Teacher Gallery_People
Nikkita Flavius
Lead Teacher
Nikkita (she/her), originally from the UK, is a singer-songwriter and interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn. She also holds a Diploma in Fine Arts, Textiles and Illustration from the Leeds College of Art, a BA (hons) in Politics and an MA in International Relations. Her academic focus explored the extent and significance of cultural exchange and longevity. She has volunteered many years as a youth leader in a theater and stage school summer program at Bradford Playhouse in the UK. Nikkita is dedicated to bringing in her rich experiences as a Jew of color, and passion for the lesser known Jewish communities around the world- through culinary history in particular. Each year she focuses on one aspect to deepen her own spiritual growth within Judaism. And she definitely hopes to be a cantor someday.
Naama Greenfield-Simpson
Lead Teacher
Naama (she/her) was born and raised in Israel and has lived in the U.S. for the past 20 years. Naama holds a B.A. in Costume Design from Empire State College and a certificate in millinery from FIT, and has taught Hebrew and Judaic Studies at multiple programs for the last decade. As an Israeli mom and educator raising kids in the U.S., she values the importance of passing on the values and experiences around which she was raised as a child. Naama is passionate about teaching Hebrew, Israeli culture and Judaism, combining these aspects with art-making and self-expression.
Jordyn Jacobs
Lead Teacher
Jordyn (she/her) was born in San Diego, CA, where she was very involved in her synagogue and served several local, regional, and national leadership positions for the Reform Jewish youth movement (NFTY). At age 20, Jordyn made aliyah to Israel, where she went on to spend six wonderful years living, learning Hebrew, and studying design in Tel Aviv. Jordyn moved to New York City in 2013, after earning her Bachelor's in Design from Shenkar College of Design in Ramat Gan, Israel, and spent several years working as a fashion designer. Jordyn has a Master's degree in Art Therapy from the School of Visual Arts, and enjoys using creativity in the Fig Tree classroom in order to help children learn and thrive!
Daniel Keitel
Assistant Teacher and Site Manager
Daniel Keitel (he/him) is an actor, educator, and musician originally from Pittsburgh, PA. He has spent 14 summers of his life at Goldman Union Camp Institute, including five summers on staff, where he eventually became the Head of the Drama program, and the Head Songleader/Head of the Music program. He also spent time as a standby cantorial soloist and substitute teacher at his hometown synagogue, Rodef Shalom. He graduated from Allegheny College with a BA in Theatrical Performance and a minor in Education Studies. Daniel lives in Park Slope.
Atara Lev
Assistant Teacher
Atara (she/her) is excited to be joining Fig Tree this fall. She grew up in Israel and moved to NY for work over 15 years ago. She holds a M.S. in Communication from Clark University and a B.A. in Behavioral Science. She’s been a Human Resources professional for 20+ years but children’s education has always been near and dear to her heart. Atara’s been fortunate to work with children of a variety of ages (12 months to 16 years) since she was a young teen. She more recently worked at JCC Manhattan 2s program where she enjoyed nurturing the children’s curiosity and creativity. She’s looking forward to bringing her enthusiasm into the classroom and being part of the Fig Tree team/ program.
Abby Newman
Lead Teacher
Abby (she/ her) grew up outside of sunny Orlando, Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's in Jewish Studies and Elementary Education and a Masters in Elementary Education. In 2019, Abby moved to New York to continue her career as a teacher and currently teaches fourth grade in the Upper West Side. Passionate about making Jewish learning accessible, fun, and meaningful for each student, she has over eight years of experience as a religious school teacher in various locations and grade levels. Abby lives in Long Island City with her husband and is excited to join the Fig Tree community in her own neighborhood!
Kate Meltzer
Lead Teacher
Kate Meltzer (she/her) is a Brooklyn native, who grew up in Park Slope and currently resides in Sunset Park. She has her Bachelor's degree in sociology from Hunter College and her Master's degree in social work from Fordham University. Kate worked full-time at Congregation Beth Elohim (CBE) in Park Slope for 7 years, during which time she served as the Department Coordinator, Lower School Manager & Madrichim Supervisor. During the pandemic, she led professional development for the teachers about trauma-informed pedagogy and the importance of social-emotional learning. She is passionate about making Jewish education accessible, engaging, and relevant so that kids feel proud to be Jewish. While she currently works mainly as a Licensed Master Social Worker, she is excited to get back into the classroom and join the Fig Tree team.
Jessie Sander
Learning Specialist
Jessie (she/her) is a Jewish special educator from Warwick, New York. She holds a degree in Africana and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies from CUNY Hunter and a Master’s of Teaching Students with Disabilities from Pace University. Jessie is currently studying at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership to receive a Master’s of Jewish Professional Studies. Jessie is committed to creating more equitable, accessible, and anti-oppressive Jewish spaces for people of all ages and is excited to be a part of the Fig Tree community!
Ron Shalom
Lead Teacher
Ron (he/him) is a musician and educator who began working with Fig Tree in 2019. As a teacher, Ron has worked in Montessori, special needs, and multilingual Spanish and Hebrew environments for over a decade, in K-8th, after school, and summer camp programs throughout NYC. He has also had the joy of tutoring Fig Tree alumni for their B'nei Mitzvah, teaching Torah, Hebrew language skills, liturgy, and musicianship. As a musician, Ron composes and performs as a multi-instrumentalist and installation artist. He also teaches private and group lessons in piano, guitar, and electronic music. Ron completed his Bachelor's in linguistics and music composition at Oberlin College and Conservatory and holds a Master's in music composition from Wesleyan University. Supplementing his lifelong Jewish learning, Ron has also studied at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. He is thrilled to return to Fig Tree in 2024.
Shira Solomon
Assistant Teacher
Shira (they/them) is a southern peach, hailing from Atlanta, GA. When they’re not at Fig Tree, they’re working in the music industry, doing everything from research to artist communication to event production. They’ve been lucky enough to experience many different angles of Jewish community building, including currently running the Moishe House in Long Island City. One of Shira’s favorite parts of being Jewish is exploring the diversity of people and music— in college, they even had a Jewish radio show focusing on the sounds of the Jewish world! An open space like Fig Tree is an exciting space for Shira and they are looking forward to joining in.
Julia Bloch Thibaud
Assistant Teacher
Julia (she/her), a lifelong New Yorker save for a couple of years in Buenos Aires, holds a BA from Barnard College, where she double-majored in Dance and Religion. Her Jewish identity deeply informs her love and reverence for ritual, an invaluable asset in supporting families in her work as a postpartum doula. She has worked in various educational settings, including as a counselor at performing arts summer camps, as an administrator for nonprofits in the education sector, and in studios as a certified yoga and meditation teacher. Julia resides in Harlem, and looks forward to being in community with Fig Tree parents, teachers, and the unofficial but most important teachers: the students.
Ami Weintraub
B’nai Mitzvah Director and Lead Teacher
Ami Weintraub (he/him/ or they/them) is excited to join Fig Tree this year. He has worked as a Hebrew school educator for over ten years in the DC area and in Pittsburgh. Ami lived in Pittsburgh for 8 years and has just moved to Brooklyn this year after a brief time living in Manhattan and studying at the Hadar Yeshiva last school year. In Pittsburgh, Ami was the founder of a queer Jewish community center called Ratzon: Center for Healing and Resistance. Ami is also the author of a recently published book called, “To the Ghosts Who are Still Living,” which examines Jewish ancestry in Eastern Europe. In addition to teaching and writing, Ami is pursuing rabbinic ordination through the Aleph Renewal ordination program and is currently in his 4th of 6 years. Ami is originally from Silver Spring, MD where he grew up attending a Reconstructionist synagogue, going to Jewish summer camp and learning about his Jewish culture with his family