Yesodi Teachers

Gan-A

Dr. Seth Wexler is part of the music and prayer leader's team at Sha'arei Shalom is always trying to find creative ways to engage children with Torah learning and Hebrew education, adapting to different learning styles and backgrounds. He is a practicing veterinarian and has been part of the Sha'arei Shalom community in Cary, NC for 18 years. He and his wife, Anna, have four children and have been involved in Messianic Jewish children's education and pedagogy since becoming parents.

Gan-B

Mr. Joseph Miterko is a graduate of the Charles L Feinberg Institute of Messianic Jewish Studies. With a passion for the Bible and Hebrew text, he loves guiding others into the joy of learning. He’s currently located in Boston and also teaches piano, enjoys coffee, and loves long walks. Moreh Yosef will partner with Morah Shira in teaching the Aleph MJE class. 

Aleph

Ms. Mali Miller was born in Jerusalem, Israel. She came to the United States after serving two years in the Israeli Army. Morah Mali has now lived in Florida for 38 years and has been teaching Hebrew for 27 years. She describes herself as a happy, energetic person who is passionate for her work. Morah Mali teaches conversational Hebrew, B’nai Mitzvah preparation, and also specializes with special needs. She also serves as an Ashreinu Tutor. 

Bet 

Morah Rachel is a colorful mother of three energetic children and a licensed Couples & Family Counselor. Her ninja skills include baking, reading fiction (especially retold fairy tales) and gardening. She learned to love language learning as an adult and had the privilege of studying Ulpan at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She loves making learning exciting for children! When she isn’t doing dishes or reading a book, Rachel can be found around her neighborhood exploring. 

Gimel

Mrs. Josie Machovec is a member at Shalom Boca Synagogue where she fosters a strong sense of connection and service. While living in Israel for 5 years, she served 2 years of active duty in the IDF Training Operations, and 1 year in reserves. She has worked in Hebrew education for over a decade and has a passion for instilling a love for Jewish heritage in the next generation. She and her husband, Nick, are raising 3 children, ages 10, 8, and 6 in South Florida.

Dalet

Max has many years of experience teaching Hebrew to students of all ages. Investing thought and dedication in his teaching, he values every interaction and sees every moment as an opportunity to learn. In light of these values, Max works to encourage curiosity and confidence in his students' faith and daily walk. 

Ashreinu Accelerated

Mrs. Tara Strong has been an educator for 10+ years and enjoys modeling and motivating faithful connectivity, spiritual depth with HaShem, and Jewish space in the home with ritual, prayer, and song. Morah Tova currently leads an intergenerational small-group Torah study. She is a student of Linguistics, Philosophy, and Theology, loves Western sunsets on her Texas homestead, strength training with her family in the local gym, and in-line speedskating. 

Messianic Jewish Life

Richard Nichol is one of the founding members of MJTI. He has served as President of the Institute since 2014. Rabbi Nichol also teaches courses in Biblical Hebrew and in the Master of Rabbinic Studies Program: Sermon Preparation and Delivery, Congregational Growth and Development, Key Events in the Jewish Life Cycle, and Panim el Panim. He joins Darash Scholars to guide our teens through the ins and outs of Messianic Jewish life.  

Biblical Hebrew Basics

Chaiyah Cohen has been active in her synagogue in the Bay Area of California for over 30 years as Rebbetzin, cantor, director of education, all event planning. She continues to offer private and congregational classes in both Biblical and Modern Hebrew. She is also involved in the preparation of B’nai Mitzvah and B’nai Avraham. She enjoys helping others become well-grounded in their knowledge of our traditional practices and becoming active participants in the community. 

Modern Hebrew Basics

Michelle Vinokuroff holds a degree in Languages with a specialization in Translation and Interpretation and manages a translation agency where language and cross-cultural communication are at the center of her work. While living in Jerusalem, she had the opportunity to study at two ulpanim. She has been teaching Hebrew for many years and is passionate about helping students build confidence, connection, and fluency. She currently resides on the East Coast with her family.

The World of Talmud

James Ballard is a Jewish writer, researcher, and teacher whose work focuses on the recovery of the Rabbinic, legal, and mystical frameworks that shaped the earliest followers of Yeshua. Having taught in churches, synagogues, and on tour in Israel, Mr. Ballard is currently a resident teacher at Tikvat David Messianic Synagogue, where he connects diverse audiences with the world of Jewish thought. 

Scholars' Social

Rabbi Eric Meiri is passionate about Messianic Jewish theology, recycling programs, and international soccer. His wife, Rachel, prefers classical fiction, gardening and praying this is the year that the Bears win the Superbowl. Together they are raising three goofy kids along with their herd of pets. You can often find them outdoors on local bike and walking trails or in their basement watching something from the BBC. 

Chevrutah

Moreh Mati began his professional career as a public school music teacher. He has since been involved as prayer leader and Torah reader at various synagogues. He is passionate for the mitzvah of studying Torah day and night and is excited to help prepare the next generation to fulfill this great mitzvah and to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy that "My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring..." (Isaiah 59:21). 

Director

Mrs. Hamman minored in Hebrew at Trevecca Nazarene University, holds a B.A. in Jewish Studies from Moody Bible Institute, as well as a certificate in Methodology of Talmud from Northwestern University. Before the founding of Ashreinu School in 2022, she taught B'nai Mitzvah preparation classes for 13 years.  She resides on the East Coast with her husband and 2 sons.

Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Machovec is a member at Shalom Boca Synagogue where she fosters a strong sense of connection and service. While living in Israel for 5 years, she served 2 years of active duty in the IDF Training Operations, and 1 year in reserves. She has worked in Hebrew education for over a decade and has a passion for instilling a love for Jewish heritage in the next generation. She and her husband, Nick, are raising 3 children, ages 10, 8, and 6 in South Florida.

Social Media Assistant

Ms. Mila Gerstein is a marketing graduate with experience in social media strategy, content creation, and brand development. She has attended Beth Messiah Congregation for 22 years. She is passionate about creative communication and sharing the heart of the Messianic Jewish community as it relates to strengthening the next generation’s connection to their heritage. In her free time, she enjoys trying new coffee shops, crocheting, and spending time with friends & family.

Merrill Lasko is part of the leadership team  at Beth Messiah Congregation in Maryland. She has been a teacher for over 30 years: first, at Ets Chayim School and then at Bender JCC Early Childhood Center for the past 13 years. 

Amber Michael lives in Jerusalem, Israel and is a co-founder of First Fruits of Zion. She is a mother of four grown children and a grandmother to eight! She is a continuing student of Hebrew and is passionate about building the next generation of Messianic Judaism.

Joshua serves as JFJ's Director of Innovation and Jewish Life. As President of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of France and advocate for Jewish-Christian relations, Joshua regularly addresses conferences on antisemitism and Jewish ministry. He collaborates with Jewish and Christian leaders, actively leading efforts to combat antisemitism. Joshua holds a bachelor’s degree in French literature. He is married to Delphine, also a Jewish believer, and they have three grown up children.

Benjamin Weisman is the spiritual leader of Beth Messiah Congregation in the Washington DC area, where he enjoys finding the radiance of Messiah within Jewish prayer and ritual. He has a lifelong love of learning and is currently a student at the Messianic Jewish Theological Institute. Benjamin lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland with his wife, Mara, and daughter, Ava. 

Seth Wexler is a practicing veterinarian and has been part of the Sha'arei Shalom community in Cary, NC for 18 years. He and his wife, Anna, have four children and have been involved in Messianic Jewish children's education and pedagogy since becoming parents. Seth is part of the music and prayer leader's team and is always trying to find creative ways to engage children with Torah learning and Hebrew education, adapting to different learning styles and backgrounds.

Michayla White is a devoted Messianic Jew who has served for over 15 years in children and family ministries. Recently, she has shifted her focus to provide one-on-one coaching and launch a new project called The Sabbath Table - a community committed to setting tables where disciples of Yeshua grow in unity together. Along with her husband and 3 sons, she attends Adat Hatikvah in Chicago where they serve as Elders.