From All My Teachers I have Grown Wise
מכל מלמדי השכלתי

(Psalms: 119:99)

There are numerous stories, anecdotes, parables, citations from Tanakh, Jewish legal and aggadic texts that refer to the important role of teachers. In fact, there is general acknowledgement in the Jewish tradition that teaching is the highest calling. The Jewish people are known as Am Ha-Sefer--the People of the Book. And how do we continue to be the People of the Book? With great teachers.

The Jewish Studies faculty consists of teachers who are responsible for transmitting all of the building blocks of Jewish learning. The teachers in the department have diverse backgrounds. They have roots in Israel, Russia and America. Their Jewish associations span the spectrum of Reform, Conservative, Cultural and modern Orthodox. They hold degrees with specialization in Hebrew language, Bible studies, elementary education, learning disabilities and Israel studies. They speak Hebrew, English, Russian, Spanish and Arabic. They can teach Tanakh, prayer, Mishna, Jewish history, comparative religions.

What characterizes each one are their passion for learning and teaching and their love of children and of the Jewish people. These teachers serve as role models for their students. They are personally engaged in ongoing learning, and they demonstrate what it means to be a "life-long learner."

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