Our Teachers

The “secret sauce” to the BJEP recipe is the camp-like feel brought by our Brandeis University student teachers, bringing joy, enthusiasm and creativity to our classrooms! BJEP teachers are passionate about Judaism and kids, drawing on the variety of their own Jewish upbringings and practices to create an inclusive Jewish learning environment.

2021-2022 Back on campus + greeting from some of our teachers:  Welcome message September 2021

2020-2021 Teacher Cohort + welcome message:  Welcome message September 2020.

 Molly Zimmerman – 7th grade

Hi! My name is Molly Zimmerman (she/her), and I’m a sophomore at Brandeis, originally from Fort Worth, Texas. I’m a double major in Studio Art and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. I enjoy anything crafty, and I especially love making earrings. In high school I taught Hebrew at my synagogue’s religious school, and this summer I worked as a counselor for the URJ Greene Family Camp in Bruceville, Texas. This is my second year working at BJEP, and I can’t wait to get started!

 

 

 

Micah Heilbron – Madrichim/Teens: STUDY ABROAD SPRING 2023

Hello! My name is Micah Heilbron and I am a junior from Austin, Texas. I am double majoring in Near Eastern & Judaic Studies and Education Studies and I am thrilled to come to BJEP. In my free time, I love reading, mushroom foraging, being outside, and seeing live music. Last year, I served as the Madrichim Program Leader, after working at my religious school at home for 6 years and working as a counselor at URJ Greene Family Camp. I am so excited to work at BJEP for another year and continue as part of this unique educational community!

 

 

 

Leora Baumgarten – Hebrew and B-Mitzvah Tutoring

Hi! My name is Leora, and I’m a senior from Lower Merion, PA. I’m majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Linguistics. When I have the time, I love to read, knit, or practice martial arts. I was the tutor for BJEP’s B’nai Mitzvah Program last year, and I can’t wait to work with the students here at BJEP for another year! 

 

 

 

Keren Bobilev – K/1st grade

Hello! My name is Keren, and I am a junior majoring in Biological Physics and minoring in Psychology. Originally, I am from Israel and have spent the past year there interning and volunteering with many diverse groups. I have tutored/led/taught students of all ages since high school. On campus I am a resident advisor and a peer mentor at the Gender and Sexuality Center. I love anything crafts, cooking, and music related! This is my first year as a teacher at BJEP and I’m very excited to get to know the students and the community!

 

 

 

 

 

Naomi Stephenson – 2nd/3rd grade

Hi! My name is Naomi Stephenson, and I’m a first-year from Belmont MA. I’m studying History and International and Global Studies at Brandeis. I’ve a member of various Boston area Jewish communities, including Temple Emunah and Hebrew College, and I’ve been a volunteer teacher at Billy Dalwin Preschool. My other interests include Shakespeare, fantasy literature, and biracial history. I’m so excited to start work at BJEP!

 

 

Riley Miner – 4th grade

Hello! My name is Riley Genevieve Miner (she/her/hers) and I am a sophomore at Brandeis hoping to major in Health: Science, Society, and Policy! I am from El Paso, Texas, and was an active member of my temple’s youth group program, NFTY, all through high school at the local, regional, and North American levels. I have enjoyed teaching religious school at home, and working in jewish education environments, such as camp. I spent this past summer working at URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech in Byfield, Massachusetts while leading arts & crafts activities and working with students in digital art. If you cannot tell, I really enjoy art and crafting, and I am excited to find creative activities that we can do to learn about Judaism and our own jewish identities!!

 

Nicole (Nikki) Krieger – 5th grade

Hello! My name is Nikki (she/her) and I’m a senior from Miami. I am majoring in Environmental Studies with minors in Legal Studies and Near Eastern Judaic Studies. In my free time, I love to rock climb, make jewelry, and cook. I’ve been a camp counselor for two summers and I’m so excited to be part of the BJEP community this year.

 

 

 

Menucha Krinsky – 6th grade / STUDY ABROAD SPRING 2023

Hi! My name is Menucha Krinsky, and I’m a junior at Brandeis, studying Psychology and Studio Art. I am so excited to be a part of the BJEP community on campus. I have worked with synagogues and Jewish Day Schools in the past and I loved building relationships with everyone. On campus I am involved in an a capella group, and multiple Jewish groups. I enjoy music, scrapbooking, and playing volleyball. I am really looking forward to starting at BJEP!

 

 

 

 Celia Ottinger – 6th grade / Spring 2023

Hi! My name is Celia Ottinger and I’m a junior at Brandeis from Washington, DC. I’m majoring in Psychology and Sociology and minoring in Education Studies. I love working with kids and while studying abroad last semester in Denmark, I gained insight about the emphasis their education system puts on the process of learning as opposed to achieving results. I’m excited to be involved in BJEP this semester to be a part of the wonderful process of learning about Jewish identity with this community!