Tuesday, September 7, 2010
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Sarah Miller Desimini


Religious School (Sunday): Kindergarten

Special Program (Sunday): Rosh Hodesh

Sarah Miller Desimini teaches Kindergarten at Temple Sinai and is the group leader for the Rosh Chodesh: Its a Girls Thing! Sarah was a substitute teacher at The Suburban Temple in Wantagh, NY and the Westchester Jewish Center in Mamaroneck, NY. Her background is in the nonprofit sector, where she has held various positions in fundraising and philanthropy. Most recently, she worked for a family foundation and helped guide their Jewish grantmaking program. She was also an evaluator for Slingshot, a philanthropic publication of the Slingshot Fund. Currently, Ms. Desimini is a consultant for nonprofit organizations.

 

 

Bonnie Blank

Religious School (Sunday): 1st Grade

Bonnie has been teaching first grade Sunday school at Temple Sinai since 2003.  She truly enjoys working with children, especially first-graders, since they are so eager to learn and they bring such an honesty to the classroom.  When she is not teaching first-graders, Bonnie works for Stamford Hospital, Tully Health Center.  She is a Stamford native and has been married for twenty-five years to her wonderful husband, David.  They have five beautiful children, ranging in age from twenty-four to fifteen; all have attended Temple Sinai religious school, becoming B'nai Mitzvot.

 

Mazal Ashkenazi

Religious School (Sunday): 2nd Grade

Mazal has a B.A. degree from Bar-Ilan University, Israel, where she studied English Literature and Political Science.   Mazal worked as an English teacher as well as an Executive Secretary and translator.  Mazal came to the U.S. 2 years ago to join her daughter.

 

Debbie Morganthaler


Religious School (Sunday): 3rd Grade

 

Fran Schechter


Religious School (Sunday): 4th Grade

Hebrew School (Monday & Wednesday): 4th Grade

 

Sonia Avny


Religious School (Sunday): 5th Grade

Born in Romania, under Communist government, very antisemitic,  moved to Israel, worked for the Israeli Government, lived there for 17 years, moved to Stamford, CT . Went back to school to study Early Childhood Education and also Jewish Education. I work at Gan Yeladim Preschool, at Agudah, children program on Shabbat and holidays, Friendship Circle program for kids with special needs and at Temple Sinai, Hebrew School.

Rafael Carruthers


Religious School (Sunday): 5th Grade

Hebrew School (Monday & Wednesday): 6th Grade

At its best, playing music gives me the opportunity to tap into a wellspring of creativity, the source of which I've never been able to fathom: Is that source the music-rich environment in which I grew up?  Is it my Muse? ..my God?

I guess I'd prefer simply to refer to it as HaMakor (Hebrew for "The Source"). I don't understand it, yet I love it, because it moves me, challenges me, excites me...

Studying Torah--and teaching Judaic studies--affects me in much the same way: I feel  moved, challenged, excited..but I am also transformed as an individual--which is beyond the purview of music.

For me, such is the power of Judaism...How could I NOT want to share it with others?


 

Bob Schechter


Religious School (Sunday): 6th Grade

 

Bob Schechter has taught the sixth grade at Temple Sinai since 1994 as part of forty years experience teaching, coaching and working with youth in both paid and volunteer roles. He earned a BS degree in Psychology from Hobart College, has completed graduate level educational courses at several colleges and earned a Masters degree from the University of Connecticut. Bob's work in Jewish education has been recognized; he has twice received a Feinstein Fellowship for summer study at Temple University. He was also selected to study with Dr. Ken Stein of Emory University.

Bob served twelve years as Board President of a childcare agency, with over 500 staff and volunteers serving hundreds of youngsters. He has received several regional and national recognitions during nearly twenty years as a Boy Scouts of America leader.

The sixth grade focus on current events in the Middle East is enhanced through Bob's personal experiences and contacts. Over fifteen years he has become close to several people involved in Middle East peace discussions; and has met government leaders including in Cairo the head of the Arab League and the Egyptian Secretary of State. In 1999 he met with Saeb Ereket, Yasser Arafat, King Abdullah II and Queen Noor of Jordan, several senior Israeli ministers and Shimon Peres.

Bob runs a marketing and corporate communications business and with Francine has raised three great children (Ethan, Leah and Sarah) all active in the Jewish community.

 

 

Josh Franklin


Religious School (Sunday): 7th Grade

Special Programs: Mitzvah Corps, Youth Group

 

Temple Sinai sends a hearty welcome aboard to Josh Franklin! Josh is our new Youth Advisor, which includes SoSTY, Junior SoSTY and Mitzvah Corps. He will also be teaching our seventh graders on Sunday mornings. Josh comes to us with a wealth of experience. He is a Rabbinic and Education student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, and has led Youth groups and taught in religious schools. Josh has a lot of energy and is ready to get to know all of our Youth at Temple Sinai. Josh can be reached at: youthadvisor@templesinaistamford.org

 

 

Judy Stern


Hebrew School (Monday & Wednesday): 5th Grade  

I was born and raised in Westchester County, New York.  My Grandfather established a synagogue in Mt. Vernon, NY.  I helped start a Hillel at Pace University, Pleasantville,NY which is where I met my husband of 35 years. Since I never went to Hebrew School,  I decided to learn  Hebrew and studied it and Bible for many years. I then  went on to make my adult Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation. I have been a religious school teacher for almost 25 years. I have taught 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade. Presently, I teach in two other Religious schools.  My husband Alan and I are the proud parents of Adam and his wife Cheryl and our dog "Paulie". I enjoy reading, traveling to historic and hauntic sites, and vacationing on Cape Cod.  This is my first year at Temple Sinai and I feel very much at home here.

 

Scott Newman

Hebrew School (Monday & Wednesday): 7th Grade

 

Scott Newman joined us as a Hebrew School teacher and song leader in 2008. Bringing with him 14 years of combined experience as a formal and informal Jewish teacher/educator, Scott is now our B'nai Mitzvah tutor in addition to his other responsibilities.

Scott has a deep love of building Jewish community, and recently founded his own company called, "Journeys for Jews," dedicated to creating transformative experiences for Jewish groups in varied settings.

Scott has also been at the forefront of professionalizing the field of Informal Jewish Education in recent years. Nationally recognized as a founder of a growing network of Reform Jewish Youth Workers, Scott feels strongly that there is an urgent need in synagogues for more youth professionals and adult Jewish role models.

At thirty-five years old, Scott maintains that the "kid" in him will never totally fade. This is easily confirmed by talking with Andrea and Gabriel his wife and son, who can be seen attending Shabbat services while Scott accompanies the RUJU childrens' choir on guitar.

Scott and family feel privileged and thrilled to be involved with the Temple Sinai family.

 

 

Ayelet Duskis


Hebrew School (Monday & Wednesday): 7th Grade