About | The Grand Conversation: The Machon Siach Podcast

About the Show

The Grand Conversation: The Machon Siach Podcast

Machon Siach @ SAR High School, honoring the memory of Belda K. Lindenbaum, z"l, is the research arm of SAR HS where faculty bridge theory and practice on matters of Jewish education, curriculum, and culture that are central to the Modern Orthodox Community. The Grand Conversation podcast features the fellows of Machon Siach discussing their papers and the research process.

Host: Shmuel Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash at SAR HS and Co-Director of Machon Siach.

Producer: Avi Bloom, Director of Technology at SAR HS

Meet our Hosts

Rabbi Shmuel Hain

Shmuel Hain is the Rosh Beit Midrash at SAR High School where he teaches Judaic Studies classes, directs the Beit Midrash Fellowship, co-coordinates Machon Siach, oversees the Bogrim Alumni Fellowship, and runs the after-school learning program (ITIM). Rabbi Hain also serves as spiritual leader of Young Israel Ohab Zedek, a vibrant community synagogue in North Riverdale. Rabbi Hain has co-authored and edited several volumes of Torah and academic scholarship. He was appointed Series Editor of The Orthodox Forum in 2014.

Rabbi Tully Harcsztark

Rabbi Harcsztark is the Founding Principal of SAR High School. He received his B.A. from Yeshiva College and his semikha from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and an M.A. in Jewish History from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He previously served as Rabbi of Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck, New Jersey, and as the Associate Principal of Judaic Studies at SAR Academy for nine years. In 2017, Rabbi Harcsztark was a recipient of the Covenant Foundation Award for excellence in education. Rabbi Harcsztark is the co-founder of Davar, a unique learning community in Teaneck, NJ.

Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz

Dr. Schwartz is an Associate Principal for General Studies at SAR High School as well as a co-coordinator of Machon Siach. She received her B.A. in Physics and History of Science from Case Western Reserve University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in History of Science from Princeton University, where she wrote her dissertation on the cultural history of the Manhattan Project. Dr. Schwartz has taught at a number of high schools, as well as at Yeshiva University's Yeshiva College and Stern College for Women. She is on the faculty of the Drisha Institute and lectures widely on both the History of Science and Jewish topics. Dr. Schwartz is also research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America.