HS Meet the Staff

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Meet the Staff

Visual and Performing Arts Department

Roen Salem - Chair, Fine Arts Department
Roen Salem received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois (1963-1967) and her teaching credential one year later. Her 40+ years of teaching span pre-school, elementary, junior high, high school, summer camp, and teacher in-service for adults. Her favorite jobs include her nineteen years at Shalhevet and an original in an Intergenerational Art Program in various synagogues for young children and grandparents. Roen’s non-instructional responsibilities at Shalhevet include Sophomore Advisor, Israel Action Committee Advisor, Beautification Committee Advisor and Senior Class Fundraising Coordinator. Her personal art expressions include Judaic themes, assemblage and mixed media art. Her showings include Sinai Temple Gallery in 2001, Torrey Pines High School Library in 2002, Camp Ramah Visitors Day Exhibit in 2003 and 2004, and currently Shalhevet High School.

Emily Chase - Drama
Emily Chase founded the Theater Department at Shalhevet, where she has taught since 1993. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Theater Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, and has had a successful career as a professional actress, singer, and director in Los Angeles; her credits include South Coast Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, Getty Center, and other prominent venues. As a Visiting Artist, she has taught drama and playwriting in K-12 classrooms and in teacher in-services throughout Southern California.

Joelle Keene - Music and Journalism
Joelle Keene, now in her eighth year at Shalhevet, holds a Master of Science Degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She also has a Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Washington, where she studied choral conducting and composition with Abraham Kaplan, formerly of Juilliard in New York. She then worked as a journalist for eight years at the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune, Seattle Times, and Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, where she won first prize in the National Awards for Education Writers, the statewide John Swett Award for education writing of the California Teachers Association, and various awards in investigative reporting from the Los Angeles Press Club. Joelle currently directs the Shalhevet Choir, Honor Choir, and Orchestra, as well as teaches ninth grade Music Appreciation. She is also the faculty advisor for the award-winning Boiling Point newspaper, the ninth grade lead advisor, and also serves on the National Board of Judges of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Joelle and her husband, Dr. David Keene, live in the Pico-Robertson area and have three children, two of whom are Shalhevet alumni.

English Department

Melanie Berkey - English Department Chair
Melanie Berkey has been in the Shalhevet English department for the past 12 years, working her way up to Department Chair in 2003. She currently acts as faculty advisor for the Debate program and liaison for the national Facing History and Ourselves program. As an American Studies major at Yale University, Melanie has brought her background in English and History to Shalhevet, establishing an interdisciplinary focus for the English department. In addition to teaching 10th grade American Literature and 12th grade Advanced Placement English Literature, Melanie has also developed Shalhevet's popular Film, Literature, and Composition course, an English alternative open to juniors and seniors. On a personal note, she just celebrated her fourth wedding anniversary, having met her husband Phu Tranchi, Principal of General Studies, at Shalhevet nine years ago! Melanie was recently awarded with the prestigious Milken Family Foundation’s Jewish Educator Award.

Roy Danovitch - English Teacher and Dean of Students
Roy Danovitch is in his first year serving as the Dean of Students in the high school. He is responsible for developing the Advisory program with Ma’agal Hakshava and works on student discipline. Roy completed his undergraduate degree at University of California, Santa Barbara with a major in Communications and a minor in English. He has been teaching for 8 years, one of which was spent teaching English in Northern Thailand. Roy completed his Master's Degree in Literature at the University of California, Irvine; his finishing thesis focused on the patterns of romance in The Winter's Tale and King Lear. He loves reading literary criticism (nerd alert) and editorializing about world events; He also likes to question established paradigms. Roy’s true love, however, lies in Creative Writing. He hopes to be seen on an International Best Seller list in the near future!

Nancy Sterman - World Literature Teacher
Nancy Sterman received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Film Studies and English from Emory University and spent her early years working in Hollywood in production and as a Jr. literary agent. After a six month training period preparing to enter the seminary to become a cantor, she decided to get her Masters in Education at SUNY Buffalo, in her home town. Nancy enjoyed a wonderful, tenured position teaching American Literature, Film Studies and Advance Placement Literature at Sweet Home High School in Amherst NY before deciding to return to California and try her luck once again in the entertainment industry. After a year of working as a VP of Development for an independent producer, she realized that she missed teaching and was lucky enough to find a place at Shalhevet, which she sees as the perfect combination of warmth and rigor. Now in her third year at Shalhevet, Nancy serves as the lead advisor for the 12th grade and is integral in implementing the Senior Project into the school culture.

Ivrit/Hebrew Department

Vered Hopenstand - Ivrit/Hebrew Department Chair
Vered Hopenstand is a master teacher of Hebrew language and literature with many years of experience. She has taught Hebrew at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, University of Judaism and YULA. Vered currently teaches Biblical Grammar for rabbis at the Academy for Jewish Religion. She is an active member of the National Association of Professors of Hebrew and was honored with a Milken Family Foundation Jewish Educator Award and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. Vered is a graduate of Bar-Ilan University and Tel-Aviv University. She holds a teaching certificate and is certified to instruct teachers. She has been involved with the NETA program from its early stages and currently oversees its implementation at Shalhevet, which has been a pilot school for this national curriculum.

Ziva Gleiberman - Ivrit Teacher
Ziva Gleiberman has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hebrew Literature and a Master of Arts Degree in Comparative Literature from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She has taught Literature at Ma`aleh Hachamisha High School in Israel, and adult education at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. This is her 10th year at Shalhevet, and BY FAR the best year yet! Ziva’s two huge passions are literature and teaching. She is a married mother of two worthwhile human beings as well as a born optimist. Ziva strongly believes that attitudes can be learned and cultivated.

Judaic Studies Department

Rabbi Rodney Feinerman - Educational Director K-12 and Judaic Studies Department Chair
In addition to his responsibilities as K-12 Educational Director, Rabbi Feinerman heads the high school Judaic Department. Rabbi Rodney Feinerman most recently served as the High School Principal at the Hebrew Academy of Montreal, where he supervised both General and Judaic Studies. In his time there, Rabbi Feinerman evaluated the entire curriculum and launched the implementation of a three-year vision in English, French, History, Tanach and Geography to include WebQuests, relevancy and inter-disciplinary units. In that time he also deepened services for special-needs students and redefined the Student Council from being adult oriented to student driven.

He has previously served at the Samuel Scheck Hillel Secondary School in North Miami Beach, Florida for seventeen years. During his tenure at Hillel, he filled administrative positions for ten years, rising from a Department Chair to Secondary School Principal. His successes include the design, development and implementation of a top-notch curriculum, management and evaluation of faculty, and creation of a cooperative Mentor Program for new faculty.

Jason Feld - Judaic Studies Teacher
Jason Feld earned a B.A. Degree in Political Science from New York University and a Juris Doctor Graduate Degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. He has been teaching various courses at Shalhevet for the past three years, including Jewish History, Holocaust Studies and Political History of the Modern Middle East. Jason’s family enjoys a unique perspective on Shalhevet. His wife, Rebecca, also teaches in Shalhevet’s Elementary School and all of their children attend Shalhevet’s Elementary, Middle, and High School. Specifically he and his wife, as educators, as well as his family as a whole, view Shalhevet’s extraordinary environment as a warm and welcoming “home” for the entire family.

Rabbi Ari Leubitz - AGT & Halacha Teacher
Rabbi Ari Leubitz grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. After a year of study at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, he earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Management from Yeshiva University's Syms School of Business. Subsequent to a year of study at Yeshiva Ohr Sameach in Monsey, NY, Rabbi Leubitz spent fours years in the Smicha program at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, where he received his rabbinic ordination. Additionally, he has earned a Masters of Jewish Education. Rabbi Leubitz served as a rabbinic intern at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale and the Hebrew Institute of White Plains. He also served as a Chaplain at Beth Israel Hospital and the Fairfield Home for the Aged in New York City. In 2005, he earned the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. In 2006, he received the Master Mentorship Fellowship of the Legacy Heritage Rabbinic Enrichment Initiative at YCT Rabbinical School. Rabbi Leubitz currently serves as the Associate Rabbi of B'nai David-Judea Congregation. Rabbi Leubitz is also pleased to serve on the faculty of Shalhevet high school, where he is also Director of Recruiting. His wife, Florence, is an audiologist at The John Tracy Clinic. They have two daughters, Eliana, six and Aviva, four.

Gabriel Meyerson - Judaic Studies Teacher
Gabriel Meyerson grew up in Seattle, WA and went to Emory University for his Bachelors degree where he majored in Middle Eastern Studies, Jewish Studies, and International Relations. He lived in Israel for the past five years, during which time he served in the army, earned a Masters degree in Modern Middle East History at Tel Aviv University, and worked as a translator at the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) - among other things. Gabriel is married and has a two year-old son.

Rabbi Haim Ovadia - Judaic Studies Teacher
Rabbi Haim Ovadia was born in Jerusalem, Israel. A graduate of BTJ, he was ordained by the chief rabbi of Israel, R. Mordechai Eliyahu. Rabbi Ovadia has served for over 20 years as a pulpit rabbi and teacher in Bogota, Colombia; Deal, NJ; Brooklyn, NY and now in Los Angeles. He is currently the rabbi of Congregation Magen David of Beverly Hills. He has a bachelor's degree in Talmud from Bar Ilan University and an MA in Hebrew Literature from UCLA. Rabbi Ovadia is also core faculty member of the Rabbinical School at the Academy for Jewish Religion, founded by Shalhevet parent Rabbi Mel Gottlieb, where he teaches Talmud and Midrash.

Rabbi Aaron Parry - Mashiach Ruchani
Rabbi Aaron Parry has been involved with Jewish education and rabbinics for over 20 years. From pulpit rabbi to counter-cult counselor to Jewish outreach rabbi on college campuses, Aaron has developed a unique insight and experience into serving the spiritual needs of the greater Jewish community. He is the author of two books, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hebrew Scripture and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Talmud. Rabbi Parry has 9 children.

Rabbi Naftali Hertz Richler - Judaic Studies Teacher
Being father of eleven children and a child from a family of six, Rabbi Richler grew up in the cold weather of Montreal, Canada. He went to the local Yeshiva and continued his studies in New Jersey and New York where he received his Smicha in 1981 from Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch. His love for teaching began when he taught Jewish students at a local public school. He married his wife Brocha in the winter of 1982 and together they moved to Long Beach, California, where he taught at the Hebrew Academy for 17 years. As a teacher, he has proven himself extraordinarily versatile, having taught grades that span from second grade through high school. His students have been just as varied in Jewish backgrounds from the non-religious to the ultra-orthodox. He joined the Shalhevet Staff in 2000. He resides with his wife and family in Los Angeles.

Anat Sabo - Judaic Studies Teacher
Born in Israel, Anat Sabo initially graduated from university with a degree in Comparative Literature. She earned additional degrees in Tanach and Judaic Studies from Efrata University in Jerusalem. Anat also learned English Language Education for Learning Disabled Children at Bar Ilan University. She taught for many years at Noam Ulpana in Petach Tikva, Israel, and at an elementary school in Modi’in. This is the “second go around” for Anat and her husband, Rabbi Sabo, who have taught at Shalhevet in past years.

Rabbi Ofer Sabo - Judaic Studies
Also a native Israeli, Rabbi Offer Sabo studied at Kerem B’Yavneh Yeshiva and the Meretz Kollel in Mevaseret. He took the Rabbinic exam in Heichal Shlomo, Jerusalem and received Smicha from both Rav Sinai Adler, the former Chief Rabbi of Ashdod and from Rabbi Shmuel Eliyah, the Chief Rabbi of Tzvat. Ofer has taught at yeshivot throughout Israel and served as the rabbi of a congregation in Modi’in where before returning to Shalhevet, he gave daily Gemara lessons. In his early years, Ofer served as a Captain and Chaplain in an Israeli Defense Force tank unit. He and his wife, Anat, are the parents of five children and the grandparents of three.

Rabbi Shlomo Seidenfeld - Judaic Studies Teacher

Noam Weissman - Judaic Studies
After high school, Noam Weissman spent a year and a half studying in Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Tzion in the hills just outside Jerusalem. After that, he went to study History at Yeshiva College and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2008 with a concentration in Middle Eastern Studies. After college, he studied at Yeshivat HaKotel for a semester before working as a paralegal in a Midtown Manhattan based law firm. Noam and his wife, Raizie, are now part of a fellowship run by Azrieli, Yeshiva University’s graduate school for Jewish Education.

Raizie Weissman - Judaic Studies
After high school, Raizie Weissman spent the year in Ramat Beit Shemesh studying at Tiferet Seminary. She then went to Yeshiva University’s Syms School of Business at and graduated with honors in 2009. In addition to majoring in Marketing, she was also able to flex her creative muscles by working in the marketing and events team at JP Morgan during her last semester in college. Raizie and her husband, Noam, are now part of a fellowship run by Azrieli, Yeshiva University’s graduate for Jewish Education.

Natalie Williams - Judaic Studies, Student Activities Director and Israel Guidance Counselor
Natalie Williams is in her second year at Shalhevet as a Judaic Studies teacher, the Student Activities Director and the Israel Guidance Counselor. Natalie originally came from Miami, Florida where Rabbi Weinbach was her principal. She graduated from Stern College and earned her Masters Degree from the Fingerhut School of Education at the American Jewish University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in K-12 Educational Leadership at Touro University. Before coming to Shalhevet, Natalie taught for three years at Hillel Hebrew Academy.

Mathematics Department

Suzanne Halloran - Chairperson, Department of Mathematics
Suzanne Halloran graduated with a Masters in Mathematics Education as well as a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from the University of Chicago and has been teaching for over 15 years. In addition to teaching college-preparatory mathematics, Suzanne has experience developing and editing a reform-based mathematics curriculum. As Chairperson of Shalhevet’s Math Program, she emphasizes collaborative learning in the Math classroom.

Christopher Buckley - Math and Science Teacher
Christopher Buckley graduated with honors from the University of Miami, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Science and Geology. He has also engaged in a graduate study in Climatology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Chris is currently enjoying his 9th year of teaching and his 7th year of teaching at Shalhevet. In addition to teaching several courses in Math and Science during his tenure at Shalhevet, Chris has served as a debate team coach, a faculty advisor to the Agenda Committee, and an assistant to the girls' softball team. Teaching at Shalhevet has been an extremely rewarding and life-changing experience for Chris.

Joel Fisher - Math Teacher and Athletics Director
Joel Fisher grew up in Newport News, VA, and then took the underground railroad north to New York and then later to Boston, where he did his graduate work with Lawrence Kohlberg. He's looking forward to seeing Kohlberg’s Just Community in action here at Shalhevet. Joel lived in Israel for two years; has taught math and coached for about 15 years at YULA, Browne and Nichols, and Harvard-Westlake; and he's been a TV reporter and a fundraiser for colleges and hospitals as well. Teaching has been the best job.

Tamara Gidanian - Math Teacher
Tamara Gidanian currently teaches Algebra 1 and 2 and Calculus to the ninth, tenth and, twelfth grades at Shalhevet. With a Bachelor's Degee in both Physics and Math, it has always been Tamara’s passion to be a teacher and thus has been teaching high school students for more than 18 years. A mother of two kids in high school, Tamara knows that she must be in touch with her students in a more influential way and therefore brings her heart into the classroom, teaching her students with love and a deep level of understanding. Coming to Shalhevet in 2007, she has been a wonderful addition to our staff!

Physical Education Department and Athletics

Joel Fisher - Athletics Director
Joel Fisher grew up in Newport News, VA, and then took the underground railroad north to New York and then later to Boston, where he did his graduate work with Lawrence Kohlberg. He's looking forward to seeing Kohlberg’s Just Community in action here at Shalhevet. Joel lived in Israel for two years; has taught math and coached for about 15 years at YULA, Browne and Nichols, and Harvard-Westlake; and he's been a TV reporter and a fundraiser for colleges and hospitals as well. Teaching has been the best job.

Ronnie Winbush - Physical Education Instructor
Ronnie, born and raised in Los Angeles, graduated Crenshaw High School and attended Azusa Pacific University. As a professional basketball player, he spent eight years traveling to places around the world including Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. He also spent a brief time with the Magic Johnson All-Stars.

Following his professional basketball career, “Coach Flava” taught and coached at El Rodeo Elementary School for two years. He is currently teaching the Elementary and Middle School students, grades 1 through 8. In addition, he is coaching the Middle School Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball teams and is the assistant coach to the Shalhevet High School Boys’ Basketball Junior Varsity team.

RaeLyn Bieda - Physical Educational Instructor
Raelyn has been working as a personal trainer for over 11 years. In addition to IDEA certification, she is a certified Pilates instructor as well. Raelyn has studied nutrition for years and has taught nutrition classes to adolescents as well. Her goal is to teach her students to love exercise. She exposes them to plyometrics, stretching, yoga, pilates, cardio ballet, light weight training, aerobics, and running. Her focus is on empowering the students to gain strength and flexibility and work on proper form. She also emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition and a healthy body image.

James Davis - Physical Education Instructor

Science Department

Christopher Buckley - Science and Math Teacher
Christopher Buckley graduated with honors from the University of Miami, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Science and Geology. He has also engaged in a graduate study in Climatology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Chris is currently enjoying his 9th year of teaching and his 7th year of teaching at Shalhevet. In addition to teaching several courses in Math and Science during his tenure at Shalhevet, Chris has served as a debate team coach, a faculty advisor to the Agenda Committee, and an assistant to the girls' softball team. Teaching at Shalhevet has been an extremely rewarding and life-changing experience for Chris.

Yossie Frankel - Science Teacher
Yossie Frankel started his career in education in the early '80's as the micro-computer lab manager for the University of Winnipeg, Continuing Education Department. From there, Yossie went on to teach for other schools as an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science, a Middle School Science Department Head, Paramedic Instructor Trainer, and a school division Director of Information Services and Educational Technology. In the late 90's, Yossie was twice nominated as a Disney Teacher of the Year for his innovations in teaching middle school science. Yossie comes to us from Tarbut V'Torah Community Day School in Irvine, CA where he implemented the NSTA and NSF Robotics STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program as well as actively bringing 21 century teaching techniques into the school as the Director of Academic Technology. Yossie is member of the National Science Teachers Association and International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) as well as numerous California teachers associations. Yossie lives in the Pico-Robertson area, is married to a writer/Teacher/school director and has two children. Yossie can be often found singing, dancing and davening at the Los Angeles Carlebach Happy Minyan.

Mari Rosales - Biology and Chemistry Teacher
Mari Rosales holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with an emphasis in Marine Biology and a Master of Science Degree in Biology. She has been teaching for four years and looks forward to collaborating with the other Science faculty at Shalhevet to develop a strong laboratory curriculum. Mari’s goal is to instill a desire to care for the environment and the future in the developmental years of our students.

Phu Tranchi - Science Department Chair, Chemistry Teacher, Principal of General Studies
Phu Tranchi is in his third year as the Principal of General Studies. After receiving his Master of Science Degree in Physiological Science at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1997, Mr. Tranchi joined the US Peace Corps and served in Kenya, East Africa, as a teacher and community development planner from 1997-2000. After returning from the Peace Corps, he joined the Shalhevet faculty nine years ago as a Chemistry teacher. He is currently the Science Department Chair and continues to teach Advanced Placement Chemistry and Physiology and serves as an advisor for the 12th grade. Mr. Tranchi is committed to putting the students first and is devoted to a more progressive model of education. Mr. Tranchi believes in ongoing professional development for teachers and himself, taking the summer to learn at the Principals Institute at Harvard University. He is married to Melanie Berkey, Chair of the English Department, and they live in Los Angeles with their dog They eagerly anticipate the birth of their first child in April.

Social Studies Department

Dr. Jill Beerman - Department of Social Studies, Chairperson
Dr. Jill Beerman has worked at Shalhevet for 15 years, as the Chair of Social Studies and a teacher primarily of American History and Advanced Placement United States History, although she has taught other courses as well. After graduating from Montclair State University in New Jersey, she earned two MA degrees from the University of Southern California, in American Studies and Writing. She recently received her doctorate from New York University in American Studies for her dissertation, which discussed using moral dilemmas to teach American history. Dr. Beerman also worked as a producer of a documentary television series, Terrorism: A War in Shadows, which aired on the Discovery Channel.

Larry Mullin - Social Studies Teacher
Larry Mullin is in his sixteenth year of teaching. He has experience in both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement curricula, and extensive experience working with other subject areas as well as proficiency in developing and implementing curriculum. Larry spent four years teaching abroad, so his lessons about other cultures are authentically informed, and his breadth of exposure allows him to broaden his students' perspectives of the world around them by referring to personal experiences. From the fall of 2003 to summer of 2005, Larry was one of the founders of an inner-city charter high school, which provided him with yet a different perspective on the needs of students coming from the traditionally undeserved areas and providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college. After that, he taught for four years at the Brandeis Hillel Day School, where he was the middle school History/Social Studies department. He is grateful for the privilege and pleasure of having taught students from a rich variety of religious beliefs and from every socio-economic background, from young men and women on parole trying to get their life together to genuine royalty.

Tove Sunshine - Social Studies Teacher
Tove Sunshine has taught in a number of venues which includes being a teaching assistant at the University of California, Los Angeles, an adult educator for the LAUSD, and most recently has taught at the Culver City Middle and High School. Currently, she is in her second year at Shalhevet as a teacher, though she has been a ten-year veteran of Shalhevet School as a parent; she had three children in Shalhevet School back when it began at the JCC. She has an Undergraduate Degree from Stanford University and a Master of Arts Degree in Development Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She received her credential in Secondary Education in Social Studies, from California State University, Northridge. She continues to take classes in her field whenever possible. Tove loves her students as well as what she teaches and she exudes the “Sunshine” within her very name. She always comes to school well energized and leaves joyful and exhilarated (really!).