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RACHEL
MYLAN – Katantan
(Pre-School program)
Rachel Mylan recently moved to Los Angeles for
the first time having spent her entire life in
the Chicago area. She was first introduced to
the California community as a song leader at URJ
Camp Newman-Swig in northern California where
she has been working for the past two summers.
She has a BA in Psychology from Roosevelt University
in Chicago, and has worked for the past five years
in early childhood education. She is excited to
enter the University Synagogue Religious School
community where she looks forward to being able
to plan activities for children outside year-round.
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KIM SILVERSTEIN –
Katantan
(Pre-School program)
I have an extensive professional background in
the Jewish community, both in and out of Los Angeles.
I am a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania,
and since then I have completed my Masters of
Social Work, worked for Hillel, the Jewish Federation
of Los Angeles, and Planned Parenthood. I am passionate
about pursuing justice in our city and our world,
and Jewish learning that supports these ideals.
I enjoy running, photography, cooking, and spending
time with my family, my husband Mike and new daughter
Ivy. |
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RACHEL HALPER –
Gan (Kindergarten)
Rachel Halper is from Los Gatos, CA and is currently
a Junior at UCLA. She is a Math for Teaching major
and will graduate with her California Teach Credential
and M.Ed. Rachel believes the most important element
in a classroom is fun and the best way to learn
is through hands on projects. In her free time,
Rachel enjoys being a member of Kappa Alpha Theta,
reading books, and running. This is Rachel’s first
year at University Synagogue and is looking forward
to working with the Kindergarteners. |
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JOAN BECKER - Alef
(1st grade)
Shalom, My name is Joan Becker and I'm teaching
the Alef class. I also teach in our Early Childhood
Learning Center during the week so maybe I've
even had one of your children in past years. I
really love teaching and making it exciting to
learn in a "fun way." I have two grown
children turning 27 and 30 this year, which I
can't believe how fast the time has gone. In my
spare time, I volunteer with a Jewish non-profit
group, helping others and I'm also a board member.
My life is very hectic and rewarding and I'm very
happy to be teaching at our school. |
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DINA BREVDO –
Bet (2nd grade)
My name is Dina Brevdo and I am teaching Second
Grade on Sunday mornings. I was born and raised
in Russia and came to the US seven years ago.
I have a BS in Family Studies from the California
State University Northridge. During the week,
I work as a Program Director of the Early Learning
center at St Joseph Center, Santa Monica. I have
four years of teaching experience in a Sunday
School as a Kindergarten Teacher; I strongly believe
that children learn best by singing, creating
art projects, and by experiencing. A child's family
and community are his or her primary teachers
and my role is to support the parents and strengthen
the child's connection to Judaism. I am looking
forward to my first year at University Synagogue
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TIYA NACHUM –
Bet (2nd grade) |
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My love of teaching is an outcome of my love for
children. My goal is to teach them about the beautiful
Jewish tradition and the wisdom of our sages. My
wish for them is to become educated Jews, who are
proud of their heritage and openness to other people
through art, Hebrew and the wisdom of our sages.
The students of our Kita Bet will grow to be the
best children (people) of the world. I studied art
and in later years I went back to school to study
Comparative Literature (which included English and
French literature). I have taught in Jewish private
schools for the last 20 years. |
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SIGAL LAVI – Gimel (3rd grade)
My name is Sigal Lavi. I was born and raised in
Israel and I immigrated with my family to Los-Angeles
at the age of 14. I have a Biology degree as well
as a Multiple-Subject-Credential degree from Cal-State-Northridge.
I am currently finishing my second year at American
Jewish University's Masters of Education program.
I have two beautiful children, Ariella-Tehilla Lavi,
who is 8 years old, and Gabriel-Benjamin Lavi, who
is 6 years old. I live in West Los-Angeles with
my two children and our dog, Cocco-Channel. |
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AMELIA WHITMAN – Gimel (3rd grade) |
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TOVA ELAD – Dalet (4th grade) Hebrew
I was born in Haifa, Israel. I came to the US 25
years ago. My husband and I finished our schooling
here. I have a BA in Jewish Studies from the University
of Judaism. My three children live here in Los Angeles.
My hobbies are: reading, sudoku, watching TV, going
to the movies, and sushi. I've been teaching at
University Synagogue for the last 15 years and I
enjoy it a lot. |
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SHELLY MEYERS – Dalet (4th grade)
Judaica
My name is Shelly Meyers and I am the Dalet Judaica
teacher at University Synagogue. I grew up in Austin,
Texas and lived in St. Louis, Missouri (where I
attended Washington University) for six years before
moving to Los Angeles. I earned a MA in Jewish Education
from the American Jewish University and have had
the pleasure of working in both Jewish Education
and Jewish Communal Service settings here in Los
Angeles for the last nine years. I currently enjoy
working for the Jewish Free Loan Association and
living in Santa Monica. |
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ORA LICHTENSTEIN – Hei (5th grade)
Hebrew
My name is Ora, I was born in Israel, but I have
lived in America for the last 20 years. I teach
Hebrew and prayer and I try to emphasize the meaning
of the prayers because if students don't know what
they're saying, what is the point of praying? I
know and love Hebrew and prayers, and I love to
share this with my students. I really enjoy teaching.
Thank you for the opportunity to work with your
wonderful children! |
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BERNICE EPSTEIN – Hei (5th grade)
Judaica I have been an active educator in Jewish
life for a number of years; and have been privileged
to see the positive results on our youths in studying
Judaism as they move into adulthood. Specifically
how they live and raise their families. My approach
to the instruction of Judaism is for my students
to appreciate and embrace our culture and create
a roadmap for a lifestyle that enables them to relive
the past; with continuity to the present and commitment
to pass on our Jewish heritage to future generations.
That our contributions in all fields of endeavors
to all of society speak with pride to the place
that Judaism has in our society today and to the
benefit of all mankind. |
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DAVID NYKIN – Vav (6th grade)
At nearly 5'11", David Nykin stands tall in his
pride for Judaism. This is his first year as a
full time University Synagogue teacher, but has
had a wealth of experience in teaching at other
synagogues and institutions across the country.
He hails from St. Louis, Missouri, and has made
it out to Los Angeles in order to attend the best
school in the area, USC. There, David studies
neuroscience and is involved with the school's
Hillel. This year, his excitement for his Jewish
heritage is only eclipsed by his excitement to
teach 6th grade Hebrew. As a new member of the
University Synagogue family, David is looking
forward to the great community that US provides. |
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EITAN LOEWENSTEIN – Vav (6th)
Eitan Loewenstein is very excited to be teaching
at University Synagogue this year. Eitan has lived
in Los Angeles for over half his life and has had
the pleasure of working in formal and informal Jewish
education many of those years. He has an amazing
toddler daughter and a wife who sometimes laughs
at his jokes. For fun Eitan bakes and likes to run
long distances. |
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JULIE HUNIU – Mechinah (7th grade)
Julie Huniu graduated from UC Santa Barbara this
past June with a B.A. in Music (Ethnomusicology
emphasis) and a Jewish Studies minor. While at UCSB,
she was actively involved in Hillel and sometimes
assisted in leading Friday night Shabbat services.
Her most recent teaching experience was at two religious
schools in Santa Barbara, where she taught Hebrew,
Jewish studies, and music. Julie is drawn to Jewish
education because she wishes to aide her students
in discovering the various ways they can connect
to Judaism. This will be her first year studying
at American Jewish University (formerly the University
of Judaism), where she will be working towards a
Master of Arts in Education concurrently with a
Bachelor of Literature in Hebrew Letters. |
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BRAD COHEN – Mechinah (7th)
Brad was born in Atlanta, GA, and grew up in Boca
Raton, FL where he was actively involved in youth
group and synagogue life. Brad attended University
of Colorado at Boulder where he studied Speech Pathology
and Audiology. After college he worked in the Boulder
Jewish community as a preschool teacher, bar/bat
mitzvah tutor, retreat director, and Hebrew school
teacher. He then managed a preschool for children
with special needs. Brad just returned from a year
of living in Jerusalem for his first year of the
Education program at Hebrew Union College. He will
continue his studies as he works towards a masters
in Jewish Education this fall at HUC in Los Angeles.
In his free time he likes to spend time with his
wife, Claire (who is a vegan/vegetarian chef), read,
and play sports. |
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JESSY GROSS – Tichon
Jessy is a second year rabbinic student at the Hebrew
Union College. Between finishing her B.A. in History/Jewish
Studies at the University of Maryland and beginning
HUC, she spent time working in development at the
Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay (Northern,
CA) and serving as the Director of the Hiddur Mitzvah
Project of the Gary Rosenthal Collection; a program
using art to engage people in tzedakah and hands
on community service. Jessy is a huge music and
arts fan and loves the opportunity to bring these
hobbies into Jewish education. |
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DALIA DINOVITCH – Special Needs
Coordinator |
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DRORA REGEV – Hebrew Enrichment
My name is Drora Regev and I am currently
teaching at University Synagogue. I grew up in Israel
and I have lived in L.A. for many years. I was a
teacher in Israel and in L.A. I have two children,
a loving husband, and a dog. I live in Santa Monica,
and enjoy traveling and cooking. |
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ORLY SETAREH – Rikud (Israeli dance)
Orly Setareh has been teaching Israeli Dancing for
8 years. Her program, learned from the vision of
David Dassa, is based on connecting the younger
generation to the Jewish culture through their feet.
Israeli dance was an activity created long ago to
unite the Jewish people. Today it is still a necessary
mechanism used to maintain the livelihood of Judaism.
Orly Setareh currently teaches at University Synagogue,
Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Stephen S. Wise Middle
School, Temple Ahavat Shalom, and Camp Hilltop in
Malibu. |
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ADAM BLOTNER – Shira (Music)
Originally from San Diego, Adam went to college
at Boston University, where he majored in Film &
Television and minored in Judaic Studies. Adam has
been a song leader and educator at Temple Ahavat
Shalom, Congregation Or Ami, Temple Emanuel of Beverly
Hills, and just completed his 14th summer at URJ
Camp Newman-Swig. A career in comedic acting has
brought Adam to Los Angeles, which is currently
being supported by his fifteen jobs. He is the proud
owner of Double-A Entertainment Mobile DJ Services
(call me for your Bar Mitzvah!), is a Studio Guide
at Universal Studios, and is the Youth Group Director
at Beth Shir Sholom in Santa Monica. He is very
excited to get to know the University Synagogue
community! |
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ABOUT US
