Yishai Bloch
Noar Sunday, Noar Hebrew
My name is Yishai Bloch and I am excited to welcome all of your children to my class this year. We will have a lot to learn this year, and we will build a great Jewish community along the way! I have been a Jewish Hebrew School teacher for more then 10 years. I was born in Israel and have a background in business and communications. When I am not teaching, I am working in finance or spending with my friends playing basketball or golfing. I look forward to learning more about you and your children and having a phenomenal year!
Coach Anthony Baker
Noar Sunday, HUB 78
Hello, Noar Sunday Families! My name is Coach Anthony Baker, and I am so excited to welcome your children to another GREAT year of Noar! This year, we will learn about the synagogue, Jewish holidays, and prayers through lots of creative community building experiences.
I have been a Jewish day school teacher for 1 year , and I am thrilled to have been working at Temple Sinai again for my second year. I have a background in Physical Education and Sports fitness. When I am not teaching, I am busy Coaching high school Basketball and Flag Football at the Weber School.
Danny Berke
Noar Family
I am really looking forward to getting to know one another and exploring Jewish communal values and themes this year. I hold an MA in Jewish Studies from Emory University and an MA in Education from Tel Aviv University. I love gardening, and especially cooking and pickling whatever I grow! I first started teaching for Temple Sinai in 2003. I hope my background can be beneficial to our building community and a greater connection to our Jewish heritage.
I am a teacher and director for an adult ESL (English as a Second Language) institute here in Atlanta during the week and I’ve been teaching remotely for several months now. Before this year, I always assumed that in the distant future, jobs like mine would become increasingly virtual, but breathed a sigh of relief I wouldn’t need to worry much about navigating the technology to do this. 2020 has turned a lot of things we took for granted upside down! This year has been challenging for me of course, not just technologically. But for me it has also been an opportunity to learn new things and grow as an educator and parent. I look forward to this continued path of growth and learning together.
Heather Angel Dittus
Noar Sunday
My name is Heather Dittus, and I am happy to welcome your first graders to a great year of Noar. We will explore many aspects of Jewish life and tradition including prayers and holidays. I look forward to guiding your family through this very different year. I have been an early childhood educator for 15 years, 12 of those at Temple Sinai Preschool. I have enjoyed working with Temple Sinai’s Noar Team for the last 6 years. I look forward to learning more about you and your children.
Bryce Farbstein
Noar Sunday
Bryce, originally from New York, has been working with Temple Sinai since 1998. He has been a Hebrew specialist and teacher for students in all grades, and is presently on call to help teach any class. Outside of Temple Sinai, Bryce teaches Nonprofit Management at Oglethorpe University, and works on affordable housing policy. His most important role is with his family, where he and his wife Melodie are excited that Indigo Pearl, a 1st grader, continues to grow her Jewish identity with the Temple Sinai community.
Rachel Jenks
Noar Sunday, Noar Hebrew
Hi! My name is Rachel Jenks and I am so excited to join the Temple Sinai teaching team, and even more excited to meet your children. In our class, we will explore aspects of Jewish Communities using the underlying Jewish value of “peoplehood.” We will get to know various Jewish populations: Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews; Black and Brown Jews from around the world; and American and Israeli Jews as far back as the 18th century.
A little bit about me… I am from Philadelphia originally, but have lived in Atlanta for the past 14 years; previous ""homes"" include Los Angeles, Albuquerque, and Miami. I have been teaching Hebrew Language and Judaics classes over the past 28 years for various aged youth groups, and in synagogues. When I am not working, I am enjoying my two children: Hannah (12 y.o.) and Joseph (9 y.o.). We have fun camping, hiking, checking out antique stores, playing with our cat and dog, and creating art in our kitchen. I look forward to learning more about you and your children, and sharing a year of wonderful Jewish experiences during Noar Sunday.
Sophie Kieffer
Noar Sunday
I’m Sophie Kieffer, and I am thrilled to welcome your kids back to Sinai in the Noar classroom. This year is going to be especially special as we focus on Torah, avodah, and gemilut hasadim, all important components of life as we navigate these COVID times.
I just graduated from Galloway, and I’m taking a gap year before attending Brandeis University for Jewish Studies. I’m spending the year working at Jewish Kids Groups as a full-day teacher and giving back to our Atlanta community through voter education work.
Andrea Krakovsky
Noar Family
I'm so excited to start the year. I've been working in Jewish education for over eight years, and can't wait to share my love of ritual, creativity, and community with all of you. Outside of teaching, I own a babysitting referral company and am a visual artist. I love to work in all mediums, often breaking down old works of art into new ones. I look forward to cultivating our own practices and Jewish joy together.
Alexa Miller
Noar Sunday, Noar Family
My name is Alexa Miller, and I cannot wait to teach your second graders at temple this year! I will be a NOAR Sunday and NOAR family instructor. We have some really exciting lessons and activities planned. This year, we will learn stories from the books of Exodus and Genesis, follow a stuffed animal through a Jewish life cycle, learn about the meaning of "ahava", and so much more.
I am a current senior at Emory University, and am a nursing student. I am from New Jersey, and really loved growing up within the Jewish community of my temple, youth group, and sleepaway camp. Judaism is a very important part of who I am, and I am so excited to share that with your children and family members. When not studying for school, I love to hike, bake, and am a group indoor cycling instructor (not during COVID of course)!
Jody Miller
Noar Hebrew, Noar Family
Jody Miller received her B.A. from Indiana University and her M.A. in Jewish Education from the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Originally from Marietta, Jody first discovered her passion for Jewish education through URJ Camp Coleman and leadership involvement in NFTY-SAR. Jody has worked across many arenas in Jewish education including as a congregational educator, as a community organizer for the Experiential Jewish Education Network, and most recently for the Marcus Jewish Community Center with the JCC Maccabi Games. Jody currently lives in Marietta with her husband Aaron, her son Henry, and her dog Sadie.
Alexandra Rachman
Noar Sunday
My name is Alexandra Rachman, and I am so excited to welcome your fourth graders to another GREAT year of Noar! This year, we will learn about the synagogue, Jewish holidays, and prayers through many creative and hands-on experiences.
I am a second year Industrial Engineering major at Georgia Tech! I am from Los Angeles, CA. It is my first year at Temple Sinai and I am so excited to be here! Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends, trying new restaurants, going to the beach, and playing soccer.
Rebecca Rivera
HUB 78
As a life-long member of Temple Sinai and former madricha myself, I am thrilled to be back at Sinai to teach leadership to the Madrichim. During the week I am an English teacher at Holy Innocents’ right down the road. I have a masters degree in secondary English education, and I’m certified in both English and Special Education. I also have two daughters, Stella (5) and Juliana (2).
Susan Saddawi-Schmidt
Noar Sunday
Welcome back to Temple Sinai and Noar Sunday! My name is Susan and I am excited to be teaching our 2nd graders this year. This will be my third year teaching with Noar.
During the work week, I lead merger integration activities at a bank. I also have a rising 2nd grader, Kindergartner and Pre-Schooler at home.
Amy E. Shaffer
Noar Sunday
My name is Amy Shaffer, and I am so excited to welcome your first graders to another GREAT year of Noar!
I have been a Sunday Schooll teacher for 20 years, and I am thrilled to have been working at Temple Sinai for the last 5 years. I have a background in both regular and special education. When I am not teaching, I am busy with my husband and our two children. I look forward to learning more about you and your children.
Ande Teeple
Noar Sunday
Hi everyone! I’m Ms. Ande and I will be the 3rd grade Morah (teacher) for the upcoming year of Noar Sunday. I’ve been teaching Religious School for over 3 decades! And I love it! I have my Master’s Degree in Jewish Studies, and I’ve taught everyone from tots to adults. During the week I’m a Chaplain for Hospice. I have two children and 4 granddaughters! Being a Nana is the best thing EVER! I can’t wait to meet my class and start a fun filled year of Noar Sunday!
Dr. Tarece Johnson
Noar Sunday, Noar Family
Dr. Tarece Johnson is an activist, advocate, author, and artist. Tarece Johnson published poetry books: Ahava Soulful Shabbat Meditations, Butterflies in Fields of Corn, Global Diversity Haggadah, Resilient Hope, and Freedom Dreams. She wrote a book about relationships, How to Date, Love, & Commitment to a Black Woman. Tarece also developed a methodology and published a multicultural and social studies resource supplement for teachers (K - 12): The Global Purpose Approach.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Tarece Lynette Johnson moved to Puerto Rico to attend La Universidad del Sagrado Corazon earning a BA, and then continued her studies in New York City at Columbia University's School of International & Public Affairs, achieving an MPA. She later earned an MBA from Emory University's Goizueta School of Business and an EdD in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University. Dr. Tarece Johnson speaks fluent Spanish, intermediate level French, and basic modern Hebrew.
Dr. Tarece Johnson is an entrepreneur, educator, leader, consultant, and public servant. As a public figure, Dr. Tarece Johnson aims to make a difference in her community, nation, and the world through her acts of service, kindness, moral courage, and love. She has worked tirelessly on issues that impact disenfranchised people and communities. She believes that love can heal and bring peace to our world. Dr. Tarece Johnson was recently elected to the Gwinnett County School Board, District 5 and she will officially start her four year term in January 2021.
Dr. Tarece Johnson is a Jew and the co-founder of Multicultural Jews (social/spiritual group). She is committed to making a difference through profound love and service. She is a global minded individual who advocates for multicultural and multilingual education, immigration, justice, equity, and human rights. Dr. Tarece L. Johnson is dedicated to the improvement of international education, mental/spiritual health, community development, diversity, inclusion, and abolishing the school-to-prison pipeline. She is dedicated to working with ALL people of all abilities regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, status, sexual orientation, gender, etc. Her dream is to make the world a more loving, peaceful and harmonious place, where all people may be free to be who they are and to prosper joyfully.
