“The Workmen's Circle is my Jewish community because it allows me to express all the different aspects of my Jewish identity in one place. It’s where I act for change while being part of a larger, inter-generational community.”
Shule Teacher Bios
Kindergarten: Pauli Katz is a graduate of York College and our very own Boston Workmen's Circle Shule. She spent last year in Georgia (the country, not the state) teaching English to elementary school children. Previously, she was a fellow at the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, and she has spent many summers as a counselor at Camp Kinderland. Pauli is currently working at the Burke High School in Dorchester with City Year.
Alef (K/1): Jennie Msall is excited to bring her experience working with children and her passion for environmental justice to the Alef class. A graduate of Vassar College, Jennie has spent the past two years supporting youth and adults in growing their own food at The Food Project. Beginning this fall, she will be a fellow with the Jewish Organizing Initiative, where she will work at St. Stephen's Youth Program as a family and community organizer in lower Roxbury. She is excited to be exploring her own Jewish identity and its connection to social justice as she teaches the Alef curriculum on Jewish holidays and environmental justice.
Beyz (2): Sarah Resnick has worked as an educator in Jewish summer camps and at an environmental learning center. She is a graduate of the Arava Institute and the University of Toronto. Sarah is currently a Fellow with JOIN for Justice, working as a community organizer at the Committee of Interns and Residents. She is excited for her first year teaching the Beyz class.
Giml (3): Leor Sear-Brent I was born and raised on a kibbutz in Israel and currently live in Brookline, MA with my two children (Sarah and Adam), dog (Nellie) and tortoise (Henry). I have been teaching students ages 5 – 11 in the public school setting for the past 8 years until joining Workmen Circle last fall. I love teaching and working with kids; my other interests are the outdoors, travel, books, music, sports and the arts.
Daled (4): Elissa Schechner is returning for her third year of teaching the Daled class. Elissa is a certified teacher, and is continuing her graduate studies this year at Lesley University. Elissa will be working with our Daled students as they discover Jewish communities around the world.
Hey (5): Darya Mattes participated in a Jewish Women’s Archive Institute for Educators, and has adapted several units of their curriculum “Living the Legacy, Jews in the Civil Rights Movement” for use with the Hey class. Darya is also a graduate of Avodah, and she currently works at Equal Exchange in the Interfaith Program. Darya is returning for her fourth year of teaching the Hey class.
Vov (6): Shahar Colt is in her second year of rabbinical school at Hebrew College. She likes teaching and learning, biking and dancing. She is very excited to get to know the Workman's Circle community this year.
Zayin (7): Jenn Lindsay received a Masters in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. Her degree emphasis was in Interfaith Relations and Ecumenics, specifically with regard to the role of religion in personal relationships. She is starting her second year of a PhD program at BU in Religious Studies. She is also an accomplished musician, has worked extensively with young people, and is active in the Jewish LGBTQ community. She is returning for her second year to guide our Zayin students through their bar/Bat Mizvah year as they explore their own Jewish identity.
Music: David Ladon will be returning for his fifth year as a Shule teacher. His works at Pierce School Extended Day in Brookline, specializing in activity based learning and cooperative games. In the summers, he teaches art and music at the Children's English Language Institute, a K-8 summer program for English language learners. He also writes and records music with two local bands, The Doctors Fox and Animal Farm, the latter of which plays kids music about community and self-expression.
