As a Modern Orthodox community, we live both rich Jewish lives and embrace the dynamic nature of the contemporary world. To celebrate one of the ways our community embodies these values, join us for a panel discussion with members Dr. Shira Cohen-Zimerman, Dr. Benny Elbaz-Eilon, and Dr. Tamar Gefen, who will share the scientific work and research they do, and how it intersects with their Jewish lives.

Dr. Shira Cohen-Zimerman is a cognitive neuroscientist whose research focuses on cognitive rehabilitation following brain injury or disease. She uses noninvasive brain stimulation and behavioral approaches to develop evidence-based interventions that support cognitive functioning. Her lab also explores the neural basis of religious beliefs. Originally from Israel, Dr. Cohen-Zimerman earned her Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is a Research Scientist at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and a Research Assistant Professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

Benayahu (Benny) Elbaz-Eilon is a faculty member in the Department of Neurology at Northwestern University. His lab utilizes genetic models to investigate the development and function of the white matter in the brain.

Tamar Gefen, PhD is the Associate Director of Clinical Neuropsychology at Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. Tamar is an associate professor and clinical neuropsychologist with expertise in neurodegenerative diseases and runs the Clinical Core of the NIH-funded Northwestern Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. She is the Director of the Northwestern SuperAging Program and is the Principal Investigator of the Laboratory for Translational Neuropsychology at Feinberg. Her work bridges clinical features of abnormal and "supra-normal" aging manifested during life with disease (or lack thereof) found in the postmortem human brain at death. Her clinical work focuses on the diagnosis of dementia syndromes and other age-related disorders.