HAR HASHEM MENTORS 2022-2023

Caroline Saliman has taught/directed camp/told stories at Har HaShem for more than 20 years-- specifically mentoring for 17 years. She appreciates the opportunity to be with students one on one as they are learning to read and chant Hebrew, finding personal meanings and making connections to prayers and Torah, and is grateful for growing relationships with students and families. After graduating from CU, Caroline lived in Israel on kibbutz before returning to Colorado to obtain her teaching certification. Caroline also loves teaching at the Boulder Jewish Community Center Preschool and for BJCC Shalom Baby/Shalom Family programs. Caroline has been the recipient of the Chidush Educator's Award, and Grinspoon Steinhart Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. Caroline also co-directs Har HaShem’s day camp and teaches in Har HaShem’s mini- mensch program.

Marcia Seigal holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Master’s Degree in Jewish Communal Service and a Certificate in Jewish Music from Gratz College. She also received a Certificate in Hebrew Language and Jewish/Israel Studies from the WUJS Institute in Israel. Marcia has been working in the Jewish community for 25 years, and has extensive experience working with youth. She has worked in settings ranging from preschool to camp to youth group to social services. These days, Marcia is busy raising her three children Hannah, Jonah and Aylah. She also is a member of Or Zimrah (Har HaShem's house band), as well as Mishpacha Adventures Coordinator. Marcia has been a B'Mitzvah mentor for 15 years and has worked with nearly 200 students.

Bon Singer has been working with b’mitzvah kids for twenty years. She has taught general Jewish studies, served as a cantorial soloist for several synagogues in California, led meditation and chanting sessions and workshops, and developed her own ethics and leadership program. She greatly enjoys connecting with other people, teaching kids and adults. She especially loves working with kids and making it fun.

Roberta Spivak and her family of four moved from Sunnyside, Queens to Louisville in 2004 and have been members of Har Hashem for several years. She has an M.A. in Middle East politics from Columbia University and a B.A. from Colorado College. Roberta lived in Israel and loves to speak Hebrew and watch Israeli TV. She also studies Arabic with a tutor in Palestine. At Har Hashem Roberta wears many hats including chair of the Youth Education Committee, co-leader of the Wednesday morning minyan, and occasional Torah study leader. She spent four summers as a camper at Camp Ramah in Palmer, MA where she fell in love with Shabbat and learned most of the prayers we chant today. Roberta is a new mentor and is excited to work with Har HaShem’s kids and families, sharing her love of Hebrew language, Jewish culture, and ritual.

Elaine Alterman has called the Boulder area home since 2014 and enjoys many things Colorado has to offer including skiing, hiking, climbing, and the changing seasons. A native of San Antonio, TX, Elaine tutored her first student just one year after her Bat Mitzvah and never looked back. Over the years, Elaine estimates that she has had the privilege of tutoring well over 300 students and looks forward to learning with many more as part of the Har Hashem team. Her unique and creative approach to Hebrew and Jewish education makes her sessions fun and engaging, and she delights in watching her students fall in love with Judaism as they prepare for their B’Mitzvah services.

Gayle Geschwind moved from Long Island, NY to Boulder, CO for grad school in 2017 and immediately joined Har Hashem. She has a B.S. in physics and math, and is working on her Ph.D. in physics; her specialty is physics education research, and her deep understanding of pedagogy helps her approach students with individual techniques tailored to their needs. Gayle started learning how to chant Torah when she was 11 years old, and has been regularly chanting since her Bat Mitzvah in 2005; she also regularly led Shabbat services in her synagogue on Long Island. She loves to bring creativity and fun into the tutoring process, while helping students form deeper connections to Judaism (rather than just learning how to sing all of the prayers), including incorporating Judaism into many parts of life.

Lisa Velick growing up non Jewish, and receiving her Masters in Biological Chemistry, moved to Colorado with her family 1999. In 2005 she began the Conversion process at HHS and became a Reform Jew in 2007. In 2009 she had her own B'nai Mitzvah and began chanting Torah for the community. She chants Torah once a month for two different Congregations in the area. In 2012 Lisa became a 5th grade Hebrew Teacher and now teaches 6th and 7th graders at her local temple. She has also been a private Hebrew Tutor for B'Mitzvah students since 2014. And as a Mentor at HHS, she looks forward to continuing sharing her passion for Jewish education with kids. In 2020 during COVID Lisa switched to Online Tutoring which has become her primary method of tutoring but does see students in person as well. When she is not studying Hebrew, she is a Substitute teacher in Boulder Valley School District full time and she spends time shuffling schedules for her three girls, ages 25, 22 and 12.

B’Mitzvah Mentor Contact Information 2022-2023