Rabbi Tsipi Gabai , ext. 102
Head of Judaic Studies

Rabbi Tsipi Gabai received her rabbinic ordination, as well as a Masters in Rabbinic Studies, from The Academy for Jewish Religion/CA. She also holds a Certificate of School Administration from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. During the years leading up to her transition from growing up in Israel to transplanting herself in Northern California, Tsipi received a BA in Bible and Jewish History, as well as a teaching credential, from Haifa University.

Tsipi came to Tehiyah Day School in 1989 as a teacher; she has continued to teach as well as to serve as Head of Hebrew and Judaic Studies since 1994. Tsipi is responsible for coordinating all aspects of Jewish life at the school, from social to academic to religious. She is the spirited spiritual leader for the school community.

Tsipi’s commitment to being a rabbi and a day school educator is fueled by her belief that the continuation of Judaism is linked to the education of Jewish children. Tsipi states, “To teach our children from generation to generation, to give them a positive Jewish identity, is to ensure that our traditions continue.”

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Deena Gannot  , ext. 248
Judaic Studies Teacher

Yehudit & Deena’s 1st Grade Class Page

Yehudit & Deena’s 2nd Grade Class Page

Deena Gannot holds a bachelor degree in Biology from the Tel Aviv University, Israel and a master of science in Biology and teaching certificate from the Technion, Israel. Deena joined Tehiyah Day School in 2001 as a Hebrew teacher and is currently teaching 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades.

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Jean Glasser  , ext. 207
Judaic Studies Teacher

Jean Glasser has taught at Tehiyah since its inception in 1979. She was interim director for a while and has been teaching Hebrew and Judaic Studies in the Kindergarten since 1985.  She started her teaching career in 1961 with a B.A. from Northwestern University with a major in Biology and a minor in English. She taught English and Biology at the High School she attended, Von Steuben High School in Chicago, Illinois.  She received a double masters from UC Berkeley in Hebrew and Near Eastern Studies and Elementary Education in 1979.

I want my students to enjoy the customs and ceremonies of Judaism in a positive, non-dogmatic atmosphere.  I also want them to enjoy learning the Hebrew language and letters through play, games, stories, and basic conversation.  Above all, I want the children to learn to be good people and apply the basic tenet of Judaism "Treat others the way you want to be treated.” throughout the kindergarten year and throughout their lives.

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Mira Peretz , ext. 244
Judaic Studies Teacher

Mira Peretz was born in Israel and received her BS in biology and teaching certificate from the Technion University in Haifa. She taught high school biology for six years in Israel before coming to the United States. Since arriving in the Bay Area, Mira has taught Hebrew and Jewish Studies at Jewish day schools since 1994, at Tehiyah since 1999. In addition, she worked for two years at the Consulate of Israel in San Francisco.

In my classroom, I use a method of teaching that includes plays, songs, and conversation. Through such interactive activities, my students feel more connected with the curriculum. By engaging them in this manner, my students become absorbed in the process of learning and are ready for success.

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Yehudit Rothman , ext. 224
Judaic Studies Teacher

Yehudit & Deena’s 1st Grade Class Page

Yehudit & Deena’s 2nd Grade Class Page

Yehudit Rothman has taught at Tehiyah Day School since 1996. She was born and raised in Jerusalem and earned her degree in History and Art History at Tel Aviv University. She then earned her teaching certificate in alternative education from the Hebrew University. Before coming to the United States, she taught in Israel for three years and facilitated teen seminars about Jewish identity. At Tehiyah, Ms. Rothman teaches first and second grade Hebrew and Jewish studies.

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Merav Steinberger-Arnold , ext. 220
Judaic Studies Teacher

Merav Arnold’s 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Pages

Merav Steinberger-Arnold holds a teacher's certificate, a bachelor degree and a masters in Educational Administration from Bar-Ilan University in Israel. She had worked in various educational positions in Israel for ten years prior to coming to Tehiyah. This is her second year teaching Hebrew to fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. She recently got certified to teach Hebrew under the NETA program, which is being used in Tehiyah this year for the first time.

Knowing to speak and write a second language is a gift. Getting to know the sacred language used by the Jewish people for generations since biblical times, and using it on a daily basis, is by far more intriguing. Finally, acquiring it together with the historical and cultural aspects, which are an integral part of the evolution and revival of the language, is my ultimate goal. In my classroom we emphasize all elements of mastering a language, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. I believe that the best learning experience comes with mutual respect, open communication, and continuous encouragement.

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Bracha Trabin, ,ext. 245
Judaic Studies Teacher

Bracha Trabin has taught kindergarten at Tehiyah Day School since 2000.  For twelve years prior to joining the Tehiyah teaching staff, she taught preschool. Bracha came to the Bay Area from Israel where she studied early childhood education in Seminar ha-Kibbutzim – the teaching college associated with education within the kibbutz movement.

I teach Hebrew and Jewish studies through conversation, stories, rituals and art. I enjoy linking everyday situations to the Torah and our forebears, creating a vibrant, safe place for children to identify with their Judaism and to appreciate their history and rich past.

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Michelle Wolfson , ext. 214
Judaic Studies Teacher

Michelle Wolfson's 7th Grade Class Page

Michelle Wolfson served Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley as Director of Education for three years. Prior to that, she studied at the University of Judaism in LA for two years, and taught English literature and composition at UC Berkeley for more than six years. She is a UC Berkeley alumnus for grad and undergrad and a history buff. In July 2006, she was blessed to wed Tony Hecht and his three children, Sam, Zak, and Sofi Hecht. She%u2019s also been a tech writer. She loves to write Purim shpiel%u2019s based on children%u2019s literature. She loves to share her enthusiasm for Judaism and Jewish traditions with children of all ages.

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Lisa Wurtele Ph.D. , ext. 220
Judaic Studies Teacher

5th Grade Jewish Studies Class Page

6th Grade Jewish Studies Class Page

Lisa Wurtele, a proud ex-Brooklynite, earned her B.A. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures (specializing in Arabic and Persian) at N.Y.U. (summa cum laude). She then moved to Cambridge for graduate studies at Harvard University (A.M. and Ph.D., in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, with a specialty in Arabic Literature).

Lisa joined Tehiyah’s Judaic Studies faculty five years ago, teaching the gamut of what is covered by the course title “Judaic Studies”: holidays, history, Jewish texts, as well as (Jewish) current events. She has had the pleasure of teaching fifth, sixth and seventh grades.

In order that they develop as culturally literate members of the community, who celebrate the joys of being connected to the Jewish people, I aim to expose my students to the breadth of Jewish literary and religious expression. I strive, by helping them to attain a deep understanding of texts using a variety of interpretive methods, and by guiding them to arrive at an understanding of historic trends, to train them in the use of the tools necessary for what I hope will be their personal lifelong Continuing Jewish Education programs.

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Nirit Yakov , ext. 231
Judaic Studies Teacher

Nirit Yakov’s 3rd, 4th & 5th Grades Class Pages

Nirit Yakov received her bachelor's degree from Kibbutzim College of Education in Tel Aviv, Israel. She has been teaching Hebrew and Judaic Studies at Tehiyah since 2000. She is delighted to have the opportunity to teach both new and former students this year in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.

I strive to help my students strengthen their connections to Israel and Judaism, and to increase their facility in reading, writing, and speaking Hebrew, in a lively and caring atmosphere that promotes interest, enthusiasm, understanding and tolerance. I believe we must help students achieve comfort in their studies through the right balance of challenge, support and encouragement, so that they may enjoy our traditions and use the Hebrew language knowledgably and joyfully.