Jean has been teaching Hebrew School on Sunday mornings for more than 50 years.  She began teaching at the YM-YWHA in Paterson, NJ, and then at the Clifton Jewish Center before moving to the Cherry Hill area in 1985. 

Jean grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey and received her Jewish education attending Sunday School at the YM-YWHA of North Jersey in Paterson.  Shortly after being confirmed, she began teaching Sunday School.  She was also fortunate to be able to take Hebrew as a foreign language for three years in Fair Lawn High School.

Jean's educational background includes degrees in Special Education, Elementary Education and Nursery Education.  Her Master's Degree is in Counseling, Human Services and Guidance with certification as a School Social Worker. 

Jean became involved with SJHSS in 1986. She taught the Bar/Bat Mitzvah class for many years before becoming Principal and eventually Director. Jean brings her love of song and dance into the classrooms and the children look forward to learning a prayer in a new and fun way! 

Jean is not only the Director of SJHSS. She is the parent of a former student. Her daughter,  Sara, received her Jewish education through SJHSS and was Bat Mitzvahed.  Sara is now also an integral addition to our program.

In addition to her passion and work with SJHSS, Jean tutors children in Hebrew and helps them prepare for their coming of age as a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Deb grew up in the South Jersey area. She was part of the Cherry Hill Jewish community from the moment she moved to New Jersey as a young child until she left New Jersey for college. She was a Bat Mitzvah and was Confirmed through one of the local Cherry Hill synagogues. 

As an adult, Deb knew she was not thrilled with the traditional synagogues and wanted a Jewish life for her son without the traditional life of belonging to a synagogue. Through friends, she found South Jersey Hebrew Sunday School and has never looked back. 

Not only is her son a student of South Jersey Hebrew Sunday School, but she started as a teacher for the 6th and 7th grade class. Now as the SJHSS Principal, Deb enjoys working with the children and their parents to bring a Judaic and Jewish education to families within the community.

Deb currently lives in Cherry Hill with her son, their dog, and their cat. In her free time (if she ever has free time), she may read a book or watch any number of legal dramas, comedies, or mindless TV. Please contact her with any questions you may have throughout the year, or simply to say hi. 

Rabbi David worked 40 years in journalism before deciding to do something wildly different – go to rabbinic school. Born in Columbia, MO, and growing up in Cincinnati, OH, he earned a journalism degree at the University of Michigan. He worked as an editor and reporter for Associated Press in Detroit for 31 years. Then in 2015, he switched gears and moved to Philadelphia to study at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where he graduated last year. 

Rabbi David happily serves as spiritual leader of the Nafshenu community in Cherry Hill, NJ. He and his wife, Pearl Raz, have three adult children and (so far) two grandchildren. Rabbi David loves teaching people of all ages, singing, and bringing Jewish tradition alive for 21st century Americans. He has lived and studied in Israel and loves to visit as often as he can.

As a product of a mixed marriage himself, Rabbi David believes in the importance of including multifaith families in Jewish communities and in fostering understanding and respect among people of all faith traditions.

Eleana has been teaching at South Jersey Hebrew Sunday School for nine years. She is a graduate of The College of New Jersey with a degree in Elementary Education and Spanish. Currently, Eleana is an ESL teacher. She loves teaching Hebrew School and working with the children of SJHSS.  

Sara has been with the South Jersey Hebrew Sunday School since before she  was born. As a child, Sara earned her Jewish education through SJHSS. She was Bat Mitzvahed through the program as well.

In college, Sara worked as a tutor/aide at Adath Israel Congregation in a resource room. When she returned homes,  she joined the SJHSS team as a tutor/aide/substitute teacher. During the week she works with children with developmental disabilities, providing her the skills and resources to assist any needs of all children that come through SJHSS.

Morah Ariana has been a teacher at South Jersey Hebrew Sunday School since 2014. She absolutely loves teaching her second graders each and every year. Second grade is a PACKED year with learning the Hebrew alphabet, Torah stories, holidays, prayers, and building a love for Israel. A little background about her: she attended Politz Day School, a private Hebrew school throughout elementary and middle school, attended and worked at JCC Camps, and earned a minor in Hebrew at Rutgers University. Being Jewish and learning the values and culture has always been a part of her life and she is very happy to have a SJHSS family to share it with!