Our staff

Judith Zemel, Acting Director
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I am a native Israeli, a mother of 6 children, and already a (young!) grandmother of two. I am also a qualified educator and manager. I graduated from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem majoring in Biochemistry and Nutritional Sciences and then received additional training Management and Organizational Development. From the early part of my career I have had a strong background in administration and management.  However I have always had an interest in education and teaching and, in Germany, received Educator certification. 

I joined the Adath Israel community about two years ago, and began to focus on education and early childhood development. During this time, I have been studying at City College of San Francisco, with a focus on early childhood education. I bring to the preschool over 20 years of instructional and management knowledge and experience, excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, warm, loving, and nurturing personality, and strong connection to the Jewish values.

I am honored to lead the Jewish education of our young and precious community members at Brenna Berger Adath Israel Preschool.

Marina Lynn, Teacher

I have been working with children and families for over 20 years, with more then 6 of them in the early childhood field. Previously I served as a preschool teacher with emphasis on music and movement at the Shalom School in San Francisco.

I was born in the former Soviet Union where I got my 2 degrees in music and in history and the Theory of Arts.  At the end of Soviet Era I made "aliyah" to Israel where I met my husband and where our son was born. In 2002 we came to settle in San Francisco.

My precious luggage of 3 languages (English, Hebrew and Russian) and music has given me a lot of opportunities to communicate with children.  In addition to preschool teaching I am a professional piano teacher for kids and adults and a member of the California Music Teachers Association.  I have participated in numerous workshops and programs for early childhood and music teachers including 3 years of the San Francisco Bureau of Jewish Education program "Atid Fellows".  This gave me a solid base and inspiration in my work with young children. I also led and organized the family "Chavurah" program at Shalom School to help build the community and encourage learning of Jewish traditions, holidays and values. 

I am excited to create in the school warm and welcoming environment where the students are instilled with a love of learning, Torah, and music. 

Joy Beth Solomon, teacher assistant

Originally from New York City, I grew up in the Bay Area, attending Yavneh Day School in Los Gatos, the Wornick Jewish Day School  in Foster City, Midrasha High School in Berkeley, and the Young Judaea Year Course in Israel. Currently I'm attending Berkeley City College.

I have grown up imbued with commitment to education and community oriented service (Tikun Olam). I've been a counselor for Camp Gan Izzy in Oakland, assistant teacher for Jewish Arts, Culture and Torah School in Berkeley, and provided child care at Chochmat HaLev.  In Israel, I have volunteered at the Save a Child's Heart program and also at Bet Sefer Ofakim in Haifa, a special school for physically disabled persons.
My style is to engage children and guarantee laughter.  In Israel, I was called Simcha!   I'm excited to bring my sense of humor, creativity, resourcefulness, and love of children to the Brenna Berger Adath Israel Preschool.