Bruce Sham is the co-founder of the Amanda Sham Resource Center for Children with Special Needs. Bruce has taught in the Resource Center for 33 years helping students with different learning styles enjoy their religious school experience.

I am currently the pre-K teacher in Beth Am’s School of Early Learning and the Kindergarten teacher in the Mensch Lab. I have been teaching for twenty years now, ever since I graduated from the University of Delaware with my bachelor’s degree in education. I first came to Temple Beth Torah as a teaching assistant with the four-year-old class, and the very next year I began teaching pre-K/K in my own classroom. I absolutely love teaching, because the children can always put a great big smile on my face. On a personal note, I am lucky enough to be the mommy to a fabulous twelve-year-old who just started seventh grade and a nin-year-old who just started fourth grade in the Upper Moreland School District.

Hi, my name is Michelle Cheifetz, and I’m going to be the first grade teacher for the Mensch Lab this year! I am also part of the SOEL community, so I spend plenty of time at Beth Am! I graduated from Goucher College in 2020 with a BA in psychology, and I am currently pursuing my master’s in Social Work at UPenn, where I’m planning to work with children in a therapeutic sense. Outside of Beth Am, I love gardening and spending time with my cat, Hugo.

I really enjoy being a part of the Jewish community that raised me and love being able to be on the other side of things, helping foster children’s growth and imagination. I hope to make every day count and can’t wait for a great year!

My name is Jennifer Kaczmarski and I am currently the Grade 2 teacher in the Mensch Lab. Though this is my first year teaching at Old York Road Temple Beth Am, I previously taught Hebrew school at Temple Beth Torah and have worked as a freelance Bar Mitzvah tutor. Born and raised in Philadelphia, I received my Elementary Education Certification from West Chester University after earning my B.A. in Photojournalism from Penn State University. I have been teaching public school for 22 years and have taught many different grades and subjects, including kindergarten, 2nd grade and 12th grade English. Currently I am the Library Media Specialist at the Anne Frank School in Philadelphia, where I coach our robotics teams and where I earned my National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist, grades PK-3.

Outside of work, I am the proud mom of two young children. My daughter is currently in our 2nd grade mensch lab class and my son will be entering next year. I enjoy teaching and love to explore learning through creativity and fun. I am excited to finish our school year together at what my daughter fittingly calls our home away from home.

My bio is coming soon.

This is my fifteenth year working for the Mensch Lab at Temple Beth Am. I started out as a volunteer. I especially enjoy working with the third-grade students. When I’m not at Mensch Lab, I love playing the guitar and spending time with my family.  I love dogs and going to Vermont every year.

Hello!  My name is Alison Walters and I teach fourth grade here at the Mensch Lab.  I have been so lucky to be a part of this amazing faculty since 2007.  I hold a degree in Elementary Education from Temple University, as well as certificates in Reading and Special Education.  In my secular life, I serve as the Literacy Coach for an amazing school in the Feltonville neighborhood of Philadelphia.  I am excited to share my love of Judaism and Hebrew with our students this year!

Shalom, I’m Harvey Litcofsky and I will be your child’s teacher, via zoom, on Tuesday from 4:30-6:15 PM.

I have been involved in Jewish education for many years, I even worked with Rabbi Tornberg at Or Ami several years ago. During my career as a teacher, I have had the opportunity to teach grades 3 through 12 and all subjects from Hebrew, prayer, ethics, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah students. It had been, for me, fun and a great chance to learn along with my students.

I am looking forward to a fantastic year of  learning and growing

Judaically, spiritually and physically, and have some fun doing it.

Moreh Harvey

My bio is coming soon.

My bio is coming soon

This is my 22nd year teaching at Old York Road Temple-Beth Am. I have taught numerous different grades over the past years, and this year I will be teaching seventh grade. I am very excited to work again with the students that I had in fifth grade—this time in person!

Not only do I teach here, but I am also a Certified Elementary Education teacher and Certified  Reading Specialist. I also I have my own tutoring business that supports student reading. My family and I are members at Beth Am and have been for a while. My husband and I were married here, our son became a Bar Mitzvah and Confirmand as well. Beth Am is our second home.

Some things I enjoy doing are going to concerts and the beach, reading, and being with my family and friends.

My bio is coming soon

My bio is coming soon

My bio is coming soon.

Shalom!  I am Cheryl Berson, and I am happy to be working as a Hebrew tutor at the Mensch Lab for my second year.  I also teach grades K and 6 at JQuest, and I do some B. Mitzvah tutoring at Temple Judea.  For many years, I taught several subjects and all ages at Adath Jeshurun’s religious school.  By day, I am a preschool teacher at Holy Redeemer Child Care Center, and before that, I worked at AJ Preschool.  I have a B.A. in English from Temple, an M.Ed. from Beaver (Arcadia), and I have completed the Early Childhood Administration program at Northampton Community College.    I am on the board, a lay service leader, and in the choir of Or Hadash:  A Reconstructionist Congregation.  I am so excited to work with your students and to help them to love and understand Jewish subjects.  I strive to respect and guide each student as an individual, working with their priorities and learning styles.  I am also proud to be kooky at times, dressing in my dreidl costume whenever possible.

Hi! My name is Olivia Kogan, and I am a tutor in the Mensch Lab this year. I am a Junior at Elon University studying Human Service Studies with minors in Poverty and Social Justice, Policy Studies, and Jewish Studies. I grew up at Beth Am and am excited to be a part of the Mensch Lab this year.

My name is Jacob Marder and I am a current student at Temple University. I prefer they/them and he/him pronouns interchangeably. I study Political Science, Global Studies, and Education with the intention of gaining a holistic understanding of the social sciences from the lens of restorative justice and liberation. My goal as is to build an environment where my students feel comfortable giving their best, even if it means making a mistake. I view my students as equals and hope to help them explore their abilities through individualized learning.

I will be tutoring this year at the Mensch Lab. I have been teaching for over 50 years. I have taught pre-school to high school in religious schools, as well as adult education. I love sharing my knowledge of Judaism with the students. I have taught all subjects. I am always on a quest to learn and study more. I will be tutoring via FaceTime this year.

I look forward to a year of continued learning and success.

My bio is coming soon