Jessica (Jess) Abrams
Gan (K1/K2) Teacher

Born in New York but raised in Phoenix, Arizona, she attended a Reform Jewish Day School from K-8th grade where she had the foundational early experiences of Jewish community, learning and Jewish values. She moved out east for college at George Washington University, where she studied Psychology, and then moved to Boston for work and a master’s degree. She loves working with kids and animals, and is excited to apply her experience and passion to the classroom! In her free time Jess likes to practice yoga, check out local flea markets, read, organize, and hang out with her cat, Gwen!

Emily Touchet
Gimel (3rd grade) Co-Teacher

Hi, my name is Emily (she/her) and I'm very excited to be with the Gimel class for my second year teaching at HBT. I enjoy building community in the classroom, hanging out with my friends and family, exploring nature, playing cello, and reading books. I live in Roslindale with a few housemates. 

Lori Giunta
Gimel (3rd grade) Co-Teacher

Morah Lori is very excited to be starting her first year teaching at HBT! She currently lives in Waltham and works at the Boys and Girls Club during the week. She loves to spend time with family and friends, learn Torah in community, read books, and play with her dog, Benny.

Shoshi Jalfin
Dalet (4th grade) Teacher

My name is Shoshi Jalfin, and this year I will be teaching Fourth grade. I grew up in Uruguay, lived in Israel for many years and have been here in the States since 1988. I live in Needham with my husband and my dog. I have three adult children and three young grandkids. In my spare time I love to read historical fiction novels, spend time with my grandkids and walk and hike in the woods with my dog.

I am a passionate Jewish educator, and I come with a broad experience teaching Hebrew and Jewish studies for more than thirty years. I have a B.A. on Jewish Education from Hebrew College, a M.S. from Wheelock College and a more recent Teacher Leadership Certificate from Brandeis University. I am excited to be here at THBT this year and I look forward to a year of fun and learning. It is my goal to create an environment where every child will be known, feel that they belong to our community, be inspired and engaged in their own learning process.

Jon Wishnie
Hey/Vav (5th/6th grade) Teacher

Jon cannot believe it is now their 7th (!?!) year at Chaverim School - and they are so excited to be back! 

Outside of Chaverim School, they spend my days doing a patchwork quilt of work: In the summer and fall, you’re likely to find them deep in the woods at Hale Education, Inc leading outdoor experiential education activities. In the winter, they work as a freelance facilitator, leading retreats for various social justice organizations.  When not working, Jon enjoys being outdoors, rock climbing, and relaxing  with their housemates and cat in their co-op style home in Jamaica Plain.

CHAVERIM TEEN GROUP Leader

Chaverim’s Teen Group is made by and for teens, bringing together students from grades seven through twelve to explore their own identities, connect with each other, practice making the world better, and learn about navigating the world as a Jewish adult. We do this through a wide range of activities – games, shared meals, communal projects, field trips, text study, guest speakers, making art, revisiting familiar Jewish stories with more complexity, and more. Teen Group meets one-to-two times per month. We hope that teens will gain deeper connections to each other, our Jewish community, and our wider world and be more prepared to engage in the world as Jews.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our facilitator, Jon Wishnie at jwishnie1@gmail.com who would be happy to talk to you.

Rabbi Sarah Noyovitz (Rabbi Noyo)
Hey/Vav/Zayin (5th/6th/7th grade) Hebrew Teacher and B. Mitzvah Teacher

Rabbi Noyo (they/she) is thrilled to be part of the Chaverim School team during her interim year at HBT! A madrichol since their bet mitzvah, Rabbi Noyo has worked in seven Hebrew school programs across three states over the last two decades. She has worked with every age, from gan through b. mitzvah, and has taught Hebrew, Judaica, music, trope, and d'var Torah writing. Rabbi Noyo absolutely loves the energy students bring, and strives to create a safe and fun classroom environment that helps every student feel competent and confident in their Jewish knowledge.

In addition to all things Jewish, Rabbi Noyo loves Zumba, lizards, their guitar Alex, and of course their partner Ari. Rabbi Noyo and Ari live in Newton where they hope to stay for a long time.