Zach has worked extensively in the areas of social impact and faith as a leader, educator, and community organizer. Professional accomplishments include Executive Director at The Open Temple, Camp Director of Camp Ramah in California, and Camp Bob Waldorf, Executive Director of the Pico-Union Project, and Director of Melton Research & Education Projects at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Zach has also served as a Clinical Lecturer in Education at the American Jewish University where he mentored graduate students in areas of administrative leadership and teaching.
As a volunteer, Zach has taken action with Showing Up for Racial Justice around issues of jail reform and voting rights as well as projects to support those who are unhoused. Zach earned a doctorate in education leadership from UCLA, a Masters in Education at the AJU, and a B.A. in Sociology and Judaic Studies from UC San Diego.
In 2016 Zach became a 500-hour certified yoga instructor through YogaWorks as part of his research around how the pedagogy of yoga could enhance Jewish practice and make it more accessible and teaches workshops in this area.
Throughout his career, he has also written and spoken on issues of leadership, experiential education, and inclusion. Zach’s articles and interviews have been featured in publications such as The Washington Post, LA Yoga, and the Jewish Journal. Other passions include family and friends, cooking, running, braving the roads as a bike commuter, and sampling green tea.
Dr. Hannah Bennett is a twenty-year elementary school educator who just completed her first year as Head of School of Briskin Elementary School. Nothing like running an elementary school remotely from her garage during a global pandemic in her first year as head to test her moxie! Before her role as Head of School, Hannah served as Principal of Temple Israel of Hollywood Day School (now Briskin Elementary School) since 2013. During her tenure as Principal at TIOH, Hannah spearheaded the creation and implementation of the school’s advanced technology program; implemented the school’s reaccreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) by developing Student Support Services protocols and articulating curriculum. Hannah has applied new protocols to advance faculty- and grade-level team meetings as impactful professional development experiences. Most recently, she led the school’s adoption and implementation of Yale’s Center for Emotional Intelligence’s RULER program, an evidence-based approach for integrating social and emotional learning into schools. Hannah resides in the San Fernando Valley with her partner, Shira Brown, their children, Charlie and Gabriel ). She enjoys hiking with her family and their dog, Poppy, sampling various ice cream at local creameries around Los Angeles, and exploring the state (country coming soon!) in their RV.
Before joining the BNECC in 2023, Sarah worked as the ECC and Parenting Center Director at Sinai Akiba Academy, where she spent 19 years in various roles, including teacher, Assistant Director, and ECC Director. Sarah is committed to fostering Jewish identity and community from the earliest ages. She has pursued extensive professional development, earning certifications in Early Childhood Education and RIE Foundations, and completed the First 36 Project fellowship with the Simms Mann Institute and BJE. Sarah integrates her background in psychology and attachment theory into her work, recently developing a framework to support toddlers’ transitions into preschool. Her goal is to build resilient Jewish communities by nurturing strong early foundations for children and families. Sarah holds a BA in Film Production from the University of the Creative Arts in England, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, and a PsyD in Psychodynamic Child Psychology and Psychotherapy from the Reiss-Davis Graduate School. Sarah’s first passion is her family – her children, Maya and Soli, are both graduates of Jewish day school in Los Angeles.
Rabbi Lara Regev is excited to join TIOH as the Religious School Director. As a Los Angeles native, she is returning after eight years at Congregation Rodef Sholom in San Rafael, California, where she served as the Director of Jewish Living and Learning and Rabbi overseeing all programming for children and their families, including religious school and teen programs. Her background includes extensive experience with Jewish camps and youth groups and she continues to spend time in the summers at URJ Camp Newman where she was previously an Assistant Director, unit head, and song-leader.
Adam graduated from UC Santa Cruz where he studied Economics and Legal Studies. Before joining TIOH, he worked for the Constitutional Rights Foundation in the Development office. Adam has roots in the Los Angeles Jewish community as a former member of Temple Isaiah throughout his childhood, a former employee at University Synagogue and a former NFTY participant and Camp Ramah camper.
Born and raised in Guatemala City, Alba landed in LA at a young age to start her now over 25 years of non-profit work experience in the youth development business. Helping families and youth has been her passion and most vital asset, having worked at Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles for the last 20 years.
