ECC Meet the Staff

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Meet the Staff

Early Childhood Center Staff

Cecelie Wizenfeld - Director of ECC and Director of Admissions
Cecelie Wizenfeld has a Master of Arts Degree in Education. She joined Shalhevet School with over thirty years of teaching, directing, and administrative experience. She began her career just out of high school, as a music and Talmud Torah teacher in Baltimore, MD. Since earning her undergraduate degree in Communications, her Early Childhood teaching credential from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Master’s Degree in Education from Pepperdine University, she has been actively involved in the Jewish school system in Los Angeles. Additionally, Ms. Wizenfeld was instrumental in developing and directing many programs for the Bureau of Jewish Education of Los Angeles, including the Midrasha Program for middle school age children in Reform and Conservative Congregations around L.A. Prior to her current position at Shalhevet, Ms. Wizenfeld was the Early Childhood Director at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy for thirteen years. Cecelie has lectured all over the country on Early Childhood Curricular topics for the NAEYC, CAEYC, BJE, and other professional organizations. She was also co-director and owner of B.H. Banot and Banim Day Camp in Los Angeles for many years.

Wendy Kellner - Director of ECC and Pre-1 General Studies Teacher
Wendy Kellner, known at the ECC as “Morah Wendy,” brings over 20 years of experience in the field of Education. She holds a Masters in Education from UCLA. Wendy also received her undergraduate degree and graduate degree in education from UCLA as well. Wendy is a master teacher, and has run workshops for the BJE, written curriculum, mentored new teachers, and overseen teams of teachers. Wendy was instrumental in bringing and piloting new educational programs to the schools where she has worked. She has worked as an educational consultant, and has volunteered her time in LAUSD to work with children reading below grade level through the Jewish Federation’s Koreh LA program. Wendy has taught General and Judaic Studies at various days schools in Los Angeles and New York, spending 10 of those years in Los Angeles at Pressman Academy as their beloved “Mrs. Kellner,” Kindergarten (Pre-1) teacher. Wendy is passionate about the education of young children, and has spent her teaching career teaching Parenting Classes through first grade. She is very excited to be part of the larger Shalhevet Family and affectionately calls the ECC her “happy place.” Wendy is happily married to the love of her life and is the proud "Ema" of two fantastic teenagers.

Gila Azrad - Pre-1 Hebrew and Judaic Studies Teacher
Gila Azrad was born in Iran and grew up in Tel Aviv, Israel. She is one of eleven siblings! Gila studied at the University in Tel Aviv, earning a BA in Special Education and Hebrew Literature. Gila has been teaching in Los Angeles for 18 years. In 2007, Gila went back to school to obtain a Masters in Education and Jewish Text from the American Jewish University (formerly the UJ). She is the proud "ema" of four. We welcome her to the Shalhevet family this year.

Flor Anidjar - Pre-1 Hebrew and Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher
Flor Anidjar is new to Shalhevet this year. She was born in Israel and is fluent in Hebrew and English. Flor studied at Maalot Baltimore Seminary and received a Torah U'Mesorah teaching certificate for teacher training. She is currently studying at Maalot in Los Angeles, working towards earning her Bachelor's Degree. Flor has worked at Hillel's camp, BHB, for multiple summers, and taught Hebrew at Chabad Persian Hebrew School. She loves working with children, is an absolute "natural," and plans to make education her life's work.

Lilac Lebovic - Kindergarten Teacher, General Studies, Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Lilac Lebovic is a native Californian. She comes from a family of teachers...her mom and sister are teachers too. Lilac has been in education for 20 years, the past four at Shalhevet. Lilac studied in Israel at Givat Washington, and she is fluent in Hebrew. Lilac continues to take classes to stay current with todays teachings. Lilac is the recipent of the BJE's distinguished Smotrich Family Award. She was recognized for excellence in her innovative teaching methods. She is a master at teaching and making Torah come alive. She is also the proud parent of two Shalhevet students, Emmette in Pre-1, and Asher is kindergarten. She looks forward to many more years with Shalhevet.

Venus Balmas - Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Venus Balmas has been working in education for the past twelve years, making a difference in her local Jewish community. Venus began her career in education at Hillel Hebrew Academy while she attended college, specializing in child development. During her years in education, Venus has been a "companion" to special needs children, a substitute physical education teacher, and has contributed to summer camp programs. Venus took a quick break from teaching to get married and start a family of her own. She is the proud parent of a Shalhevet first grader. For the last three years, Venus has been part of the Shalhevet family as a teacher’s assistant. She has passion for working with children from "toddlerhood" to adolescence, all while being a devoted mother and wife. Venus enjoys working on the new ECC campus and looks forward to many more years at Shalhevet.

Koren Wizenfeld - Gesher/Nursery Teacher, General Studies, Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Koren Wizenfeld, head teacher of the Nursery class, has been with Shalhevet since September 2006. While at Shalhevet, and before teaching Nursery, Koren previously taught in both kindergarten and Pre-1. From 2005 – 2006 Koren taught in the Gesher class at Hillel Hebrew Academy. Koren graduated from Thomas Edison University in 2005. Before attending college, Koren studied for a year in Israel at the Michelet Esther seminary and attended high school at Yeshiva University High Schools Los Angeles. Koren was born in Jerusalem, Israel and speaks both English and Hebrew fluently. Koren is the proud parent of a beautiful daughter, and future Shalhevet student.

Kira Rappaport - General Studies Music and Movement Specialist
Kira Bernstein Rappaport has been teaching early childhood music since 1999. She teaches “Parent & Me” music classes for children ages 6 months to 2 years and in preschools for children ages 2-6. In addition, she has expanded her teaching to include early elementary classroom music and directing an instrumental ensemble. Kira has an M.A. in Music Education from California State University, Los Angeles and a B.M. in flute performance from the University of Southern California. She has completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk Teacher Certification, Early Childhood Mastership Certification in Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, Dalcroze Eurhythmics teacher training and Suzuki Flute teacher training. Kira has presented to early childhood teachers on the use of music in the classroom at the California Association for the Education of Young Children and The Bureau of Jewish Educators Early Childhood Conference.

Mollie Wine - Hebrew/Judaic Music and Movement Specialist
Despite the conflicting truths about who the “real Doda Mollie” is, the word is out that she is the “Queen of the Tot Shabbat” and a very popular music specialist for preschools in Southern California. “Doda”, which means “Aunt” in Hebrew, is every child’s special Auntie. “Doda Mollie” is a trained Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist as well as a credentialed teacher holding a Masters in Education from Pepperdine University. She was a classroom teacher for many years at Stephen S. Wise Temple Day Schools specializing in General, Judaic, and Hebrew studies. She brings many years in summer camps, a strong Jewish home with a loving family, and her many visits to Israel into her programs. An ardent Zionist, a practicing Jew, and a real mitzvah girl, “Doda Mollie” makes being Jewish fun! Her music and youtube collection of songs for children can be accessed through her website www.dodamollie.com.

Jamie Saltzman - EMT, Physical Education Coach, and Administrative Assistant
Hi, my name is Jamie Saltzman but am known at Shalhevet Early Childhood Center as Coach Jamie, Nurse Jamie, just Jamie and Jenna's Mommy. I am new to the Shalhevet Community and feel blessed to be apart of such a great group of teachers, parents and administration. I have had many years of experience working with children, my first being my cousin at the age of 10. I like to say that I am one of the few people in my generation who know how to change an old fashion cloth diaper with pins. Since that age my love for children and teaching has only grown throughout the years and I have spent many of nights babysitting and many summers at camps as a counselor. Not only do I have many years of experience with children but in the medical field as well. I am a licensed EMT, an Emergency Medical Technician, and have worked in several different Trauma Center Emergency Departments over the past 6+ years. I feel grateful that I can bring my medical knowledge to the school and help watch over the children so that they as well as the staff can stay as healthy as possible during each school year. One of the other hats that I am lucky to wear is that of Coach Jamie. I am an athlete myself and have coached small children at a club soccer level. I am hoping that my love for athletics and sports will help motivate the children so that they too can find a love for physical education. Lastly, I am not only blessed to work with this amazing group of individuals and children but I am also a Mommy to a Nursery child and I couldn't be happier with my child's first exposure to school and a structured environment. The caring and compassion that these children are shown everyday has helped my child grow leaps and bounds in a short amount of time. She had never been in any structured environment prior to starting school and in only a short month was she a pro. I feel truly blessed to be at Shalhevet and apart of a great Jewish community and team. I look forward to many more years teaching as well as being a proud parent.