Staff
Diana Charlop, Operations Manager
Diana (pronouns: she/her) is a New York native, born and raised in Great Neck, where she grew up participating in her Jewish community, particularly through her love of singing and music. After returning from Vanderbilt University with double majors in Vocal Performance and Medicine Health and Society, Diana has built expertise in operations and administration, both for Jewish organizations such as Beloved Brooklyn and for musical arts non-profits. Currently, she is pursuing her doctorate in School-Community Psychology at Hofstra University. In her free time, Diana loves running, yoga, hiking, and opera.
Diana can be reached by e-mail at operations@ftjc.org
Reyzl Geselowitz, Director of Youth and Family Learning
Reyzl leads all our educational efforts within Rimonim: A Family Learning Community at FTJC. These include Shabbat mornings, holidays, and the Rimonim Torah School. Reyzl comes to Rimonim from the world of Jewish day school education, having taught Jewish studies for 10 years at the Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan. She holds two Master’s degrees in Jewish Studies and Jewish Education from New York University, and was a Wexner Fellow and Davidson Scholar. She also studied in the Beit Midrash program at the Drisha Institute of Jewish Education. Her BA is in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University. Reyzl’s diverse teaching experience includes serving on staff at Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, NY, as well as Beth El Temple Center in Belmont, MA, and the Drisha Summer High School Program. Reyzl and her family have been active members of FTJC since 2011. She lives in Washington Heights with her husband Michael and three children. She can be reached by e-mail at reyzl@ftjc.org
Educators
Dani Apple, Hebrew Partners Online Tutor and Movement Educator
Dani Apple (she/her) is our primary tutor for the Hebrew component of our Rimonim Torah School. 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 when Dani is teaching!
Lilinaz Evans, Shabbat Morning Shorashim (3rd-5th Gr) Educator
Lilinaz (she/her) 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.
Sawyer Goldsmith, Shabbat Morning Nitzanim (Pre-K - 2nd grade) Educator
Sawyer Goldsmith (they/them/theirs) has worked as a teacher's aide at synagogues and secular schools, and as a Hebrew and b’nei mitzvah tutor. Currently working professionally at Keshet, Sawyer is a queer and trans, neurodivergent Jewish educator with a passion for all things queer, Jewish, and anything in between. In their free time, Sawyer enjoys cooking and baking and always is in the mood for suggestions. When not at work or in the kitchen, Sawyer, 98% of the time, will be with their dog Trixie and will show you pictures of her, even if you didn’t request them.
Eitana Friedman-Nathan, Shabbat Morning 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.
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.
