Group: Previous Employees

Meet Ronit Amit!

Ronit is excited to return to JCDSRI for her sixth year as a Hebrew teacher for our 4th and 5th graders. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Haifa where she also trained in special education.

Prior to working at JCDSRI, Ronit taught Hebrew at the Striar Hebrew Academy in Massachusetts, the Akiba Hebrew Academy in Pennsylvania, and was a Hebrew resource room teacher at Solomon Schechter in New York. Every year, Ronit looks forward to getting to know each of her students as individuals. She offers a unique learning experience by giving students strategies, not only to learn Hebrew, but also to become empowered and successful people. Ronit aims to teach to the specific needs and abilities of each child in her class.

In her free time, Ronit loves to hunt for unique, rustic items. She also enjoys home-designing, reading, traveling and cooking.

Adina has spent the last 12 years building community and implementing innovative programs for all ages with Jewish and interfaith organizations in Greater Boston, Rhode Island, New York and Philadelphia. Since 2016, she has also been the Administrator and Engagement Coordinator at BJEP: Boston area- Jewish Education program. Before that Adina planned programs for families with young children for the Jewish Community Center of Greater Boston. She also previously worked at InterfaithFamily.com and the Union for Reform Judaism.

Adina has a Master’s Degree in Jewish communal service with a concentration in nonprofit management from Gratz College, which is outside of Philadelphia and also where she grew up. She loves meeting new people, traveling, and learning about different cultures. She also loves spending time with her husband, son and daughter. In her spare time you can find Adina taking pictures, hiking, bowling, cooking and baking (particularly Challah) and learning and playing games (especially Catan, Canasta & Taboo). She also enjoys teaching others how to make Challah from scratch so they can bring this tradition into their homes

Emily Dennen, a graduate of DeLeT education program at Brandeis University, originally joined us as a kindergarten aide and literacy instructor in 2014. Emily received her BA in Jewish Studies from Smith College in Northampton, MA. She spent four years working at Smith College’s child care center, where she realized her passion for education. Emily has worked with students in both private and public school settings and her scholarship in Jewish studies brought her to Jerusalem for intensive Hebrew study.

Kim grew up in Wakefield, RI and taught as both an elementary school teacher (grades 1-6) and a literacy specialist in the South Kingstown Schools. She retired after 30 years of teaching in South Kingstown and has been searching for an elementary school that encompasses progressive education, character development and a strong sense of community. Thankfully she has found it here at JCDSRI. Kim has a BA in Elementary Education/Psychology, an MA in Literacy Education and an MS in Special Education. Interests include reading, writing, spending time at the beach and history. Kim has five children, ages 12-21, and she loves spending time with her family.

Mike began his music career after graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2011. He then began performing, recording, and teaching private drum lessons throughout Rhode Island, while serving as the drum instructor at Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts in Providence. Later he started working with Providence CityArts for Youth as a teaching artist. There he created and taught classes such as bucket drumming, piano, world music, song writing and digital music. Mike became the music teacher at JCDSRI in January of 2015. He is looking forward to his first full school year, eager and excited to continue to share his passion with students.

Joe Mirsky has been working in the education field for 8 years. Joe has worked in a wide range of educational settings, from homeschooled children at a wilderness school to at-risk kids in the city; from administering assessments for Pre-k students to editing college essays for High School seniors. Previously, Joe worked as a special education Aide and Behavior Therapist at Franklin Elementary in Newton, MA. He is extremely excited to teach third grade and art this year at JCDSRI and join a vibrant, welcoming community of educators and families. Joe enjoys, biking, reading, making and listening to music, and sitting quietly on his off days, but his true passion is inspiring the flashes of insight that make teaching the most satisfying job in the world.

Meet Diane Cerep!

Diane is excited to return to JCDSRI as an assistant teacher for her fourth year. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology from Rhode Island College. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Diane worked as the Creativity Center Coordinator at the JCC in Providence. Every year, Diane looks forward to learning and celebrating the Jewish holidays with her students.

In her free time, Diane loves to walk in the woods and be in nature.