What We Stand For
MEOR Maryland is a campus-focused organization that opens up Jewish learning to the widest range of Jewish students at the University of Maryland, College Park. With relevant classes, engaging discussions, meaningful trips and other programs, we aim to spark a lifelong connection to Jewish learning and living.
Get to Know Our Team
Rabbi Ari Koretzky
Executive Director
A Baltimore, Maryland native, “Rabbi K” reached College Park by way of Israel, Ner Israel Rabbinical College and Johns Hopkins University, where he completed a Masters in Creative Nonfiction Writing. As Executive Director, Rabbi K channels his enthusiasm for Judaism, podcasting (listen to “Jews You Should Know“!), piano, jetskiing and racquetball into his work. He lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife Malka and their four children – Meir, Rena, Shalom and Ahuva
Rabbi Zalman Goldstein
Educational Director
Rabbi Zalman is the only member of the MEOR team born and raised in New York. To add insult to injury, he eventually left the Big Apple for Trinity College of Arts & Sciences (a convenient euphemism for a Duke alumnus displaced in a hostile College Park). In those green Methodist pastures, Zalman found a deep passion for Judaism and has since dedicated his career to learning, teaching and living its profound messages.
Along the way, Rabbi Zalman completed an MS in Counseling at Johns Hopkins University. He lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife Mariel and their 6 children.
Mariel Goldstein
Director of Women's Education
Growing up in New Jersey, Mariel cultivated her love and enthusiasm for Israel and Judaism at the prestigious Michlala Seminary in Jerusalem. After finishing her studies there, she earned a BS in Biology at Stern College in New York City and then a BS in Nursing at NYU.
Mariel has since served as a pediatric nurse at Baltimore’s Sinai Hospital and at Camp Simcha, a summer escape for Jewish children facing cancer and chronic illnesses. She has also organized, lectured and mentored for numerous Jewish education initiatives. Mariel balances learning with students on campus and building women’s programming at MEOR with being a wife to Rabbi Zalman and mother to her 6 children. She invites you to meet them around her beautiful Shabbat table!
_JPG.jpg)
Rabbi Elazar Freedman
Educator
Raised in Toledo, Ohio and West Bloomfield, Michigan, Elazar studied in Denver, Colorado and Jerusalem, where he met and married his wife, Batsheva. Elazar enjoys nature and sports and is passionate about connecting with others. Now living in Silver Spring, Maryland, Elazar is excited to share the wonder of Judaism with University of Maryland students.
Batsheva Freedman
Educator
Born and raised in Monsey, New York in a family of 15 (!!), Batsheva has also spent time in Montreal and Israel. Passionate about women’s empowerment, fashion, nature and helping others become their best selves, Batsheva has worked as a makeup artist and branch manager of Jerusalem's Blew Boutique. She is thrilled to join MEOR's team, focusing on giving young women on campus an amazing Jewish experience.
MEOR Maryland's team is made up of educators and mentors who each bring their own story to College Park. Whether you are exploring Jewish learning for the first time or looking to go deeper, our classes, discussions, trips and women's programming are designed to meet you where you are.