Our Team
Mr. Michael Anaka
Science
bio
Mr. Anaka currently teaches Science 9, Science 10, Chemistry 11, and Anatomy and Physiology 12. He received both a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biological Sciences and a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University. In addition to having taught secondary science at Sir Winston Churchill and Vancouver Technical schools in Vancouver, Mr. Anaka has years of experience as a university teaching assistant for introductory biology courses and second and third year genetics courses. His science background includes working in natural habitat restoration in Surrey parks, and performing research experiments with mosquitoes in a behavioural ecology laboratory. Mr. Anaka believes strongly in experiential education through hands-on activities and labs; he is excited to work with the students and staff at Shalhevet and share his experience and enthusiasm for science. |
Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman
Chassidus
bio
Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman is the Rabbi and Director of Chabad Richmond. Rabbi Baitelman has a passion for teaching Torah and for building community. |
Mrs. Malky Bitton
Bekius, Navi
bio
A native Vancouverite, Mrs. Malky Bitton graduated with honours from the Lubavitch Girls High School of Chicago, and went on to receive a diploma in education from Beth Chana Seminary in Safed, Israel, and a B.A. in Judaic studies from Talpiot College in Toronto. Following her graduation, Mrs. Bitton's highly developed teaching skills and passion for teaching were in high demand and she spent a rewarding three years teaching high school students in both Toronto and New York. She now serves as co-director of Chabad of Downtown Vancouver as well as co-dean of the Jewish Academy. Along with event planning and teaching her popular classes for ladies, Mrs. Bitton is a busy mom to six adorable children! |
Ms. Jennifer Brodsky
Language Arts
bio
Ms. Brodsky teaches all grade levels of English Language Arts. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and has a background in Political Science and English. She has worked as a tutor for over six years and has experience with various subject areas. She has a passion for learning languages and is currently fluent in English, French, Spanish and Russian. Mentorship has also played a large role in her life. Ms. Brodsky was actively involved with the Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver and Big Brothers at UBC programs for many years. She is more than happy to talk about her experiences and connect students with volunteer opportunities as young mentors. Her approach to teaching is ensuring an engaging and interactive lesson plan which can be adapted to fit a variety of different learners. Ultimately, her goal is to use literature to enable students to think critically and reflect on the world around them. |
Rabbi Ari Federgrun
Halacha, Jewish History
bio
Rabbi Federgrun received his smicha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and was also a member of Yeshiva University’s prestigious Kollel Elyon for four years. Rabbi Federgrun taught Talmud at Yeshiva University High School for Boys in New York. He led a very successful program at the Boca Raton Synagogue for three consecutive summers to energize and engage the community. Rabbi Federgrun takes pride in continuing to maintain close relationships with many of his former students. Rabbi Federgrun moved to Vancouver in the summer of 2017 to take up the position of Director of Community Education for the Vancouver Torah Learning Centre, which coincided with his wife, Mrs. Meira Federgrun, taking up the reins as the Head of School of Shalhevet Girls’ High School. In the summer of 2018, Rabbi Federgrun took on the role of Associate Rabbi at Congregation Schara Tzedeck. The Federgruns have five delightful children. |
Mrs. Meira Federgrun
Chumash
bio
Mrs. Federgrun teaches all levels of Chumash and the Hashkafa course. She holds a Masters Degree in Education from Azrieli Graduate School and has taught Chumash and Judaic Studies to students of all ages: Grade 4 - adults! Mrs. Federgrun is passionate about learning with her students and helping them develop skills and a hashkafas hachaim. When not teaching or principaling, Mrs. Federgrun enjoys spending time with her adorable children, outreach, adult education, and the beautiful outdoors. |
Rabbi Shlomo Gabay
Pirkei Avos
bio
Rabbi Shlomo Gabay was born and raised in London, UK. Following high school, he studied for several years in Yeshivot in Gateshead, UK, and Jerusalem, Israel. After getting married in London, he subsequently moved to Israel to study for Semicha (rabbinic ordination) under the tutelage of former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu z”l and was awarded his Semicha in 2013 by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. Simultaneous with his Semicha ordination, Rabbi Gabay graduated from the Ner Le'elef International Institute in Jerusalem, a three-year post-rabbinic training programme for global outreach-educators. Rabbi Gabay went on to serve as a teacher and educator as well as a member of the prestigious Kollel in the vibrant Jewish community of Gibraltar, where he founded and directed the popular Shovavim programme, a unique one-on-one learning course for adults, featuring international speakers. In the spring of 2018, Rabbi Gabay moved to Vancouver to take up the position of spiritual leader at Congregation Beth Hamidrash, the only Sephardic congregation west of Toronto, together with his wife Rachel and 3 daughters, Miri, Shira & Chaya. In 2019 he was inducted into office by Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. Rabbi Gabay shares his passion for studying Torah and authentic Jewish education in time-honoured Sephardic tradition with the entire community from young to old. He is also a member of the Beth Din of the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of Vancouver. |
Miss Bayla Goldman
Director of Chesed and Extra-Curricular Activities
bio
Miss Goldman grew up in Vancouver and is a proud Shalhevet graduate. She spent this past year in Israel attending Bnos Avigail Seminary to further her Jewish Education. While in Shalhevet, Miss Goldman participated in productions, was the co-head of the first ever Shalhevet Play, was head of many Chagigos and Shabbatons, was on Student Council, and was on the yearbook committee. With her Shalhevet experience behind her, Miss Goldman is excited to be on the other side of the desk and work with the girls to motivate them to have an awesome extra-curricular experience at Shalhevet. She looks forward to working at Shalhevet this year! |
Ms. Suzanne Huang
Math, Fine Arts, Career and Personal Planning, Yearbook Advisor
bio
Ms. Huang teaches all grade levels of Secondary Math, Fine Art and Career and Personal Planning, as well as Biology 12. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia. Ms. Huang has a strong science and math background with a major in Cell Biology and Genetics, a minor in Biochemistry, and a year’s experience performing genetics research. She is an enthusiastic educator who is passionate about promoting student learning. Ms. Huang has been teaching the wonderful girls at Shalhevet Girls High School since 2009. In addition to her many years of teaching experience, she has previously been a teacher-on-call and resource teacher for West Point Grey Academy. Ms. Huang has also formerly taught Science at Moscrop Secondary where she was involved with helping students prepare for mathematics competitions and science fairs. Additionally, she has delivered science workshops at the TELUS World of Science and has tutored for several years, specializing in Mathematics and Science. Some of Ms. Huang’s additional interests include reading, dancing, camping, snowboarding, photography, painting, ice skating, and eating, but not Social Studies. |
Dr. Tali Keselman
Ivrit
bio
Dr. Keselman is a Hebrew language teacher with a thirty-year history as a dedicated educator. Her teaching philosophy focuses on student success through an innovative, safe and inclusive learning environment. Dr. Keselman’s experiences in education includes tutoring in the classroom, teacher-training and assistant principal. As a teacher in elementary, high school and college, she enabled children to reach their potential through self-motivation and creativity. She has a strong foundation in technology, which she believes is a great tool not only for delivering a lesson, but also for student-centered learning. |
Mr. Ian Mills
Social Studies
bio
Mr. Mills holds a degree in Social Studies and Geography from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of British Columbia. He has lived in Vancouver since 2011, except for a year spent in Australia where he traveled and taught as a substitute teacher in a variety of high school classrooms. Originally from Southern Ontario, Mr. Mills is passionate about history, learning, and working with high school students. He is committed to creating positive relationships with and between students and help them meet their potential. Mr. Mills enjoys outdoor activities, including snowboarding, camping, and hiking on the North Shore. He also enjoys cooking and guitar. Mr. Mills enjoys meeting and learning from new people and is very excited to be working another year with our high school girls and staff. |
Ms. Daniela Tempesta
Physical Education
bio
A Vancouver native, Miss. Tempesta’s extensive background in dance has lead to a successful 15+ year career in the fitness industry. She holds a Bachelor of General Studies and a certificate in Health and Fitness studies (both from Simon Fraser University). Professionally, her focus is on education and instructor development through courses (ACE), workshops, evaluations and mentoring fitness professionals in the Lower Mainland. She is an ACE-Certified Fitness Instructor as well as a BCRPA Trainer of Fitness Leaders, Personal Trainer & an RYT-200 Yogi. Miss Tempesta has extensive experience leading group/personal training, article writing, and conference speaking (BCRPA BCFit, Manitoba Fitness Council, Nelson Fitness Forum, SCW Mania, IDEA World Fitness Convention). Miss Tempesta has worked in the school system for 4 years, teaching dance as part of Physical Education to both elementary and high school students. She firmly believes all students learn differently and express their uniqueness differently and dance (body movement) gives the freedom to explore that. Working with the Shalhevet students allows her the opportunity to influence the next generation towards a healthy, active lifestyle through her areas of expertise. |
