Honoring Shoshi Jalfin

At the close of the 2021-2022 school year, we honor and celebrate our colleague, Shoshi Jalfin, as she retires from Schechter after an incredible tenure of 34 years. Through her love of Tanach, tefillot, Jewish studies and Hebrew, she leaves an indelible mark on her students. Shoshi started in September 1988. Over the years, she has taught third, fourth and fifth grade. Her three children all graduated from Schechter.

Looking back on her career, Shoshi shares that “when you do something you love, it doesn’t matter how many years you’re doing it because you’re doing something you’re passionate about.

“While I have been a teacher for so many years, I have also been extremely lucky to have learned so much throughout my time at Schechter,” she says. “Every single day, this school has offered me the opportunity to learn and to grow both professionally and as an individual.”

Director of Jewish Life and Learning Rabbi Ravid Tilles reflects on Shoshi’s contribution to the Schechter community. “She has served as a mentor to almost every one of the Hebrew and Jewish Studies teachers during her time at Schechter. I can think off the top of my head of 10 teachers who have been deeply influenced and inspired by Shoshi.”

Outside of Schechter, Shoshi has continued her learning. Since moving to the United States, she has earned a Bachelor’s of Education Degree in Judaic Studies from Hebrew College, a Master’s of Education Degree from Wheelock College and, just in the last few years, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in teacher leadership from Brandeis University.

“I have learned from my peers, teachers and colleagues, those who came before and after me. I have learned from the many teachers I have coached and mentored along the way. Above all, I have learned from my students,” she says. “They have taught me to laugh, to be patient and considerate; and they have taught me to perceive teaching Hebrew and Jewish studies as my mission as an educator.”

In a full-circle moment, Shoshi’s former student, Lindsay Flammey ’07, is now her colleague as a Grades 4-5 Jewish Studies teacher.

“Shoshi has been an incredible teacher, mentor, colleague and friend. From being my fourth-grade Hebrew teacher to coaching me through my first year of teaching, Shoshi has never wavered in her dedication to her students,” Lindsay says. “I have been uniquely blessed to be able to continue to learn from Shoshi, beyond what I learned from being her student: I have learned what it means to infuse my teaching practice with passion for the material and my students. Shoshi has set the standard for what Jewish learning looks like at Schechter, and we have all been lucky to have had her for so many years.”

Spring/summer 2022 | Schechter Stories