NILI Hotline Staff
Dr. Nechama Brand
Dr. Nechama Brand was trained as a kallah teacher by Daughters of Israel. She has been teaching kallahs since 2010, and during that time has also guided women with questions in the realm of Taharat Hamishpacha. Nechama is originally from Miami, Florida. Nechama studied at Stern College before earning her DMD from New Jersey Dental School, and she currently practices dentistry at Premier Dentistry at Millennium Park. Nechama lives in Skokie with her husband, Rabbi Reuven Brand, Rosh Kollel of the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel, and their five children.
Tami Drapkin
Tami Drapkin was trained as a kallah teacher by Daughters of Israel and has been a kallah teacher since 2007. She has also served as a sensitive and accessible communal resource who continually teaches and assists women in their understanding and observance of Taharat Hamishpacha. Tami graduated from Stern College and has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. She lives in Skokie with her husband, Dr. Shlomo Drapkin, an allergist with Allergy Partners of Chicago, and their four children.
Alise Gold
Alise Gold graduated from Stern College for Women with a BA in Judaic Studies and received her MA in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School. She moved to Chicago with her husband Yoni in 2011 when they joined the YU Kollel and taught middle school at Akiba Schechter for 8 years. Alise is currently the Educational Director for NCSY’s Hebrew School, Jewish Family Experience and is also the 9th and 11th grade Mechanechet at Ida Crown Jewish Academy. Alise trained as a kallah teacher and received certification through Connections: The Jewish Marriage Institute led by Mrs. Julie Lurie in 2018. She also participated in an additional training course, Presenter of the Divine Gift, with Mrs. Rochel Goldbaum of Mikvah USA in 2019. Since receiving certification, Alise has been teaching refresher courses and kallahs in the Chicagoland area and suburbs. She lives in West Rogers Park with her husband and 5 children.
Lynn Kraft
Lynn Kraft was trained as a kallah teacher by Mrs. Leora Bednarsh and Daughters of Israel. She teaches kallahs, trains new kallah teachers, and mentors women who seek her guidance in all aspects of taharat hamishpacha. She also teaches an annual taharat hamishpacha course to 12th grade girls at Ida Crown Jewish Academy. Lynn earned her Master’s degree in Bible from Bernard Revel Graduate School and serves as Tanach Department Chair, Israel Guidance Counselor, and Mechanechet at Ida Crown Jewish Academy. She lives in Lincolnwood with her husband, Rabbi Aaron Kraft, and their five children.
Atara Turoff
Atara Turoff was trained as a kallah teacher by Daughters of Israel. She has been involved in guiding kallahs in Chicago and the New York/New Jersey area for several years. Atara received her Master’s degree in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School and she currently teaches limudei kodesh in Arie Crown Hebrew Day School. Atara lives in Skokie with her husband, Rabbi Mordy Turoff, and their children.
