2nd Grade

Meira Leah Morgenstern

Meira Leah grew up in Miami Beach and moved to the Valley Village community in 2011. She completed her high school education at Bais Yaakov Los Angeles and then attended Seminar Yerushalayim where she received her teaching certificate. After returning to Los Angeles, Meira Leah joined the Emek family while simultaneously earning her Bachelor's in Liberal Arts with an emphasis on Education and Judaic Studies. Meira Leah feels privileged to educate the Second grade girls and enjoys learning new ways to create exciting, meaningful Judaic lessons.

To contact Meira Leah Morgenstern, email [email protected].

Rabbi Chaim Dovid Siskin

We are excited to introduce Rabbi Chaim Dovid and Melissa Siskin, along with their three children—Avraham Yehuda, Leah Noa, and Yaakov—as the newest members of our community. Rabbi Siskin is a native of Los Angeles, growing up in the Valley and attending Milken Community School. They spent the last three years living on campus at UCLA, hosting Shabbos meals, creating events, and connecting with students. In addition to serving as the 2nd-grade Rebbe, Rabbi Siskin will be Emek’s Kiruv Specialist. He and his family are opening their home to the community, hosting Shabbos and Yom Tov meals, along with exciting new programming! The Siskin family is excited to embark on this new chapter with us and looks forward to getting to know the entire Emek community.

To contact Rabbi Siskin, email [email protected].

Kayla Hershberg

Kayla Hershberg was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. She graduated from King David Linksfield and went on to study at the University of Witwatersrand. She obtained a Bachelor of Education with Distinction. She also won an award for professional excellence in the final year of Bachelor of Education Degree in Intermediate Phase Teaching. She immigrated to the United States in December of 2021. She is a passionate teacher whose purpose is to educate children to ultimately take their rightful place in society by focusing on their social-emotional and academic learning throughout each day. She is very excited to educate the second grade girls.

To contact Kayla Hershberg, email [email protected].

Seryl Litwin

Mrs. Litwin is a dedicated educator with 25 years of experience teaching second grade. Originally from New York City, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for teaching to her role. Living in Valley Village, Mrs. Litwin is thrilled to be a part of the Emek community, where her own children once attended and now her grandchildren are students. When she's not in the classroom, she enjoys reading, hiking, and cheering for the LA Kings. Mrs. Litwin's commitment to education and her love for her students shine through in her teaching every day.

To contact Mrs. Litwin, email [email protected].

Kayla Golan

Kayla Golan is Emek’s new 2G3 Torah Studies teacher. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended both Emek and Valley Torah High School. She earned a B.A. from Excelsior College and is in her second year of teaching. Kayla has worked with children in Jewish day camps for five summers and is passionate about inspiring young hearts with a love for HaShem and His Torah.

To contact Kayla Golan, email [email protected].

Hannah Gross

Hannah Gross grew up in Simi Valley, CA, and relocated to North Hollywood in July 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with honors and is a certified ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Education. With extensive classroom experience teaching 1st-4th grade, as well as online ESL instruction across multiple grade levels, Hannah is excited to be part of the Emek community, where she teaches separate classes of 2nd-grade boys and girls. From a young age, she knew she was called to be a teacher, and her position at Emek fulfills her lifelong dream to teach Jewish children. In her classroom, she fosters a nurturing environment, believing that “Our Class Is A Family.” She is committed to helping her students grow emotionally, academically, and socially while encouraging them to love one another and reminding them they are loved and cherished by their teachers, parents, and by HaShem.

To contact Hannah Gross, email [email protected].

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