Our Clergy and Staff

Clergy | Staff | Educators | ARS Teachers | TCEE Teachers

ARS Teachers : Rhona Maple, Pre-K

Rhona Maple is a graduate of the University of Hartford, where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education. This fall she is entering her twenty second year as a Jewish preschool educator. Rhona worked for the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston for twenty years, teaching Toddlers, Preschool, and Kindergarten. Last fall she joined the inaugural staff of the Diane K. Trust Center for Early Education at Temple Ohabei Shalom where she is the Preschool Lead Teacher. Since 2005 she have also taught Religious School at a local Synagogue. Rhona loves visiting Los Angeles several times a year, so she can see her daughter, son, and daughter in law. In her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking, shopping, and watching sports. Her favorite teams are the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and USC Trojans!

ARS Teachers : Steve Shimshak, Gan  

Steve Shimshak comes to us from New York City where he has taught for 5 years in the Jewish early childhood field.   Steve has a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University in elementary education grades K-6.  He also has a Master’s in Counseling and Guidance from NYU and is completing a Master’s in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street College.  Steve has experience designing various curricula in both Jewish and secular education with an emphasis on students ages 3-5. He has served as a mentor for new teachers and works with both parents and students in creating supportive and individualized educational experiences.

ARS Teachers: Haley Knapper, 2nd Grade 

I am a recent University of Hartford graduate from the Barney School of Business with a degree in Management, Economics and Finance. I have spent my past three summers dedicated to Camp Micah and am currently working full time as a loan processor in the greater Boston area. I take pride in my Jewish identity and have much experience in the  informal Jewish education programs. I have been actively involved in the different youth groups around the country such as BBYO and NFTY. Lastly, I look forward to working with the second grade in order to help build onto not only their Jewish identity but mine as well.
 

ARS Teachers : Stacy Goodman, 2nd Grade  

Stacy Goodman is a junior at Boston University studying public relations. She is originally from Philadelphia – Go Phillies! She earned her teaching certificate at Gratz College in Philadelphia, with a focus on youth leadership and informal education. She spends her free time hanging at school, and pioneering the Boston chapter of Habonim Dror, the Zionist youth movement that she grew up in. This will be her second year at ARS.
 

ARS Teachers : Stacy Weinberg, 3rd Grade 

Stacy is originally from Chicago, Illinois where she lived until college. In 2006 she graduated from Cornell College with a degree in English Literature. After taking a year off where she lived in Atlanta and worked for Congregation B’Nai Torah part time, and full time as a nanny, she moved to New York to start graduate school at the Jewish Theological Seminary. While in New York she worked at Sutton Place Synagogue teaching religious school for children from pre-school through middle school. She also served as a Program Coordinator for the Interfaith Community, and as an intern at the Teva Learning Center where she worked on curriculum development and learned to combine her passion for the outdoors with Jewish learning. She graduated with a Masters in Informal and Communal Jewish education in May and went on to spend her second summer at Camp Micah as the Wilderness Team Leader. She is thrilled to be teaching at the ARS!

ARS Teachers : Ariana Katz, 4th/5th Grade  

Ariana Katz has taught at the Ansin Religious School for three years, teaching Hebrew and working with a variety of Jewish Studies classes. She is in her last year at Boston University, studying Sociology, Hebrew, and Women's Studies, and is planning on studying Jewish education in the future. Ariana enjoys knitting, making bread, and arguing about politics, and tries to incorporate elements of each into her classroom.   This spring, Ariana was selected as a CJP Teaching and Technology fellow. She spend her summer writing and developing an interactive Parshat HaShavua curriculum for her class this year.

ARS Teachers: Isaac Yager, 4th/5th Grade   

Isaac is working as both an ARS teacher and as the clergy assistant at Ohabei Shalom.  Originally from New York, he received his BA from Bard College and his MM in vocal performance from Boston University.  Trained as an opera singer, Isaac is currently preparing to enter cantorial school.  He is a current member of the Boston Lyric Opera chorus.
 

ARS Teachers : Kate Monge, 6th Grade and 9th/10th Grade  

Kate Monge came to TOS in the fall of 2004 as a grade 7 teacher in the Ansin Religious School. As a dedicated educator in both the grade 7 and High School programs and a youth group advisor, she joined the full-time staff in March 2006 as the Education Program Coordinator. Kate continued to add to our community as she assumed her new role as Director of Informal Education in the fall of 2007 where she served as the head of the High School Program, advisor to OSTY (the senior youth group), coordinator of all youth groups and youth events in the synagogue and B'nei Mitzvah Educator.

Raised in Longmeadow, MA and a graduate of Ithaca College, Kate has taught and worked closely with Jewish youth for over 15 years at congregations in both New York and Massachusetts. She has spent eight summers working in different capacities at summer camps, including summer b’nei mitzvah prep as well as coordination and leadership of Shabbat activities and T'filah. She currently spends her summers as the Girls’ Head Counselor at Camp Micah in Bridgton, Maine. When she’s not teaching, Kate can be found settling into married life with her new husband, Stephen, enjoying the city with her many cousins and family members in the area, or relaxing at home in Brookline.

ARS Teachers : Gila Yudewitz, B'Nai Telem-- 7th Grade   

Gila is starting her second year as the office manager at Temple Ohabei Shalom. She loves that her job gives her a chance to also work with The Jr. Chow and Hebrew High School (7th Grade B'nai Telem Class) as well as see the Ars students as they walk in every Tuesday. Gila will also be hanging with the 6th grade Rosh Hodesh group and is psyched for all the ways she will grow from the girls. Gila understands that TOS is a family and everyone's concern is important, so feel free to get in touch with her at any time at the office at 617-277-6610. B'hatzlacha (good luck) to a great year ahead!
 

ARS Teachers: Peter Gordon, Grade 8/9 High School 

With over 20 years experience in education and an M.Ed in Educational Administration, Peter currently directs the Middle School at The Brimmer and May School where he has been employed for 6 years. Peter also coaches The Varsty Girls' Soccer Team, Varsity 2 Boys' Basketball Team, and Varsity Baseball Team. Prior to that, Peter worked as the Middle School Math Department Chair, teacher, advisor, and coach at The Flint Hill School in Oakton, Virginia. As a member of TOS for the past 3 years Peter is excited to be involved with the Ansin Religious School and all of its wonderful constituents.

ARS Teachers: Larisa Klebe, Telem  

Larisa Klebe grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and moved to Massachusetts in 2007 to attend Brandeis University. She graduated from Brandeis in 2011 with her BA in History and European Cultural Studies, and a minor in Music. Throughout her years at Brandeis, Larisa was heavily involved in the Brandeis Reform Chavurah (BaRuCH). She served two years on the executive board for BaRuCH, one as a T’fillah Coordinator, and the other as the Publicity/Communications Coordinator. She hopes to incorporate these experiences into her work as Youth Educator. Besides being involved in Jewish life, Larisa is also very passionate about singing and music. She spent 11 years in the Peninsula Girls Chorus in California, and the last 4 years as a member of the Brandeis University Chorus and Chamber Choir. Besides a classical music background, she has also accumulated a vast knowledge of Jewish music which she looks forward to sharing. Larisa is very excited to be the new Youth Educator, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to become part of the community. 





Clergy | Staff | Educators | ARS Teachers | TCEE Teachers