Sarah Davis, EdD
I’m the Religious School Director at Temple Emanuel and a mother of four young children all enrolled in TERS. We’ve been members of TE for almost ten years! I am from Massachusetts and love TE so much that we drive 45 minutes each time! The warmth, kindness and acceptance is exactly the environment I hoped for with my children’s Jewish education. I’m happy to answer any questions about our innovative, multi-sensory and differentiated and FUN religious school!
Arlene Kessel
After a 38-year career as an area educator, I am thrilled to continue my journey with Temple Emanuel’s Religious School, where I have been a dedicated member for over two decades. I hold a B.A. in German Language and History and have earned two master’s degrees in Education. As a committed member of the Holocaust Commission, I actively give presentations in area schools, sharing crucial lessons from history with young minds. At TERS, I am honored to teach Holocaust studies, guiding students through this important and impactful subject. I look forward to another meaningful year of education and engagement!
Hank Marx
I’m Howard “Hank” Marx, a husband, father, grandfather, and retired attorney. For the past five years, I've had the privilege of teaching the post B’nai Mitzvah class at Temple Emanuel. My class is more than just a lesson; it's a biweekly discussion group where we delve into Jewish ethics, current events, and topics that matter to my students. We use “Can Robots Be Jewish?”, a fascinating collection of articles from Moment Magazine, as our guide. In this book, 10 Rabbis from various Jewish denominations tackle pertinent and timely questions, each limited to 200-word answers. This format sparks engaging and thought-provoking conversations, making our sessions both enlightening and enjoyable. I'm excited to continue this journey with our amazing students!
Pati Oliszewski
I am thrilled to join the wonderful team of teachers at Temple Emanuel Religious School as the rikudim (Israeli dance) instructor. I've been dancing Israeli dance since I was 10 years old, having participated in various groups and performed at numerous dance festivals in Brazil. I am overjoyed to have brought this beautiful form of dance to Virginia Beach, where I teach a weekly group at the JCC. I can't wait to share my passion for Israeli dance with our students and contribute to the vibrant community at Temple Emanuel.
Zohar Ben Moshe
I’ve had the joy of being a Hebrew teacher for over 30 years, with more than 20 of those years spent at Strelitz International Academy/Hebrew Academy, where I also taught music for about a decade. Throughout the years, I've taught Hebrew at UHS, Temple Israel, and Beth El. Being a native Hebrew speaker, I specialized in the language as part of my teaching training.
My teaching philosophy is centered around the belief that I teach students, not books. This means I focus on catering to the individual needs of my students, adapting my methods to their strengths and challenges. My goal is not just to finish a book, but to ensure that each student truly understands and connects with the material.
Looking forward to many more years of inspiring young minds!
Elyssa Brinn
I am Elyssa Brinn, a dedicated educator with over 30 years of experience specializing in the developmental needs of infants through Kindergarten-age children. Currently, I serve as the Director of the Early Years Program at the Strelitz International Academy, where I've been a part of the community for 18 years. My journey at Strelitz includes roles as a lead teacher for four-year-olds and a Kindergarten teacher. Previously, I was the Education Coordinator for a network of child care sites in Rhode Island. I hold a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Psychology and am pursuing an M.S. in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Teacher Leadership. My professional contributions include accreditation for the NAEYC, mentoring teachers, and speaking at IB global conferences on play-based learning and brain science in infant development. I'm excited to return to TERS as the Coordinator of Special Events.
Monica Gerand
After moving here from Long Island, NY to be closer to family, I officially began at Strelitz Academy on February 27th, 2023, where I am a lead teacher of 3-year-olds. I bring with me over 10 years of experience as a preschool teacher at a private school on Long Island. I have a great love for children and teaching. When I am not working, I enjoy time with my family and friends. My 5 grandchildren are my pride and joy! Cruising and performing karaoke are two of my favorite things to do. You will often find me singing at every opportunity that I can! I am so excited to be a part of the Temple Emanuel community and look forward to a classroom of learning and growing together.
Jonah Austin-Scheffler
I'm Jonah. This will be my first year teaching, and I am incredibly excited for this adventure! I'll be teaching upper elementary, and I have no doubt that the kids will teach me as much as I teach them. We'll be taking an amazing journey through what it means to be Jewish, the High Holidays, Torah, tefillah, and everything in between. When I'm not working I love to sing and play instruments (mostly self-taught) while I hang out with my wife, Kassie, and our dog, Banna. I am truly looking forward to this learning adventure with the kids!
Rabbi Ari Oliszewski
Hello, I'm Rabbi Ari, and I have had the joy of teaching children for over 30 years. It's a privilege to be part of their spiritual journey and to see them grow and develop their understanding of our traditions. At Temple Emanuel, our religious school is a place where young minds are nurtured and guided, and it’s truly a pleasure to witness their curiosity and enthusiasm.