Head of School Rabbi Ari Segal has announced the hiring of three new teachers  in a community-wide e-mail this afternoon — one each in English, Judaic Studies, and Hebrew Language.  The announcement,  which also includes information on incoming General Studies Principal Daniel Weslow, is below.

The outstanding educational product that our students receive at Shalhevet owes to an unrivaled array of talented and passionate educators.  And yet, in keeping with our resistance to complacency, we always look for opportunities to add to an already impressive team.

In that vein, and with great enthusiasm, I proudly announce the appointment of four new academic staff members for the coming year: Daniel Weslow, Naamit Sturm Nagel, Ilana Wilner, and Mickey Rabinov.

I consider all four of these individuals “rockstars” – I believe you’ll forgive the colloquialism once you meet them.  They represent a strategic investment in a variety of areas within the school.   Daniel and Naamit join the General Studies staff; Ilana joins the Judaic faculty; and Mickey joins our Hebrew Studies team. These hires are a result of our continued expansion (likely up to 215 students next year from 190 this year).

Below, I’ve copied short biographies for your perusal.  (For information about Daniel Weslow, please refer to my previous email regarding his appointment.)  I know you will join me in welcoming them with open arms!

NA’AMIT STURM NAGEL

Na’amit Sturm Nagel grew up in Toronto, Canada and moved to Los Angeles almost four years ago. She earned her Master’s in English Literature from Brandeis University, where she focused on Victorian literature. Prior to that she received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, double majoring in English and History. Na’amit has also studied at Midreshet Lindenbaum (Brovenders) in Jerusalem.

Na’amit has been teaching English and History for over five years. Before moving to Los Angeles, she traveled around the world with her husband while working with Jewish communities overseas on behalf of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. She also worked for UJA-Federation of New York, developing curriculum and educational materials for the organization. Na’amit is very excited to be joining the Shalhevet family and is looking forward to teaching next year.

ILANA WILNER

Ilana Wilner hails from the Big Apple. After receiving a BA from Stern College in Judaic Studies, she earned a Master’s Degree in Biblical and Talmudic Interpretation from YU’s Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies (GPATs), and a Masters Degree in Education from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.

For the past two years Ilana has been teaching Judaic Studies at SAR Academy in Riverdale, NY. She is a Fellow at the Hartman Institute for Women’s Leadership.   Additionally, Ilana served as the youth director at Congregation Ohab Zedek in Manhattan.  Ilana is excited to bring her energy and experience to the sunny West Coast and to the Shalhevet team.

MICKEY RABINOV

Mickey Rabinov was born and raised in Haifa Israel. She is a graduate of the Techniyon, Israel Institute of Technology, in Haifa and the Beit Berel Teachers Seminary. Mrs. Rabinov has worked in the community for over 30 years and has devoted her life to Jewish education, the Hebrew Language and the State of Israel.  Over the years Mickey has been serving as Hebrew and Judaic director in Jewish Day Schools.

Committed to high quality enjoyable Jewish Education, Mrs. Rabinov has been diligent in keeping up with the latest developments in teaching Hebrew in all levels. She has been participated in numerous foreign language courses at UCLA and the University of Judaism. Specifically she has extensive training and understanding of the NETA curriculum used at our school.

Mrs. Rabinov believes that the Hebrew language is not simply a tool for communication and rituals, but rather, an integral part of Jewish experience, and a fundamental element for building Jewish identity and connection with the State of Israel.

Mrs. Rabinov is a 2013 recipient of the Milken Family Foundation Award for Jewish Educators! Mrs. Rabinov is married and is a mother of 3.