News & Events

Going Back to the Beginning on Simchat Torah

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, can give us a glimmer of light and inspiration just as the secular calendar comes to an end. We can then enter the New Year with a renewed sense of hope.

Judaism Has Four Different “New Years!”

Holidays

Judaism has four different “New Years!” The 1st of the month of Nissan (March/April) kicks off the holiday cycle and Nissan is the first month of the year. The 1st of the month of Elul is the new year for the animals. Tu B’Shevat is the new year for trees. And the 1st of Tishrei (Rosh Hashanah) is the new year for years.

Meet the Mentor: Leah Buckwold

Meet the Mentor

Leah has been with Hebrew Helpers since its inception. Originally from Canada, Leah has lived all over the US, including San Antonio, Seattle, Salt Lake City. She lived in Israel for 3 years on various programs which helped her to become fluent in modern Hebrew. In Los Angeles, Leah has taught students of all ages in a variety of topics including modern Hebrew, Prayers, Jewish Ethics, Bible Stories, Jewish History.

Meet the Mentor: Yaki Margulies

Meet the Mentor

Yaki has worked with Hebrew Helpers as a mentor and officiant since 2010, bringing creativity, warmth and enthusiasm to his teaching. Originally from Seattle, Yaki has a degree in Drama from the University of Washington and was trained in Torah chanting at Tal Torah in Jerusalem and Jewish studies at the Seattle Jewish Community School.

Meet the Mentor: Debbie Jaffe

Meet the Mentor

Debbie is the East Coast Director of Hebrew Helpers and serves as its Director of Training & Curriculum. Debbie has been teaching kids how to read Torah since she was 15 years old, and she’s mentored hundreds of kids for their bar and bat mitzvahs in Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles since 2000.