Hebrew School Home Meet Our Staff School Calendar Pictures Resources Registration Form 2011-2012

LESLIE SCHWARTZ (VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION)

Leslie has held a variety of positions at Temple Emanu-El, including President and VP Membership.  She has a Ph.D. degree in chemistry and was a faculty member in the Chemistry Department at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY for 18 years.  Leslie has recently been teaching high school chemistry and physics, and Hebrew for both children and adults.  She is also a bar/bat mitzvah tutor at Temple Emanu-El.

MARIE LOVENHEIM (PRINCIPAL)

Marie is a native New Yorker, has served on the boards of Rochester’s Jewish Family Service and the National Council of Jewish Women, and worked as a Jewish Hospice Volunteer.  A Cornell trained nutritionist, she teaches as an adjunct assistant professor at Monroe Community College, worked as a professional cook, and conducts a private nutrition practice. 

As a Jew by Choice, she’s visited Israel several times, and taken great pleasure in the Jewish education of her three (now grown) children, and is pleased that they remain committed, practicing Jews.  Her goal in overseeing our Hebrew school is to infuse the experience of Jewish education with warmth, joy, and feelings of both security and connection.

ANDREA PAPROCKI (ALEPH)

Andrea is a dedicated teacher with 25 years of Jewish teaching experience. She loves teaching Judaism, holidays, and traditions, and of course, enjoys being Jewish, and is certified to teach religious school. The Jewish Federation honored her by nominating her to be one of ten teachers to travel to Israel, a trip that she embraced. Her desire is to instill familiarity with Judaism and a love of learning while making it fun so her students will embrace their Jewish identity both in and out of Hebrew school.

ALEXA FISCHER (Teacher, BET)

After completing Hebrew school at IHSC (Irondequoit Hebrew Studies Center) and becoming a Bat Mitzvah, she stayed to teach as a part of the Madrich (aide) program. She attended The Ohio State University, majoring in communication, and all along continued with Hebrew studies. She also received teacher training in Israel.  Alexa brings much knowledge and enthusiasm.

NOA ELIMELECH (Teacher, GIMMEL)

Noa brings both teaching and musical talent to our school. She recently received her Master's in Human Development from the University of Rochester, and her Bachelor's is in Music Therapy from the Berklee College of Music. Her thesis work evaluated the use of music therapy amongst children with developmental disabilities.  Noa worked as an aide in a Hebrew school classroom, was raised in a reform synagogue, and was a bat mitzvah. Her father was born and raised in Israel, so she was raised speaking both Hebrew and English. She currently owns her own business, Helping Harmonies Music Therapy Services, and is delighted to be part of our school

SIERRA FISHER (Aide)

Sierra’s passion is to work with those with devlopmental disabilities.  She brings to our school a solid educational background with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Special Education from Nazareth College.  She comes to our school with several years of experience providing in-home care for a child with autism, and has worked with others with special needs.  Although not Jewish, she is familiar with Judaism and has attended numerous services at a conservative temple to educate herself in Judaism.  Sierra is patient, optimistic, and passionate about helping others.