Janet Kaiman
OMJS is pleased that Janet is continuing in her second year as our principal. A native Ottawan, Janet received her BA at Queen’s University and her teaching degree from the University of Ottawa. Her involvement in Jewish education in Ottawa has been lifelong, from her work as a counsellor and later as assistant director of the JCC day camp, to her role as a teacher at both OMJS and at Hillel Academy. Janet brings to life a creative passion and a contagious love for Judaica and for the community. When asked her favourite aspect of teaching, she replied, "What I learn from other teachers…and students…and the lasting relationships we form…"
Kami Francis
We welcome back Morah Kami to her second year teaching at OMJS. Kami completed an undergraduate degree in History with a minor in religious studies before continuing on to teacher’s college. She has a passion for teaching Jewish history as well as world history, and she recognizes the importance of teaching Jewish history to youth so they can make connections with the past and form their own Jewish identity. When she is not at OMJS Kami works at Chapters, as she enjoys being around books and she enjoys particularly working in the children’s department. She has an interest in non-Western world history, mythology, and archaeology.
Ilona Mauskopf
Morah Ilona was born in a small town on the border of Ukraine and Hungary, later moving to Israel with at age 15 with her family and no knowledge of Hebrew. But after living in Israel for 18 years (including 2 years served in the IDF, and then studying at the Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva) she can now certainly call the Hebrew language a native tongue! (Actually she speaks 4 languages: Russian, Hungarian, Hebrew and English!) In 1998 Morah Ilona immigrated to Canada with her husband and children, and in 2001 made Ottawa her home. A graduate of Algonquin College in Early Childhood Education, Morah Ilona especially enjoys teaching the young children at OMJS and seeing them discover Hebrew and Jewish traditions, sometimes for the very first time. Outside of OMJS, Ilona works as an Early Childhood Educator in a pre-school. Her daughter, Michelle, graduated from OMJS last year.
Yehudis Stokes
A native Ottawan, Morah Yehudis is a graduate of Bnos Rochel Teachers’ Seminary, and is in her 8th year teaching at OMJS and is now our most senior teacher. She professes a love for children and for creatively imparting an enthusiasm for Jewish traditions, values, and community and delights in seeing each child develop and reach his or her potential. This year, Yehudis is continuing her studies at nursing school at the University of Ottawa. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and violin, ballet, baking, and quilting.
Judith Weinman
Judith was born and educated in Montreal. She graduated from Jewish Peoples' Schools and from their evening high school programs (Mitle Shule and Hechere Kursn). She is also a graduate of McGill University and holds an M.A. in history from the University of London. Judith studied teaching English as a second language, taught Yiddish at Akiva High School for a year, and succeeded Flo Morgan at OMJS between 2008 and 2009. She has two children, both of whom understand Yiddish, speak a little, and sing it a lot.
Miriam Rappoport
Morah Miriam is a transplanted Montrealer. She has a degree in Psychology and Recreation and Leisure Studies at Concordia University in Montreal. Before pursuing a career in teaching she worked as a Recreation Therapist at the Maimonides Geriatric Day Hospital in Montreal for six years. Miriam worked as the Director of Recreation at one retirement home and one post psychiatric home. In August 1997 Miriam graduated from Algonquin College with a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Miriam has worked as a Preschool Instructor in various community centers in Ottawa, as the Director of Preschool at Rambam Maimonides School, a Kindergarten Assistant at Hillel Academy, a Head Teacher at Ganon Preschool and a Day Care Teacher at Garderie Tunney’s Day Care for nine years. Outside of OMJS Miriam works as a Lead ABA Therapist in supervised home programs with children on the spectrum and other physical, developmental and behavioral disabilities. Miriam enjoys sharing her passion for teaching with both the children and their families.
Megan Hollinger
A valedictory graduate of OMJS (2008), Megan began volunteering at the school to fulfill her community service hours for Merivale High School. She enjoys her continued involvement in the school and in learning about Judaism, and her enthusiasm is contagious! She has a keen interest in Holocaust studies and hopes to assist in teaching a unit about the Holocaust this year, and specifically about Anne Frank. Her future professional goals are to become either a teacher or a dietician.
Miriam Nightingale
Miriam is a former graduate of OMJS and has been working as an EA for last the last 5 years. She has worked in all grades and a steady calming influence in the classrooms. She is currently in second year at Carleton university in engineering.
Diana Rapaport
Diana is an enthusiastic graduate of OMJS with aspirations to become a full teacher in the near future. She has been working with children of all ages since she was twelve. She has worked as an EA for several years and assumed the role of Administrative assistant to the school. Her organization and take charge attitude was essential to the success of our move to our new home at SJCC. Her side interests include babysitting, dancing, cooking, and shopping. She is currently at Carleton university in a first year arts program.
David Garfinkle
David is a graduate of OMJS and a TA since 2009 following in the footsteps of his three siblings who have all been TAs at OMJS. He is in his last year at Canterbury in music and piano performance and hopes to study physics and mathematics at McGill University.
Izze Rosenberg
Izze has been volunteering for almost three years now. She started out doing her volunteer hours and has continued offering her services as a volunteer since then. Her younger sister loves to see her smiling face Sunday mornings. Her hobbies are soccer and listening to music. Izze has her sights set on going to university possibly in engineering and a soccer scholarship to keep her in shape for all those lectures and study hours.