Heilicher Jewish Day School

Administration | Kindergarten Team | Grade One/Two Team |
Grade Three and Four Team | Grade Five and Six Team |
Grade Seven and Eight Team | Specialists Team | Resource Team

Jeff Aronow, Grade 3 General Studies Teacher (BA in Liberal Arts, California State University, Northridge), is beginning his 2nd year teaching at HMJDS. He brings more than ten years of experience teaching third and fifth grades and serving as a mentor teacher in public schools in Southern California. With a background in theatre, Jeff has directed plays at the elementary level and he has served as a creative drama teacher at various L.A. area religious schools. Jeff has also been a religious school teacher. Jeff and his wife, Amy, have two children who are in the first grade here. After having only lived in Minnesota for one year, this past summer gave them a great opportunity to truly explore the Twin Cities and all that it has to offer. They especially enjoyed discovering new bike trails as a family. The Aronows are thrilled to be a part of the HMJDS community.

Patti Baskin, Grade 4 General Studies Teacher (BS in Elementary Ed., Kean College, Union NJ; MA in Special Ed., Univ. of St. Thomas), is beginning her 12th year teaching at the Day School. Patti previously taught in other area schools and on the east coast. She was also a Title One administrator and consultant, as well as a president of the Hennepin County Library Board and Executive Director of the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library. She loves to read and travel (this summer to the Tanglewood Music Festival and on to Lake George and Boston.). Many of her personal experiences will add to the geography lessons on the regions her class studies. She became involved with the Friends of the Como Park Zoo this summer and really enjoyed behind the scenes tours. This included seeing the new baby giraffe, the remodeling of the polar bear habitat and the memorial Japanese Garden. Patti truly values the caring community at the Day School. She enjoys taking walks with her dog, Teddy; but her first loves are her husband (the tall guy you see wandering around school), three daughters, their husbands and four beautiful grandchildren, Sammi, Ben, Julia and Charley.

Nathelie Benjamin, Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 Hebrew Teacher (BA in English Literature and Second Language Acquisition, Teacher’s Certificate, Haifa Univ.; Educational Social Coordinator degree, Oranim College, Israel), is beginning her fourth year at the Day School. She has taught in Israel for a number of years as an English teacher at lower and upper levels and at an adult school in Israel prior to moving to the US. She is very passionate about teaching. Nathelie joined the school four years ago; this year she is taking on the responsibility for the 3rd and 4th grade Education Bridge program. She has a second grader at the school. She loves Italian food and enjoys spending time with her two daughters.

Sean Herstein, Grades 3 & 4 Judaic Studies Teacher (BA in Jewish Studies and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, Indiana University; MA in Jewish Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem), is now enjoying his second year of teaching at the Day School. Previously he has held numerous teaching or administrative positions at Jewish schools, synagogues, camps, and JCCs in the Twin Cities and surrounding area. Sean studied traditional Jewish texts in the Pardes Educators Program at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem while also earning an M.A. in Jewish Education from Hebrew University (Jerusalem). He is a proud husband and father to two young daughters.

Roz Kaplan, Grade 3 General Studies Teacher (BS in Elementary Ed., Univ. of Minn.), is beginning her 13th year at theDay School. She has been working with kids for over 30 years as an educator. She and her husband have two wonderful daughters, two great sons-in-law and three precious grandchildren, Will, Jack and Leah; and a new one on the way in January. One of her daughters is also an elementary teacher in the Mounds View School District. Roz’s favorite pastimes are reading, walking around the lakes, knitting, craft projects, travel, and babysitting for her grandkids. She has enjoyed the experiences and friendships made over the last twelve years. She is looking forward to another great year of teaching and working with you and your children!

Elena Levitt, Grades 3 and 4 Judaic Studies Teacher (BA in Hebrew letters, MAEd, University of Judaism; BA in Political Science and Journalism, MA in Liberal Studies [concentration in Jewish Studies], University of Memphis), is beginning her third year at HMJDS. She has worked in formal and informal education in both teaching and administrative capacities in Memphis, Los Angeles, St. Paul and Minneapolis. Elena is very happy to have come home to St. Louis Park with her husband, Matt, to raise their one-year-old daughter, Hannah. Elena has a great passion for sharing the breadth and depth of Jewish learning with her students. She enjoys helping students unlock the mysteries of the Hebrew language in order to study Torah and make it meaningful in their lives. In her free time she enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with family and friends.

Ilena Marron, Grade 4 General Studies Teacher (BA in Art History, Brandeis University, MS in Elementary Education, Fordham University), is beginning her eighth year at the Day School. She brings to the school four prior years of teaching experience including teaching in New York City public schools. Ilena is committed to creating a nurturing and caring environment for her students. Beyond technology education, Ilena enjoys reading, cooking and attending cultural events. Ilena looks forward to another wonderful year.

Cassandra Mott, Grade 3 General Studies Teacher (BS in Elementary Ed., Minnesota State University, Mankato), is excited to begin her fourth year of teaching at The Day School. She has two years of prior teaching experience in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Cassie and her husband just bought a house in Richfield this summer. She enjoys spending time with her family, walking, biking, traveling (this summer to Europe) and of course teaching! Cassie is excited to teach third grade again this year and to work with you and your children.