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.

Dana was born and raised in Jerusalem. She graduated with honors from David Yellin Teachers College in Jerusalem where she received her B.A. in education and she earned her Master Degree in Education at the American Jewish University.

She previously taught English to third through sixth graders in Israeli public schools. Dana learned French and Spanish, served in the Israeli army and received an award of excellence from the IDF for her service. Dana pioneered a new pilot program with Rabbi Melissa Buyer, utilizing an experimental Distance Learning teaching model and was presented a BJE Lainer Award in 2011. She currently teaches Hebrew at Stephen S. wise elementary school and is the Hebrew coordinator and the I-LEARN teacher at the Religious school. Dana also works for Los Angeles Hebrew High school and AJU university

Dana believes that each student is an individual and has a unique gift to offer the world. She believes in teaching her students according to their path and it is important for her that her students are happy and learn to think outside of the box, become positive, empathetic, appreciative, creative and self-reflecting. It is also important for Dana to pass on her love and devotion to Judaism, Israel, and Hebrew to her students.

Dana loves music and is a proud mother of Ariel and Daniel.

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.

Eliyahu Krause studied education in Jerusalem after finishing his time farming on a Kibbutz and serving in the military as a commander in the paratroopers’ brigade,. He received his B.Ed. and started youth programs aimed at using martial arts to help teens deal with different personal challenges: e.g. self-confidence, self-control, discipline and teamwork, etc. Krause has been studying different forms of martial arts since 2000 and has been training others since 2009. He is the father of two boys and a musician who speaks several languages. He recently published a book titled : “How to be a ninja of life” – life lessons in martial arts techniques through short stories. Aside from teaching at LA Hebrew High, he is currently an elementary school teacher in Los Angeles, CA.

Sarit was born and raised in Israel.  She grew up in Bat Yam next to the beach.  At the age of 18, Sarit joined the Israeli Defense Force’s air force unit and served there for two years.  She later moved to the United states where she met her husband with whom she has three children: Noa (20), Inbal (17), and Elad (14).

Sarit earned her BA degree in Art and later acquired her AA in Early Childhood Studies here in Los Angeles.

12 years ago, Sarit had the opportunity to be a substitute teacher at her son’s school and it took her only one week to realize her destiny was to teach.  For the past 10 years, she has been the head of the Hebrew Department for the Emek Early Childhood Center.

Sarit joined LA Hebrew High in 2019 as a Hebrew teacher. As a mom of three teenagers, she relates to the students and  her goal is to instill in them a love of the Hebrew language and a love for Israel.

Sagi Refael is an Israeli art historian, curator, educator, writer and advisor to collectors and artists.  Sagi earned his BA and MA in Art History from Hebrew University in Jerusalem before relocating to Los Angeles in 2012. Sagi founded IAILA to promote Israeli arts & culture in Southern California. Sagi teaches Israeli art at American Jewish University (AJU).

Sagi is a recent graduate in the DeLeT program for Excellence in Hebrew Teaching at the Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, from which he will graduate in July. He is also an active member of JAI – Jewish Artists Initiative of Southern California.

We are thrilled to have him teaching modern Hebrew and an art elective “Omanut “at LA Hebrew High

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.

Irit Shemesh was born and raised in Israel and served in the IDF for 2 years as a commander, training junior soldiers. Irit has a B.A. in Behavioral & Economy Sciences. As part of her degree, Irit worked with children with learning disabilities teaching them Hebrew and math, and volunteered with underprivileged children. Eight years ago she moved to Denver, Colorado with her husband and children, where she taught Hebrew at the Denver Jewish Day School. Four years ago, she relocated to Los Angeles and became a teacher at LA Hebrew High. She is currently in her second year at California State University, Northridge studying for her Masters in Technology and education.

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.