From the Head of School - Mr. Allan Dalfen

It is an honor and a privilege to be part of this “Jewel of the Mid-South.” Bornblum Solomon Schechter School is a dual curriculum school that is unique amongst private schools. Our dedicated and dynamic faculty, a perfect blend of veteran excellence with youthful exuberance and energy, challenges the student at every turn – challenges them academically in both General and Judaic Studies, but always coupled with character development. Tradition and critical thinking are woven in all we do and all we are, and both are evident in our celebrations during the year, our life cycle and sacred time events, and our integrated projects and curriculum. Our students score in the highest categories in state and national standardized testing, attesting to the high quality and rigor of our academic program.

We encourage open and ongoing communication with parents, understanding that by working together, our partnership will produce confident, successful and happy students.
As a Conservative Jewish School, we stress the importance of both General and Judaic Studies. At Bornblum Schechter, you are not only joining a school, but a community that studies together, prays together, and plays together. As our sage Hillel aptly put it: "If I am not for myself, then who am I, and if I am only for myself, then what am I, and if not now, then when?" We stress individualism, community, and social action based on the principles of our faith.
Jewish tradition guides our curriculum, our calendar, and our daily schedule. Through the study of the Hebrew language and Jewish tradition, our students strengthen their identities as Jews, and their connection to the Jewish people worldwide and the State of Israel. Our students are challenged to reflect on the moral dilemmas of our time and develop a personal ethic of compassion and social responsibility.
Bornblum Solomon Schechter School is a safe, child-centered school. Creating a caring, learning community is the foundation of our mission. We are dedicated to offering interdisciplinary programs and different modalities of learning. We strive to foster academic excellence and a strong Jewish identity within a caring community. It is a vibrant and exciting place to learn. Please join us in our continuing effort to learn, grow and flourish.

Allan Dalfen
Head of School

Assistant Head of School - Mrs. Sally Baer

Sally Baer is the Assistant Head of School and has been enjoying an administrative position at Schechter for four years. She holds a master’s degree in educational administration (effective 9/27/10) and a Tennessee Administrators’ License. She was a teacher for over 20 years prior to moving into administration. Her passion is for providing an outstanding secular and Jewish education tailored to meet the needs of every student in the school. Mrs. Baer wants students to be excited about learning and teachers to feel likewise about teaching. She is married to Rick Baer and has two adult daughters, Melissa and Tracy.

GENERAL STUDIES

Elementary School

Karen Raff – First Grade General Studies
I am a native Memphian and attended White Station from first grade through high school. I received a B.S. degree in Education from the University of Texas in Austin. I am certified to teach history and speech plus elementary education and kindergarten. I taught first grade and Kindergarten in the Alamo Heights Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas. I have been teaching first grade over 20 years with eighteen at BSSS. My goal as a teacher is to instill a love of learning in each child. It is so important for a first grader to learn responsibility, organization, and independence. I am married to Carl Raff and have two wonderful sons, Adam, a video game editor, and Neal, a film editor.  

Terri Burson – Second Grade General Studies
Mrs. Burson obtained a B.S. degree in Elementary Education at Ohio State University in March of 1977 and began teaching in the Memphis City Schools as a kindergarten teacher. She received a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Memphis. Mrs. Burson then transferred her love of the younger students to Temple Israel Preschool and Kindergarten. After her youngest daughter graduated from high school, she realized it was time for a new beginning and started a new chapter in her teaching career at BSSS. She is beginning her eighth year as a second grade teacher at Schechter. She realizes that her decision to teach second graders was her best educational choice in her thirty three years as an educator. Mrs. Burson's educational philosophy is reflected in her everyday teaching. Her goal is to allow all students to reach their potential academically, socially, and emotionally in a nurturing classroom environment. Mrs. Burson is married to Paul Burson, and they have two adult daughters.

Suzanne Wheeler– Third Grade General Studies
Suzanne Wheeler is new to our school this year and is teaching third grade. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi and her Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Christian Brothers University. Mrs. Wheeler has many creative and innovative teaching techniques to engage her students in learning, including an online class blog! Mrs. Wheeler is married and has a son, a daughter, and a stepdaughter.

Felicia Riedell – Fourth Grade General Studies
Mrs. Riedell received her Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science degrees in Elementary Education from the College of Saint Rose in upstate New York. She also earned state certification in Special Education in both Texas and Tennessee. Mrs. Riedell has over twenty years of teaching experience, with nine of those years being at Schechter. She prides herself with the ability to instill good organizational skills in her students and to encourage them to use problem-solving techniques. She incorporates learning strategies and critical thinking methods as integral elements in her teaching style. Mrs. Riedell uses differentiated instruction methods to reach each child at their individual learning level and promotes self-confidence.

Leslie Cain – Fifth Grade General Studies
Mrs. Cain has been with BSSS for three years, although she has been teaching for over seven years. She has transitioned from fifth to fourth and will be teaching fifth again in the upcoming school year. Mrs. Cain believes every child is capable oflearning, and that it is her job to help students reach their potential. She works hard to learn each child's strengths and weaknesses, and then uses personalized strategies to ensure every child is successful in her classroom. The Socratic method is used for most of her teaching.
Socrates was a great philosopher who challenged the community to think. When students are given questions and forced to think of the answer on their own, they will retain the information far better than if they are constantly given answers. This method also allows the students to have an active role in their learning rather than a passive role. The Socratic method also helps students tap into higher order thinking. Students in her class will be very involved in every lesson, and she incorporates differentiated instruction to reach each child's learning style. Mrs. Cain received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Memphis in 1999. She is currently enrolled at the University of Memphis pursuing a master's in education. Mrs. Cain is married and has one daughter.

Gail Traynor – Fifth Grade General Studies
With over 30 years as an elementary and middle school educator, Mrs. Traynor seeks to create a classroom that challenges children academically and provides meaningful experiences to support personal achievement. She works to present a safe learning environment rich in organizational and study skill instruction.

Mrs. Traynor is confident that education opens doors to a world of opportunities. She believes it is her job to guide students in the acquisition of knowledge and skills that will enable them to become independent thinkers and life-long learners.

Middle School

Deanna McAlexander - Middle School Language Arts and Social Studies
Mrs. McAlexander is delighted for the opportunity to realize her dream of teaching in the Middle School at Schechter, especially in her favorite subject areas of language arts and world history. She taught third grade at Schechter for five wonderful years, and before that taught college art history for ten years. While sharing her enthusiasm for learning, her goal is to challenge students intellectually and help them understand the world and their place in it. She holds a BA from UT, an MA from UVa, and completed the MA in teaching at University of Memphis.

Lisa Frisch – Middle School Math and Social Studies
As each student is an individual, Mrs. Frisch believes the student must be guided to find his or her personal way to learning. Her goal is to build strength in subject content areas by utilizing active teaching strategies that engage the attention of the learner. Mrs. Frisch holds a BA from The Newcomb College of Tulane University and a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from the University of Memphis. She has two daughters who have attended BSSS. Their experiences at this school have guided them exceptionally well, both spiritually and educationally.

JUDAIC STUDIES

Reut Kabel - Second Grade and Middle school Judaic Studies
Mrs. Kabel was born in a settlement called Yqair which is located in the west bank about 20 min from Petach Tikva.
Her parents immigrated to Israel from Morocco which makes her a very proud Safardi Jew who really loves the Moroccan tradition and minhagim (customs).
Mrs. Kabel has served as a solider teacher in the Israeli army. She also trained teenagers to be leaders in their communities and taught adult education. She was in charge of helping Lebanese soldiers and their families who helped Israel during war find housing, education, teaching and entertainment when they settled in the city of Tiberias.

After serving in the army she was selected by the Jewish agency to volunteer in Camp Ramah in Pennsylvania. For two summers she was responsible for all Hebrew, Israel, Jewish and special event programming.

After that Mrs. Kabel stayed in Philadelphia and got her BA in Jewish Studies and Communal Service in Gratz College.

Mrs. Kabel also worked at the Lower Merion Synagogue where she was responsible for developing and delivering programs for the youth of 350 family, including Shabbat youth programs and community events for entire family.

Most recently Mrs. Kabel worked at the Memphis JCC summer camp and taught at the Kadima High School.

Tami Hershkovitz - Third and Fourth Grades Judaic Studies
My family and I moved to Memphis from Tel-Aviv in 2000. This is my third year teaching at Schechter. Previously,  I taught Pre-K at the Memphis Jewish Community Center. I love working with children and look forward to encouraging my students to develop their Jewish identities through teaching them about Israeli life now and in Biblical times, Jewish History and culture, and, of course, helping them speak Hebrew.  My teaching philosophy is based on one of my favorite quotes from Theodor Herzel, the founding father of modern Israel, "Im Tirtzu - ein zo agada" - "If you wish - it's not a dream.".

Maya Adar Sharabi - Fifth Grade Judaic Studies Teacher, Elementary School Coordinator of Tefillah and Kabalat Shabbat.

Morah Sharabi was born in Israel and grew up in Bat-Yam. After two years in the army she studied education at the "Seminar-Hakibbutzim" in Tel-Aviv, graduating with a B.E.D.degree.

She came to Memphis in the year 2000 with her husband Amir. They have 2 boys.
She has been teaching 5th grade for ten years and 3rd grade for one year at BSSS.
Morah Sharabi believes that "the goal of education is to cultivate the special talents of each child as they are each special and unique." She also believes each student is able to succeed; we just have to give him/her the right conditions and the right environment.

Her main goals are to encourage the children to use the Hebrew language with confidence and to use the Hebrew language as a communication tool.
She is also committed to strengthening the knowledge of Jewish culture and tradition in our school and our students.

She is looking forward to another wonderful school year.

Michal Almalem - Middle School Judaic Studies Teacher and Coordinator of Judaic Studies
Michal was born and raised in Israel. Upon finishing high school in Ashdod she served in the Israeli army as a tour guide. After the army, she studied Art History and Archeology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem where she also received her teaching diploma. Michal worked as an instructor in two museums: “First Temple Period Model” in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem and the “City Museum” of Ashdod. In 1998 she started her teaching career and taught 10th -12th grades in Ashkelon and Gan Yavne, preparing the students for their graduation examination similar to SATs. In 2003 she moved to Memphis TN and started teaching at BSSS. Michal currently teach the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. She teaches Hebrew, Judaic Social Studies, Mishna, Tanach and Facing History. In 2008, she was awarded by the Hadassah Organization in Memphis. In 2009, she received a teaching award from the Tennessee Holocaust Committee for a special art project completed by students. She also attended a Facing History “Peoplehood” course in Israel in order to bring new materials and help creating new curriculum for Jewish students who live outside of Israel.

SPECIALTY PROGRAMMING

Kathleen Wynn - Physical Education
"My ability to make each child feel good about his accomplishments in class, whether they are great or small," is the aspect of her teaching for which Mrs. Wynn is most proud. In terms of physical education, Schechter students certainly know no boundaries.

Amir Sharabi - Technology Coordinator and Computer Teacher
Amir Sharabi, born and raised in Holon, Israel, served in the guided missile department of the Israeli Air Force. He earned his degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from the University of Tel-Aviv. After graduation he gained diverse work experience in many areas of computer and informational technology. Morah Sharabi also was a private mathematics and physics teacher for high school and college students.

Moreh Sharabi believes that his past work directed him to his present job of teaching computer and technology skills at BSSS. He feels that in today's world computer literacy is a necessity, not an option.His goal is to provide his students with the tools to be successful in this computer-based society.

Paula Greenberg - Art
With a Masters Degree in Art and Education, Mrs. Greenberg has implemented an innovative "discipline based" art program for all Schechter grades. By combining the study of art history, aesthetics, art criticism and art production, children and parents are continually amazed at the masterful results of their creative learning. The numerous local and regional awards the students win each year continually prove their success.

Lea Jackson - Music
Lea Jackson has been teaching music for 20 years.  She is early childhood music specialist who has taught Kindermusik © for over 11 years.  Lea has a B.S. in Music Education from the University of Illinois, and has done graduate work at the University of Memphis specializing in Orff. She teaches piano, guitar and therapeutic musical activities with senior citizens.  In addition to her teaching work with all ages, Lea is an active performer.

Beverly Kay - Librarian
I'm am so thrilled to be librarian at BSSS and love every minute of my Mon., Tues.and Fri here. We have a new and improved, relaxed and cheery library. I would love to desplay any student art work and or small collections.
Parents and grand parents may want to donate in honor of their children's birthday, Chanukah etc.some new e-books , dvds and cds

I'm "Mama Bevie" to my 8 grand children, been married to Lewis for 43 years, and have 6 children [3 in-law]

Went to school in Clayton,Mo and college in Nashville at Peabody Vanderbilt. Fifteen years ago went back for my librarian's degree, With MCS for 13 yrs as library media specialist and after a day of retirement went part time with Temple Israel and MJHS before coming to BSSS.

My goal is to have children love the library and become lifelong patrons and readers. Children have free choice of collection for checkout but I try to guide them in the right direction.

Hope all will Read -a Latte!!

Bracha Nahary - Hebrew Language Support
Morah Nahary has been teaching Hebrew for many years at all levels from elementary school through high school. While bringing her love of the language to her students, Morah Nahary gets pleasure when she sees her students reading, writing and speaking Hebrew. According to Morah Nahary, "Hebrew is not just a language, but the language that our forefathers spoke. Hebrew connects us to our heritage."

Annette Eisenberg - General Studies Support
Mrs. Eisenberg has been teaching for 30 years, and for the past eight and a half years as a Learning Specialist at Bornblum Solomon Schechter School. She earned her Bachelors' degrees in both Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Memphis. Before joining the faculty at BSSS, she spent many years in the Memphis City Schools system, as well as the Jewish Community Center and Temple Israel where she taught Kindergarten.
The most enjoyable aspect of teaching at BSSS for her is getting to know her students individually and seeing the gains they've made in their learning skills. Mrs. Eisenberg believes in creating a caring classroom in which differences are seen as assets. It is thrilling to see her students grow to become their own advocates in and out of the classroom.

Rena Knopf - General Studies Enrichment
Mrs. Knopf joined the Bornblum Solomon Schechter School faculty five years ago to develop the enrichment program. She strives to meet the individual needs of each of her students by challenging them to reach their fullest potential. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a double major in English and Hebrew and Semitic Studies. She earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Memphis. Prior to coming to BSSS she taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade CLUE in the Memphis City Schools system.