School Schpiel August

SCHool SCHpiel By Jennifer Halls, Education Director

Shalom Kol Ami!

Welcome back, Kol Yeladim! It has been a very productive summer here at Kol Ami.  I am excited to introduce our teachers and some of the new programs we have planned for the 2022-2023 school year!  Our first day of Religious School is Sunday, August 21, so mark your calendar!  The first day will include some introductions, a parent meeting, meet the teacher, and our congregational Kick-Off.  Can’t wait to “Flamingle” with you all.

Please help me welcome our 2022-2023 faculty!

Ms. Jennifer Zimmer  - PreK-2nd Grade

Jen is new to the faculty this year but has an 8 year old daughter who has been a student at Kol Yeladim since pre-kindergarten. Both Jen and Alissa love dance! Jen also enjoys all things Disney, Stitch, and Cheshire Cat. She loves to cook and bake. She is looking forward to working with you and your children this year.

Ms. Beth Grabasch – Grade 3

Beth Grabasch grew up at a conservative synagogue down in South Florida before moving to Tampa to attend USF. She was a camper at Camp Ramah Darom for 4 years as well as a counselor for 2 years. Beth works full time at an ENT practice as an Audiology Assistant. She loves to spend her time crafting or watching TV with her boyfriend and cat!

Ms. Alissa Chernin - Grades 4 and 5

Alissa Chernin is 22 years old and has been a member of Kol Ami for all 22 of those years. She attended Hillel Academy for Kindergarten through 8th grade and then went on to Carrollwood Day School (CDS) for high school. Alissa was also heavily involved in USY both within KAUSY and regionally.

After graduation in 2019 from CDS, she was a participant in the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel. She is an avid Disney and Universal lover.

Alissa is looking forward to her 3rd year teaching in the Kol Yeladim Religious School.

Ms. Lauren Dunayer - Grades 6 and 7

Lauren Dunayer was born in Plantation, Florida. Lauren and her family have been members of Kol Ami since they moved to Tampa back in 1998. She had her Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation at Kol Ami, and then attended Berger High School. She was a Madrichim Assistant at Kol Yeladim all throughout high school. In 2014, she graduated with her BA in Sociology from University of South Florida. Lauren has been a teacher at Kol Yeladim Religious School for almost a decade. She will be the 6th and 7th grade teach for the third year in a row; and coincidententally, she was their teacher when they were in kindergarten!

Lauren has been employed with the Pasco Sheriff's Office since May 2016. She has held numerous roles in assisting members, serving the community, and being a foster care liasion and advocate. Her current position is Executive Secretary to the Joint Operations Bureau Commander.

Lauren has an 8-year-old daughter who is her world and two younger siblings with whom she is very close. Lauren had a strong Jewish upbringing and takes pride in her Jewish identity. She was heavily involved in the Tampa Jewish Community in her early adult years. She graduated from the Hope Cohen Barnett Leadership Institute in 2019 and has been on the PJ Library Committee for the past five years. She is very excited for yet another fun year here at Kol Yeladim Religious School!

Mx. MK Sinnreich – Chug Instructor

MK Sinnreich is the shul’s librarian and Kol Yeladim’s Chug teacher. They have a BA in English and a Masters in Liberal Studies from SUNY Stony Brook as well as an MLIS from San Jose State University. After 5 years teaching at Kol Yeladim, MK is as excited as ever to return this Fall, reconnecting with old students and forming relationships with new ones. 

I am very eager to get the year started with these amazing teachers!  You will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher on the first day of class and participate in an engaging activity as well as ask questions.  This year, our teachers will be sending out emails to keep you up to date on what is happening in their class.  In addition to this change, we have revamped our Wednesday curriculum as well.

After listening to our families and consulting with a few other conservative shuls in the area, we have decided to move to a hybrid model on Wednesdays for our 3^rd-7^th grade classes.  This model includes a once a month “in-person” requirement; this will be a program that families are encouraged to attend with their child that is holiday-centered.  The other Wednesdays will include an online component, both synchronous and asynchronous, and an online one-on-one tutoring time with your teacher.   I know many of you have a hard time getting to shul on Wednesdays, and I think this will help students and families make the most of the limited time we all have.  This is a very brief synopsis of the plan. A more detailed plan will be sent out in an email to all our families.

I am looking forward to another wonderful Religious School year for our students and families. Please look for an email from me with more information and a few volunteer requests for the school year.  Education has always been my passion, and I am passionate about continuing our Jewish traditions and passing on our Jewish values with our “Yeladim”, our children,  l’dor v’ dor, from generation to generation.

In Good Health,

Jennifer Halls

Education Director