Meet Our School Faculty

Gan-Carolyn Savitzky

3rd Grade Hebrew-Vivian Lichtman

Vivian Lichtman was born in New York, where she taught Sunday school before moving   to Pennsylvania.   She received an M.Ed. degree in education and school counseling.   She earned 24 years of experience teaching and counseling children from Kindergarten through 8th grade before she retired in June, 2008.   She wrote grants and received money for some valuable projects and facilitated community service learning activities at her schools.   Vivian has taught Sunday school and 3rd grade Hebrew school at Or Hadash.

2nd-5th grade-Karen Beck

Karen attended Or Hadash from first grade through conformation and is thrilled to be returning as a teacher. While she was earning her reform teaching certificate through Gratz college; she worked at Or Hadash as a teachers’ aide. Karen earned her bachelors’ degree from West Chester University and her masters’ degree from Arcadia University (both in education). She is certified to teach elementary education, special education and middle school English. Recently, Karen taught Gan, second grade and Orot (special education) at Perelman Jewish Day School, but is now a stay at home mom. She enjoys volunteering with various organizations including the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Karen lives in Ambler with her husband (Chris), son (Noah) and miniature dachshund (Watson).

2nd-5th grade-Jared Mitchell  

Jared currently works in the Chester Upland school district as a fifth grade teacher. In the summers Jared also works at Camp America Day Camp. Jared graduated from West Chester University with a bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Mathematics. He hopes to eventually earn his masters and doctorate degrees. 

6th Grade Judaics -Elisabeth Horry

Elisabeth Horry has taught 4th, 6th, and 8th grades for many years at Or Hadash. She and her husband are members of Or Hadash and have three children who attend the synagogue school. She holds a teaching degree in physical education and is earning graduate level certification in elementary education and reading. Elizabeth also works part time as a third grade teaching assistant at Germantown Friends School.  

6th grade Hebrew-Carolyn Savitzky

Carolyn Savitzky began teaching religious school in 1988 while earning her teaching certification from the South Jersey Bureau of Jewish Education. Over the years, she has taught at a number of synagogue schools in the region. In 1995, Carolyn and her family joined Or Hadash and she began teaching in the religious school the following year. Carolyn has taught students of all ages, from pre-school through adult. In addition to her work in the classroom, Carolyn tutors B'nai Mitzvah students and occasionally serves as a service lay-leader for classes from Pre-K thru 1. An active Or Hadash congregant, she has served on numerous committees and the Board of Directors, including chairing the In-reach Committee. She also enjoys participating in Hadassah and a local book club. 

4th & 5th grade Hebrew-Karen Snyderman Beck

7th Grade-Lita Weinstein 7th Grade-Lita Weinstein

Lita Weinstein’s family has been members of Or Hadash since 2001 and she has been teaching 2nd grade for eight years and 7th grade for three. Having served on the Board, she is also committed to her work on synagogues committees. In addition to working at Or Hadash, Lita teaches at a local private school, coordinates fundraising events for non-profit organizations, and coordinates an art program at a summer camp. She is also involved with the Upper Dublin School District.

8th-9th grade TEL program -Elisabeth Horry

10th Grade-Ruth and Jules Mermelstein

Jules and Ruth Mermelstein have been members of Or Hadash since 1984, and teachers since 1994. Their children, Hannah and Ben, were educated, became Bat and Bar Mitzvah, and were confirmed at Or Hadash. Ruth is a computer programmer and Jules is a social studies teacher at Upper Dublin High School. Ruth chants Torah, Haftarah, Megillat Esther, and Eichah.  She also lay leads services and shiva minyans. Both Jules and Ruth have served on the Or Hadash Board and ad hoc committees.  Jules has a master's degree in education and has been an Upper Dublin Commissioner since 1992.

Resource Room-Bonnie Ritterman

Bonnie Ritterman has been teaching at Or Hadash since 1999. In the Resource Room, she helps children with learning differences. Bonnie teaches all levels of public elementary school. She is part of the Or Hadash community and lives in Dresher with her husband.