Rabbi Don Pacht

Head of School

Rabbi Pacht joined the VHA family in August of 2004, coming to us from Rochester, NY where he served most recently as Principal of General Studies and Adjunct Professor of Talmud for the Talmudical Institute of Upstate New York.  He holds both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Talmudic Studies as well as a Masters Degree in Education from the State University of New York, College at Brockport.  Rabbi Pacht’s familiarity with both Judaic and General Studies pedagogy makes him a unique fit for our school.  Rabbi Pacht is also a Mohel, a Sofer, and is certified as a Shatnez Tester.

Mrs. Patricia Haslop

Principal, General Studies

Pat Haslop joined the Vancouver Hebrew Academy in January 2008. Pat holds a B.A. in psychology from McGill University, a Dip.Ed. in elementary education from UBC and a M.Ed. in curriculum studies from the University of Victoria. Pat has had a long and successful career in education including teaching positions in Montreal, Calgary and on Vancouver Island. She was an elementary school vice principal and principal in the Sooke School District. In 1990 she joined the Sooke School District’s central administration as a Director of Instruction and in 1994 Pat became the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Sooke. In 1998, she moved to the lower mainland and joined the Surrey School District as an Assistant Superintendent. Pat’s responsibilities included supervising all of the elementary and secondary schools in south Surrey and White Rock. In addition, at various times between 1998 and 2007, Pat’s district responsibilities included Choice Programs/Schools, Special Education, Aboriginal Education, and the selection of new principals and vice principals.

Pat enjoys quilting, scrapbooking and spending time with her grandson.

Ms. Helene Dussaux

Preschool

I was born in Paris France and spent 27 years there. (This will probably explain why your child says Oh, la, la, sometimes).

I am a highly motivated, conscientious and creative Early Childhood Educator with 15+ years teaching in all facets of child care. I am positive, loyal and hard working. Respect, patience and love are my favorite ingredients for success in the preschool.

I love the arts in all its forms and have a passion for nature and the outdoors. I love to laugh, create beautiful environments, go the movies, hike and spend time with my friends.

After 15 years of teaching I still find it a privilege to work with children and that makes me happy!

Ms. Alaina Smith

Kindergarten,

Student Services Coordinator

Alaina Smith has been teaching at Vancouver Hebrew Academy for eleven years.  She has taught Grade 6/7, Grade 4, Grade 1, and Kindergarten.

Alaina has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from UVic and a Bachelor of Education from UBC.   Alaina is currently working on her Masters in Special Education.  Before joining the VHA family, Alaina worked for three years in West Vancouver, teaching Kindergarten and Learning Assistance.

In her free time, Alaina enjoys spending time with her family and friends and going on adventures where she can take great photographs.  She also enjoys scrapbooking, quilting, furniture restoration and is a bit of a book worm.

Ms. Lisa MacDougall

Grade 1, Grade 3

Lisa MacDougall grew up on the Sunshine Coast and after high school attended UVic and then UBC. She has a teenage son and enjoys reading, music, gardening and researching the arts and sciences of the middle ages. Lisa practices a variety of fibre arts, including sewing, embroidery, weaving, fabric painting and applique, and enjoys bringing these skills into the classroom.
Lisa has a BA in Creative Writing and a B.Ed in Elementary Education (Primary), plus a Diploma in Special Education. She has worked for the last three years at Choice School for Gifted Children, a small private school in Richmond. She will be teaching Grades 1 and 3.

Mrs. Judy Cox

Grade 2, PE

I was born in Witbank (now called eMalaheni), South Africa.  After four years at the Johannesburg College of Education, majoring in History and Art, I began my teaching career at Farrarmere Primary School in Benoni.  Shortly after we were married, my husband Tony and I immigrated to Canada.  We first settled in Prince Rupert where I received my B.C. certification and taught Grade 1 and Kindergarten.  I started teaching at VHA in January 1990 and over the years have taught Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 3.  This year I am teaching Grade 2 with Morah Shterni as well as some PE classes.

I currently live in North Vancouver with my husband Tony, daughter Samantha and dog Mikki.  I try to keep fit and healthy by going to the gym regularly, cycling as much as possible in our beautiful city, and walking my dog everyday.  I love reading, doing crossword puzzles and spending time with friends and family.

Mrs. Cynthia Kniffin

Grade 4, Grade 5

My name is Cynthia Kniffin and I will be teaching Grades 4 and 5.  Just this May, I got married and moved to Vancouver to join my husband, who is in graduate school at UBC.  We are excited to explore this beautiful city!  I am originally from the Seattle area and all of my very large family still lives there -- I am the oldest of five brothers and two sisters and in the last few years, two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, five nephews, and three nieces have been added to my family!  In my spare time, I like to read, hike, run, camp, and spend time with friends.

I received my B.A. and teaching certification at Seattle Pacific University in 1997 and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Washington in 2004. In my seven years of teaching, I have been a Grade 4 and 5 classroom teacher, a reading specialist, an ESL teacher, and a head teacher.  I look forward to getting to know each student and family at VHA in this coming year!

Mr. Jonathan Fawcus

Grade 6/7 Boys, 6/7 Girls

I was born in North Vancouver. My family moved to Sechelt, on the Sunshine Coast where I grew up. Following high school, I moved to Vancouver where I attended UBC. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History as well as a Bachelor of Education degree, specializing in Math and Science.  After graduation, I spent a short time teaching in Richmond before I returned to the Sunshine Coast.  I have spent the last 5 years living in Sechelt and teaching Grade 8 and 9 Math, Science, English, Art, and Social Studies. I am very excited to be joining the staff of the Vancouver Hebrew Academy.

My interests include reading, hockey, golf and boating.

Mrs. Lisa Yeoman

Student Services Assistant

I was born in Vancouver.  I am married (to Yuval Yeoman).  We have two beautiful children: Odeya 9 ½ years old and Tal 6 years old.  We have one

dog (Frodo, 12 ½ years old) and two cats( Coco and Melon).  I have many

hobbies.  If there were 48 hours in each day, I could do more of them.

Ms. Carol Woznow

Student Services Assistant

 Carol is very pleased to be returning for her second year as part of the staff of VHA.  “It is a pleasure to teach here.”  She really enjoys helping the children by offering one-on-one and small group sessions for extra help in literacy, spelling and finding success in mathematics.  Carol enjoys traveling, taking lots of pictures and studying/researching.

Mrs. Rivka Abramchik

Preschool

My name is Rivka Abramchik.  I operate the Preschool with Helene Dussaux. I was educated in New York and Chicago were I earned my BA, MA and M.Ed.
I have worked in early childhood education for the past 15 years and each year I am amazed to learn so much more about our wonderful children.
I am married to Rabbi Noam Abramchik who runs a Yeshiva in Vancouver and have two magnificent children. Yehudah Melech is 13 and Michal is turning 12.
In addition, I administer Shelhevet High School for girls. I like to travel, take lots of pictures and redecorate my home. I am starting my 6th year in Vancouver and am looking forward to another amazing year at VHA!

Mrs. Estarisa Laye

Kindergarten, Grade 1

My Kindergarten and Grade One Judaic students call me Morah Estarisa.  I have enjoyed teaching at Vancouver Hebrew Academy since its inception in 1987.  My husband, Ron, and I reside in Vancouver.  We have four daughters, and a son.  We belong to Congregation Beth Hamidrash.  I was born in New York City on the second night of Chanuka in a blizzard.  I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialty in fine arts at the University of Alberta.  In addition to my passion for teaching Judaic subjects to Gan and Kitah Aleph, I have had the pleasure of teaching art classes at VHA to several of the upper grades.  I especially enjoy introducing my young students to tefilah, parashat hashavua, reading Hebrew, and writing.  I enjoy hiking, weaving, painting, tending our organic fruit, flower, and vegetable garden, cooking vegetarian dishes, learning Torah, and being a savta.   I am looking forward to a wonderful school year.

Mrs. Shterni Lando

Grade 2, Hebrew Language

Shterni grew up in Shorten, Israel and received her bachelor's degree from Beit Rivka College in Israel with a major in Special education, After 3 years of teaching experience in Israel, she moved to Vancouver and joined the VHA.
Shterni and her husband Rabbi Lando, BCK director, have two sons (ages 3 and 1). Shterni enjoys teaching and dedicating herself to the students.

Mrs. Devorah Brody

Grade 3

I was born and grew up in Israel. I moved to New York when I started High School. After attending Touro College for my Bachelor's degree in Speech Therapy, I received my Master's degree in special education at Adelphi University.  I have five wonderful children and one amazing husband.  We moved to Richmond three and a half years ago and this past summer we moved to Vancouver.  I love to read, and I am a huge fan of Harry Potter.  I love art and scrapbooking especially when I'm doing it with my kids.  I also love taking pictures and spending time with my family.  

Rabbi Shlomo Estrin

Grade 4, Grade 5

My name is Rabbi Estrin. I have been teaching at Vancouver Hebrew Academy for eight years! I am a graduate of the Nachlas B’nei Shimon Kollel in Beitar, Israel and I received my Smicha (Rabbinic Ordination), from Rabbi Dov Schwartzman of Jerusalem.  In addition, I hold a bachelors degree in Media Arts.  I love learning and teaching Torah. My hobbies are mountain bike riding, frisbee, and skipping stones. I will be teaching the grade 4 and 5 classes, and I am looking forward to a year full of Torah and fun.

Rabbi Tzvi Goldman

Grade 6/7 Boys, 6/7 Girls

Mrs. Chani Yeshayahu

Student Services Assistant

Morah Chani, a VHA Alumnus, returns for her second year on the staff of VHA.  

Morah Chanie studied post-secondary in Bounemouth, England and Kiryat Malachi, Israel where she earned her Teaching Certificate.  After teaching for three years outside of BC Morah Chanie returned to her roots and moved back to Vancouver.  She lives in Richmond with her Husband, Rabbi Shimi Yeshayahu, and their daughter.

Ms. Mushky Dubrawsky

Student Services Assistant

My name is Mushky Dubrawsky. I just returned to Vancouver after a year at a Teachers’ Seminary in Israel.  I am a proud alumnus of the Vancouver Hebrew Academy and I am looking forward to re-joining the VHA family. I really enjoy teaching and working with children.   I hope I will be an asset to the school as a Student Services Assistant and substitute.

Ms. Sophie Cohen

Teacher's Aide

 I am a Bat Sherut (on National Service), from Israel.  I live in Har Bracha and came to Vancouver for the year to help teach Hebrew and Judaic studies at VHA.  I studies at Ulpent Lehava High School in Kedumim and I served my first year of National Service in Efrat as head of a B’nai Akiva zait.

Ms. Moriah Koren

Teacher's Aide

 I came to Vancouver with Sophie Cohen from Israel to serve the Israeli country (Sherut Leumi), for the year. I have 3 sisters, 1 brother and 1 brother-in-law. Last year in Israel, for my Sherut Leumi (National Service), I taught in public schools throughout Be’er Sheva in the Negev. I enjoy working with children very much. This year Sophie and I are working as Teacher’s Aides, mainly in the Judaic and Hebrew classes. I look forward to a fun and productive year at VHA.   

Ms. Nancy Scambler

Administrative Secretary

I am a "Prairie Girl", having been born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. Since my graduation from the University of Alberta, I have worked in both administrative and direct service positions in the social services and education areas.   I love cycling and enjoying the natural beauty of Vancouver. When not at work, I can be found quilting, card-making, baking, drinking tea with family or friends, or providing volunteer leadership to a program for children in downtown Vancouver.

Mrs. Gayle Taylor

Financial Secretary

I absolutely love my job doing the finances at VHA. The kids, admin, staff, parents, and Board make my position in the office wonderful.

My husband Jack and I spent 18 years with our three children in Kenya. We loved that experience as our children grew up. We have been settled in Vancouver since the summer of 1999 and I have been working at VHA ever since.  My interests include scrapbooking, singing, hospitality, friends and family and especially my four grandchildren.  I became a grandmother for the first time last year and in 11 months had four wonderful babies to love.
 

Mr. Tom Perry

Custodian

Mr. Perry, our custodian was born and raised in Victoria, BC and moved to Vancouver as a young adult.  He has been with the Vancouver School Board for over 11 years and has worked in many, many different schools.

Of all the places that he has worked, “Mr. Tom” thinks that VHA is certainly one of the best.