The Karp Family Hebrew School

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Students at the Karp Family Hebrew School benefit from a wonderful classroom space, small class sizes, and committed teachers who are not just "hired help". The well-rounded curriculum includes:

• a balance between modern Hebrew and t'filah
• instruction in Jewish ritual and custom
• Jewish history ranging from Biblical times to America to the modern state of Israel
• music, art, and dance
• an emphasis on Jewish values
• first-rate Family Education Programs centering around the holiday cycle

Along with the changes in structure this year came a new Educational Director. Bret Goldstein has been serving as Educational Director at Beth Torah Congregation since 2001 and is thrilled to come to Mishkan Torah, a place with such an involved membership and supportive leadership. The teaching staff is also first-rate:

Bret Goldstein, grades 5-7, Educational Director

Bret is a native of the Washington area, previously served as a teacher and principal at the Beth Torah Hebrew School. He holds a bachelor's degree in cinema from Ithaca College and a master's degree in Second Language Acquisition from the University of Maryland. Bret has taught in the Baltimore City and Montgomery County Public School systems, and now teaches in Prince George's County. He and his wife Darelynn Fung, an instrumental music teacher in Prince George's County, live in Berwyn Heights and have three children – Aaron Sam, and Elta. On his off days, he enjoys sports and playing in the only klezmer/R & B band he knows of.

Udi Farber, grades 1 - 2

We are very lucky to have Udi. He is a 25-year old junior at the University of Maryland majoring in philosophy. Before coming to the US, Udi was an instructor in the Israeli Air Force and had worked with the mentally disabled in his native Tel Aviv. He is the perfect match for our youngest students, meeting their energy and enthusiasm step for step and providing an excellent model for speaking Hebrew at the perfect age for language acquisition. Udi also teaches our beginner adults on Wednesday evenings in a free class that seems to attract more and more students each year.

Deborah Shroder , grades 3-4

Deborah is a proud alumna of the Karp Family Hebrew School. Luckily for us, she chose to stay local and attend the University of Maryland, where she is currently a sophomore. Nothing makes us prouder than to see one of our own continuing the tradition and working with "the next generation". In her "spare time", Deborah performs in the flag corps for Maryland's marching band, so look for her at those halftime shows!