Hebrew School Teachers

Mechina - Me'ira Pitkapaasi

Me’ira Pitkapaasi holds a Master’s in Education and PA teacher's certification. She has completed additional college and graduate degrees in Mathematics, Hebrew Liturgy, and Special Education.  Me’ira has 35 years teaching experience. She has served as a Mommy and Me music and art teacher; K-6^th grade Hebrew and Jewish studies teacher; preK-12^th math and special education teacher; children’s choir director to name but a few. Me’ira has been an active member of the BI community for close to 20 years. Recently she has worked with our Tot Shabbat team.

Gan - Laura Lee Blechner

Laura Lee Blechner has served in many leadership roles at Beth Israel, including co-chair of the Religious Practices Committee for many years. She teaches Biblical Hebrew to adults and has recently begun tutoring B’nai Mitzvah students. Her two daughters attended Hebrew School and were Bat Mitzvahed at Beth Israel.

Gan - Reisa Mukamal

Reisa Mukamal holds a master’s degree in education, has erved as co-chair of the Education Committee, and has been tutoring B’nai Mitzvah students for fifteen years. Her four sons attended Hebrew school and were Bar Mitzvahed at Beth Israel. She teaches kindergarten at a private nursery school in Swarthmore and is a docent at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Orah Cohen

Orah is from Atlanta, GA, where she attended Torah Day School and Atlanta Jewish Academy. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English and Education at Swarthmore College.

Orah has previously worked in Jewish Kids Groups, an Atlanta Hebrew School, as a rotating teacher. She has also worked at In The City Camp (a non-denominational Jewish camp) for two summers as a head counselor. Since moving to Swarthmore, PA, she has continued working with children by tutoring and working as a Home Health Aide for Open Hearts Home Care. Orah is passionate about creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where students will build lifelong Jewish connections.

Daniel Chattler 

Daniel is originally from the Baltimore area.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Towson University (TU).  During his studies at TU Daniel developed a strong Jewish identity as he worked for several years in the Baltimore JCC and traveled to Israel on numerous occasions.  Shortly after graduating from University he made Aliyah to Israel in order to serve in the Israel Defense Force (IDF).

During Daniel’s IDF service, he served as a Mefaked Kitah (squad commander) in the Iron-Dome, the short-range missile defense system.  After living in Israel, particularly Be’er Sheva, for several years after his IDF service, he decided to return to the U.S. with his wife and dog where they settled in the Philadelphia area for work and to be involved in a strong Jewish community.  Daniel is very proud to share his experiences, knowledge, and strong Jewish identity with the Beth Israel community, especially its Hebrew school students!