Welcome to the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy

ADMINISTRATION

RABBI MORDECHAI WEISS - Principal

This is the third year that Rabbi Weiss is serving as the Principal of the Bess and Paul Hebrew Academy. Prior to assuming this position, Rabbi Weiss was the Principal of three educational divisions of the Trocki Hebrew Academy in South Jersey a school comprising Early Education, Elementary/Middle School, and High School. Rabbi Weiss has taught music and Hebraic Studies for many years and has lectured in the Adult Education Program of Atlantic County. He received the B’nai B’rith Civic Achievement Award and the Trocki Hebrew Academy Award for dedicated service. He is also an honorary black belt in karate. Additionally, he received recognition by the National Association of Elementary School Principals of America as one of the outstanding elementary school principals.

Rabbi Weiss received the “Keter Torah” award when he was honored at the Trocki
Hebrew Academy’s annual dinner. His leadership enabled the Academy to receive the “National Recognition Award” for Excellence in Education from the United States Department of Education, The National Geographic Award given to one of eight schools in the country for an outstanding geography program, and Middle States Accreditation for an
Elementary and High School.

Rabbi Weiss received his BA and Rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University. He also holds an MA in Psychology from the New School for Social Research and a Sofer Stam degree from Jerusalem. Rabbi Weiss has a bi-monthly column on Jewish Education in the Jewish Press, the largest national Jewish Anglo-Saxon newspaper in the country. Rabbi Weiss was also an adjunct Professor at the Richard Stockton College and has served as an evaluator for Middle States Accreditation numerous times.

SHARON BUDKOFSKY - Assistant Principal

Sharon Budkofsky has been working at the Hebrew
Academy for the past 22 years as Kindergarten teacher,
preschool teacher, early childhood director, curriculum
mapping coordinator, and assistant principal. She earned
her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Hartford. UConn basketball, reading, and relaxing at the beach are some of
her favorite activities. Sharon and her husband Alan reside in Bloomfield. Both of their children, Alyssa and Marc are alumni of the Hebrew Academy .

PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN

MORAH SHAINDY JAFFEE - Preschool 4

Morah Shaindy has twenty years experience teaching and directing school and camp programming. She has worked with people of iversified Jewish backgrounds and has been able to successfully implement personal programs on various levels.
These programs facilitated her students growth in such areas as:
Hebrew writing, reading and Torah studies. Morah Shaindy Jaffee has a strong background in early childhood education as well as elementary school. She has been successful in encouraging children and parents to connect with their Jewish heritage. Morah Jaffee has taught in various states across the U.S., as well as in Australia. Morah Jaffee begets enthusiasm by bringing Torah to life, through arts and crafts, as well as song and drama.

SHAINDEL HECHT - GANENU

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY (which I miss!) I went to seminary in Tzfat Israel where I studied Hebrew & Special Education. While living in NY, I taught at a Pre-School in Queens and Brooklyn Heights. I’m married to Shlomo who is the Rabbi Director of Chabad at Uconn. We now have three lively boys, ages 3,2,and 1 month! I really love being a part of the special staff at the Academy. My students in Ganenu are delicious!

ORIT LANGER

Orit came from Israel two years ago and now lives in West Hartford. Orit has been a teacher’s assistant here for the last two years. Orit has two sons, ages 4 & 5. She is an amazing energy in our preschool and loves working with your children!

ROZ SINGER - Preschool

Morah Rozzie has been working at HAGH for over 30 years as a teacher’s assistant. She lives in Bloomfield and has been working here long enough to have had her children’s children. That’s a wonderful thing!

Mrs MISHKIN - Preschool

Volunteer and favorite substitute. Need we say more!

BLUMIE SAMUELS

Blumie Samuels together with her husband Rabbi Mendel Samuels, is Co Director of Chabad of the Valley in Simsbury, C.T. and the principal of the Chabad of the valley Hebrew School. The Samuels live in Simsbury with their 5 boys, ka'h three of which attend the Hebrew Academy.

Naama Nadel

I graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from Stern College, and I am currently finishing up my Master’s in Art Therapy at the College of New Rochelle. I live in West Hartford with my husband (who also teaches at HAGH) and two children.

CHAYA Beck

Chaya graduated from school in Chicago and moved to West Hartford to be a camp couonselor at Gan Israel.
This will be her second year working at the Hebrew Academy. She plans to go into the nursing field in the future.

GRADES K-4

MRS O'NAN - KINDERGARTEN & First Grade

Trudy O’Nan graduated from Lesley College in 1983 with a BS in Human Services. She worked for years in foster care on Long Island. After moving to CT, Trudy worked for several years at the American Red Cross in Disaster and Volunteer Services. In 2000, Trudy decided to follow her dream of being a teacher and got her certification from Sacred Heart University. She has earned her Masters in Education. Trudy is married to the “Famous” Red Sox writer Stewart O’ Nan, has a daughter and son who both attend Boston University, and two fat dogs. This is Trudy’s fifth year at the Academy and second year teaching Kindergarten. She is looking forward to another fantastic year. Go Red Sox!

SHIFRA MAZZAARI - kindergarten & first grade

Shifra Maazari has joined our Hebrew Academy family this year. She was born in Israel, and graduated from Bayit Vagan College for girls in Jerusalem with a degree in English and Bible Studies. While in Israel, she taught English as a second language to
elementary and middle school children. This is her second time coming back to the states. During her first visit here, she taught at a Hebrew Day School in Springfield MA. Shifra and her
husband Eitan, who teaches at HHNE, have four children who attend our school. Shifra would love her students to be able to speak fluent Hebrew and develop a love of Israell

MORAH BONNIE - Kingergarten & first grade

Bonnie Okrant graduated from Adelphi U. in Garden City, N.Y. earning a Biology degree majoring in Medical Technology. After college she worked in a medical laboratory and later a supervisor in a Cardiology Lab. She decided to change careers after the birth of her daughter, Rebecca. She has held various positions in the HAGH PTO and worked as a substitute teacher. When Rebecca graduated from the Academy and went on to HHNE, she started working on a full time basis as a paraprofessional here at the school. She truly loves working with the younger children. She find’s it so amazing to see how each child develops throughout the school year in their own unique way

MRS WEINBERG - 2nd Grade

Eileen Weinberg graduated with a BA degree from Hunter College at University of NY. She has continued to take graduate courses over the years and attend various workshops in both Education and Judaic Studies. Eileen lived in Israel for several years where she taught English as a foreign language at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. After returning to the United States, she taught English as a second language in our Nations Capitol. The Weinbergs settled in W.H. CT 27 years ago and Eileen immediately became part of the Hebrew Academy family-first as a parent and active volunteer (Eileen was the first recipient of the Morris Schuch Award for exemplary service to the school.) and then as a teacher. Over the years she has taught 3yr old nursery, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade.
All three of her children, Rabbi Noam Weinberg, assistant principal of the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, P’nina, director of marketing for an Internet co. and Dena, resource teacher at the Ramaz Lower school, are all alumni of the HAGH.

SHAUNA LEVINE - 2ND GRADE

Shoshana Levine returns for her second year as our General Studies second grade teacher. She graduated from Wesleyan University and went on to receive her Masters in Special Education at the University of Cincinnati. Morah Shoshana has also taught in our preschool. She is looking forward to another rewarding year at the Hebrew Academy.

MRS DORAN - THIRD GRADE

I grew up in Greenfield, MA, a small town in the western part of the state. I received a BA from Connecticut College, where I majored in art history. To prepare for teaching, I entered a master’s degree program in education at Southern CT University. I have taught fourth grade, fifth grade, and pre-school as well as third grade I have lived in West Hartford for many years with my husband. We have four grown children and four grand -children. As I begin my 12th year at The Hebrew Academy, I marvel at my good fortune to be part of this wonderful community.

CHANIE LOEW - THIRD GRADE

My name is Chanie Loew, and this is my third year teaching middle school Judaic studies at HAGH and will be my first teaching third grade. It has been a great privilege to become part of this wonderful family, where I view my charges not only as students but as my dear children. I spent 3 years studying Judaic studies at The Jerusalem College for Women in Israel and then received my B.A. from Touro College in N.Y. I taught 3rd grade Judaics for 2 years while living in Kansas City and gave numerous adult and teenage Judaic classes while living in Columbus, Ohio. I have four beautiful sons who are all students here at HAGH. I look forward to spending a wonderful year with your children.

CYNTHIA BURKE - FOURTH GRADE

This is my third year here at the Hebrew Academy. I grew up in Southington, CT, and presently live in West Hartford with my two daughters, Shannon, 14 and Kaleigh, 11. In 2005, I graduated from the University of Hartford with my Master’s Degree in education. Before becoming a teacher, I received my Bachelors degree in Legal Studies. I worked for Congresswoman, Nancy Johnson as a constituent representative, and then as a paralegal for several different law firms as well as the Carvel Corporation. I enjoy spending time with my daughters shopping, exercising, and going to the beach

RABBI JAFFEE - FOURTH GRADE & MIDDLE SCHOOL JUDAICS

Rabbi Aaron Jaffee has taught in the U.S. and abroad. He earned
Smicha while living in Israel and holds a BA in Education and a Masters in Theology. Rabbi has taught for almost a decade, all levels in High School as well as middle school. He has taught many subjects including: Gemarah, Navi, Dinim, Jewish History, and Jewish Philosophy. Rabbi Jaffee developed a series of Gemarah Curriculum Booklets for various ages, relating Gemarah knowledge to real-life situations. These booklets give students a stronger sense of relevance and enable them to understand that Gemarah is an integral part of their lives. These Gemarah Curriculum Booklets are still being used in Australia today. “Pastoral care” has been a significant part of Rabbi Jaffee’s teaching. He spends time with the students, follows up on their specific needs whether it be educational, social or emotional and also lends an ear to any child who may wish to voice an opinion.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MRS CHRISTOPHERSON - 5/7th language arts & SocIAL STUDIES

Mrs Christopherson grew up in Miami beach and attended the Hebrew Academy. She is currently married with three children(Jeff, Sara and Jared) and her husband manages worldwide computer modeling of potential hurricanes and earthquakes for a reinsurance company. Jeff, is a lawyer and a captain in the Army. Sara is in a master’s program studying agriculture and nutrition. Jared is majoring in computer and science engineering and minoring in business.
Mrs Christopherson has a Masters in Education from Hunter College, a Master’s in Curriculum Supervision from Texas and has taught for 28 years.
In San Antonio, TX, Nancy helped create a gifted and talented program fro the school district and then taught the program for eight years. When she and her family moved to Birmingham, AL, Mrs Christopherson taught for four years at the Hebrew Academy. Nancy loves teaching, especially when the children are in transition from concrete thinking to abstraction, from awareness of family to the global community, and from the present to the past and future. This year Mrs Christopherson will be teaching language arts to fifth and seventh graders. Nancy also volunteers at the Hebrew Home and enjoy traveling

JACK HALLORAN - MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH

I graduated from Central Conn. State College in New Britain CT in 1965 with a BS degree.( Math major and a minor in Biological Sciences). I received a MS degree in education in 1975. In 1965 I started teaching in South Windsor, CT . I taught a total of thirty two years in South Windsor, twenty years in the Timothy Edwards Middle School and seven years in South Windsor High School.
After “retiring” in 1997, I worked as a real estate agent out of a So. Windsor office. I had obtained my license in 1979 and I still am an active agent. I am also a drummer in a local (Manchester) band and enjoy very much this “hobby”. In 2001 I found myself back in the classroom as a Jr. High math teacher in a Vernon private school. I held that position until 2005. Last year I kept busy by being a substitute teacher in the Manchester school system.
I currently live in Manchester with my wife Joanne. We are “empty-nesters”. Our four children have moved on and we are proud of all of them. I have been a member of the Laurel Music Camp here in Ct working with high school choral members and musicians since 1958. I have just finished my 49th consecutive year as a staff member. I also keep busy playing golf, collecting stamps, and gardening.

LANDA LEAVY- 6/8th language arts and social studies

Bio coming soon

DR. BUCH - MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE

September 2005 marks the beginning of her seventh year here as the Middle School Science Teacher. She has a Doctorate in Special Education from Boston University, a Master’s in Science Education from U Penn, and a B.A. in Biopsychology from U Penn. Prior to teaching at the Hebrew Academy Dr. Buch taught amongst other places at Northwestern community College, The American School for the Deaf and the CREC Hearing Impaired Program. She is married to Dr. Peter Buch and has two children. Her son, Dan lives in New York and attends grad school at NYU. Her daughter, Nicole, is starting her sophomore year at Hofstra University.

MIDDLE SCHOOL JUDAIC STUDIES

DVORAH WEISS

Dvorah has been active in Jewish education for the past twenty five years. She attended the Beth Jacob seminary. In her past teaching position she taught second grade in the Hebrew/Judaic program of the Trocki Hebrew Academy. Dvorah is a composer of Jewish songs, many of which have been included on various albums throughout the country. She is presently writing a novel on the Jewish experience.

RABBI KULEK

Rabbi Yosef B. Kulek received his rabbinic ordination in Arad, Israel. He
previously taught Judaic studies at Chicago's Seymour J. Abrams Cheder
Lubavitch Hebrew Day School, and was Director of Programs and Youth
Activities at Chabad House for the past six years. A few years ago he founded a Jewish student group at the University of Hartford, Chabad Chevra. Due to its initial success and growth, Rabbi Kulek now devotes most of his time as director of Chabad Chevra. Rabbi Kulek spends his summers as the director of Camp Gan Israel and also teaches at Yachad during the year. He resides in West Hartford with his wife Dalia, and their five children, three of whom are in the Hebrew Academy.

RABBI SETH NADEL

Rabbi Seth Nadel is the Rabbi of Young Israel of West Hartford. Before joining the community, he was Associate Rabbi at Beth Israel Synagogue, in Omaha, Nebraska an Orthodox congregation with over 150 member families. Rabbi Nadel hails from New Jersey where he spent almost a decade serving the Jewish community as an educator. He taught at Hebrew High Schools and Congregational Schools throughout New York and New Jersey and taught Special Education at a Yeshiva High School for boys. “Reb Seth,” as his students affectionately refer to him, received several awards recognizing excellence in teaching. He served as a Youth Director at Congregation Tifereth Israel, Passaic, NJ and ran Shabbatonim for High School Jewish Youth for several Jewish organizations. He has served as scholar in residence for communities across the country and has almost a thousand readers of his weekly e-mail divrei Torah.
Rabbi Nadel is also an accomplished musician and songwriter. He has toured nationally as a solo act and along with his band, inspiring Jewish communities across North America. In 2004, he released the CD , One Thing I Ask, a high-energy hybrid of rock, pop, folk, and blues. Critics have called his music, “passionate rock and roll for the soul.”

RABBI AVI OBLERLANDER

Rabbi Avi Oberlander is originally from Brooklyn, New York. He is currently a Rebbe in the Yeshiva Gedolah of Waterbury, where he teaches post-high school boys in the afternoon. Rabbi Oberlander’s home is always open to his students, both on shabbos and during the week. Rabbi Oberlander learned in Yeshivas Toras Moshe in Israel for three years after high-school. After returning to New York, he was a successful Rebbi and mentor in the Yeshiva Gedolah of Great Neck. He currently spends his summers in Camp Rayim, an overnight camp in the Catskills, where he is the Assistant Head counselor.
Rabbi Oberlander lives in Waterbury,
Connecticut, together with his wife, Ahuva, and two sons.

ANAT MARKUS

Anat was born and raised in Israel, doing military service in the Navy and getting a BA in an interdisciplinary behavorial sciences program at Ben Gurion University. She continued with graduate studies in Special Education at the
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and earned a diploma in art Therapy from Ontario Institute of Art. She has been teaching Hebrew and Art for the past 20 years. She has taught at HAGH since 1998. During this past summer, Anat brought back from Israel some new exciting books for the school. In addition she attended a number of Hebrew teaching seminars in NY. She is eager to share the new materials and exiciting ideas with her students. She lives in West Hartford with her husband Etan, and children, Dror, Hadar and Talya, all HAGH graduates. Dror recently made Aliya and is about to serve in tzahal-the IDF.

CHANIE LOEW

See 3rd Grade

ALIZA STUP

I was born and raised in Israel. I graduated from Kindergarten Seminary to be officially designated “Kindergarten Teacher”. With the full and loving support of my late husband and my then little children, I was able to continue and graduate from the Teacher’s College in Nathanlya Israel. My first four years as a teacher, I worked in the well known “Ulpan Akiva” with adults and new immigrants teaching them the Hebrew language and about Israel. I then went on to work for the next 25 years at the Ben-Avi elementary school after which I retired. My visit to the U.S. brought me back to the work that I love, teaching Ulpan here in WH. For the last 16 years, I have taught at Solomon Schechter Day School. My love for the children ,Israel, and the Hebrew language makes me proud to be a Jewish teacher.

SPECIALITY TEACHERS

MR WILKINSON - Phys. Ed & Computers

Adam Wilkinson will be entering his 7th year teaching at the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy. Originally only the Phys. Ed teacher, Mr. Wilkinson also became the school’s technology coordinator in 2003, taking on responsibilities such as computer classes, website design, as well as computer and network maintenance. In addition to his technology duties, he also plans and runs the annual Lag Ba’Omer field day event in which the whole school competes in various athletic and sporting events. In 2004 Mr. Wilkinson was awarded "Teacher of the Year".
Mr. Wilkinson holds a B.S in Phys. Ed. with a minor in Computer Science from CCSU where he attended on full athletic soccer scholarship. Upon graduation, Adam went on to play soccer for four years for the Western Mass. Pioneers, a professional soccer club in Ludlow, MA. Mr. Wilkinson also coaches youth soccer at the premier level. Currently he coaches 2 girls teams ;U-12, and U-15 for The Connecticut Football Club. His current U15 team are two-time defending state champions and 2007 Regional Championships Bronze medalists. Adam currently resides in Wethersfield with his wife Jaime and daughter Cameryn

MRS. LEHMAN - Librarian

Phyllis Lehman has been the library media specialist at the Hebrew Academy for 21 years. She has a degree in elementary
education from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s degree from Central Connecticut State University in Library
Science and Instructional Technology and Certification in remedial reading and Language arts. She is married to Stewart and they have three sons, two daughter in-laws and two precious grandchildren, Alyssa Belle and Harrison Jacob. She loves children’s books and has seen her job change with new technology.

MRS. SCHRIEBER - Music

Yehudis Schreiber has been teaching music at the Hebrew Academy since 2001. She has a Master’s degree in music performance from the Julliard School and is a former member of the Jerusalem SymphonyOrchestra. She enjoys playing Viola in the Beth EL Orchestra, and directing the Hebrew Academy band and choir in various school and community performances.

KATHLEEN CATAFORD - SCHOOL NURSE

My first year as school nurse at the Hebrew Academy is preceeded by 29 years experience in a
variety of roles as an RN. Approximately10 of those years have been in emergency rooms in southern Maine & Hartford Hospital. I’ve had enjoyable times as a nursing administrator and educator as well as my most recent job in home care, teaching home IV
therapy. I live in Glastonbury after moving from Kennebunk, ME 10 years ago. I enjoy walking nature trails, reading, baking, and dancing. We’re expecting the arrival of our first grandchild this October and I’m thrilled to become a grandmother.

SPECIAL SERVICES

RACHEL COHEN

Rachel Cohen recently joined the staff of the Hebrew Academy. She received her Masters degree in Special Education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Additionally, she holds a certificate in Gifted Education from the University of North Texas. Rachel completed her undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, MO in Elementary Education and Jewish and Near Eastern Studies. Before moving to West Hartford, CT, she resided in Baltimore, MD where she directed a special education resource room and instituted teacher training and development for the special education teachers of the Weinberg Academy. She lives in West Hartford with her husband, David, and son, Yonatan.

SHOSHANA SHEINKOPF

Mrs. Sheinkopf has joined the Special Education here at HAGH. Her career began in Chicago, where she earned a BA in Judaic Studies and Special Education, as well as Illinois state certification in 4 areas of special Ed., including: Learning Disabilities, Social / Emotional Disorders, Educable Mentally Handicapped and Trainable Mentally Handicapped. She taught for 3 years in Northbrook IL, where she served as teacher and case manager for one of the school’s satellite programs. She has also taught in NY and Miami FL, where she serviced special needs students in grades 2-12 in both self-contained and resource roomsettings. Mrs Sheinkopf resides in West Hartford with her husband, (who is teaching at HHNE and two little boys.

KAREN ROSEN

I have a Master’s in Communication Disorders from Northeastern University. I have been working consistently in the field of Speech and Language for the past 25 years. Currently, I am employed by the Farmington Public Schools as well as the Hebrew Academy. I
presently live in Simsbury with my husband and three sons.

CYNTHIA BURKE

See Third Grade

RACHEL MARKUS - Social Worker/Guidance Couselor

Rachel Markus will be beginning her 6th year at the Hebrew Academy as Social Worker for the school. Rachel has worked as a school Social Worker for the past 8 years, previously at the Jewish Family Services as a clinical Social Worker. She will be working with all the children in their classrooms exploring character education and bully proofing our school.
If you have any comments or concerns Rachel will be working Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.