The Jewish LearningWorks team put together ten questions, designed to open a window into the life of the educators in our communities. Dive in to get to know who they are, be surprised, inspired, or both!
Mia Zimman
Youth and Family Education Director at Congregation Ner Shalom- Cotati, CA.
Where did you grow up?
Nashville, TN.
What is your favorite dessert?
Flourless chocolate cake.
What’s one thing you own that you should really throw out?
Old essential oils.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A park ranger or a heart surgeon.
What’s the most used app on your phone? (Be honest!)
Definitely Messages!
What’s your favorite movie?
The Songcatcher.
Keva or kavanah?
Both.
If you could only celebrate one Jewish holiday, which one would it be?
Rosh Hashanah.
What’s the best thing a student has ever said to you?
You listen to me like I’m a real person. Most grownups don’t do that.
What’s your favorite part about being a Jewish educator?
Collaborating with thoughtful, passionate, and kind people, and building real relationships with students and their families. I’m grateful to be part of the creative, courageous exploration of what it means to live with compassion and work toward a more just world. I get to witness students question, challenge, and remix what it means to be Jewish—through music, ritual, conversation, study, and play.
Get to Know Other Educators
Teacher Spotlight: Rachel Berman
The Jewish LearningWorks team put together ten questions, designed to open a window into the life of the educators in our communities. Dive in to get to know who they are, be surprised, inspired, or both! Rachel Berman Director of Family Engagement & Jewish Recourse Specialist at The Grove Preschool at Congregation Kol Shofar, Tiburon, CA. Where did you grow up? North Miami Beach, FL. What is your favorite dessert? Key Lime Pie. What’s one thing you own that you should really throw out? Drawer full of takeout soy sauce packets. What did you want to be when you were growing up? Own a high-fashion boutique. What’s the most used app on your phone? (Be honest!) TikTok cracks me up and teaches me how to use all the random stuff in my kitchen! What’s your favorite movie? Goonies — When Chunk gets caught by the Fratellis and starts confessing every bad thing he ever did — one day at Hebrew school... Keva or kavanah? Kavanah because while keva gives us structure, it’s kavanah—the intention, the heart—that makes Jewish life meaningful, especially when working with young children. I want them to feel the joy, purpose, and connection behind every tradition. The keva will come—but the kavanah is what sparks the soul. If you could only celebrate one Jewish holiday, which one would it be? If I could only choose one Jewish holiday to celebrate, it would be Passover. Growing up, my mother and father would always invite people who didn’t have a place to go, and our Seder table was filled with warmth, laughter, and a sense of community. The memories of sitting with family, sharing the story of our people’s freedom, and watching my parents lead the Seder with so much love and intention stay with me. It’s a holiday that not only connects us to our past but also reminds me of the importance of hospitality, generosity, and making others feel welcome. What’s the best thing a student has ever said to you? It’s impossible to pick just one thing a student has said to me—there have been so many moments that have touched my heart. But two stand out. One child once told me, ‘Morah Rachel is making me a Jewish man,’ and I’ll never forget it—it was said with such sincerity and pride, and I thought, Wow, this is what it’s all about. Another time, after I told the Purim story with all the drama and flair, a student looked at me wide-eyed and said, You are Queen Esther. These moments remind me that when we teach with love and intention, we’re not just sharing stories—we’re helping children feel proud of who they are and connected to something greater. What’s your favorite part about being a Jewish educator? My favorite part about being a Jewish educator is when a parent comes up to me and tell me that their child recited the entire Passover story at the dinner table, or explained what Rosh Hashanah means and talked about throwing breadcrumbs into the water for Tashlich. In those moments, I feel so deeply that what I’m doing matters. [...]
Teacher Spotlight: Nicole Novach
The Jewish LearningWorks team put together ten questions, designed to open a window into the life of the educators in our communities. Dive in to get to know who they are, be surprised, inspired, or both! Nicole Novach PJ Library Parent Connector for Sonoma County & Youth Educator at Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa. Where did you grow up? Buffalo, NY and then on to Washington, DC before moving west to Santa Rosa, California! What is your favorite dessert? Anything my mom makes! What’s one thing you own that you should really throw out? This is such a good question. As a teacher, I tend to hoard anything that can potentially be made into art as opposed to going in the trash... I'm sure there's a lot to throw out around here! What did you want to be when you were growing up? I've always wanted to be a teacher! What’s the most used app on your phone? (Be honest!) Macros First and Photos. What’s your favorite movie? Breakfast Club or Grease. Keva or kavanah? Kavanah. If you could only celebrate one Jewish holiday, which one would it be? Shabbat. What’s the best thing a student has ever said to you? A five year old once asked me, "What does your imagination sound like?" It was so thought provoking as we don't often think of our imaginations as having a sound or a voice. I think about this question often and the importance of thinking outside of the box! What’s your favorite part about being a Jewish educator? I have loved being an educator for as long as I can remember. The collaboration, energy, innovation, and learning that happens between students and teachers is what makes me smile! I am passionate about creating inclusive, engaging experiences for people of all ages. To be able to do this kind of education work in Jewish spaces with Jewish children and their families is a gift. Get to Know Other Educators
Teacher Spotlight: Yafit Shriki Megidish
The Jewish LearningWorks team put together ten questions, designed to open a window into the life of the educators in our communities. Dive in to get to know who they are, be surprised, inspired, or both! Yafit Shriki Megidish Senior Director of Jewish Learning at JCC East Bay Where did you grow up? Jerusalem, Israel. What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate babka. What’s one thing you own that you should really throw out? A red coat - an old red coat 🙂 What did you want to be when you were growing up? A therapist. What’s the most used app on your phone? (Be honest!) WhatsApp. What’s your favorite movie? My Best Friend's Wedding. Keva or kavanah? Kavanah. If you could only celebrate one Jewish holiday, which one would it be? Rosh Hashanah — I love our Iraqi Rosh Hashanah seder plate. It includes so many delicious dishes and I love the fact that I cook it just like my mother did, and my kids LOVE it. What’s the best thing a student has ever said to you? That they had to choose a person that they are inspired by and was meaningful for them — and they choose me. What’s your favorite part about being a Jewish educator? Being a Jewish educator means I get to live in chevruta every day. Whether it's with students, colleagues, or parents, I'm constantly learning — not just teaching. I feel so lucky to be part of these shared moments of growth, where we explore Jewish wisdom together. One of the greatest joys is watching students shape their own Jewish identity and find real meaning — and even joy — in Jewish learning and practice. Get to Know Other Educators
