Rabbi Tyler Dratch is a teacher, spiritual leader, and convener of sacred spaces who came to Beth Am in July 2021. He leads prayers at Shabbat and holiday worship services. As a Shaliach Tzibur, he mixes a traditional nusach with contemporary Jewish music. In diverse prayer-leading experiences, he uses music to elevate Jewish rituals. He provides spiritual leadership for BAYITT (20s & 30s group), and directs Beth Am’s education programs, including the Discovery Lab and regular programs of study for adults.
Beth Vander Stoep-Regan (she/her) is a Jewish educator, activist, community builder, and permaculturist. She is a 2016 graduate of Kibbutz Lotan’s Center for Creative Ecology and holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Communities from North Arizona University. Beth is a 2022 alum of the Pardes Institute’s Machloket Matters Fellowship.
Avinoam Drabkin is excited to be teaching the K-1 classes this year at Beth. Born and raised in northern Baltimore, he recently transferred from CCBC to MICA to get a bachelor's in sculpture. Avi can't wait to see you all in class for a fun LAB year!
Devora Cohen joined the Beth Am team just before Rosh Hashanah in 2019 as the administrative assistant, following her move to Baltimore from Detroit, MI. She has been a Lab teacher since 2022. She recently graduated from Towson University with a Major in Psychology and Minor in Sociology. Devora is now in graduate school at Towson University studying Human Resource Development.
Reese Enkin is a grad student at Towson University studying Leadership in Jewish Education and Communal Service. They also work nearby at the Myerberg Senior Center. Reese has 2 cats with their partner and is very excited to work with the students of Beth Am.
Nichemat Judith Saroff (NJ) is a Maryland native who has split their time between Owings Mills, Reisterstown, and Baltimore City for the last 20 years. They studied acting in NYC at American Academy for Dramatic Arts, plus theatre design and education at CCBC. This is their first year helping to create art-based curriculum at Beth Am. They have previously worked at Beth Israel's Hebrew school as a music teacher assistant, Hebrew tutor, and are currently volunteering with their youth events. They also work with Adamah and Pearlstone on the programs team as an outdoor arts and science educator, as well as a 4th-8th grade Teva teacher and an Adamah adventure camp counselor. When they are not engaging in Jewish learning and teaching arts and ecology, they can be found stage managing, acting or writing with many of Baltimore's local theatres, or at Charm City Books helping on their book launch events and clubs.
Elisheva has experience in teaching and working with youth in a variety of contexts, including music and singing, theatre, Jewish education, and yoga. She recently graduated with her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, and spends a lot of her time performing, teaching, and directing opera/musical theatre. Originally from Israel, she hopes to engage youth in Jewish learning and community at Lab through creative and collaborative avenues.
Jamie Polinsky started working at Discovery LAB in 2023 and is so excited for this school year. Jamie has been teaching about Judaism for almost a decade and was a certified 7-12th grade teacher in Pennsylvania. She is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law and currently works as an attorney in Baltimore.
Bio coming soon.
