Meet Our Riverdale Temple Learning Center Educators

MICHELLE SHTEINGART

Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Teacher

Hi, my name is Michelle Shteingart. I have been at Riverdale Temple for many years and teaching my class on Sunday mornings is the highlight of my week. I absolutely love spending time with my students and teaching them all about the Jewish holidays and values we cherish. Each week we have a blast going over different subjects, singing songs and doing art projects. I live in Riverdale with my husband and three children who attend SAR Academy/High School. During the week I am a nursery assistant teacher at Kinneret Day School and over the summer I am the Director of Camp Shemesh at Stein Yeshiva. I grew up not far from here in Scarsdale, New York and attended Bar-Ilan University in Israel for one year, where I met my husband at 18. From there I attended Binghamton University before settling down and moving to Riverdale.

ELLYN KAPLAN

Third and Fourth Grade Teacher

Ellyn Kaplan grew up in a Reform Jewish family in Riverdale, with a strong connection to Jewish traditions and values, deeply influenced by her Orthodox grandparents. Her childhood memories are filled with celebrating holidays and creating new traditions with her family, which shaped her love for Judaism. This passion for her heritage extends into her career, as she has spent the last 15 years as a lead teacher in early childhood education at Stein Yeshiva and Camp Shemesh, working with 5- to 7-year-old children. Ellyn finds joy in teaching the stories of Judaism and feels incredibly lucky to share her zest for learning with her students. She believes that working with young children, who have an innate excitement for investigation through play, is the best gift in the world. For her, teaching is not just about passing on knowledge but also about making new memories and exploring together with her students.

MICHAEL BILLET

Fifth Grade Teacher

Michael is extremely passionate about teaching Torah and inspiring the next generation of Jewish leaders. He loves connecting with Jews of all backgrounds and affiliations. Michael’s commitment to the wider Jewish Riverdale community extends beyond Riverdale Temple Learning Center. After receiving Rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, Michael joined the Judaic Studies faculty of Kinneret Day School. Michael is known for using his sense of humor and upbeat personality to connect with his students and model a love of Jewish education. Michael is pleased to be teaching at Riverdale Temple Learning Center. He is teaching 5th grade Jewish Life Cycle Events, The Torah portion of the week and the values we can learn and be inspired by and Jewish holidays. Michael is an amazing story teller and engages his self-identify with lively discussion, educational games and the arts.