DESIGN: Ms. Ravanshenas also loves fashion and has helped celebrities with ‘closet edits.’
New ‘Eim Bayit’ aims for open conversations
Ms. Natalie Ravanshenas has been given the new title of 10th Grade Eim Bayit, which is Hebrew for “house mother.” The phrase indicates that she is the “mother” of 10th Grade, and there for students to go to when they need to talk, have a problem, or just to enjoy each other’s company.
And like the mother in any house, Ms. Ravanshenas wants everyone in the family to feel comfortable, and to know one another well.
“Shalhevet isn’t just work.” Ms. Ravanshenas said in a recent interview. “It’s a community…
“The point is for everyone to be able to have an open conversation with different teachers in the building and to feel comfortable talking about things they care about.” Ms. Ravanshenas said.
She’ll run out-of-class activities for 10th Grade, and on the Student Life Team will be helping out with various activities and Shabbatons. She also teaches a once-a-week Advisory.
Though she is new to the school staff, Ms. Ravanshenas is not new to Shalhevet, since her husband is Dean of Admission and Student Life Jonny Ravanshenas.
Also, this is not Ms. Ravanshenas’s first time working at a school. She was the Ninth Grade Mechanechet, or guide, during 2015-16 at YULA girls, where her role was to get to know the students outside of the classroom. She also taught halacha at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy for a semester and was also a mechanechet there.
Outside of school, Ms. Ravanshenas loves fashion, clothing, and doing something called “closet edits.” What are closet edits? She organizes and styles outfits for women, and her clients have included Paris Berelc, the actress and model, and Andy Grammer, the singer, songwriter and record producer.
“I love fashion and I love mixing and matching pieces that I have in my closet instead of always shopping for something new.” Ms. Ravanshenas said. “I like to really maximize what you have. I always say, ‘Let’s shop your closet.’”
Ms. Ravanshenas grew up on Long Island and moved to Los Angeles a year after college. When she was young she used to tap dance. She went to the University of Arizona, where she studied Judaic Studies and psychology.
In her free time she likes to hang out with friends, do Pilates and take dance classes, or be with her family. She said she likes hosting, hiking, cooking and the beach – “even though I don’t go a lot.”
But what eventually landed her in Shalhevet?
“We’ve been hosting [students] for a few years because of Jon, and naturally I loved getting together and being a part of the Shalhevet family,” she said, adding that she also helps run MJ Sports Camp, which meets at Shalhevet, during the summer.
“A lot of our counselors are Shalhevet students so I always felt a connection to the students.”