I'm an 18 year old from Ventura, CA. I am a freshman this year at UCLA, and I am involved in Hillel and AEPi, the Jewish Fraternity. I am also a member of the UCLA Marching Band. I am the 6th grade Hebrew teacher, and I am having a wonderful experience working at University Synagogue. In my free time I really enjoy reading books, and riding my bike around Westwood.

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.

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, 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. Our contributions in all fields of endeavors speak with pride to the place that Judaism has in our society today and to the benefit of all mankind.

I am a second year rabbinic student at the Hebrew Union College.  Between finishing my B.A. in History/Jewish Studies at the University of Maryland and beginning HUC, I 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.  I am a huge music and arts fan and love the opportunity to bring these hobbies into Jewish education.   This year I will teach two classes in the Monday night Tichon program:  American Jewish Identity thru the Ears of Music and What being Jewish means to me - an art exploration project.

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!

My name is Shelly Meyers and I am the Daled 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.

Pursuing a career in arts development, Kim Newstadt works as the Assistant Director for Donor Relations and Special Projects with the University of Southern California. Her passion for supporting the arts stems from her love of dance. Introduced to movement by her grandmother and aunts at an early age, she later trained with Dora Manela, former Louisville Ballet Master and Nancy Fountain, current Theatre Midwest Director. For eight years she studied under the mentorship of Chuck Bronson and Cyndi Bronner with the University of Louisville Dance Theatre.  Presently she dances with Benita Bike's DanceArt Company. Although trained in modern and ballet, she has grown to love Israeli dance through summers spent as a camper at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and a dance teacher at Camp Hess Kramer. Enthusiastic about working with kids and creating links between Judaism and dance, Kim enjoys working with her students on her unique branding of Israeli dance.

My name is Jacob Proud. I am currently finishing my MBA in Non-profit Management at American Jewish University. My undergraduate degree is in  Bioethics from the University of Judaism. I also work as the Jr.Unity advisor at University Synagogue and I am the Graduate Business intern at Camp Ramah in California. Currently I am also studying for the LSATs and applying to law school for the fall of 08. Besides my academic and career goals I love to spend time with my dog Babers and play golf and frisbee. I look forward to working with you and your students over the coming years. If you have any questions about the Jr.Unity program please feel free to e-mail at jr.unity@gmail.com.

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.

Hi! My name is Laura Siegel and I am teaching Mechinah on Sunday mornings. I am originally from Chicago, IL and moved to LA for my Joint masters program at Hebrew Union College. I am studying for my masters degrees in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service. This year, in addition to teaching at University Synagogue, I also have an internship with the American Jewish Committee. Mechinah has been such a wonderful teaching experience for me! My students are creative and have really stepped up to the challenge of great hands on tikkun olam projects and have begun to take on more of a leadership role.

I have taught at University Synagogue for about 12 years and continue to tell so many stories. I believe that making the stories come alive in turn makes the class come alive in vibrant involvement of Jewish learning.  I also believe that Judaism flourishes through all aspects of learning: study, dance, song, family and community involvement – it’s all God - and its all good!  I always try to offer a stimulating enriching learning environment for all the Kinderkiddos, a well as love and enjoy involvement from Parents!

Mor Toledano is currently a 3rd year student at UCLA and is majoring in Psychobiology with hopes of working in the medical field. She was born in 1987 in Haifa, Israel, where most of her family currently resides and where she also spent  8 years of her life. In addition to being a student, Mor is an Academic Peer Counselor and Resident adviser for a Jewish Housing Coop at UCLA called the Bayit. She has held various leadership positions in organizations such as Hillel at UCLA (Women's Chair) and Bruins for Israel.

I was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel to two families – Sepharadic and Ashkenazi. I am the sixth generation of my father’s side in Israel, and I served in the Israeli Air Force. I have been teaching for almost all of my life – I am a certified teacher by the Department of Education in Israel. I love teaching. I teach Hebrew language, literature, bible, ancient and contemporary Jewish history. My hobbies are music, writing, and art in general.