Rabbi Yehudah Potok

Head of School

Rabbi Yehudah Potok joined Oakland Hebrew Day School as Head of School in the summer of 2009. He was attracted by the warmth and commitment of the entire OHDS community.
A major priority for Rabbi Potok will be furthering the Modern Orthodox mission of the school while embracing the diversity of our parents, students, and faculty. He additionally looks forward to building on the school's commitment to excellence in General and Judaic Studies and continuing to strengthen the school's emphasis on the love of Israel. Rabbi Potok came to OHDS from the Boston area where he was the Director of Academics and Dean of Faculty at the Prozdor Hebrew High School of Hebrew College, a school of over 750 students. He was also the Associate Director of Ha'Merkaz, The Center for Jewish Education for Teens and taught at the Shoolman Graduate School of Education at Hebrew College. Rabbi Potok had also been the Assistant Director of Camp Yavneh where he spent 13 summers. He completed his Masters degree in Education and Administration at the Azrieli School at Yeshiva University. He received his Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshivat Hamivtar in Israel and from Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg. He holds a BA in Sociology of Health and Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. Rabbi Potok, his wife, and two and a half year old son look forward to hiking the trails in Northern California.

Bat Sheva Miller

Director of Judaic Studies

Bat Sheva Miller has just returned from her Sabbatical year in Israel, where she joined eleven Jewish educators from around the world in the Senior Educators’ Program, held at the Melton School of Jewish Education at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Bat Sheva was born in Beer Sheva, Israel and grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Bat Sheva went back to Israel in 1989 as a journalist, working for several Brazilian newspapers. It was in Jerusalem that Bat Sheva met her husband, David, and it was in Jerusalem that their first son, Netzach, was born. While thinking about educational options for her son, Bat Sheva’s search became a dream that prompted her to pursue a career in education in the United States. Bat Sheva’s second, third and fourth children, Tzvi, Hodayah and Meir, were born in California. Her commitment to education in general, and to Jewish education in particular, has brought her to OHDS, where she has taught 1st, 2nd, 4th grades and middle school. Bat Sheva holds a Masters degree in Special Education and has completed her coursework in Bilingual Education.

Tania Schweig

Director, K-5 General Studies

Tania Schweig first joined OHDS in 2000 as a Special Education teacher, helping to develop and grow the school's Resource Program.   During her 11 years as OHDS' Resource Specialist, Tania worked closely with students, teachers and parents to support student learning in everything from early literacy to pre-algebra.   In 2011 Tania was asked to take on a new leadership role as the Director of General Studies for K-5. Tania is thrilled to continue working closely with teachers to support and develop the OHDS General Studies curriculum.   Prior to coming to OHDS, Tania taught in the local public schools as a Special Day Class teacher.   Tania holds a BA in Sociology from UC Berkeley, and a teaching credential and M.Ed. from the University of San Francisco.   Tania attended a post graduate year of study at PARDES Institute in Jerusalem in 1996 and continues her Jewish learning at home where she and her husband host a weekly study session on the writings of Jewish philosopher Emmanuel Levinas.   Tania also continues to learn and grow through the experience of being a parent of OHDS students.   It has been a delight for her to witness her fellow teachers inspiring and nurturing her own children!

Rabbi Joshua Marder

School Counselor

Rabbi Joshua Marder joined the OHDS team in the winter of 2009 as the School Counselor.  He began his studies in family therapy while living in Israel and studying at the Machon Mishpachti and continued his studies in Creative Arts Therapies at Michlala of Jerusalem.  Josh served as the Yeshiva University Center for Jewish Future Fellow of the Bay Area, getting his Master's degree in Counseling Psychology with a focus in Drama Therapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He has worked as a therapist with post high school adolescents in Israel and children and families at JFCS of San Francisco. He has run several groups for children and parents in throughout the Bay Area, and has received training in multiple psychological approaches of therapy.  He is currently a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, and he is also an educator for the Jewish Study Network.

Chris Ashley

4th – 8th Grade, Language Arts Coordinator;
6th – 8th Grade, English;
Middle School Teacher Leader

Chris Ashley joined Oakland Hebrew Day School in 2009. He most recently worked at UC Berkeley developing web-based curriculum and materials for K-12 using university primary source material, training teachers in uses of technology, conducting evaluations of University-K-12 projects, and grant writing. Previously, he taught combinations of grades 4, 5, and 6 in the Oakland Unified School District, and also developed and delivered teacher in-service focusing on technology integration and Language Arts. He is a Teacher Consultant with the Bay Area Writing Project, specializing in writing in various curricular areas, and in integrating technology into the Language Arts curriculum. Chris is an internationally exhibited and collected artist who also writes about art. His paintings, drawings, and inkjet prints have been exhibited recently at: George Lawson Gallery and David Cunningham Projects in San Francisco; the Townsend Center at UC Berkeley; Rhizome at the New Museum, New York; Drexel University, Philadelphia; University of Dayton, Ohio; Shasta College; and vertexList, Brooklyn. A Bay Area native, he lives in Oakland with his wife, Ann.

Sean Bartmasser

4th – 8th Grade, Math Coordinator;
6th – 8th Grade, Math

Sean Bartmasser joined the OHDS staff in the Fall 2009. Sean grew up in the Bay Area and then went to college at UC San Diego. After graduating from UC San Diego, Sean taught English for two years in Japan through the JET program, which is run by the Japan Ministry of Education. Sean received his math teaching credential from Mills College in 2007. While at Mills he had the pleasure to work both at San Lorenzo High School and Montera Middle School. The following year he worked at Edna Brewer Middle School in Oakland, teaching 7th grade math. Sean enjoys traveling, hiking and camping.

Laurie Bellet

Art Specialist

In Jewish education circles, Laurie Bellet has come to be regarded as the "Jewish art teachers' art teacher!" Laurie joined the OHDS faculty in 2005, after having been the Art Specialist to pre-schoolers at the Contra Costa J.C.C. and to English Language Development students at Nimitz Elementary School in Cupertino. Laurie is a popular artist-in-residence on two continents and consults with school, community and museum programs nationwide. The creator of six books, Laurie is a staff columnist for Torah Aura Productions' Educator Newsletter, a contributor to SchoolArts Magazine and a frequent project consultant to Grandparents.com. Laurie directs the visual art programming for the Coalition for Jewish Education (CAJE)conference as well as the LimmudLA and LimmudNY annual conferences. When not at OHDS, Laurie volunteers as a guest Art Specialist for programs serving young adults with multiple disabilities. Laurie and her husband make their home in Walnut Creek.

Isadora Betancourt

Development Manager

Izzy Betancourt is OHDS’s Development Manager. Izzy loves being a part of the rich community that OHDS offers. Izzy grew up in Canton, Ohio. She attended college at Tulane University in New Orleans and graduated with a BA in Business Marketing from San Francisco State University. This year, she will be returning to graduate school at Cal State East Bay to pursue a Master’s in Statistics.  She is an enthusiastic participant of the music and arts scene in the East Bay and San Francisco and also plays the drums. Izzy enjoys spending time with her family, who live locally, and traveling to the many natural wonders surrounding the Bay Area whenever possible, as well as exploring other cities in the US and adventuring abroad.

Tamar Bittelman

Kindergarten, Judaic Studies and Hebrew

Tamar began teaching at OHDS in 1998. She holds a BA in Judaic Studies and Education from U.C. Santa Cruz and completed her Master's work in Visual Studies in the Architecture department at U.C. Berkeley. Previous to working at OHDS, Tamar was the curator and museum educator at the Judaica Museum in Riverdale, N.Y., and the Program Director of Lehrhaus Judaica in Berkeley. She has a certificate in Ecological Horticulture from U.C. Santa Cruz and has taught garden based curricula in many settings. Tamar lived in Israel for eight years where she worked at the Center for Antisemitism Research on Mt. Scopus and studied at Bruria Institute and Midreshet Rachel. She is a co-founder of Beit Midrash Ohr HaChaim, a center for Torah learning in Berkeley, CA. Tamar is a recipient of the Diller Award for Excellence in Jewish Education and in 2009 was selected by her peers to receive the OHDS Excellence in Teaching award. Tamar loves teaching Jewish Studies and Hebrew to kindergarteners and feels privileged to do so.

Jill Blakemore

6th – 8th Grade Social Studies

Beginning OHDS in 2000, Jill Blakemore is now teaching Middle School social studies. She received her BA in History and Religious Studies from UC Santa Barbara in 1972. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Jill has taught at the high school, middle school and elementary levels. Before coming to OHDS, she taught 6th grade for sixteen years at Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School, a Catholic school on the Peninsula, well respected for its academic excellence. In 2006, Jill was selected by her peers to receive the OHDS Excellence in Teaching award. At that time, she expressed her appreciation to the parent body and the administration at Oakland Hebrew Day School for providing such a positive environment in which to work.

Trish Blow

2nd Grade, General Studies

Trish Blow joined the OHDS faculty in 2007. Trish holds an Administrative Management degree from the University of South Australia, and received her Bachelor of Education from Flinders University in her home town of Adelaide, Australia. Trish taught kindergarten and first grade in Cambridge, England before moving to Berkeley with her husband in 2006. Prior to working at OHDS, Trish taught Pre-K at Hearts Leap School while earning her California teaching credentials. Trish is returning to OHDS this year after a year out on maternity leave. Trish, her husband, and daughter enjoy exploring the many outdoor opportunities the bay area has to offer.

Anne Branch

Technology Specialist

Anne Branch has been working with kids and computers for longer than she cares to remember. Before coming to OHDS in 2009, she worked with students and teachers as the Technology Teacher at Sleepy Hollow School in Orinda. Prior to her eight years at Sleepy Hollow, she was a classroom teacher at private schools in Oakland and Berkeley. Anne holds a B.A. in Psychology, a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential with CLAD certification, and a Masters Degree in Education with a concentration in integrating technology into the curriculum. Anne lives in Oakland with her two dogs, two cats, and assorted fish.

Rabbi Judah Dardik

8th grade, Navi

Rabbi Dardik is the spiritual leader of Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland. He received his BA from Yeshiva University's Sy Syms School of Business, his MA from the Azrielli Graduate School of Jewish Education, and his ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) of Yeshiva University. He is involved with numerous Jewish organizations locally and nationally.

Ora Davies

4th Grade, Jewish Studies

Ora Davies joined the OHDS faculty as the 3rd Grade JS Teacher in May 2009 and will be continuing as one of the 4th Grade JS Teachers this year. Morah Ora comes to our school with a degree in Psychology and Judaic Studies from Stern College for Women. She is currently pursuing dual-Masters Degrees in Jewish Education from the Azrielli School of Jewish Education and in Social Work from the Wurzweiller School of Social Work. Before moving to the Bay Area, Ora worked at Manhattan Day School as an assistant teacher in Judaic Studies for first grade as well as Chessed coordinator for seventh and eighth graders. She has also been involved in formal and informal educational programming through NCSY summer programs in Poland, Ukraine and Israel. Last year, she taught preschoolers in Gan Mah Tov and 3rd and 4th grade students through Beth Jacob Congregation. She has also spent the past two years working with underprivileged children and their families at Chai Lifeline, New York, NY and Compass Family Center, San Francisco, CA. Ora lives in Oakland with her husband, Rabbi Michael Davies, and their son, Yehoshua.

Laura Dannehl

After School Clubs Coordinator;
Administrative Assistant

Laura’s biography will be available shortly.

Ilana Friedkin

8th grade, Mathematics;
Student Advisory Coordinator

Ilana Friedkin joined the Oakland Hebrew Day school faculty in 2008. Ilana was raised in Piedmont, earned her Bachelors of Arts degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, a Masters in Education at the Bank Street College of Education in New York City, and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Mills College in Oakland. Ilana is currently enrolled in a doctorate program in Educational Leadership at Mills College in Oakland. Prior to joining the OHDS community, Ilana taught middle school Math in a variety of Jewish Day Schools including the Abraham Joshua Heschel school in New York City and Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco. This is Ilana's tenth year of teaching and she is thrilled to be a part of the Oakland Hebrew Day School.

Sandy Gilford

Kindergarten, General Studies

Sandy Gilford’s first teaching experience at OHDS was in 1999, when she taught all grades for three months as an art specialist.  Through that happy introduction to its students, faculty, and mission, Sandy realized the uniqueness of OHDS and admired it.  Fortuitously, a full-time teaching position in kindergarten opened just then, and Sandy began a rewarding teaching career here.  In kindergarten, she incorporates into the curriculum all the things she most enjoys:  working with children and their parents, exploring the amazing English language, singing, experiencing and learning about nature, gardening, experimenting with color and art materials, connecting more deeply with nature through drawing, and thinking about Hashem through learning about His creation. Sandy has a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work, specializing in children and families.  She has worked as a rehab counselor, recreational therapist, corporate manager, Hebrew-school teacher and director, and more.  Sandy has lived in San Francisco for 25 years; she married and raised her two children there.  Sandy also has long-standing and strong connections to the East Bay.  She studied, worked, and learned about Judaism here during her years as a student at UC Berkeley, and later worked at Beth Jacob’s Hebrew school for several years.  While living in the East Bay, she went to Chabad, Beth Israel, the Northside Minyan, and sometimes Beth Jacob.  In San Francisco, she attends Richmond Torah Center of Chabad.

Robin Gluck

Librarian

Robin Gluck started working as the Oakland Hebrew Day School librarian in 2004. Prior to working at OHDS, Robin was a Senior Learning Skills Counselor at University of California, Santa Barbara.  In that capacity, Robin directed the reading, writing and study skills programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Robin received her B.A. in English and American Literature from U.C. San Diego. She completed her Single Subject teaching credential in English literature and a Masters in Reading Education at U.C Santa Barbara. Robin wears many hats at OHDS. She enjoys her volunteer work at the annual book fair and she is the proud mom of one OHDS student.

Daryl Grace

Physical Education Specialist

Daryl Grace started at OHDS as the Physical Education teacher in 2005. Daryl was born and raised in the Bay Area and attended Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland and San Diego State University. After finishing college, Daryl began managing retail stores in local malls.
In 1996, he began working as a counselor for Jewish Community Services’ Camp Tzofim in the summer and Olam Yeladim after-school programs. Daryl is now the Camp Director of Tzofim. He also began a career as a DJ for DJ-K Productions, entertaining at private parties.
He has consistently been named one of the best DJ’s in the J.Weekly Readers’ Poll, for B’Nai Mitzvot and other celebrations. At Piedmont High School, he is the assistant coach for the Girls’ Varsity basketball team. In 2004 and 2005, Daryl’s girls’ team won back-to-back State Championships, and in 2005, they were ranked number four in the country. Shortly after joining the OHDS faculty, Daryl established middle school basketball teams that compete against other schools and Intramural Sports during lunch recesses. He has also instituted the Presidential Fitness Challenge as part of the curriculum in 3rd– 8th grades.

Christina Greenberg

Resource Room, General Studies

Christina Greenberg joined Oakland Hebrew Day School in 2008 as the General Studies Resource Specialist and 4th Grade Teacher. Christina received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Oregon and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from San Diego State University. Prior to joining the OHDS faculty, Christina was a First Grade Reading Specialist in the Poway Unified School District and a math, writing and reading instructor at Sylvan Learning Center. Most recently, Christina taught 4th and 5th grade at Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov Ohr Eliyahu in Los Angeles, CA. Christina is excited to be back in the Bay Area and living close to her family. She enjoys running, spending time with her family and reading as many books as she can get her hands on!

Edie Hirsch

Resource Room Coordinator

Edie Hirsch’s biography will be available shortly.

Lior Jacober

1st Grade Assistant Teacher

Lior has been involved with OHDS since 1995, when her son Eliyahu first attended Kindergarten in the small school on Ridgeway. Volunteering in the classrooms and the Judaic Library for years, she became well-versed in how OHDS ran. In 1999, she began working as an employee in the library, then the front office, and as a classroom substitute, in addition to working with the Parent Association to start up the OHDS After-School Program that still thrives. Lior has also taught at three local synagogues in their Hebrew and Sunday School Programs, and had been Nancy Katz’s seamstress for 10 years. She has worked full-time at OHDS since 2002 as: an Assistant Teacher, an in-house substitute for the whole school, and a long-term sub. for 2 maternity leaves. Her B.A. in Philosophy is from Cleveland State University. She also studied at the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies. She is finishing her K – 5 Teaching Credential from Patten University. She still occasionally sews for the families of OHDS, and especially loves creating beautiful things for B’nei Mitzvot, weddings and other joyous occasions.

Laurie Jagoda

5th Grade, General Studies Teacher;
6th Grade Language Arts

Laurie Jagoda came to OHDS this year as the new English and Social Studies Coordinator for Grades 4-8 and the 5th grade General Studies teacher. Laurie attended Boston University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and earned her Master’s Degree in Childhood Education from the City College of New York in 2008. She began her teaching career as a 5th grade bilingual Spanish teacher in Oakland. She comes to us most recently from the Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy Middle School where she was the 4th-6th grade Gifted and Talented Teacher and the 5th-7th grade math teacher. During her summers, Laurie coaches new teachers who have joined the Oakland Teaching Fellows program and helps prepare them to teach in Oakland’s high-needs schools. When she is not teaching, Laurie enjoys hiking, biking, salsa dancing, and traveling abroad.

Rabbi Kennard Lipman, Ph.D.

Jewish History grades 7 and 8

Rabbi Ken Lipman began teaching Jewish history to the 7th and 8th grades last year. Rabbi Lipman holds a Ph.D. in Asian Studies and received rabbinic training at both the American Jewish University and the Hebrew Union College, Los Angeles. Before becoming a Rabbi, Ken was a professor for 15 years in San Francisco at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He led congregations in State College, Pennsylvania and Napa, and has taught at Mills College. He recently published his latest book, Kingdoms of Experience: The Four Worlds of Kabbalah as Prayer and Meditation. His daughter, Naomi, is a 4th grader at OHDS.

Orli Loewenberg

Resource Room, Judaic Studies

Orli Loewenberg joined OHDS in 2008 as a resource specialist in Hebrew and Jewish Studies. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to foster in students a love of Torah learning and the Hebrew language within the warm and nurturing environment of OHDS. Orli was raised in Milwaukee, WI, received her BA in Cultural Anthropology and Religious Studies at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, and then gradually made her way towards the warmth of California. At the Yavneh Day School in Los Gatos, CA she taught Hebrew, remedial Hebrew, and Jewish Studies to second through fifth grade. She followed that by focusing on another of her passions: environment education. While directing the educational component of Santa Cruz County’s Waste Free Schools Program, Orli had the pleasure of teaching thousands of students, and training and supporting their teachers, in the task of greening their schools by reducing their waste, recycling and composting. After thirteen years in Santa Cruz, she and her family have relocated to Berkeley.

Melanie Marcus

Director of Admissions

In 2004, Melanie Marcus joined the administrative team as the Admissions Director for Oakland Hebrew Day School.  Melanie comes to OHDS from the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay where she was Campaign Associate/Event Coordinator and a former religious school teacher at Beth El in Berkeley.  Melanie moved to the Bay Area from Columbus, Ohio in March 2000 with her husband and their twins. Two years later, their third child was born. Melanie was educated in the field of textiles and merchandising, and has spent time selling residential real estate in Ohio.  She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and attended the Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, an Orthodox day school.  Her Jewish education, coupled with her Zionist upbringing, resulted in her spending much time in Israel and her continued love and support for our homeland.  The Marcus family is actively involved in Beth Jacob Congregation of Oakland where Melanie was the recipient of the Lesser Symposium Award in 2002.

Rabbi Yitzchak Menda

6th and 7th, Toshba
6th, Navi
Student Life Coordinator

Rabbi Yitzchak Menda’s biography will be available shortly.

Judy Massarano

2nd Grade, Judaic Studies;
Tanakh Coordinator

Beginning OHDS in 1994, Judy Massarano teaches Judaic Studies to 2nd grade.  She has taught 2nd through 8th grades at the school, after working in K-12 Special Education with the visually impaired community in Los Angeles for a number of years.  She began her teaching career in college, starting at her own high school in the Hebrew language department. Judy received a teaching certificate from Jerusalem College for Women, earned her B.A. from Stern College in Literature, and received an M.A. from California State University in Special Education, earning various service credentials there, as well.  She enjoys adventures of all kinds, music, literature, cooking, gardening, hiking, and travel.  Her favorite place to be is Israel, second only to Berkeley, where she makes her home with her husband, their two sons and their dog. Judy also works with bar and bat mitzvah students at local synagogues. Judy loves the diversity of each child, which is honored and embraced at OHDS.  She believes in facilitating positive Jewish experiences created by her students!

Carolyn Pines

3rd Grade, General Studies;
Drama Specialist

Carolyn Pines joined the OHDS faculty in 2005, teaching middle school English her first year and 3rd grade General Studies all seven years. Besides 3rd grade GS, Carolyn teaches the drama specialty and directs the annual OHDS musical (past productions include include Peter Pan, The Music Man, Annie, and Oliver! and The Pirates of Penzance). She earned her multiple subjects teaching credential at Mills College in 2002 and taught for three years at elementary and middle schools in the Oakland and San Lorenzo Unified School Districts.  Prior to pursuing a teaching career, Carolyn worked as executive director for Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco and Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland.  She grew up in New York and, before relocating to the Bay Area, worked at Simon & Schuster Publishers as a subsidiary rights associate and Merrill Lynch as a marketing vice president.  Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in drama from Vassar College and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in theater from Trinity University’s Dallas Theater Center.  She lives in Oakland with her partner, a social worker/administrator, and their two teenage daughters.

Rabbi Elishav Rabinovich

5th, Judaic Studies
Hebrew/Shaliach (Israel Programs Coordinator)

Rabbi Elishav Rabinovich joined the OHDS community in 2011 as our Shaliach, Israel Emissary, through the Sochnoot in Israel.   Elishav is the 5th grade Judaic Studies and Hebrew teacher for OHDS.   Additionally. Elishav works with the JS faculty to bring Israel to life on the OHDS campus through a variety of programming including Moadon Israel, the Hebrew Book Club and more.   Elishav's wife, Maayan, is a Shlicha at Congregation Beth Israel in Berkeley and an educator with the Merkavah Torah Institute.   Together, their passion and knowledge of Israel, Israeli culture and society transpires in their ongoing exchanges with faculty, parents and students alike.   Elishav studied with Rav Steinsaltz in Tekoa and received his Masters in Talmud from Bar Elan University, after which he taught at Himmelfarb High School in Jerusalem.   Elishav's interest in spending time in Northern California stems from his desire to expand his horizons and give back to Jewish communities.   Elishav and Maayan have two children and live in Berkeley.

Adi Schacker

Resource Room, Hebrew

Adi Schacker joined the OHDS team in 2005.  She feels fortunate to work with and learn from such a talented group of teachers.  Teaching Hebrew in the resource room, Adi gets to be involved in two areas that are passionate to her heart – young children and the Hebrew language. Growing up in a kibbutz in Israel, Adi spent many years working with the children of the kibbutz.  During her military service, Adi trained and taught Israeli High School children, an experience that enriched her understanding of Israeli culture, history and geography.  Adi’s thirty- year old stamp collection reflects on the Israeli culture, history and geography, as well.  On her yearly trips to Israel with her husband and their four daughters, all of whom attend OHDS, Adi gets a chance to update her “old Hebrew” with the new, daily growing, Israeli “slang”.  Currently, Adi is working to earn her California teaching credential.

Susan Schickman

Business Manager

Susan began working at Oakland Hebrew Day School as the business manager in 1998 after serving on the school's Board. Her role at OHDS allows her to express her dedication to Jewish education and education of gifted children. She holds a BA in English from the University of California, Berkeley and is a holder of a lifetime Secondary Teaching Credential in English. After leaving teaching, Susan pursued post graduate studies in auditing and legal administration at UC Berkeley and Golden Gate University. She managed the accounting departments for several San Francisco law firms before raising three sons with her husband, Mark. Her children, who attended Jewish day schools, are all now in college: one studying sound engineering at San Francisco State University, one completing a masters in philosophy at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University, and one studying politics at UC Santa Cruz. As a volunteer, Susan served on the boards of Reach for Learning, Midrasha in Berkeley and the Berkeley High School Development Group. She served as treasurer for the Yad Yaacov Fund and was a Lesser Fellow for Synagogue Leadership. Her family is active in the San Francisco and East Bay Jewish communities and are members of Congregation Beth Israel in Berkeley. She is a member of the Independent School Business Officers Association and the National Business Officers Association. When not at OHDS, Susan spends her time gardening, going to jazz performances and reading mysteries.

Efrat Simhi-Aloni

5th – 8th Grade, Hebrew;
Hebrew Coordinator

Beginning in 2002 at Oakland Hebrew Day School, Efrat Simhi-Aloni teaches Modern Hebrew to 4th – 8th Grade students. Efrat views her mission as two-fold: one, to impart a strong connection to the rich culture and heritage of Israel through the beautiful structure of the Modern Hebrew language; and two, to convey to the students the fact that the Modern Hebrew language is accessible to all who try – “Lo bashamayim hi … v’lo me’ever layam hi,” it is not in the Heavens, nor beyond the ocean (Deuteronomy 30:12-13).  Prior to working at OHDS, Efrat spent ten years teaching in high school and adult educational institutions. She also served as an army youth instructor, preparing students for their mandatory army service. Efrat received her BA in Hebrew Language and Literature as well as her MA in Educational Administrative Policy from Ben Gurion University. Efrat looks forward to continuing to develop creative and meaningful programs in the warm environment of Oakland Hebrew Day School.

Ashley Stevanovic

1st Grade, General Studies

Ashley Stevanovic joined the OHDS faculty as the first grade general studies teacher in 2008. Her prior teaching experiences include three years as a first grade teacher and one year as a second grade teacher at Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School in Palo Alto. While obtaining her Masters in Education at USF, Ashley taught Kindergarten, second and fourth grade at Katherine Delmar Burkes School in San Francisco. Last May Ashley moved from San Francisco to Oakland with her husband Andreja. Ashley and Andreja enjoy following Cal sports, and make it to most Cal rowing events and basketball games. Ashley feels fortunate to be part of such an enthusiastic and talented teaching staff. She is delighted to be teaching first grade again, as she finds it to be a year of enormous academic and emotional growth.

Bethany Strulowitz

6th – 8th Grade, Chumash

Bethany Strulowitz began teaching middle school Judaic Studies at Oakland Hebrew Day School in 2005 after having taught middle school and high school Judaic Studies in Houston, Texas. There, she frequently lectured for the greater Jewish community at various seminars and conferences. Bethany also lived in Israel for two years prior where she taught at several post-high school seminaries. Her time spent in Israel inculcated her with a deep love for the land and people of Israel that she aims to instill in her classes. For over ten years, Bethany has been involved in both formal and informal educational programs for adolescents and adults in Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and America. Bethany completed her Masters degree in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School for Jewish Education. She earned double BAs in Psychology and Judaic Studies from Stern College of Yeshiva University. Bethany and her husband, Rabbi Joshua Strulowitz of Congregation Adath Israel in San Francisco, are the proud parents of three adorable and active daughters and one son.

Naomi Tor

3rd & 6th grade Jewish Studies and Hebrew;
4th grade Hebrew

Naomi Tor has joined the OHDS faculty this year as teacher of Jewish Studies and Jewish History in 3rd and 6th grades. She is a graduate of Bar-Ilan University and holds BA degrees in Sociology and Judaic Studies, an MA in social work, and is currently a PhD candidate at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Naomi’s permanent place of residence is Beit Shemesh, Israel, but she is currently in the Bay Area with her husband and four children on behalf of the Israeli government. Throughout their travels, she helped establish a school for Israeli children in The Hague, taught Hebrew and Judaic Studies in Taipei, and served as Director of Community Services for the city of Petach Tikvah in Israel. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of Kehilla, a non-profit affiliated with the urban kibbutz in Beit Shemesh, where she set up learning centers for disadvantaged children.

Danit Trau

2nd Grade, Teacher's Aide

Danit Trau joined the Oakland Hebrew Day School community in August 2011 as the Teacher’s Aide for 2nd grade in both General and Judaic Studies. The daughter of Israeli parents, she grew up going to Jewish day school in Marin County and visiting family in Israel every summer. She recently graduated from University of Oregon, receiving a BA in Linguistics with departmental honors and a minor in Business Administration. She was also nominated for the Phi Beta Kappa Society. At University of Oregon, Danit was Treasurer of the university’s local Jewish sorority for two years and was also a prominent member of the Oregon Hillel community. She has taught English to 5th grade students in Valdivia, Chile and Hebrew to 3rd grade students in Eugene, OR among other Hebrew tutoring positions in the Bay Area. She speaks fluent Hebrew and Spanish as well. Danit hopes to pursue Speech Pathology after spending time in Israel and succumbing to the travel bug. She also loves hiking, playing the African djembe drum, and rock climbing.

Ziva Trau

1st Grade, Judaic Studies and Hebrew;
5th Grade, Hebrew

Ziva Trau joined Oakland Hebrew Day School in 1999 as the 1st grade Hebrew and Judaic Studies teacher. She was born in Northern Israel and moved to Marin County in 1990. Ziva received her BA in History with a Teaching Credential at Seminar HaKibbutzim in Tel Aviv. Her initial work experience in the US was at a small Jewish day school in Santa Rosa, sixteen years ago. There, she taught Hebrew and Judaic Studies for grades 1-4. It was in that school that she received her training in Tal Am for 1st grade. With her experience, Ziva opened her own afternoon Hebrew school in Santa Rosa and Sebastopol in 1997. She created her own curriculum and taught the students for two years. She has worked at various synagogues, such as Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, and this is going to be her fourth year teaching at Congregation Kol Shofar in Tiburon. Ziva also just completed her second summer teaching Ulpan at USF. At OHDS, she has taught students in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade. She currently teaches Hebrew and Judaic studies for 1st grade and Hebrew for 2nd grade. Ziva enjoys hiking, gardening, and water sports. She lives in Larkspur with her husband and two children.

Steven Wight

6th – 8th Grade, Science Teacher;
4th – 8th Grade, Science Curriculum Coordinator

Steven Wight began teaching at Oakland Hebrew Day School in 2005. He attended Cal State University Chico where he majored in Earth Science and he received his teaching credential at John F. Kennedy University in Orinda. He has been a docent at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, worked with students in outdoor education and has been involved with many different science camps and outdoor education programs. Steven previously taught 4th and 5th grade at Sleepy Hollow Elementary in the Orinda Union School District where was on the district math curriculum committee and served as a math mentor for teachers. As a science educator, Steven places a strong focus on students taking personal responsibility for the understanding, protection and nurturing of the world they live in through a hands-on, project-based science curriculum. Steven is a lifelong resident of the East Bay, having grown up in Berkeley and Orinda. He is a lover of the outdoors and this summer backpacked 185 miles with his wife Diane from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe. In the winter he can be found on the slopes of Squaw Valley or Sugar Bowl if he is not in his Molokai hideaway. Steven lives in Lafayette with his wife Diane and their black lab Casey.