As an affiliate of WebYeshiva.org, TorahTutors was never without an office staff ready and able to help every prospective student find their tutoring match. But to reach its full potential, TorahTutors needed its own administrator, someone focused on spreading the word about the online tutoring program and working to making sure every student in need of a tutor would be connected with a fantastic educator.
With over seven years of experience as a TorahTutors tutor herself, Sarah Rudolph was thrilled to step into that role.
“My background is in teaching, not marketing or administration,” Sarah says. “But having taught for TorahTutors for so long, taking on the role of Director felt completely natural. I don’t think in terms of marketing per se, but in terms of letting people know this tremendous resource exists, so the people who need us can find us. And I find that my passion for Jewish education imbues even mundane administrative tasks with excitement and a sense of purpose. Every email, phone call, or social media post carries potential for countless hours of Torah learning and connection.”
Sarah’s initiatives so far have included: updating the TorahTutors website; introducing new regular content to the TorahTutors Facebook page and generally increasing social media presence; and networking with rabbis and educators so they can share information about TorahTutors with any of their congregants or families who might benefit. Some of these have already yielded results; for instance, a simple email to a rabbi on the west coast of the U.S. led to a connection between a conversion candidate there and an educator in Israel.
Of particular note in the realm of social media is the introduction of the “Tuesday TorahTutors Tidbits,” a series of weekly posts that each shares some small taste of Torah learned in TorahTutors sessions. These posts are intended both to showcase the variety of topics and approaches TorahTutors educators can offer and to provide meaningful Torah content. After all, says Sarah, “We’re here to teach Torah, and I want our online presence to reflect that in every way – not just by talking about it, but by doing it!”
As many families are looking for new educational options because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the new Director has had her hands full with inquiries. “TorahTutors has always been a valuable option for kids who are either homeschooled or attend secular schools, whose parents want to provide them with a program of Jewish studies that’s right for them – as well as those in day schools who could use some support or enrichment. Those needs have multiplied because of the pandemic, and we consider ourselves fortunate to be in a position to help. And of course, quarantine has given some adults more time on their hands to engage in serious Torah study.”
Anyone looking to set up learning for themselves or a child is invited to email Sarah at srudolph@torahtutors.org.
