Michael Roe, Hebrew School Director
Mike (he/him) joined our Hebrew School staff in 2012, initially teaching Kitah Vav (6th
grade) and quickly becoming our revered Kitah Zayin (7th grade) teacher, a role in which he served for the next six years. In July 2019, Mike was promoted to the position of Hebrew School Director. He works closely with our teachers to enable inspiring Jewish connections and creativity, discoveries and debates, engagement and exploration, and friendships and fun to flourish in our Hebrew School.
Mike received his Master’s in Education from La Salle University and his Bachelor’s from Temple University in History. He is also a certified teacher for grades 7-12 in History and English. Outside of the synagogue, he teaches English and History at Parkway West High School in Philadelphia. Mike is a graduate of the BZBI-Society Hill Synagogue high school and teacher training program (2002), where he met his wife, Joy, in 9th grade. Mike and Joy have two young children, Ella and Jackson, who attend our synagogue’s Hebrew School, and reside in Society Hill.
Dionna Dash, Kitot Hey and Vav Ivrit (Shabbat)
Dionna (she/her) completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied communications, linguistics, and French. She has taught Hebrew School at a number of synagogues
Elena Marcovici, Kitah Vav Judaics (Tuesday)
Elena (she/her) grew up in Northern Virginia attending Temple Rodef Shalom, where she became a Bat Mitzvah and then joined the Hebrew School staff as a
Gabe Stemmer, Kitah Zayin Teacher
Gabe (he/him) is a South Philly native and a Society Hill Synagogue alumnus, dating to his Playschool days in the late 90’s. During the pandemic,
Halana Dash, Kitah Hey Ivrit and Judaics (Tuesday)
Halana (she/her) completed her bachelor’s degree at Temple University and her M.Ed. at the University of Pennsylvania. She worked as a language teacher in France
Jacob Hayman, Kitah Dalet Ivrit and Judaics (Tuesday) and Kitot Gimel and Dalet Judaics (Shabbat)
Jacob (he/him) is a Philadelphia native and lifelong Society Hill Synagogue member who attended Hebrew School and Hebrew High School at our congregation. He worked
Jamie Schwartz, Gan Teacher
Jamie (she/her) grew up in Center City and is a proud graduate of Society Hill Synagogue’s Playschool, Hebrew School, and Hebrew High! Prior to teaching
Jason Roe, Kitot Aleph and Bet Hebrew Teacher
Jason Roe has been teaching Hebrew to 1st and 2nd graders at Society Hill Synagogue since 2021. Outside of Society Hill, he currently serves as
Larry Kaplan, Kitah Vav Judaics Teacher (Tuesday) and Tikhon Teacher (Shabbat)
Larry (he/him) is a lifelong Philadelphian and a graduate of Central High School, Temple University, and the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a Masters of
Lily Hayman, Kitah Dalet Ivrit and Judaics (Tuesday) and Kitot Hey and Vav Judaics (Shabbat)
Lily (she/her) is a lifelong Philadelphian and member of Society Hill Synagogue. She attended Hebrew School and Hebrew High School at our congregation and was
Megan Nachod, Kitah Dalet Ivrit and Kitah Gimel Judaics (Tuesdays)
Megan (she/her) is the Playschool Director at our congregation and has worked with children and their families for over 20 years in a variety of
Michael Roe, Hebrew School Director
Mike (he/him) joined our Hebrew School staff in 2012, initially teaching Kitah Vav (6th grade) and quickly becoming our revered Kitah Zayin (7th grade) teacher,
Morgan Cepollina, Kitah Gimel Ivrit and Kitah Dalet Judaics (Tuesday) and Kitot Gimel and Dalet Ivrit (Shabbat)
Morgan (she/her) grew up in York, Pennsylvania, where she attended Sunday School at Temple Beth Israel all the way through her Confirmation and became a teacher
Rose Schonfeld: Kitot Alef & Bet Judaics Teacher
Rose (she/her) grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey and earned a B.A. in Psychology from SUNY Binghamton, where she also directed and acted in several
Shelly Faskha
Shelly (she/her) grew up in the Jewish Community of Panama City, Panama. She enjoys Shabbat dinners every Friday and going on walks on Saturdays. Shelly