Staff Profiles:

Rabbi Elias, Rabbi of Mogen David

To find out more about Rabbi Elias and Congregation Mogen David click on the following link:

http://www.mogen-david.org/ourRabbi.htm

Cecelie Wizenfeld, Administrator

Cecelie Wizenfeld has a Master of Arts Degree in Education. She joined New School for Jewish Identity with over thirty years of teaching, directing, and administrative experience. She began her career just out of high school, as a music and Talmud Torah teacher in Baltimore, MD. Since earning her undergraduate degree in Communications, her Early Childhood teaching credential from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Master’s Degree in Education from Pepperdine University, she has been actively involved in the Jewish school system in Los Angeles. Additionally, Ms. Wizenfeld was instrumental in developing and directing many programs for the Bureau of Jewish Education of Los Angeles, including the Midrasha Program for middle school age children in Reform and Conservative Congregations around L.A. Prior to her current position at Shalhevet, Ms. Wizenfeld was the Early Childhood Director at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy for thirteen years. Cecelie has lectured all over the country on Early Childhood Curricular topics for the NAEYC, CAEYC, BJE, and other professional organizations. She was also co-director and owner of B.H. Banot and Banim Day Camp in Los Angeles for many years.  Cecelie also founded and currently directs the Early Childhood Program at Kehilat Mogen David.

Barbara Heller, Director, and Teacher of the following subjects: Jewish Studies, Creative Arts

For over 20 years, Barbara Heller, has been writing curriculum, teaching and directing young and older children.  Some of the many schools and organizations where she has lent her voice as director, theatre teacher, curriculum writer, Jewish Studies teacher, voice teacher, and dance teacher include:

Camp Ramah Ojai, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Ohr Ha Emet Institute, The Prentice School, Shtibl Minyan ShtiK Kids Program, Bureau of Jewish Education Teacher Training, LimmudLA, Bnos Devorah High School, Shalhevet High School, Kol Neshama, LA Hebrew High Retreats, Jewish Community Center of OC, Isralight, Midreshet Rachel College of Womens Studies, Gold Arrow Camp, Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, Hillel Day School of Boca Raton, FL, Starmakers Children Theatre, and Kids with Heart Camp.  Barbara also is the founder and currently directs both Page to Stage Performers as well as Kids Express Performing Arts Camp in West Los Angeles every summer.  To find out more about her Arts Workshops and Camp click: http://www.pagetostageperformers.com

Orly Zarur, Hebrew Language Specialist

Orly Zarur holds a B.A. in Jewish Studies with a minor in Chemistry as well as a M.A. in Talmud, both from Bar Ilan University.  Mrs. Zarur was the head of the Jewish Philosophy Department in a high school in Ashdod, Israel.  She also taught Elementary Science in Israel for 5 years before moving to Los Angeles.  Some of the schools in Los Angeles where she has taught Jewish Studies and Philosophy and Hebrew include: Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy and Shalhevet High School.

Dustin Tiep, Music Specialist

To find out more about Dustin, click on the following link:

http://www.dustintype.com/