Meet Our Religious School Staff and Teachers

Rabbi David Eber, Assistant Rabbi for Education
Contact Rabbi David if you are looking for information on our Religious School, Youth Group or High School programs.
Email: assistantrabbi@jrctogether.org
Phone: 847-328-7678, ext. 2225

Layhao Diep, Business and Administrative Assistant
Layhao Diep is an integral part of JRC’s Religious School and our synagogue staff team. While her primary role involves administrative and business support, Layhao’s favorite element of working at JRC is getting to know our students and their families. Layhao has years of experience managing and organizing offices, and brings her upbeat, helpful presence to support all Religious School programming.
Contact Layhao if: you have a question about Religious School registration, making a donation, or if you have questions or changes to make to the Member Portal (contact info, yahrzeits, etc)
Email: ldiep@jrctogether.org
Phone: 847-328-7678, ext.2220
Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten
Debbie Heifitz Porter
First Grade and Second Grade
Jenna Pollack
Sunday 3rd Grade and Tuesday Torah and Breirot Teacher

Josh Beasley
Fourth Grade Teacher
Malik Turley
My Name is Malik Turley, and I am looking forward to stepping into the role of teaching the fourth graders on Sundays this year. I have been teaching something since I was in High School, starting with the Learn to Swim program at ETHS. Now, I teach dance, fitness, and yoga during the week through Hip Circle Empowerment Center as well as working with the JRC Religious Education program. Movement will be a part of everything I teach, and I look forward to sharing my love of Judaism with you and your children. Together we will make this unprecedented year a fulfilling one.
Fifth Grade Teacher and Derech Co-Teacher
Aviva Feldman
6th Grade, Torah, and Hebrew Teacher
Ben Kammer
I’m so excited to start my year at JRC! I just moved to Chicago from Massachusetts (Natick for any of Northeasterners) last September. I’ve been working with kids for almost a decade, and there’s nothing I enjoy more. I play tennis, soccer, and ultimate frisbee, and I love to sing and play guitar. The community here at JRC has been amazing. I’m eager to meet all my students and families this fall!
Tuesday Torah and Breirot Teacher, and 7th Grade Co-Teacher
Cohen Kraus
Cohen has spent the past year teaching and developing original curriculum for 6th and 7th grade. He’s also worked with the Jewish Federation to kickstart conversations around LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity in Jewish spaces. Teaching is one of Cohen’s favorite things! Cohen is passionate about always asking good questions and building community. Combining their background in theater and love of Judaism Cohen builds a learning environment that is built for anyone. They are so excited to start out the year!
Derech: Post B’nai Mitzvah Co-Teacher, and Hebrew Teacher
Sam Frolichstein-Appel
Inclusion Coordinator
Fran Shapiro
Fran joins JRC after working for many years as a school psychologist in both private clinics and public schools. Passionate about children, education and Judaism, Fran has extensive experience supporting students with a variety of needs and backgrounds and works collaboratively with families and teachers to nurture the whole child. She is thrilled to join JRC’s efforts to being as inclusive and accessible as possible.
Fran holds a professional educator license with a school psychologist endorsement in Illinois and is also certified through the National Association of School Psychology. In addition, she is a certified PEERS Social Skills facilitator, a certified customized employment specialist, and trained as a PATH facilitator and RDI provider.
Having grown up in Brooklyn NY, Fran has lived in the Chicagoland area for almost 40 years. She is looking forward to meeting everyone in the JRC community!
Hebrew Coordinator and Specialist
Rabbi Toby Manewith
Rabbi Manewith fell in love with Jewish education, handing out graham crackers and juice as a teacher’s assistant in a second grade classroom when she was 15 years old. Professionally, she has worked for Hillel, as a congregational rabbi, and a director of education. Rabbi Manewith has been writing curriculum for clients all over the world for 18 years; five years ago she made the move to consult full-time. She continues to teach because there is nothing better than connecting with kids. Though she was ordained in the Reform Movement, friends insist her worldview is at least 33% Reconstructionist. Rabbi Manewith is a native Chicagoan, a Cubs fan, and a baker of excellent gluten-free brownies.