Beit Sefer’s small class size maximizes flexibility. With two teachers and four madrichim to help with projects, students enjoy interactive group activities as well as individual attention. Each month Rav Gavrielle will share a learning theme, songs, and nigunim.
Shlomit Cohen is thrilled to be the director of the AARC religious school (beit sefer). She is excited to lead a team of outstanding madrichim (teen leaders) and also to take on a teaching role with the older students.
Shlomit began working in education at the age of 17. She started as a counselor in a youth movement, and later taught outdoor education. She supervised an archeological excavation in Israel (with students from the University of Michigan) and ran educational programs in two Archaeology museums.
In 2019, Shlomit earned a master’s in Jewish education from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). Shlomit taught at the AARC Beit Sefer for five years, from 2015 to 2020. Directing the program is as natural and exciting as returning home.
Shlomit has lived in Ann Arbor for the past 13 years. She has two children,19 and 17 years old, a dog, and a cat. She thrives outdoors, enjoys gardening, cooking, and entertaining. She loves arts and crafts, yoga, a good book, or a movie. Shlomit is looking forward to having a great year together!
Rav Gavrielle is originally from Windsor, Ontario. Before becoming AARC’s new rabbi, she served as Interim Spiritual Leader of Temple B’nai Israel of Petoskey and as guest cantor in synagogues throughout the country. She is passionate about helping students become excited about Jewish culture, values, and practices. Rav Gavrielle plays the harp and loves to knit, sew, and embroider.
Alicia Even is originally from Olympia, Wa, where she grew up in a Reconstructionist congregation. After graduating from Whitman College with a psychology major, she moved to New Orleans for a service year with Avodah. Alicia is now at the University of Michigan working towards a master’s in public health. Alicia has two years of experience as a religious school teacher and is excited to begin at AARC. She’s excited to teach children about Jewish traditions, help them feel like a part of the community, and make Judaism meaningful to them.
Mollie is a junior at Pioneer HS. She is a Girl Scout, oboist, and D&D player, and loves to draw and paint. Mollie continues to volunteer at the Humane Society of Huron Valley, her Bat Mitzvah project. During Mollie’s fourth year as a madricha, she looks forward to diving into more Jewish learning.
Dylan likes to backpack, hike, and read. He also enjoys playing basketball. He is in 11th grade at Early College Alliance this year. Dylan looks forward to contributing to our Jewish community.
Josephine is in 10th grade. She likes to play cello, read, and be outside. This is her third year being a madricha, and she looks forward to helping the other people at Beit Sefer.
Aziza is in 8th grade and likes running, reading, animals, and paddle boarding. She had her bat mitzvah this summer and this is her first year being a madricha. She looks forward to working with the younger members of our Jewish community.
