Betsy Ukes -Pre-Kindergarten
I grew up as a Beth Jacob child. I believe I may have been in the first class to complete Shabbat enrichment at Beth Jacob K-8th grade. My parent are founding members of the congregation. I am excited to be back teaching at on Shabbat Morning. I was half of the amazing Beth Jacob Nursrey team for over 15 years. I spend my week teaching Head Start Preschool for Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington County.
Mira Steinberg – Kindergarten & 1st grade (Tuesdays):
A highlight from my summer was teaching art classes and hosting an art exhibition in Nogales, Mexico. I hope that I will be able to bring some of that energy into our class this year!I love to do hands-on art projects. Creative engagement is really important to me as a teacher.
Izzy Lundquist – Kindergarten & 1st Grade (Shabbat)
This is my third year teaching K-1 on Shabbat mornings at Beth Jacob and my fourth year teaching within our community. Outside of Beth Jacob, I’m involved in the Twin Cities Jewish community, particularly in the young adult and mindfulness spheres. I also work in HR at Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minnesota. In my free time, I love to read, be outside, meditate, and spend time with loved ones. My ultimate goal is that each learner feels safe, encouraged, and excited to be in my class and at shul each week.
Toby Meirovitz – 2nd & 3rd Grade
Many of you know me already. Others know my husband Mike, fondly known as shul as “Snack Man.” I am very excited for the year ahead. It is truly rewarding to foster a new kehillah (community) of Jewish learners, filled with both familiar and new faces. We accomplished so much last year, and I am eager to build on our success.
Elijah Golob – 4th & 5th Grade
This past summer I was a third-year staff member at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, where, in addition to being a cabin counselor, I was on drama staff, on which I directed one of the five musicals we put on each summer. My teaching style is largely discussion-based, and I hope to foster some amazing conversations in class.
Amalia Prohofsky – Tefillah Teacher
My name is Amalia and I am in charge of preparing our 6th and 7th graders for their B’nai Mitzvot. I’ve been a B’nai Mitzvah tutor since 2023 and my favorite part is watching students realize how capable they are and become excited about Jewish adulthood. Outside of Limudim I love camping, crafts, reading, and hanging out with my family.
Drake Prohofsky – 6th & 7th Grade Sivuv
Drake is a chemical engineer who loves playing board games and hanging out with his dog. He likes making Jewish education interesting and accessible, and getting everyone really thinking about the material.
Alanna Simkin – 6th & 7th Grade Hebrew & Sivuv
Alanna is a junior at Macalester College majoring in Religious Studies. She’s also an artist and is usually busy creating something – ask her what she’s working on! She loves sharing the cool stuff she learns in college with her students and getting into the weird details about Judaism that make it so special.
D. Marcos – Teen Talmud & JLE
D.Marcos is an educator, artist, and Torah scribe. He loves dinosaurs, Torah, and learning. Whether it’s natural history or Talmud or Jewish philosophy, D.Marcos loves getting into deep discussions about who we are and how we understand the world. Most of the time, D.Marcos is playing with his kids and family. Together they have fun, make art, shape their family history, and envision a more just future.
