8th Grade  Andrew Harter Andrew moved to the Grand Rapids area last year with his wife Ava and their two children Elijah and Josie. A new addition to the UJS staff, he will be attempting to help the 8th grade class comprehend the Holocaust. Andrew majored in behavioral ecology and documentary film at Northwestern University and has received masters degrees in both medical anthropology from the University of Nebraska and social psychology from Case Western Reserve University and is currently an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Grand Rapids Community College. A convert to Judaism since 1992, Andrew taught at the Jewish School for the Tri-Cities while residing in Midland, Michigan from 2004 - 2009. Other than spending time with his family, Andrew is passionate about philosophy/theology, creative writing, and long walks with Lyra his faithful poodle.

9th Grade  Mitch Kahn/Sheryl Siegel Mitch Kahn embraced his Judaism growing up in the B'nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO) where he was President of Great Lakes Council BBYO and International First Vice President of AZA.  After living in Israel in the early 70's he worked in Jewish Camping as a counselor and Unit Head at the Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI).  Subsequently, he was Director of the Department of Informal Education, Camp and Youth Programs at Temple Israel in Minneapolis and the associate director and teacher of Ma'ayan, a winter residential program for early high school graduates at OSRUI.  As a graduate student at Vanderbilt University, Mitch was USY advisor at West End Synagogue in Nashville, TN and taught at "The Temple," Congregation Ohabai Shalom. Mitch has taught on and off at Temple Emanuel, Ahavas Israel, B'nai Tikvah and Beit Sefer B'yahad since 1969.  He says he is looking forward to teaching 9th grade this year with Sharyl Titche because "we had such a positive experience team teaching last year and we have some exciting ideas for updating our course in American Jewish History and American Jewish Culture." Sheryl Siegel  Sheryl Siegel is blessed to be married Jim, to have three great adult children, and to play baseball and tag with her grandson.  She has taught public school, religious school both at Ahavas Israel and Temple Emanuel, and volunteered for over 30 years.  Sheryl and Jim travel extensively. She has been to Israel five times and loved volunteering in Israel in a soup kitchen and on an army base.  Sheryl is presently taking classes and getting car sick in the back of an ambulance, in an attempt to be a paramedic. Wish her luck! 10th Grade Rabbi Michael Schadick  Michael Schadick has been Rabbi of Temple Emanuel since July 2000.  He was born in southern New Hampshire  and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Connecticut College.  He received his rabbinic   ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in May 1994.  He has served congregations in Orlando, Florida and Plantation, Florida.  Rabbi Schadick lives in Cascade Township with his wife Susan and his daughter Shira.

11th/12th Grade  Evan Rossio Evan is a sixteen-year resident of Grand Rapids, where he practices law.  He and his wife Julie spent seven years as youth group advisors at Temple Israel in Columbus, Ohio and at Temple Emanuel in Grand Rapids.  He taught religious school in the early ‘80s while a student at OSU, where he graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism.  They have two children; Jordan and Emily.  Evan is thrilled to be working again with the high school students, and looks forward to keeping the kids engaged in all things Jewish, in an informal setting.

Hebrew - Marni Holtzman-Vyn Marni Holtzman Vyn returns to the staff as our 6th grade teacher.  She previously taught religious school and tutored Bar & Bat Mitzvah students in Ann Arbor and Boston.  Prior to staying at home full-time with her two young boys, Arend and Aidan, Marni worked as a fundraiser at the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids, Planned Parenthood and served on the UJS Board of Directors.  She and her family are members of Ahavas Israel.

Hebrew - Lauren Vetter Lauren graduated from Grand Valley State University majoring in Health Sciences for Occupational Therapy. She has attended religious school since Pre-K, worked as an aide throughout high school, and will be teaching her fourth year at UJS. For the last three years, Lauren taught Hebrew, 8th grade, and was the junior youth group advisor for Temple Emanuel’s middle school students.  She now is helping the Jewish Federation of Detroit start a teen program in Grand Rapids for all middle and high schoolers attending Ahavas Israel, Temple Emanuel, and Chabad House. Lauren is married to Ryan and is excited to work with the seventh graders on their path to finding their own Jewish identity while understanding their Jewish roots.

Hebrew - Sabrina Slaw Sabrina is a certified Hebrew instructor and began teaching at UJS in 2007.  Previously, she taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and was also the Director of the Infant Program at the JCCA in Atlanta, GA.  Sabrina has three children; Talya, Samuel and Daniel.  When she’s not teaching or chauffeuring her children she enjoys reading, scrap booking and playing the cello.      Hebrew -  Elisabeth Rosewall Elisabeth is a native Californian with a BS in Design from the University of California at Davis, and has lived in Grand Rapids since 1985. She has taught both 4-7th grades and Hebrew since 1990 both at Temple and Ahavas as well as in South Haven. She currently focuses on Hebrew and tutors b'nei mitzvah students at Temple Emanuel. Elisabeth has a passion for learning and Jewish education, and loves teaching Hebrew classes for adults. She especially enjoys those who learn differently and tries to find the spark in each. She feels blessed by her two children, Emily and Eric, (and the presence of cats in their lives).

Hebrew - Helen Shibley Helen graduated from Oregon State University with a BS in Secondary Mathematics Education and taught in Oregon public schools for nine years before becoming a mother of three.  She and her family moved to Holland in July 2006 and joined Ahavas Israel.  She is currently substitute teaching at Black River Public School in Holland and is the office manager at B'nai B'rith Camp in Oregon during the summer.  This is Helen's third year on staff at UJS and she is looking forward to teaching Hebrew at the school because she loves seeing the children's excitement as they realize that they have actually started reading Hebrew.  She also believes that the best way to learn more herself is to teach.

Hebrew -  Emily Rosewall Emily returned both to Grand Rapids and to teaching Hebrew in the Religious School in 2009, having lived in Milwaukee the three years prior. She and her mother Elisabeth were the first Jewish students to attend Cornerstone University, where they took Biblical Hebrew. She has been to CAJE twice, and Israel once.

Hebrew - Rachel Katz Rachel Katz grew up in Ann Arbor and is currently a 2nd year Pharmacy student at the Ferris State College of Pharmacy. She recently moved to Grand Rapids, and is excited to reenter Jewish life after living in a small town for four years. Growing up, Rachel was an active member of her synagogue's religious school and youth programs, serving as a madricha in both the Hebrew and Religious schools, as well as spending a year as a member of the AARTY board.

Library Resources - Kris Siegel Kris has an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a graduate degree in Library and Information Science.  She has taught Pre-K in the religious school for 6 years and is currently director of the school resource center.  Her husband, Doug and two sons, Nathan and Bennett are members of Temple Emanuel.  She connects UJS students, teachers and parents with the resources of the Greta & Hy Berkowitz Center of Jewish Learning, and looks forward to seeing her regular "customers" every Sunday morning.

Teacher Resources