Introducing our Seekers teachers...

Hannah Stein (K-1) Hannah is currently a student at the JTS Davidson School of Jewish Education. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 where she received a BA in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development. This past year Hannah was a student-teacher in Chicago Public Schools, where she taught both kindergarten and 3rd grade students. She is very excited to be working as a Hebrew School teacher at Romemu for the Seekers program this year!

Rachel Rumstein (2-3) Rachel Rumstein is a sophomore at the Joint Program between Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Curious about all things mind and mindfulness, Rachel is majoring in Cognitive Science and Jewish Thought, and leads a Jewish meditation community on campus. She is also a proud member of Pizmon, the pluralistic Jewish a cappella group, and is the chair of communications at Havurah, a Jewish art collective in Lower Manhattan. Rachel is passionate about utilizing mindfulness to create experiences that encourage students to trust themselves, lead with the heart, and ultimately be seen and heard, all while supporting a personal connection to Jewish values.

Noa Rubin (4-5) Noa Rubin (she/her) is a rising second-year rabbinical student at JTS. Originally from Los Angeles, Noa moved to New York in 2016 to attend Barnard and List College, where she studied Sociology and Talmud. Noa has worked in camp, school, religious school, synagogue, and tutoring settings. She loves her communities, learning Torah, and dogs, and is so excited to get to know her Seekers students and their families!

Josh Bender (6-7) Josh Bender is a fourth-year rabbinical student at JTS. He looks forward to helping Romemu's B-Mitzvah students grow in their learning this year. He spent the past year studying in Israel at the Conservative Yeshiva and Schocken Institute. This year he is the rabbinic intern at the Town & Village Synagogue in the East Village. Josh enjoys reading about Jewish law and philosophy, especially anything by or about Maimonides. When he isn't studying Torah, Josh loves to cook and watch his Michigan State Spartans basketball and football teams.

Talia Levin (Hebrew specialist/special programs co-ordinator) Talia is a double degree student at Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). She is majoring in sociology and psychology at Barnard and bible at JTS. She has previously worked as a camp counselor for two summers at Ramah in the Berkshires, as a Hebrew tutor, and led weekly children's services. At school she leads the egalitarian minyan, Planned Parenthood club, and is a wellness peer educator. She hopes to one day pursue a career in social justice or counseling.