Cathy Heller (Grade 7) is a graduate of Florida State University with a B.A in Theater and Religion. After graduating college Cathy studied Torah in Jerusalem for two years at Nishmat Advanced college of Judaic Studies For Women. She spent time working with Israelight, a Jewish enrichment center in the Old City of Jerusalem. She went on to teach and lecture on Judaic studies topic in various schools, shuls and organizations, over the last 7 years. Cathy loves to sing and write music that expresses inspiring messages. When she isn't teaching she is writing music which will soon be heard in various films and T.V shows.  

Julie Kohner (Grade 7) is a graduate of C.S.U.L.A. with a Masters of Science in Educational Counseling. She has been teaching Religious School in several congregations, for over 30 years, and has been on our teaching staff since 1994. Julie also teaches grades 6 and 7, English and Social Studies, at Emek Hebrew Academy. She is married to Stephen Greenberg, an aerospace engineer at JPL, and they have one son Daniel who was confirmed at Temple Isaiah, last year.

Ariella Kristol Forstein (Grade 7) is a cantorial soloist, classical and world musician, writer and creative person all around. She's been teaching T'fillot (prayers) and Torah in the Midwest and California for 10 years, and enjoys introspective discussions that challenge and intrigue both students and teacher. She is also the musical director of world music band, Yeh Dede, and is pursuing her career as a vocalist in the studio and on stage.

Miriam Philips (Grades 7 & 8) grew up in Washington state and Seal Beach, CA.  She is a graduate of Brandeis University in History. Miriam volunteered for a year in Israel after college and then spent a couple of years teaching and youth directing in synagogues in the San Francisco Bay area. She loves the arts, and likes to use art, dance and theater as platforms through which to learn about Judaism. She is currently a second-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College.

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. 

Nira Weiss (Grades 6 and 7) was born and raised in Acco, Israel. She taught junior high school students for ten years prior to moving to the USA in 1989. During the past 18 years she taught various age groups from pre-school to high school to adults and acquired a certificate in American Sign Language. She teaches at the Academy for Jewish Religion, a Rabbinical masters program. She is a strong believer in Jewish education and loves teaching Hebrew. This is her 4th year with Temple Isaiah.