ES Meet the Staff

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Meet the Staff

Elementary School Staff

Rabbi Yehoshua Gabbai - Principal of Judaic Studies
Rabbi Gabbai brought his 25 years of experience in Judaic education to Shalhevet over a decade ago. Rabbi Gabbai began his rabbinical studies at Yeshivat Kiryat Arbah in conjunction with completing his four years of Army service in the Israel Defense forces. After receiving his S’micha, he went on to receive his certificate of Masters in Teaching, Moreh Bachir, majoring in Talmud and Bible. In addition, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in psychology and received certification in Administrative Educational Leadership from Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan. A two year course in development of child center individualized instruction at the Institute of Education technology (Matach) at Tel Aviv University rounded off Rabbi Gabbai’s extensive training in the Education Field.

Rabbi Gabbai’s varied accomplishments include everything from establishing a curriculum for Yeshivot to actual instruction of Hebrew programs. Having served in various Shlichuyot from Israel in many Yeshivot throughout the United States and Israel, Rabbi Gabbai brought his many skills and knowledge from all his accomplishments and has successfully integrated them into Shalhevet Elementary and Middle School.

Dr. Debora Parks - Principal of General Studies
Dr. Parks brings over 20 years of experience in education and 15 years in Jewish education. She is widely recognized as a leader in education. Prior to joining Shalhevet, Dr. Parks was the Director of General Studies for 10 years at Maimonides Academy, a K-8 Jewish Day School in Los Angeles. Previously, Dr. Parks was a Field Coordinator and Instructor at the Teacher Education Laboratory at the Graduate School of Education at UCLA, a Supervisor of Student Teachers, and an Instructor of Curriculum and Student Teaching Seminars. Dr. Parks received her Ph.D. in Elementary Education, Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa in 1991. She also received an MA in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Special Education/Gifted and Talented, and a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alabama in 1987, 1984 and 1983, respectively.

Sara Khoury Gichtin - Assistant Principal of Judaic Studies and 1st Grade Judaic Studies
Sara Gichtin, or as everyone refers to her, Morah Sara had one solid goal as she grew up in Natanya, Israel. Her dream was to become a teacher! She attended Beit Berl College for teachers where she received her Teacher’s Credential. Soon after, she moved to Los Angeles where she enjoyed a vibrant career as a master teacher in Judaic and Hebrew studies. For the past 19 years, Morah Sara touched students in almost every grade at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy. Most recently, Sara completed a Masters Degree in Education. In 2006, she joined the Shalhevet Staff as an Assistant Principal of Judaic Studies and as a teacher. Her daughter currently in 8th grade and is looking to join the Shalhevet High School. Sara brings to Shalhevet, along with her outstanding teaching, a passion and love for Judaism and Israel through music and dance.

Jonathan Gilbert - Assistant Principal of General Studies
Shalhevet School welcomes Jonathan Gilbert as the new Assistant Principal for General Studies in our elementary and middle school. Mr. Gilbert teaches middle school math and has taught at Shalhevet for the past nine years. He is running an exciting and successful E2K program after school which challenges math minds to think outside of the box. He has been teaching since 1996. Mr. Gilbert taught special education for two years, high school for two years, and middle school for nine years. He holds a B.S. degree in math with a minor in education and an M.A. in Psychology. He was born in Long Island, NY and lived in Florida for twelve years before moving to Los Angeles in 1998. His passions include music and sports, as well as working with kids.

Melissa Azose - 2nd Grade Judaic Studies
Ms. Azose holds a Teaching Certificate from Prospect Park Bnos Leah Seminary, Brooklyn, NY. She is a Shalhevet alumna ('97) and is fluent in Hebrew, French and Spanish. Ms. Azose has been a Hebrew teacher at Wilshire Boulevard Temple Brawerman Elementary, and a Judaic Studies teacher at Maimonides Academy. Her main goal as a teacher is to engage students in a positive and nurturing environment.

Rachel Espana - 3rd and 4th Grade Judaic Studies
Rachel Espana is in her fifth year at Shalhevet teaching General and Judaic Studies. Rachel has been teaching Judaic Studies for over 10 years at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She is passionate about Jewish outreach and is very involved in the Happy Minyan of Los Angeles. She also is the founder and president of their sisterhood. Rachel spent 4 years studying in seminary in Jerusalem. She completed the advanced programs in Judaic Studies at Neve Yerushalayim College for Women, and received her teachers training from Beth Jacob Jerusalem Teachers Seminary. Rachel is highly creative and enjoys incorporating her background in graphic design into the classroom.

Rebecca Feld - 1st and 2nd Grade General Studies
Having been raised in an orthodox Jewish home and having attended Jewish day schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade, Rebecca is thrilled to be a part of the Shalhevet family. After completing her undergraduate degree in Elementary Ed from Boston University in 1989, she pursued a career in teaching English as a Second Language. She received an M.A. in T.E.S.O.L from Hunter College and taught English in Israel her first two years of marriage. Her daughter, Katie Michal (Shalhevet middle school, grade 9) and sons, Yonah Ariel (Shalhevet grade 6) were both born in Jerusalem. Upon returning to America in 1999, she was the second and first grade teacher at Emek Hebrew Academy in the San Fernando Valley from 1999 to 2006. Rebecca looks forward to many more years at Shalhevet and is excited that her third child Harrison Zev is in the Shalhevet ECC (Pre-1). This is Rebecca's fourth year at Shalhevet.

Luna Kadouri-Shalom - 3rd and 4th Grade Judaic Studies
This year, Morah Luna teaches 3rd and 4th grade Hebrew and Judaic studies. She was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. After graduating from Evelina De Rothchild High School in Jerusalem, Luna served in the Israeli Army while receiving training as a Jewish History and Zionism teacher for Elementary and Middle School students. Luna taught and conducted educational tours at Evan Schmuel Education Center and Shafir in the Kiryat Gat area. Mrs. Kadouri came to the U.S. and spent thirteen years teaching Judaic and Hebrew Studies for grade Pre-1 through second at Torat Emet and Natan Eli. In 2000, she opened an after school program for public school students at four different locations throughout Los Angeles. Mrs. Kadouri served as Principal and teacher of the school, planning and preparing curriculum and teaching materials, organizing camps, educational tours, and holiday events. She also conducts Judaic and Parshat Shavuah classes for women, and organizes and conducts refresher courses for teachers.

Cynthia LaCasse - 3rd Grade General Studies
Recently, Mrs. LaCasse and her husband, William moved back to Los Angeles from New Jersey. She is a graduate of MSMC, with a double major in Liberal Studies and English. Mrs. La Casse has been teaching children from various backgrounds for over eight years. She began her career at Westwood Charter School, where she taught 1st grade. Then was given the opportunity to move to central California and teach 7th and 8th grade Math and Science where she headed the Science Department to a primarily migrant/ESL community. Recently, Mrs. LaCasse spent three years in New Jersey at the Department of Labor’s Job Corps Academy, where she taught high school Career Planning, Conflict Management and Math. Currently, she is working on a Master's Degree in English from CSU Northridge. Mrs. LaCasse is thrilled to be a part of the warm community of Shalhevet. Her teaching philosophy mirrors that of Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. She says, “Throughout my career, I have treated my students as if they were my own children; I support them holistically”. She has been told that teaching, for her, is a natural gift. Mrs. LaCasse’s classes can be viewed at www.mrslacasse.synthasite.com.

Alexis Newman - 4th Grade General Studies
Being a Shalhevet alumna, Alexis is truly dedicated to the Shalhevet ideology and philosophy. After having graduated Shalhevet high school in 2000, Alexis spent a year abroad in Israel at Bar Ilan University. Upon returning to the states, Alexis finished her BA and teaching credential at Cal State University, Northridge. It was there that she discovered her admiration and enthusiasm for teaching as well as being in a school environment.

Dina Sokoloff - 4th and 5th Grades General Studies
We are very excited to have Dina Sokoloff teaching fourth and fifth grades at Shalhevet. Dina hails from South Africa and has been teaching at Jewish Day Schools for the last 15 years. In South Africa, Dina majored in history, psychology, and education at a top University. After Dina arrived in the United States, she earned a Master’s Degree in Teaching as a Profession, and also the distinction of becoming a Nationally Board Certified Educator. Along with her many years of experience in education, her energy and warmth combine to motivate our elementary school students to excel in all their classes.

Roen Salem - Elementary and Middle School Art Teacher
Roen Salem received her B.A. at the University of Illinois (1963-1967) and her teaching credential one year later. Her 40+ years of teaching span pre-school, elementary, junior high and high school, Camp Ramah and teacher in-service for adults. Her favorite jobs include her fourteen years at Shalhevet and an original intergenerational art program in various synagogues for tots and grandparents. Roen’s non-instructional responsibilities at Shalhevet include freshman Lead Advisor, Israel Action advisor, beautification committee and fundraising coordinator. Personal art expressions include Judaic themes, assemblage and mixed media art. Her showings include: Sinai Temple Gallery, 2001, Torrey Pines High School Library, 2002, Camp Ramah Visitors Day Exhibit, 2003 and 2004, and Shalhevet High School.

Mollie Wine - Music
Doda Mollie (a.k.a. “Auntie” Mollie Wine, in Hebrew), cantorial soloist and educator has joined our Shalhevet Family as the Elementary School music teacher. Mollie teaches in Jewish schools all over Los Angeles, spreading her musical talent.