva learnt this weekly Pirkei Avot project with this student and her friend which was meaningful for all involved; we are now privileged with her as the author this week.

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This week’s idea on Mishna 5:6 has been written by Chaya Tal. Chaya is an R.N. who lives in Albany, NY, with her husband, Dr. Yosef Yishai Hilsen. Together they work to apply Torah principles to health and healing through the Albany Wellness Project. Chaya has been following the Dee Pirkei Avot from the beginning, and is honored to be able to participate.

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This week’s idea on Mishna 5:5 is written by Keren Miller-Yehoshua who is a motivational speaker, life coach, Judaic Studies, & Special Education teacher. She is from Brooklyn, NY and feels fortunate to have come back home by making Aliyah and living in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Keren has been involved in education for over 25 years teaching girls and women of all ages & backgrounds. She is the director of Lev HaAm, an initiative to encourage more unity & Ahavat Yisrael around the world with daily tefillot, meditations, and unity events. She has initiated & led several unity gatherings for women. Keren gives weekly shiurim on tefillah, emuna, hashkafa & parasha, both live & online. She has her own YouTube channel with 100’s of shiurim.

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