Who We Are

Todd is the Founder and Executive Director of Hebrew Helpers. After many years as a Jewish educator in both New York City and Los Angeles, Todd started Hebrew Helpers in 2005 with the mission to create authentic and meaningful Jewish learning experiences without boundaries or restrictions while at the same time, paying tribute to tradition. Raised in Elkins Park, PA, Todd studied with Cantor Charles Davidson at Congregation Adath Jeshurun. He is an alum of the University of Pennsylvania, Alexander Muss High School in Israel and Project Otzma. In his spare time, he produces independent feature films.

Debbie Jaffe is the East Coast Director of Hebrew Helpers. She has been teaching kids how to read Torah since she was 15 years old, and has mentored hundreds of students for their B’nai Mitzvah services in Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles since 2000. Her mission is not just to teach students about Judaism and prepare them for their service, but also to show them that Judaism can be fun, interesting and relevant in their lives. Debbie has an M.F.A. in Acting and worked for several years in film and TV. She lives in Philadelphia with her young son, Rami.

Wendy Jackler is the managing director of Hebrew Helpers.

Ami Yares is a Philadelphia-based educator and musician. Jewish music’s diversity plays a pivotal role in his life. Ami speaks Hebrew competently and has a special insight into Hebrew prose and poetry. He loves to help people appreciate this ancient, yet modern language. While living in Israel, he worked with Israelis and Palestinians on music-based shared society projects and traveled across the US and Europe to teach and perform music about Jewish identity. Ami also believes deeply in the healing and therapeutic power of the arts and works during daylight hours with BuildaBridge International and local community-minded artists. Together, they provide art-making programs for trauma-affected individuals and communities.

Adi Eshman is a playwright, screenwriter, and educator based in New York City. He has mentored students for Hebrew Helpers for the past 10 years both in LA and NYC and has taught classes at B’nei Jeshurun, Sutton Place Synagogue, Town & Village Synagogue, Congregation Habonim, and LabShul. Recently, Adi received his Masters in Dramatic Writing from USC. His interests include theatre, film, American history, sociology, literature and art history.

Alexis Snyder is based in Philadelphia where she has been teaching Hebrew and Jewish studies since she was confirmed in 2007. She is certified to teach Hebrew to children with special needs, has a Bachelor’s in studio arts, as well as a Masters in Elementary Education, and a Masters in Special Education. Having a learning disability herself and struggling with Hebrew as a child, she feels that she is able to use her experiences to better assist children who may need extra support. Aside from teaching Hebrew, she is also a general education teacher and a pet sitter. She is a music lover, avid baker, and makes a mean matzo ball soup.

Aliya has been mentoring students and officiating and songleading Bar/Bat Mitzvah services for more than a decade. In her past work as a camp counselor, assistant camp director and music teacher, Aliya instills fun and meaning into her teaching, adding “ruach” into every prayer, reading and song. After graduating from UCLA, Aliya pursued musical theatre (and spent 4 years singing at Disneyland!) while still continuing her work as a teacher and cantorial soloist at various LA synagogues. Aliya is currently in Cantorial School at AJRCA and loves bringing this new knowledge to her students.

Ben Wacks has made Washington, DC his community where he teaches in the Gan HaYeled program at Adas Israel Congregation. In addition to mentoring for Hebrew Helpers, he also teaches a weekly Hebrew High school program for 7th-9th graders where he leads discussions on Jewish values in pop culture and American Jewish history. He cares deeply about connecting with young professionals in DC through his leadership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and serves on the Steering Committee of Washington Hebrew Congregation’s young professional network called 2239. Ben grew up in South Florida where he graduated with his BA in Political Science and Jewish Studies at Florida Atlantic University.

David Schwartzbaum is an educator and comedian living in Los Angeles. Born in Miami, David now lives in Los Angeles where he has been working with students on Hebrew and Jewish studies for over a decade as a teacher and administrator. He currently works for several Jewish organizations in Los Angeles where he focuses on weaving in the values of performing arts with Jewish tradition. When not mentoring students, David works as an actor/comedian, having toured the country teaching improv, sketch and creative writing to thousands of people of all ages. David spends his free time either on stage or watching the Miami Heat and professional wrestling. The most impressive fact about David is he has proudly attended every WrestleMania in recent history.

Jake Wassermann, a graduate from the Joint Program between Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary, is excited to join the Hebrew Helpers team as a mentor. Originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Jake spent over ten summers as a camper and counselor at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. Jake’s professional career has included running his own video production company, facilitating LGBTQ+ inclusion training sessions with Keshet, and playing in the orchestra for the National Tour of a Broadway show. Having studied Jewish Art History and Psychology, Jake is passionate about working with different communities and individuals to help them succeed through a creative arts lens. Jake has lived in Philly, Miami, Chicago, and is thrilled to be living in Brooklyn!

Karen Lewin is an experienced and accomplished Jewish educator, Karen has spent the past twenty years creating and implementing dynamic educational, religious, social and cultural programs for Jewish youth of all ages. Over the course of her career, Karen has served as a day-school teacher, preschool director, youth advisor and Hebrew School principal. Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Elementary Education from Clark University and a master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Davidson Graduate School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary.Karen and her husband Joe are blessed with one son, Charlie, and a wonderful family cat, Wonder.

Klielle Glanzberg-Krainin was raised in the Philadelphia area, and recently relocated to Brooklyn to begin earning her Masters in Social Work through Smith College. Klielle’s commitment to Judaism and Jewish education can be traced throughout her life: she grew up attending Jewish day school and Jewish summer camp; was active in multiple Jewish student groups in college; taught Hebrew School for several years, and recently spent 6 months living on an ecological farm in Israel. Klielle loves finding ways to use the deep grounding she has in Jewish tradition to help make Judaism relevant and meaningful for others.

Marc Rosenberg is the VP of Diaspora Partnerships at Nefesh B’Nefesh – a non-profit organization that is revitalizing Aliyah from North America. He is an experienced educator and collaborates with several educational institutions in Jerusalem and around the world. From 7th grade English to a variety of topics at Hebrew schools, adolescents and adults, in person and online, he has been involved in educating for more than 25 years. Originally from Cherry Hill, NJ, Marc lives in Jerusalem with his awesome wife and 5 children. Marc joined Hebrew Helpers in 2021.

Marnina Schon Wirtschafter loves collaborating to tailor unique ritual and milestone experiences, from B’nai Mitzvah services to community-wide High Holiday services. She is passionate about making Jewishness accessible, meaningful, and joyful. Rooted in her pluralistic Jewish upbringing in Berkeley, Marnina studied Communications and Theater at UCLA, organized for justice with Bend the Arc, created community programming at IKAR and SIJCC, and explored Yiddishkayt in Germany and Eastern Europe. Recently, Marnina starred in the new Israeli dramedy series “Chanshi” and is developing a webseries about Torah with the Jewish Writers’ Initiative.

Matt Dulberg has been involved in Jewish Education his entire life. He began his journey in Chicago at Anshe Emet Synagogue, learning Hebrew and the Holidays on Thursdays and Sundays. From there, he went to Rochelle Zell Jewish High School in Northbrook, where he was exposed to a deeper level of Judaism, which included a senior year trip to Israel. In addition to his life-long passion for Judaism, Matt is focused on a career in filmmaking, which is what brought him to Los Angeles. In his free time, Matt can be found on the ski slopes, in the climbing gym, or trying to write the next big screenplay.

Michael Schatz is the East Coast Manager of Hebrew Helpers. Michael holds a doctorate in Jewish Education from Gratz College and an honorary doctorate from JTS. A longtime Jewish educator and administrator, Michael also works as Principal of the religious school at Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley, and he lectures and conducts tours of historic Jewish Philadelphia. Michael spent many years as a USYer and USY director, and a Camp Ramah counselor and Rosh Edah (Poconos). In addition to his Jewish education work, Michael is an avid reader, and a pretty awesome baker specializing in challah, banana bread, and hamantaschen.

Natasha Cooper-Benisty was raised in London and Long Island, but now calls New Jersey home. She holds a Bachelors in Drama from Vassar and a Masters in Jewish Communal Service and Nonprofit Management from Gratz College. Natasha lived in Israel after college, where she became fluent in modern Hebrew. She currently teaches 3rd grade Judaics and Hebrew at Golda Och Academy in West Orange, NJ and 5th and 6th grade Hebrew at Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston, NJ. Natasha enjoys sharing her enthusiasm about Judaism with her students.

Rachel Olshin hails from the home of the best schnitzel sandwich on the East Coast, (Chickies, if you’re ever in Teaneck, NJ!). She has twelve years of Jewish day school education, spent a year studying in Jerusalem, and prefers matzah with cream cheese to matzah pizza. During her time at Queens College, City University of New York, she received a double BA in Media Studies and History and served as Shalom Hartman Migdalim Fellow at Hillel. When she’s not teaching Hebrew school and mentoring students, Rachel is a screenwriter, screen watcher, and gym-avoider.

Sarah Gronlund-Jacob grew up in New Jersey and moved to LA almost 10 years ago for the sunshine and avocados. She grew up very active in the reform Jewish movement and spent a semester of high school living in Israel on a Kibbutz. Sarah has been teaching Hebrew School with different temples in NJ, Boston and LA for more than 15 years. Currently, she is the Community Liaison for Hillside Memorial Park and she works with the Jewish communities and nonprofits in the Los Angeles area building partnerships to make the world a better place for future generations.

Sarahann Goldstein is a warm, nurturing and experienced B’nai Mitzvah mentor who has worked with young people and their families for over 10 years and has held a variety of senior roles in Jewish education for the past 15 years in NYC and Philadelphia including in Admissions for JTS. In addition to her work as a mentor, Sarahann currently works as the Assistant Director of Membership for Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood, PA. Sarahann has a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Temple University.

Shelby Ilan was born and raised in Los Angeles. She earned her degree in Psychology from San Diego State University, but has always had a passion for Jewish education and Jewish studies. In fact, she thrives most when she is combining Judaism with human connection, as evidenced by her years of teaching religious school at Temple Judea, working as a B’nai Mitzvah coordinator for Sinai Temple and as a Mentoring Specialist for Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters. Shelby has a rich Jewish background and feels passionate about making learning fun, interesting, collaborative and relevant.

Sophia was born in Canton, OH, grew up in Oakland, CA and now lives in Brooklyn, NY. She attended pluralistic Jewish day schools and camp, which gave her an excellent foundation in Jewish education and a love of Jewish music. Sophia spent a year in Israel before college, where she studied at a modern-orthodox seminary and volunteered as a medical clown in a Jerusalem hospital. Sophia studied Theatre, Communications & Anthropology at UCLA, where she founded its only Jewish a cappella group, JEWkbox. Every summer, Sophia volunteers at Camp Kesem, which is for kids impacted by a parent’s cancer. Sophia moved to NY in 2017 to pursue a career as an actress and standup comedian. She loves leading services at the Nolita minyan, fostering dogs, and helping young people create or deepen a meaningful connection with their Judaism.

Sydney Touissant is a Jewish educator, music educator, and doula in the Philadelphia area. With an MAT in Music Education from the University of the Arts, Sydney loves to foster a joy of music with all of her students. Sydney has tutored B’nai Mitzvah students at Rodeph Shalom and Society Hill Synagogues, and currently teaches at Society Hill’s Hebrew School. When she is not teaching or making music, Sydney likes to read, do crafts, go on walks, and cuddle with her cats, Theo and Nyla.

Zohar Fuller is a theatre director and educator based in Brooklyn, NY and is currently studying to receive her Masters in Social Work. She has worked in Jewish education for the past fifteen years. This has included teaching at synagogues and Jewish day schools throughout Boston and NYC, being a counselor at Camp Ramah in New England, and privately tutoring students. She has an M.F.A. in Directing from Boston University and loves cats, biking, and cooking.