RACHEL SOCIA

Rachel Socia, originally from Syracuse, NY, is currently a senior at American University majoring in Elementary Education. This is her third year at Temple Micah, having taught fifth & sixth grade from Fall 2006 through Spring 2008. She took last year off as she was studying in Madrid, and is very excited to be back. Before working at Micah, Rachel was active in the religious school of her home congregation, attending for many years, then volunteering as a one on one aid for a special needs child and substitute classroom teacher. In the summers she works at a Jewish day camp. Rachel loves children and can’t think of a more rewarding experience than to help young students connect with each other and a heritage of which she exceptionally proud. Rachel is teaching The Bible from Alef to Tav, as outlined below.

THE BIBLE FROM ALEF TO TAV

The Bible from Alef to Tav introduces one Hebrew letter per chapter, teaches several words beginning with that letter, and
weaves all the words together into a beautiful biblical story with illustrations. Each of these twenty-two stories utilizes gentle yet descriptive language to evoke the sound and feel of the Hebrew letters.

A special 32-page appendix provides parents and teachers with thought-provoking questions and activities appropriate for both children and parallel adult learning. It contains midrashic and rabbinic commentary, contemporary connections to Biblical texts, sources for additional study and much more.

Lerone Beroukhim

Lerone Beroukhim is currently a senior Government and Politics major at the University of Maryland. This past spring, Lerone spent her semester in Jerusalem, where she spent time traveling, visiting friends and family, and of course, studying at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She has been teaching and tutoring children

in Hebrew and Jewish studies since she was in middle school, whether as a private tutor, teacher, or as counselor at a Hebrew speaking camp. This is Lerone's second year teaching at Temple Micah, and third year teaching Hebrew school. She loves teaching and takes so much pride in her students' accomplishments. She is having a terrific time with the second grade this year! Lerone is teaching the Yisrael Sheli curriculum, as outlined below.

Yisrael Sheli

Yisrael Sheli lets you tell your students two different stories about Israel. The first is the story of the people who created the State of Israel. The second is the story of the places in the Land of Israel. As we tour the land of Israel, we learn about the stories that created Israel.

What's it like to travel Israel with the people who built her? Ben Gurion leads the tour at Sde Boker, his kibbutz. Rachel (the Poetess) reads her poems on the shores of the Kinneret. Joshua leads us across the Jordan river, and Josephus tells the story of Masada. In the cobblestone streets of Tzfat, Isaac Luria gives a lesson on mysticism, while Ilan Ramon points our eyes to the stars from his balcony in Beersheva. This is the Israel trip you and your students have always dreamed of! 

Yisrael Sheli brings Israel alive by fusing the adventure of a visit to the Jewish homeland with the adventures of those who shaped Israel, the people and the place. The book is filled with discussion questions and activities that make it exciting and easy to teach.

Rebecca Goldberg

Rebecca grew up in East Brunswick, NJ. She found her calling for Human Rights and Social Justice in high school and while spending summers at Camp Harlam. At Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, Rebecca majored in Human Rights and focused on Gender and Sexuality Studies. In 2007 she studied abroad in Johannesburg, South Africa and worked at a non-governmental organization promoting gender equality and HIV/AIDS prevention. In 2008 she returned to South Africa to work in Soweto as the Artistic Director at a creative center for HIV/AIDS orphans. Her experiences abroad have greatly shaped her as a person and the work she does at Temple Micah. Infusing Tikkun Olam or themes of “repairing the world” into her lessons on Jewish Values, Rebecca is consistently impressed by the worldliness and thoughtfulness of her second graders. Rebecca is currently the Assistant Program Manager at the American Academy of HIV Medicine in Washington, DC. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys dancing and making art. Rebecca is teaching the Jewish Values from Alef to Tav curriculum, as outlined below.

JEWISH VALUES FROM ALEF TO TAV

Based on the “letter of the week” model, each chapter begins with the definition of a Jewish value. Through biblical, rabbinic, hasidic and folk stories, students learn the important values that influence their religious and secular lives. Each story is accompanied by full-color illustrations, discussion questions and an age-appropriate exercise that reinforces the value of the week.