Our Team

We bring together nurturing educators with vast experience in education, curriculum development, Jewish education and Hebrew language.

Our teachers have advanced degrees and experience working with children who have a diversity of learning skills.

Orna Eldor Gerling

Orna Eldor Gerling, our founding executive director, brings a distinguished career of innovation in informal Jewish education on three continents. A native Israeli, she worked for twenty years in afterschool programs, language immersion camps, and arts camps. Her administrative experience includes directing multiple education and social service agencies in Israel, and leading a network of 180 Jewish community centers in the former Soviet Union. Orna holds a bachelor’s degree from Tel-Aviv University, a teaching certificate from the Beit Berl Arts Academy in Kfar Sava, Israel, and a certificate of nonprofit management from Georgetown University. Her two children attend Moed, and she lives with her family in Chevy Chase.

Orna can be reached at orna@moedcommunity.org.

Michal Krupnik-Gottlieb

Dr. Michal Krupnik-Gottlieb, the director of academics, is on leave from her position as the head of the School for the Gifted and Talented at Oranim. Michal has also been a lecturer and researcher at Oranim Academic College of Education since 1998. She has been teaching graduate courses related to Gifted and Talented Education, and Science Education and conducting research in these fields. Michal is a Neurobiologist with a Ph.D. from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Brain research, focusing on learning and memory. In addition, she holds a Master's degree in Science Education from The Ohio State University. She lived in Columbus OH for four years and at that time she also taught Hebrew for young children in a Sunday school.

Michal can be reached at michal@moedcommunity.org

SITE DIRECTORS

Jonathan Tessler, Chevy Chase Director

Jonathan was born in the United States and grew up in Israel. In 2016 he got a bachelor's degree in applied linguistics from Georgia State University. As a bilingual native, his main area of interest is the process of second language acquisition. He lived in Atlanta, GA before moving to Portland, OR, and then relocating to Maryland.

Jonathan can be reached at Jonathan@moedcommunity.org

Ilisa St. Pierre, Fairfax Director

Ilisa holds a degree in Elementary Education and has over 30 years of experience working with children of all ages. Most recently, she was the Director/President of Keshet Child Development Center, a private Jewish Preschool in Arlington, VA. Ilisa is a longtime member of Congregation Olam Tikvah, and together with her husband Steve and two daughters Sarah and Rachel, has been an active member of the NOVA Jewish Community. She has a deep love of Israel and Judaism and is excited to be learning Hebrew along with the children in the MoEd program.

Ilisa can be reached at ilisa@moedcommunity.org

Danit Levitan Vardi, North Bethesda Director

Danit graduated from Bar Ilan University with a degree in psychology and early childhood education, concentrating on special education and implementing methods and tools in movement and sports. During the past 5 years, she directed several preschools and various educational programs under the auspices of the Israel Ministry of Education. Danit is a marathon runner, a Pilates coach, and a mother to three wonderful boys.

TEACHING TEAM

Laila Akselrad

Laila was born in La Plata, Argentina. At the age of 1, she moved with her family to Spain, where they lived for 10 years. When she was 12, her family made “Alia” and lived in Kfar Saba. In middle school, she began her journey in the world of education as part of the Mashatzim program. A program in which young guides are trained to teach about the land and Israeli culture through nature and trips, get to know Israel through the feet.

In 2019, she enlisted in the army and served as a commanding officer in the first phase of training for air force troops, a role in which she taught the soldiers values and love for the country. In addition, she was there for them and supported them at this important point in their lives. Laila has been dancing since the age of 4 and even participated in competitions. Education, dance, and exploring the world and the different cultures in it is her passion. She is excited to bring her fields of knowledge to this wonderful community and learn a lot from the community.

Laila can be reached at laila@moedcommunity.org

Shira Shurtz

Shira is 18 years old and part of the Shinshinim program.

Shira is from Mevaseret Zion (near Jerusalem) and has three years of experience leading groups in the Israeli Scouts.

Shira has been playing the flute for many years and loves music of all kinds.

Shira came here to bring Israel to the community, experience a different Jewish lifestyle than her own, and build connections with people in the community.

Shir Revach

Shir was born and raised in Petah Tikva, a city near Tel Aviv. She spent three years mentoring in the Scouts, where she developed leadership and teamwork skills. She has been playing volleyball for three years and really enjoys it.

Currently, she is dedicating a year to volunteer service in the Diaspora as part of a Zionist mission from the Jewish Agency. Shir's goal is to make a positive impact and strengthen connections between Israel and Jewish communities around D.C.

Shiran Sapir

Shiran Sapir is our administrative director. She was born and raised in Kibbutz Dovrat in Northern Israel. She holds a degree in Interior design from the Holon Institute of Technology and has leveraged her creative background to excel in various administrative capacities. Shiran lived in Jerusalem until she moved to Rockville in 2019 with her family.

Shiran can be reached at admin@moedcommunity.org