Caption: Liora Brosbe, Jewish LearningWorks educator, and her mother Ellen Brosbe, former BJW/Jewish LearningWorks staff member in August 2023 at our first Oakland office open house.
For five years, Jewish LearningWorks’ flagship Special Needs Inclusion Initiative has flourished under the leadership of Senior Educator, Liora Brosbe. Liora’s deep commitment to full inclusion for all has facilitated more children being embraced by the Jewish community, regardless of individual needs or learning styles.
It is with mixed emotions that we share that Liora has decided to embark on a new professional opportunity. At the end of June, she will return to full-time clinical work in the field of psychotherapy and to be of service to those seeking mental health support.
When Liora joined Jewish LearningWorks we determined she might be the first employee that is the adult child of a former employee (spoiler: Ellen Brosbe is her mother, BJE/Jewish LearningWorks employee 1996-2015). Besides her mother, Liora is quick to name other beloved veteran educators in the community that shaped her earliest educational moments; Deborah Burg-Schnirman was her preschool teacher and Rick Concoff taught Liora in the Youth Education program that he started in Sonoma County.
Liora embodies the precious L’dor v’Dor chain, the generations that are linked to sustain vibrant and sustained Jewish educational spaces. She says, “I am evidence of countless hours of unseen labor and dedication to nurturing and developing Jewish learners. I am proud to be a lifelong learner and engaged Jewish adult, dedicated to contributing to the community and networks that made me who I am. I am a product, evidence, living proof, and celebration of Jewish education in the Bay Area and beyond.”
During her time at Jewish LearningWorks, Liora has not only overseen our custom training, student observation/consultation, and sensory toolkits, but has also been a staunch advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in all aspects of Jewish life. Liora’s unique experience as an educator, MFT and drama therapist, has taught all of us important lessons about social emotional learning, trauma informed teaching and the importance of laughter. Though she is leaving Jewish LearningWorks, the impact of her work, and her countless stories will remain with us. Thank you Liora!
Help Us Honor Liora Brosbe
If you have been touched by Liora Brosbe’s work, her dedication, or her unmistakable charm, please help us honor her by sending your kudos, or making a donation to our Special Needs Inclusion Fund in her honor.
