Parenting and Judaism Learning Series - Event - Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation

Join us for a four-part class series focused on parenting and Judaism. These classes are open to anyone (parents or not) and will be hosted at the home of Ali and Alex Grange. The address will be provided upon RSVP. Please scroll down to register below - you are welcome to sign up for one class, a few, or all!

Thursday, January 23rd, 8:30 PM
“Study vs. Rest: The Torah’s Perspective on High Achievement”
with Rabbi Aaron Finkelstein

Tuesday, February 4th, 8:30 PM
"Learning and Teaching to Listen"
with Miriam Kass 

MEET THE TEACHERS:

RABBI AARON FINKELSTEIN has been the rabbi of ASBI since 2023. He was the founding Rabbi of Prospect Heights Shul in Brooklyn, New York, subsequently served as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Sherith Israel in Nashville, Tennessee, and was chair of the Nashville Board of Rabbis. Before coming to ASBI, he was Middle School Rabbi at Milken Community School in Los Angeles, serving in that role to gather students, families, faculty, and administrators around a shared vision for Jewish life and learning. He received semikha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in 2011. Originally from Berkeley, Rabbi Finkelstein graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BA in Political Science as well as in Jewish and Near Eastern Studies.

In addition to hobbies like basketball and running, Rabbi Finkelstein is an avid cook and baker, and loves to host meals with his wife Julie. He is also a proud Abba to their daughters Yara and Amalya.

MIRIAM KASS is the Principal of Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School, a role she has proudly held since 2017. Coming from a family of educators and guided by a deep commitment to kehillah, chesed, and tikkun olam, Miriam is committed to ensuring an environment where every voice is valued and every child thrives. Known for her ability to listen with empathy and problem-solve with intention, she fosters and maintains relationships of trust with families and teachers. Her heart remains in the classroom and, despite her extensive administrative responsibilities, she teaches one class each year to stay connected to students and the learning process.

Before becoming Principal, Miriam was an award-winning elementary school teacher, passionate about nurturing curiosity, kindness, and resilience in her classroom. She holds a BA degree from Carleton College in Religion and Education, and a Masters in Elementary Education from Lesley College. A proud parent of two adult daughters, Miriam is also a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan (yes, still), an avid birdwatcher, a regular in the National Parks, and a lover of word games and jigsaw puzzles. Empowering others, cultivating a strong sense of belonging, and fostering community are at the heart of her work—actually it’s a calling—at Akiba-Schechter.

TAMAR CYTRYN currently serves as the Director of Judaic Studies and Campus Life at the Chicago Jewish Day School. In this capacity, Tamar oversees curriculum development, professional development for Judaic Studies faculty, tefillah, and holiday celebrations.

Prior to Chicago Jewish Day School, Tamar spent seven years as an administrator at the Abraham Joshua Heschel High School in New York, served as the Teen Program Manager for the JCCs of Greater Boston, spent many summers creating Jewish experiential programming at Camp Moshava in Pennsylvania, and supervised the professional development of emerging Jewish educators at Genesis at Brandeis University and Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. Tamar lives in Lakeview, Chicago, with her husband Jacob and three sons, Sam, Micha, and Hillel.

RABBI ARON WOLGEL currently serves as the Coordinator of Jewish Life and Learning at Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School. He is a graduate of Brandeis University with BAs in Politics and Philosophy. He earned a Master's in Jewish Education through the Pardes Educators Program and holds a certificate in experiential Jewish education from m2.

For nearly two decades in Jewish education, Aron's holistic, student-centered approach has helped students grow as learners and develop their Jewish identities. Striving to embody the Torah he teaches, Aron employs a growth mindset rooted in thoughtful reflection. He also finds meaning in reconciling competing values to achieve greater understanding of the world. A sports enthusiast with a particular passion for ultimate frisbee, Aron also enjoys everything about and connected to music.