Torah Tots (Preschool) |
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Rachel Loria grew up at Or Ami since the age of 5. She attended Christopher Newport University and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2009 while getting a minors in religious studies and helping at a local synagogue. She earned her Master’s in Education in Early Childhood Special Education in 2012 and worked at Richmond Public Schools while in graduate school. Rachel has taught students of all ages at Or Ami for a number of years. During the week, Rachel works as a Disability Advocate. She is happy to give back to Or Ami as a teacher after all of her years of being a member. |
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K-1st Grade |
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Jessie Crowe is joining Or Ami’s staff after volunteering for a few years while her son was a student. She is currently an exceptional education assistant for Henrico County Public Schools and has worked with children ages newborn through middle school for over 25 years. Jessie is excited to be teaching our K-1 Religious School class this year, as well as continuing her role on our Education Committee. She has been married to her husband Brian for 19 years this October, and is the proud parent of recent Bar Mitzvah, Logan, who is attending his first year of high school, and may occasionally volunteer on Sundays. Some of Jessie’s hobbies include: photography, water color painting, reading, and singing along to classic rock music. | |
2nd-3rd Grade |
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Naomi Simon has been part of the Or Ami community for almost two decades. She is currently studying Elementary Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. In recent years, she has been the K-2 and art teacher at Or Ami. She is excited to have the opportunity to teach 2nd-3rd class this year. |
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4th-5th Grade |
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Joanne Nordlinger loves education, Jewish life, and Jewish traditions. After raising her three children in Ithaca, NY, Joanne returned to her hometown of Richmond where she has been very involved in Or Ami’s adult educational activities, including both Hebrew classes and Torah Study. Joanne loves to bake for the holidays, especially honey cake. She also loves to spend time in nature and hike with her adorable dog. Joanne is looking forward to teaching and sharing her love for Judaism with your children again this year. | |
6th-7th Grade
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Mads McElgunn (they/them) has been volunteering and working in the field of Jewish education since 2011. Over the years, they have taught Hebrew and Judaic studies at a variety of levels between kindergarten and middle school. They have also enjoyed working as a B’nai Mitzvah tutor. Outside of Jewish education, Mads volunteers to improve living conditions for tenants in the city of Richmond and loves to explore the many neighborhoods and histories of Richmond. They are thrilled to be at Or Ami joining such a welcoming, vibrant community! | |
Hebrew Specialist |
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Alex Simon has taught in Or Ami’s Religious School for 20 years, taking time off only when serving as the congregation’s President. He has worked as a lawyer in Richmond for over 40 years and raised his family at Or Ami. All three of his children were Confirmed at Or Ami after their Bat Mitzvah ceremonies. Alex generously volunteers his time as a Hebrew teacher today because he is still grateful for the volunteers who took time to teach him Hebrew prayers when he was a child. | |
Music Specialist |
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Alyssa Freeman has worked in the field of Jewish education since 1999. She has taught kindergarten through seventh grade in addition to working at Camp Sababa (a local weeklong Jewish community summer camp with K-6th grade campers). Originally from New Jersey, Alyssa graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland in 1987, moved to Virginia in 1988, then earned her teaching certificate from VCU. In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys reading, hiking, nature photography, and playing saxophone as well as clarinet for Or Ami’s klezmer band – Klezm’Or’Ami’m. She is excited to share her love of Jewish music as this year’s music specialist. | |
Education Director |
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Rabbi Ahuva Zaches has been teaching students of all ages for two decades. As the Director of Education at the Joy Kramer Religious School, Rabbi Ahuva leads creative assemblies for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade every Sunday morning. And on other days the week, Rabbi Ahuva leads Or Ami’s Torah Study group, adult Hebrew, and our Introduction to Judaism course (open to Or Ami members and guests). She has also taught Confirmation class and the Reel Theology movie class at Or Ami. | |
