Anat was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Sinai surrounded by nature, green houses and fields of peppers and tomatoes. She later moved to an agricultural moshav in the South. During her army service she served in NACHAL as an English teacher and worked as a Counselor on Kibbutz Yotveta.  Afterwards, she travelled around the world to places such as India, South America, and Europe while also completing her Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Photography. She later moved to Tel Aviv and worked as a professional photographer and producer in various newspapers including Maariv, Arutz 2 and National Geographic. Five years ago, Anat moved to the US with her husband. They started off in New Orleans, where their two daughters were born. Three years later, they moved to Los Angeles.

Anat currently teaches Hebrew at Heschel Day School and LA Hebrew High and enjoys every moment. Ironically, after being in the States over the past few years, Anat says she feels more connected to my Jewish and Israeli identity and to the Hebrew language and she views her mission as being to instill love and values in the next generation.

Iris was born and grew up in Hod Hasharon, Israel. She joined the IDF at 18 and served for two years. Iris later earned her BA in Education with excellence from the University of Jerusalem, and subsequently earned a Teaching Diploma and received her Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) with Excellence. Iris gained varied experience working as a social worker at Tel Hashomer Hospital, teaching at Bar-Ilan University, and training social work students.  She and her husband, Parviz Sharifi have two kids, Neta (14) and Aaron (13).

Iris immigrated to the U.S. in 2000 and has had the pleasure of working in Jewish Education ever since. She achieved the level of Hebrew Master teacher and served as the Head of the Hebrew department at de Toledo High School for over 15 years.  She has also been a mentor teacher at the American Jewish University, as well as a clinical educator at Hebrew Union College.

Iris joined LA Hebrew High in October 2019 as a Hebrew instructor.  Her goal in teaching Hebrew is to provide students with a meaningful and authentic communicative experience, along with love of Israel.

Marcus has been working in Jewish Education for 20 years, and as a creative innovator he has taught for Jewish communities in over 20 countries. He completed degrees in English Literature and Drama/Theatre Arts (B.A.), 20th Century European Literature (M.A.), and a postgraduate acting diploma from Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London (full time, one year). He also achieved semicha, Orthodox rabbinic ordination, but is a ‘secret’ rabbi and does not use the title. Marcus has published three books on integrating Jewish wisdom with yoga, including The Kosher Sutras: A Yogi’s Guide to the Torah and The Kabbalah Sutras: A Yogi’s Guide to Counting the Omer, and is president of the Jewish Yoga Network. He has toured internationally performing his quartet of one-man Biblical comic plays including Elijah: First Action Hero, and Solomon: King Poet & Lover – A Tale of One Man & 700 Wives (winner: Hollywood Fringe Encore award). Originally from England, Marcus has lived in Los Angeles for 10 years and runs a creative marketing agency, Freedthinking.

Originally from Argentina, Cecilia found her passion for Israeli Folk Dance through Keshet Chaim and developed a program to include it into Jewish educational programs. Since then, she has been teaching Israeli folk dance in Jewish organizations, synagogues, schools and in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Cecilia developed a program that teaches tolerance, diversity and multiculturalism through Israeli folk dance that has branched out to include churches and community centers as well, and has developed training sessions for Israeli folk dance instructors, currently leading the Department of Education at Keshet Chaim.  During the week, she is Ms. Hanono, a School Counselor at LAUSD, and works in private practice as a psychotherapist.

Cecilia worked as Youth Director for USY and BBYO, as Cultural Arts & Dance Director for Camp Ramah in California, has been a Daber Fellow -a specialized program to teach Hebrew informally- funded by the Avi Chai Foundation, and has been teaching at Ohr Lanu -a Special Needs Family Camp. Cecilia participated in the March of the Living as a group coordinator, as she understands the importance of educating and transmitting our history as well as our folklore.

Born and raised in Israel, David Hazan has over 17 years of experience in education. David has a B.Ed. in Bible and Israel’s Studies, and Master’s degree in Jewish History and Hebrew Comparative Literature from Bar-Ilan University. Prior to teaching in the United States, David worked in Mexico City as a Jewish Studies coordinator and the Shaliach (delegate) of B’nai Akivah – the largest Israeli Zionist youth movement. David has served numerous schools and communities, helping with the creation and writing of curriculum, strategic planning, admissions, and as a liaison with boards. He moved to Los Angeles from Austin, Texas where he worked as Director of the Hebrew and Jewish Studies Department at Austin Jewish Academy, and served as Principal of ACHS – Austin Community Hebrew School. David likes to paint, read, and write (he’s published three Poetry books in Hebrew and has had a weekly column in an Israeli newspaper).

Mariel was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Having attended private Jewish schools growing up in South America, she eventually studied psychology at the University of Buenos Aires, and simultaneously studied a second degree in Jewish education. She received this degree from the Haim Greenberg Machon L’Morim in Kiriyat Moriah, a branch of the Jerusalem University specifically dedicated to Jewish teaching in the Diaspora. While studying abroad in Israel, she worked with elementary and middle school in Herzliya. She continued her studies in the Rabbinical Seminar of Buenos Aires while she worked in Jewish elementary schools until she moved to the U.S. with her husband Guillermo.

In Los Angeles, Mariel has been involved in conservative synagogue PR and programming, education, and fundraising for almost 15 years. Mariel also works in public relations for an international company. She is the proud mother of three. Camila, the eldest daughter, studied at IDC Herzliya in Israel, and is now the PR Director for the Israel Government Ministry of Tourism. Bianca, her second daughter, is a freshman at Indiana University. Liam, her youngest son is in 7th grade. Both Camila and Bianca were LAHHS students, and Liam will begin next year. Mariel continues to stay very active in the Jewish world, currently conducting an educational and social Jewish women’s group that she started in Chabad, and expanded in other communities. She is an avid and strong supporter of Israel.

Yonah Stromer comes from Teaneck, NJ. In 2018, Yonah graduated from Yeshiva University with a degree in Psychology and Business. A year ago, he and his wife, Yael, moved to LA – they say this was because Yael’s family still lives here, but it was really just to escape New Jersey’s harsh, unrelenting winter cold.

Yonah currently works as a data analyst for an eCommerce company. Despite being a self-describe “nerd for numbers,” he also coaches the Southern California Wrestling Club and regularly trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. His hobbies include playing Magic: the Gathering and discussing the finer points of coffee brewership.

Roman Shnaider was born and grew up in the USSR (now Russia). At age 17 he made Aliyah to Israel and served in the Israel Defense Forces for three years. Roman has wanted to be a teacher for as long as he can remember. His childhood dream came true, and Roman established his educational career in Israel, teaching middle and high school History, Hebrew, and Civics. Roman received his Master’s degree in Educational Counseling (with honors) from Bar-Ilan University, and worked as a high school counselor. (His Bachelor’s degree and Teacher’s Credential are in History).

Roman immigrated to the U.S with his wife and daughter. In addition to teaching Hebrew at LAHHS, he is going into his 3rd year of teaching Hebrew at de Toledo High School.

Michael Waterman is eager to begin his 16^th year on staff at Hebrew High, having begun his tenure at the turn of the Millennium.  He has taught Ethics, Current Events, Jewish History, Israel & Zionism, Contemporary Jewish Issues, and is currently the leader of our Junior and Senior Seminar Programs.  Mike graduated Los Angeles Hebrew High School and Fairfax High School in 1968, U.C.L.A. in 1972 (BS in Political Science) and Southwestern University School of Law in 1975 (Juris Doctorate).  He is or has served on the Boards of Directors of the Bureau of Jewish Education, Valley Beth Shalom, International United Synagogue, Encino Law Center, Camp Ramah in Ojai, Mercaz, AMCHA-UCLA Alumni, Pacific Southwest Region of United Synagogue, and, of course, Los Angeles Hebrew High School.

Mike is currently a member of the California Bar Association and is president of Pegasus Investments, a real estate brokerage and syndication firm specializing in single-tenant, triple-net leased properties throughout the United States.

He brings a tremendous love of Judaism, paternal experience as a father of three, and practical experience in both the Jewish and secular worlds to share and inspire the students at Hebrew High as they prepare to grow into their own exciting adult lives – filled with Menschlichkeit and meaning.