Ellia Belson, a Vancouver native, is a devoted mother to four children who all attended VHA (Vancouver Hebrew Academy). With a background in Judaic Studies education from Beth Rivkah Seminary, she holds a B.A. in English Literature and Teaching Certification from Simon Fraser University, along with a Master’s in Special Education from the University of British Columbia. Ellia’s teaching approach emphasizes embracing each student’s unique strengths and styles, fostering an inclusive environment for optimal learning within a rigorous academic framework.
With the experience of working with children and families as an Early Childhood Educator for over 20 years, Vida is very excited to be a part of the VHA team. She has taught ECE courses and facilitated practicum students as an ECE college instructor for over 10 years. She has a strong philosophy regarding the importance of a child’s healthy development in their early years and its impact on their life. At the present, Vida is also teaching ECE courses part-time in Vancouver Community College.
Vida has two grown up children, and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, listening to music, and writing poetry in Farsi.
Mrs. Carmela Ben Saadon was born and raised in Panama City. She had the opportunity to live in New York, Israel and now in Vancouver since 2016.
Morah Carmela has a Degree in Business Administration and Early Childhood Educator A. Certificate.
She has been working in VHA for the last six years and is passionate about Jewish education, culture and community.
Ms. Wilson is delighted to be a part of the VHA family for her eleventh year as the Resource Teacher. After obtaining her Bachelor of Education degree from Brandon University in Manitoba, Ms. Wilson began her teaching career and has done so with great enjoyment for the past twenty-four years. She taught for 9 years in the public school system in Manitoba, then upon moving to B.C. in 2009, she taught at Richmond Jewish Day School for 3 years before joining VHA. Throughout her teaching career she has been on numerous committees at the school, district and provincial level. Ms. Wilson has recently completed her Orton Gillingham Practitioner training and will be working with students in small group and one-to-one settings. She had always wanted to teach ever since she was a young child. Once her own children started school, she took the opportunity to go to university and pursue her desire to become a teacher.
Ms. Wilson resides in Richmond and enjoys reading, walking, biking, crocheting, spending time with family and friends, and almost anything that involves being outdoors.
Ms. Lam is excited to join the VHA family! She was born in Hong Kong and completed her Bachelor of English Studies at City University of Hong Kong. She then went on to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Elementary Education. She taught for 2 years in the public school system in Hong Kong before moving to B.C. in 2023.
Ms. Lam enjoys hiking in her spare time. She also likes reading and spending time with her friends and family.
Mr. Anaka is excited to teach Grade 4 and 5 at VHA. Hailing from Vancouver, he completed both his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education at Simon Fraser University. He has taught at various schools in Vancouver, including Vancouver Technical, Sir Winston Churchill, and most recently at Shalhevet Girls High School. Mr. Anaka discovered his passion for education while working as a teaching assistant for biology courses when he was in university.
In his spare time, he enjoys learning more about science, going for walks, or relaxing with his cat.
With over six years of hands-on experience, I am excited to combine compassion, enthusiasm, and intelligence to positively contribute to the VHA’s reputation as a leading and acclaimed institution. In addition to my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, I hold a second master’s degree in English, and I am pursuing a doctorate in education at the University of British Columbia. As an educator, I have published books and articles on a variety of topics in education, and I try to stay current in my field. I believe that education should be interdisciplinary, relevant, and integrated with real-world experiences in order to be authentic.
Mrs. Toor grew up in Penticton, BC and later moved to the lower mainland to pursue post secondary education. She graduated with her Bsc and a minor in education at Simon Fraser University. She later went on to pursue ABA training, focusing on children on the Autism Spectrum as a Behavioral Interventionist.
Mrs. Toor loves doing arts and crafts, playing all kinds of sports, and working with the children at VHA.
Israeli born, Dikla Mizrachi served in the IDF as a teacher, and continued to peruse her passion in education at Beit Berl College in Kfar Saba. After immigrating to Canada 18 years ago, she has worked as a Hebrew and pre-school teacher at VHA, at the JCC’s Bagel Club which is a social program for adults with different abilities.
Dikla enjoys hiking and camping with her husband and four kids. Dikla is looking forward to another amazing year with the Daycare team!
Mrs. Einat Gotlib was born and raised in Bnei Brak, Israel, and came to Vancouver in the Fall of 2022.
She had the opportunity to live and teach in San Francisco, Sweden, and Israel.
Einat loves to travel and enjoys going on long journeys with her family. She has two bachelor’s degrees in Life science and Pharmacy and a master’s degree in health management.
She is passionate about “Shlichut”, and it’s her 3rd time on the road.
Einat has five children, and four of them are learning in VHA.
Meet Rabbi Gurevitz, a dedicated member of our staff. Hailing from the vibrant city of Brooklyn, NY, Rabbi Gurevitz’s learning journey has taken him across the global landscape of top-tier Jewish institutions, with stops in Los Angeles and Israel that have enriched his knowledge and understanding.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in rabbinic studies and continued his advanced learning for two impactful years in an advanced Kollel program. In 2022, Rabbi Gurevitz became an integral part of the VHA team, bringing his wealth of knowledge and passion for education to our school.
A lover of nature and connections, Rabbi Gurevitz enjoys hiking and engaging with people. Beyond his professional commitment, he finds joy in family life in Coquitlam with his wife, Nechama, and their two adorable children.
Mrs. Nechama Gurevitz is entering her second year at VHA, as the Grade 2-3 Judaics teacher. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Nechama is a graduate of Bais Rivka High School and Beis Chana Teaching Seminary in Tzfat, Israel. Morah Nechama is committed to lifelong learning and consistently seeks new ways to enhance her teaching methods. The proud mom of Menachem and Shmuel Dovid, Nechama enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and community. She is looking forward to a great year at VHA!
Gal Naftalovich was born and raised in Israel. She lived in Tel Aviv for the last 10 years, before moving to Vancouver in January 2020. She has a Bachelor of Social work, M.A of School Counseling and a teaching license from Tel Aviv university. Gal worked as a school counselor for elementary schools in Tel Aviv. She loves working with children in school environments and she is very happy for the opportunity to be a part of the amazing VHA staff.
Gal loves hiking and enjoys the incredible views of BC. She also enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her friends and family.
Mrs. Jolene is excited for her 5th year as an Admin Coordinator and she’s so happy to be part of the VHA family!
Mrs. Jolene lives with her husband and their pets. In her free time she loves reading, playing board games, camping and hiking.
Ms. Vanessa is excited to be a part of the VHA community!
Mrs. Teagan grew up in Montreal and moved to Vancouver eight years ago to pursue her degree in Graphic Design at Emily Carr University. Prior to that, she obtained her certificate for Professional Photography at Dawson College in Montreal. Mrs. Teagan loves being a part of the VHA team. She loves giving band-aids and ice to all the students and truly believes that they are the best part of the job!
While Mrs. Teagan isn’t at VHA, she loves spending time with her family, Raphael Avraham, Lia Shifra and her husband, Elmar. Either they will be at the park, the sand box, or working with doctor tools!
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