Rina Etkes (Grades 2 & 4) is a graduate of Antioch University with a degree in Liberal Arts. One of the founding members of LA's Children's Museum, she had been active in youth soccer and performing arts here, as well as in Costa Rica, where she resided with her family for six years. Prior to her move to Palm Desert, where she taught 4th Grade Judaic/Hebrew studies as well as courses in the Temple Sinai Teen Academy, such as Weekly Torah Portion, Rina has worked as 3rd grade teacher as well as a member of the Educational Management Team at Ohr Hatorah, responsible for Religious School programming. Now back in Los Angeles, she will be co-teaching fulltime in Temple Israel of Hollywood. This is Rina's fourth year as a teacher at Temple Isaiah. We are delighted that again this year Rina will serve as a mentor teacher. Rina is a mother of two sons, Alex and Ari.

Jessie Downey (Grade 4) has a BA in Judaic Studies from the University of Arizona, and is beginning graduate school at the University of Southern California for a Master's Degree in College Student Affairs and Administration. For three years she taught Hebrew and Sunday school at Temple Emanu-El in Tucson, while also serving as Youth Advisor for the congregation. In addition to going to school and teaching at Temple Isaiah this year, she will be working as a counselor at USC's Disability Services and Programs.

Dov Gottesfeld (Kesher, Grade 4 & 9) is a graduate of Brandeis University with a M.F.A. in Theater Arts. He has been a teacher for over 30 years in California, in N.Y., in New Jersey and in Boston. He has taught Hebrew, Judaism, Bar-Mitzvah lessons, Film and Drama. Dov was also the educational director of the Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation. When he doesn't do all of the above, he devotes his time to expand his award-winning vegetarian food business "What's Cook'n?"

Naomi Katz (Art Specialist, Grades 4 & 8) has been teaching at Temple Isaiah for sixteen years. Her sons, Ary and Lydia, grew up and became "B'nai Mitzvah" and were confirmed at our Religious School. Naomi has taught at various Jewish Day and Religious Schools in Los Angeles, working with students from K through 12. She's also taught at three colleges and has conducted in-service training for schools and camp staffs and for the Bureau of Jewish Education. Currently, she also teaches for the L.A. Unified School District.

Ari Rubin (Grade 4 & 7) is a graduate of Indiana University with a BA in Theatre and Art History.  Hailing all the way out of Detroit, Michigan, Ari is glad to be out of the snow and onto the beaches of California. He has taught ESL, Drama and Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons.  Ari is very excited to start his first year of teaching at Temple Isaiah. 

Tamar Sullivan (Grade 4) is a graduate of UCLA where she studied Jewish History and Jewish Languages and Literature.  A native of Israel, Tamar has been teaching and tutoring Hebrew for the last few years and programming for Jewish summer camps.  She's planning on getting her M.A. in Education and Near Eastern Languages at some point.  On the weekends, Tamar likes to hike and read novels.