Judaic Studies Institute Faculty & Advisory Team

Presenting The Faculty of the Judaic Studies Institute
 


Email us at JSIstudentinfo@gmail.com or
Rabbindmm@comcast.net

Judaic Studies Institute Instructors:



Rabbi/Dr.Deborah Brandt-Director and Professor of Judaic Studies

Rabbi/Dr. Deborah Brandt

Rabbi Deborah Brandt Ph.D. has a doctorate in Philosophy with the discipline in Judaic Studies of the Tanakh and New Testament.

She has over 48 years of ministry experience, which includes working in various aspects of ministry such as Street & Prison Ministry, Singles Ministry, Pro-Life Outreaches and Teaching The Word of God including Conferences and classes at the Judaic Studies Institute. She also has developed curriculum for JSI over the years.
She founded Deborah's Messianic Ministries over 25 years ago and also started a local Messianic Congregation along with her husband Minister Scott Brandt, over 19 years ago called DMM Teaching, Training and Worship Center, The Way of Messiah. Minister Scott works alongside Rabbi Deborah as an Evangelist within the ministry. She has written over 27 books, which can be found on Amazon.com, along with weekly Shabbat podcasts and Videos via their Website http://www.dmmin.org and leading a local Congregation.
She is an experienced leader and teacher in the Body of Messiah. As part of the Team of JSI, she serves as the Director, Student Advisor, Curriculum Developer, and Professor. Scott and Debra live in the Chicago area and have 1 grown son Scott Jr., who is a successful businessman and lives in the Chicago area as well. Her desire is to see His people trained for the work of the ministry so they can become all that The Almighty has called them to be for His Kingdom and His Glory.



Rabbi/Dr. Mordecai Silver, JSI Advisor

Rabbi/Dr. Mordecai Silver

Rabbi Mordecai Silver, PhD, was the founder and spiritual leader of Etz Chayim-Tree of life Messianic Congregation for over 25 years until his retirement in November of 2020. He is also the President of Tree of Life Messianic Ministries, a prison outreach. Mordecai has written 18 books available on Amazon in print and kindle. His books are also a part of the curriculum of JSI. He is one of the founders of JSI-Judaic Studies Institute and currently JSI Staff Advisor and occasional Instructor. Mordecai received his PhD in 2014 in the Discipline of Ancient Hebraic Studies. Mordecai has been the Rosh/Head of various Beit Din's/Rabbinic Courts over the years and has served in leadership in Hebraic and Messianic organizations. Since his retirement from congregational leadership, Mordecai has put his energy into building up JSI with Rabbin Deborah Brandt, Ph.D. as well as continuing his work through his Prison Outreach. Rabbi/Dr.Mordecai, continues to write in retirement and trying to finish another book, when retirement affords him the time. Retirement does not mean doing nothing, rather the contrary.


Dr. Michelle Johns- Instructor and Professor of Language

Dr. Michelle Johns

Michelle Johns Ph.D. has a doctorate in Philosophy with the discipline in Judaic Studies of the Tanakh and New Testament.

Michelle was water immersed into Messiah Yeshua in 2006, and six months after her immersion, she began walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. She has attended Messianic, Reformed, and Conservative synagogues over the years; Currently, she attends B'Nai Zion Temple in Shreveport, LA. For 15 years, Michelle has been a lover and observer of Torah.

Michelle Johns is an alumna of:
  • Bossier Parish Community College where she received her Associates of Arts in General Studies,
  • Louisiana State University at Shreveport where she received her Bachelor of Arts in General Studies,
  • University of Louisiana at Monroe where she received her Master of Arts in Criminal Justice,
  • American Public University where she studied Political Science (Master Program).
  • Judaic Studies Institute where she received an Associate of Judaic Studies and a Doctor of Philosophy in Messianic Judaic Studies.
  • In addition to being a Professor at Judaic Studies Institute.
Books Written by Professor/Dr. Michelle Johns are available on Amazon.com, which are also some of our JSI curricumlum as well. Her Website is "Chesed Ministry "Messianic Reads".
Michelle is currently a Professor of Criminal Justice at Louisiana State University at Shreveport and a Test Coordinator for Bossier Parish Community College. She is passionate about the things of Hashem and teaching; it is a combination of these two passions that led her to an Instructorship at JSI.

Additional JSI Advisory Team of Educators
    Lisa Dioro Educational Background
  • Lisa has a Masters Degree in Public Health (2002),
  • and a Masters of Art in Teaching (2010). 
  • Lisa began teaching at Waubonsee Community College as an Adjunct Professor (2010-2014),
  • She was an Adult Educator at a non-profit in Chicago (2013-2016),
  • She is Currently a High school teacher (2016-).

    Rich Perez Educational Background
  • Bachelors of Arts in Applied Computer Science with a minor in theology (Judson University, IL)
  • Master's in information technology (Capella University, MN)
  • Currently Teaches at the University level in Computer Science.