Staff

Ana Inés Rubinstein, Nitzanim (PreK-2nd Gr) Tefillah Educator
 

Ana Inés Rubinstein (she/her) has been a member of the FTJC community since 2018. She has been an educator for over 20 years, specializing in the performing arts, second language acquisition, and physically integrated dance. She also teaches current and future educators in the Bilingual/TESOL Program of the School of Education at City College, and authored portions of the New York City Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts:Dance. As someone who did not grow up in a religious household, she came to Jewish practice later in life and is excited to explore the joy of Jewish learning with the young children of our community.

Pam Skop, Movement Educator
 

Pam Skop (she/her) is a licensed mental health counselor, yoga teacher, and postpartum doula. Pam is very passionate about early childhood education and prior to her career as a mental health counselor worked as a nanny, preschool teacher assistant, and camp counselor. After receiving her certification as a yoga teacher, Pam has partnered with numerous Jewish institutions to bring the practice of yoga to their youngest members, tying together themes of Judaism and mindfulness, and encouraging emotional and body awareness at a young age. 

Dani Apple, Movement Educator & Hebrew Specialist
 

Dani Apple (she/her), originally from Cleveland, Ohio, has made a home in the Big Apple! In addition to the FTJC family, she has been a religious school teacher with Town & Village Synagogue, West End Synagogue, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, and B'nai Jeshurun here in NYC. Dani holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, so lots of music, comedy games, and movement activities are always a go in our classrooms!

Yael Rayport, Shorashim (3rd-5th Gr) Educator @ Rimonim Torah School
 

Yael Rayport (she/her), born and raised in New York City, joined the FTJC team in 2022. Yael is an alumna of Barnard-List College, majoring in Psychology and Bible. As a Biblical Hebrew grammar tutor and former camp counselor at the 92nd street Y and JCC, Yael is excited to expand on her Jewish teaching experiences at FTJC. At Columbia University, Yael researches developmental psychobiology, collecting newborn infant sleep data. 

Anne Cohen, Nitzanim (K-2nd Gr) Educator @ Rimonim Torah School
 

Anne Cohen is a New York native with over fifteen years of experience as an educator, school administrator, and settlement house leader. She holds NYS certifications as K-12 Music Teacher, School Building Leader, and School District Leader. Honors include a PRESTO grant from El Sistema USA, Outstanding Emerging Educator Award from Organization of American Kodaly Educators, and a Liz Swados Inspiration Award honorable mention. Anne and her family love living in Washington Heights' vibrant Jewish community.

Eitana Friedman-Nathan, Nitzanim (PreK-2nd Gr) Tefillah Educator

Eitana Friedman-Nathan (she/her) is originally from Philadelphia and has been a member of FTJC since 2020. She is an alumna of Wesleyan University, where she studied English and Philosophy. A product of her Jewish day school education and involvement in Jewish youth groups, camps, and Yeshiva environments, Eitana loves to participate in programming and Jewish learning opportunities. She loves the community she has found at FTJC and is excited to participate in providing positive and meaningful Jewish experiences for community members and their children! She currently works as an advocate at the Bronx Defenders. 

Lilinaz Evans, Shorashim (3rd-5th Gr) Tefillah Educator

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Lilinaz was born and raised in London, UK, and has worked as head of the Or Shabbat Hebrew School at Westminster Synagogue, teacher at Bromley Synagogue, and tutor at Bromley and the Progressive community in Stockholm. She is currently studying Torah full time in New York, following a career as an engineer in London. She enjoys cooking, crafting and travelling.