Why Should We Learn Torah? With Rabba Yaffa Epstein and Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz

Rabba Yaffa Epstein is a Faculty Associate Fellow for Pardes North America and previously served as Director of Education for North America. She currently serves as Senior Scholar and Educator-in-Residence at the Jewish Education Project. Yaffa received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Maharat and from Rabbi Daniel Landes, and holds a Law Degree from Bar-Ilan University.

Yaffa teaches Talmud, Jewish law, and liturgy across the spectrum of Jewish denominations. She has taught at Yeshivat Maharat and Drisha, lectured at Limmud events worldwide, created innovative educational programming for Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, and served as the Director of the Beit Midrash at the Dorot Fellowship. In 2024, Yaffa received the Covenant Foundation Award for her contributions to Jewish education and her commitment to accessible and inclusive Jewish learning.