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 – Spiritual Life Director
Hi! My name is Molly Zimmerman (she/her), and I’m a Junior 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 love 60’s music. I’ve been teaching religious school since high school, and during the summers I work as a counselor/unit head for the URJ Greene Family Camp in Bruceville, Texas. This is my third year working at BJEP, and I can’t wait to get started!
Lila Goldstein
Hi! My name is Lila Goldstein and I’m a senior at Brandeis University. I’m majoring in Near Eastern & Judaic Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and I’m originally from South Florida. Outside of school, I love going to the movies, reading, and visiting the beach. My favorite Jewish tradition is celebrating Passover because I love connecting with family and friends during the Seder. I’m so excited to work with BJEP for the first time this year, and I can’t wait to meet my students and share some Jewish learning with them.
Naomi Stephenson
Hi! My name is Naomi Stephenson, and I’m a sophomore from Belmont MA. I’m majoring in History and International and Global Studies and minoring in Legal Studies and English at Brandeis. I’ve been 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. My favorite Jewish holiday is Simchat Torah, and a fun fact about me is that I can do all three splits! I’m so excited to return to work with our amazing students again and see them grow as Jews and as learners!
Riley Miner – Program and Logistics Coordinator
Hello! My name is Riley Genevieve Miner (she/her/hers) and I am a junior at Brandeis majoring 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 the past few summers 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!!
Menucha Krinsky
Hi! My name is Menucha Krinsky, and I’m a senior at Brandeis, studying Psychology and Studio Art. I am so excited to return to the BJEP community, bringing my experience from abroad into the classroom and saying hi to everyone again! 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 a capella group and multiple Jewish groups. I enjoy music, scrapbooking, and playing volleyball. A fun fact about me is that my family owns over 300 board games! Can’t wait to get back on campus!
Maya Becker
Hi! My name is Maya Becker and I am from Middleton, Wisconsin. I am a senior at Brandeis majoring in Psychology and minoring in Hispanic Studies. I enjoy spending time with friends, in nature, doodling, crocheting, and baking. My favorite Jewish tradition is Simchat Torah – there is nothing better than dancing and singing with friends and the Torah! This is my first year working with BJEP and I am excited to learn from and alongside the students. A fun fact about me is when I was 12, I founded my middle school’s magic club.
Rachel Araten
Hi! My name is Rachel and I’m a senior at Brandeis University. I’m majoring in Near Eastern & Judaic Studies and Education, and I am from New York City. My favorite Jewish Holiday is Sukkot because I really like to decorate the sukkah. In my free time, I enjoy going to museums and the performing arts. This is my first year working with BJEP, and I am so excited to bring Jewish learning to life.