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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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