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Morim / TeachersRabbi Michelle Greenfield Rabbi Michelle Greenfield is the Shul School Director at Kehilat Hanahar. She is committed to inclusive and creative education, and is excited to work with all of the students, families, and teachers at the Shul School. Rabbi Michelle graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2012. She also works for Jewish Family and Children's Services of Philadelphia and the Celebrations! program at Mishkan Shalom. Rabbi Michelle has a background in special education and has worked at a number of synagogues in the Philadelphia area as well as at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Robin Ackerman I'm Robin Ackerman and I have been teaching first and second grade for 4 years at our Little Shul by the River. I have a Masters degree in social work and I have worked with children for almost 20 years! I am a mom to 2 wonderful children (9 and 12) who also attend shul school. Being a teacher is such a wonderful experience for me. I love exploring Judiasm using all of our senses: arts and crafts, story books, plays, songs, coloring and interactive games. We make learning in Alef-Bet so much fun! We also learn about giving, sudakah, an contribute to a charity at the end of the school year! Jannah Bensch Jannah Bensch was born in Brooklyn but raised in Great Neck, NY. She has a degree in art therapy from Trenton State College and started teaching at Kehilat HaNahar back when classes were held in the high school in New Hope (we had no building back then!) Jannah’s fourth grade classes are full of creative activities, as can be seen from a visit to her classroom, and her students cover a wide range of Jewish culture, including mitzvot, history, traditions, Torah, and Hebrew reading skills. Jannah tries to convey to her students her love of being Jewish and the wonders of having a Jewish community. Many former students, now in college, return to tell of the memories and creative projects they still have from her shul school classes: Puppet shows; Mitzvot beauty contests; ‘Are You Smarter than a Dalet Student?’; and a personal favorite, making maror. Anita Lerman Anita Lerman has been the Gimmel class teacher since the 5771 school year (2010-11). She is a founding member of Kehilat Hanahar and brings an enthusiastic love of teaching and learning to her work. Her classes always combine multiple focuses including Hebrew study, Bible and prayer, Jewish culture, ritual and holidays, taught though multiple strategies including singing, art, and hands-on activities. “Gimmel kids” always have an exciting year of Jewish exploration and many opportunities to make Judaism comfortable and real for them. Anita holds a doctorate in Education from Columbia University and has worked as a high school science teacher. She currently owns and operates her own consulting business which includes training for adults in nonprofit organizations providing social services to children, youth and families. Nancy Warshawsky My name is Nancy Warshawsky, and I have taught the Gan class at KHN for the past three years. My students are four and five-year-olds-pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students combined. I feel that Gan class is an important introduction to becoming comfortable attending shul school, making new friends, learning about holidays, and developing pride in our shared Jewish heritage. For this young age group, I try to mix learning and fun-stories, crafts, music, outside play. The challenge of my lesson plans is to keep the balance between education and entertainment, keeping the children curious and engaged, eager to learn. In addition to teaching, I am currently working at the new Children's Museum which opened in Union Square. I work at the front desk, maintain the exhibits, do Story Time and crafts. My daughter Arielle is an elementary ed. major at Temple University, and my son Jonah attends NHSHS. Jonah had his bar-mitzvah and confirmation at KHN, and he is currently a madricha in the Dalet class. I have a B.A. in art history from Northwestern, and I did graduate work at the University of Chicago although I did not complete my M.A. I enjoy reading, watching foreign and classic films, spending time playing with my dog and cat.. Geoff Wyckoff Geoff Wyckoff teaches the Tet class at KHN, which consists of 9th graders and meets once a month. Geoff also assists Derek Rosenbaum, our education director, in leading the TEL class, which combines our 8th, 9th and 10th grade classes, and also meets once a month. Geoff has worked at the KHN shul school for several years as an assistant, a journeyman substitute, a fill-in teacher, and for the last two years as a teacher in one of the teen classes. Geoff works as a psychologist. He has a private psychology practice and specializes in working with children and families. He has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from University of North Carolina, a Master's degree in Special Education from University of Connecticut, and received a Bachelor's degree from Duke University. Geoff is a devoted family man and loves to play, explore, and travel with his wife, Donna, and his 13-yr.-old twins, Ruth and Ben. Madrichim / Teaching AssistantsJessica Glassman is a Junior at New Hope Solebury High School. She has been working as a Teacher's Aide at the synagogue for the past three years and is a "lifer" here ( attending Pre-K thru Bat Mitzvah to being a Confirmed). She enjoys teaching Hebrew to both halves of the Vav Class with both Lew and Staci. Jess enjoys playing basketball, tennis and rooting for the Phillies. She spends her summers at Camp Galil, a Jewish sleepover camp in Ottsville, PA and is always available to encourage your child to experience the fun of this camp and its year 'round youth activities An Honors Student, Jess also plays 3 Varsity sports, is an active member of the Key and Environmental Clubs and plays the Upright Bass in the String Orchestra. In 2011, she played on the Girl's Basketball Team for the City of Philadelphia and won a GOLD MEDAL in the International MACABBI Games for Jewish Youth. Her Hebrew name is Sarah Moriah. |