This year’s first day of school will be the first for Hebrew teacher Shlomit Abrams, even though she finished last year in the same position.

Ms. Abrams, known by students as “Shlomit,” will be returning this August for a full school year, after she spent last year as a full time replacement for Nili Shamrat, who was terminated March 3 after her criminal conviction (http://www.tinyurl.com/BPShamrat). In an e-mail announcement to the Shalhevet community on March 3, then-Head of School Rabbi Elchanan Weinbach wrote that a replacement would take Ms. Shamrat’s place immediately. At 7:50 the next morning, Shlomit showed up at Shalhevet ready to teach her first period class.

“Although it should be tough to adapt to a whole new teaching style midway through the school year, Shlomit made the transition easier than I expected it to be,” recalled junior David Rokah. “She was there for the students if they needed help with anything.”

Born in Israel, Shlomit emigrated to the United States as a young adult. Most recently, she worked at YULA for the 2008-09 school year.

Outside of the classroom, Shlomit enjoys cooking a wide range of ethnic foods, such as Farsi and Moroccan. She also takes classes at Santa Monica College to improve her English and to learn other languages. At home, Shlomit enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and studying Torah.

“I’m a spiritual person and I love Tanach,” said Shlomit.

Shlomit said she is looking forward to a full year at Shalhevet this year.

“I found Shalhevet to be a great place to contribute my professional talents and I have been met with a lot of love from the students and community here,” she said.