Susie Chalom, Executive Director and Teacher (schalom@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Susie Chalom was Education Director of Adath Jeshurun Synagogue for 27 years before taking over the position of Executive Director in June 2006. She has taught ages preschool to adults and classes in Hebrew language, theology, Jewish texts and Spirituality in Bet Midrash. Her teaching has enriched many other programs in the Twin Cities area over the years. She taught the Florence Melton Adult Mini School, Melton for Graduates, Jewish Tapestry series at JCC St Paul and at synagogues. She is very proud of her two children –Allon and Orlee who are alumni of Talmud Torah Bet Midrash.
Terry Krider Kleinbaum, Principal (tkkleinbaum@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Terry Krider Kleinbaum, a Talmud Torah Bet Midrash graduate and Principal of Talmud Torah since 2007, has a BS in Education, Master of Arts in Education Administration and has a Minnesota Administrative License for principal, grades K-12 and Minnesota Teacher License. Terry has worked as the National Program Officer for STAR (Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal), working with synagogues and rabbis across the country, served as principal at another local religious school and has taught gifted and talented for the Minneapolis Public Schools. Terry enjoys her three children, step-children and numerous grandchildren!
Mary Baumgarten (mbaumgarten@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Mary Baumgarten has been teaching at the Talmud Torah since 1971. She has taught all subjects and grade levels, including adult education and currently teaches at the elementary and middle school levels. Since 1991, Mary has been Education Director at Beth El. In addition, she taught at MJDS for three years. In 2005, Mary was the recipient of the Vivian Mann Educator of the Year Award and the Grinspoon-Steinhardt National Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. One of Mary's passions is her connection with Eretz Y'srael. Mary is very proud of her two children, Zachary and Shanna, both graduates of Talmud Torah's Bet Midrash, her daughter-in-law, Iris and her adorable grandchildren.
Carmella Chazin (carmellachazin@comcast.net)
Carmella has been teaching at Talmud Torah since 1984. She has taught students of alef class - bet - gimel - hey - and vav classes. A graduate of “Seminar Ha Kibbutzim “ in Tel Aviv as a Kindergarten Teacher. She served as a teacher in the Israeli Army. Building a new School in Sinai (was the first and last teacher to teach Israeli children in Sinai.) She taught at Kibbutz Giv’at Bremer, Herzliyah, where she built an afternoon inner-city program for students and parents. Carmella teaches Hebrew, T’fillah and Jewish Customs. Carmella believes in the individual approach of teaching, reaching all her students,, Israel is an integral part of her teaching - bringing her students to love the Jewish State. Carmella is very proud of her three children, Dorit (after high school served in the Israeli Army) Orrie, and Shai are all graduates of Talmud Torah's Bet Midrash.
Rabbi Avraham Ettedgui, Director of the Foundation and Teacher (aettedgui@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Rabbi Avraham Ettedgui has been associated with the Talmud Torah for over 40 years. He taught for twelve years before becoming the Executive Director of the Talmud Torah, a position he held for twenty four years. Since 1999, he has been the Director of the Talmud Torah Foundation and a member of the faculty. He graduated from Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland, Ohio and holds a Masters in Education Administration from the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.
Danny Ettedgui (daettedgui@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Daniel Ettedgui has worked with Jewish children and teenagers (ages 8-18) at the Minneapolis Talmud Torah for over 20 years. He earned his B.S. from the College of Education at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Campus. He has studied Hebrew at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and presently he is a graduate student at Gratz College of Philadelphia. Daniel has also served as Department Head of Talmud Torah's Bet Midrash and was Saturday morning Program Director at Sharei Chesed Synagogue.
Tamara Kaiyalethe (tkaiyalethe@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Tamy Kaiyalethe holds a degree in Education & Religious Studies from the University of Minnesota. She was the Librarian in charge of the Hebrew collection in the Middle East Library at the University of Minnesota from 1969 to 1981, and two years as the Director of the Middle East Library. She wrote and produced a radio program, “This Week in Israel” for a year. As a public speaker on Israel, Judaism and Jewish-Christian relations, she had the opportunity to interact with a wide sector of the American population. Since 1984, Tamy has been teaching in Jewish institutions in the twin cities: Hebrew, Jewish texts, Israel and history to students from grade two all the way to adults. Her passion is in finding new ways to teach Hebrew and make connections for her students with Israel and the Jewish people.
Missy Cohen Lavintman (Tamar) (mlavintman@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Missy Cohen Lavintman, a Talmud Torah Bet Midrash graduate and a teacher at Talmud Torah since 1975, has a MA in Education, a BS in Hebrew Education with a minor in Creative Drama. She also holds a Minnesota teacher's license. She teaches Hebrew and Jewish studies at the Talmud Torah, both in the elementary and high school departments. She has raised her baby, the Mekhina Program, nearly from its inception. Missy has taught Hebrew in educational institutions throughout Minnesota, including Carleton College, the Minneapolis Jewish Day School, the University of Minnesota and others. In 2004, Missy was the recipient of the Vivian Mann Educator of the Year Award and the Grinspoon-Steinhardt National Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. She is married to Joel, also a Bet Midrash graduate, and is the mother of five children (thus far, three of them are Bet Midrash graduates and the other two study in the Bet Midrash program).
Dr. Yaakov Levi (ylevi@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Dr. Yaakov Levi is the director of the CIS and other college based classes at TT. He has served as the Director of Jewish Community Education Services. Dr. Levi taught Biblical Studies and Hebrew Language at the University of Haifa, and the University of Heidelberg in Germany. For 13 years he served as Director of the Academy of the Hebrew Language in Haifa, coining Modern Hebrew terminology. He received his Ph.D. in Semitic and Biblical Studies from the University of Heidelberg in 1983. Dr. Levi is the author of many books and articles in the fields of Hebrew language, Bible, Jewish customs and Jewish education. It will be his 10th year at Talmud Torah. He has been on the faculty for over 10 years.
Bonita Noyman (bnoyman@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Bonita Noyman graduated with a certified teaching certificate at the University of Haifa in Israel. She has a B.A. in sociology and psychology from the University of Minnesota at St. Cloud. She lived in Israel for eight years where she taught elementary–high school students. She teaches Judaica and Hebrew in the Mekhina, and Bet classes at the Minneapolis Talmud Torah. She has been a member of the Talmud Torah faculty and administrative staff since 1983. She is married to Michael, an Israeli Sabra, and is very proud of her two children, Gal (a Bet Midrash graduate), Tamar, daughter-in-law Marnie, and her adorable granddaughter.
Catherine Orkin Oskow, Librarian (CanaanQat@aol.com)
Cathi became the librarian at Talmud Torah in 2007 and has been successful in creating excitement around Jewish literacy. She has a B.A. in English and American Literature, Brandeis Univ.; M.A. in Professional Writing, USC; Secondary English Teaching Certificate, Univ. of St. Thomas; and coursework at St. Cloud State Univ. in Information Medi. Previously, she taught English and reading for 10 years at Inver Grove Heights Middle School, where she also founded and advised an award winning literary and arts magazine. Cathi writes fiction, screenplays, newspaper articles, children’s stories, and poetry. She is a member of the National and Minnesota Societies of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Minnesota Screenwriters’ Workshop, and has won state and national awards for her own writing Cathi also breeds and shows world-class Canaan Dogs, the only breed originating from Israel. Cathi loves the combination of books, children, and Jewish community that are part of being the Talmud Torah and MJDS librarian. Cathi and her husband are the proud parents of two MJDS graduates.
Niza Schear (nschear@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Niza is a Talmud Torah Bet Midrash graduate has returned to the Talmud Torah as a member of the faculty. She was born in Haifa, Israel, and came to the US with her parents who immigrated from Russia and Poland. Niza understands Russian and is an emergent reader of Russian. She believes languages bring people together and can be learned in a social and stimulating manner. Niza has a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Hamline University and holds a Minnesota teacher’s license. For over twenty-five years, she has worked extensively in the Jewish community. She began her career as a Talmud Torah Alef and Dalet teacher and also taught kindergarten and first grade at the Minneapolis Jewish Day School for thirteen years. Niza brings her passion for Israel, Hebrew, Jewish culture, Bible and spirituality into her classrooms. Niza is married to Morris and they have three young children, Ahmree, Kobi and Sofie.
Rabbi Berel Simpser, founding Executive Director of a new educational program - AISH Minnesota, has worked in Jewish education for almost two decades. R' Berel, who has a Masters in both Communal Leadership and Talmudic Law, has taught a wide variety of inter-denominational classes – ranging from Basic Judaism, Hebrew language, Kabbalah, to ten years at the Florence Melton Adult Mini School. He has also developed educational programs for teachers, parents and students.
Nechamit Yaari (nyaari@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Since 1974, Nechamit Yaari has educated students at the Minneapolis Talmud Torah. A native Israeli, Nechamit got her certification as an Elementary Teacher in Tel Aviv from the Lavinsky Teachers Seminar. She went on to study Jewish History and Biblical Studies at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and received a Bachelors of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She also served in the Israeli army for 2 years, teaching soldiers Hebrew. During her tenure at Talmud Torah, Nechamit has taught all classes, from Mekhina through Bet Midrash, and also teaches at the Day School. Nechamit was the recipient of the Vivian Mann Educator of the Year Award and the Grinspoon-Steinhardt National Award for Excellence in Jewish Education last year. Nechamit has three daughters, Karinne, Dannit and Ronit who are all TT Bet Midrah graduates.
Hela Zadaka (hzadaka@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Hela Zadaka has been associated with the Talmud Torah as a student, teacher’s assistant, and a teacher. She is a current student at the University of Minnesota where she is working on receiving her M.A in Elementary Education specializing in Middle school social studies and a minor in Jewish studies.
Yefet Zadaka (yzadaka@talmudtorahmpls.org)
Yefet Zadaka has been teaching at the Talmud Torah and the Minneapolis Jewish Day School for the past twenty years. He has taught pre-school to adult education classes for over twenty-five years in both Israel and Minneapolis. He truly enjoys teaching children, youth and adults. An accomplished musician, he plays the accordion and the cello, bringing music, Israeli dance, Jewish History and culture into the lives of the students at Talmud Torah.
|
