Meet Our Teachers

Sandy Rothberg - 1st Grade

My name is Sandy Rothberg. My family has been members of Temple Beth El for 12 years and we were members of Congregation Eilat for almost 20 years before that. I have 3 grown children, Heather, Nathan and Jacob. My oldest daughter was named at Eilat. Two of my kids had their B'nai Mitzvah at Eilat and my youngest was the first to have a Conservative Bar Mitzvah at TBE after the two congregations joined together. Jacob was also on Rabbi K'vod's first Tzedakah Board when he was in 8th grade. I regularly attend the Conservative Shabbat morning services. You can often find me and my Chop & Chat Crew  in the downstairs kitchen on a Friday morning preparing food for Shabbat luncheon. I also have a granddaughter who is almost 9 months old. I have been teaching Hebrew school for 14 years at TBE and at Congregation Eilat before that. I have taught 1 - 5th grades. I also work as a substitute teacher.

Morah Michal - 3rd Grade

I am Morah Michal; I have been teaching at TBE since 2018. I am the online Hebrew Coordinator, the 3rd grade teacher in Religious School, and B’nai Mitzvah tutor. I am also a preschool teacher at our temple’s ECC.

I was born and raised in Haifa, Israel and relocated with my husband to California in 2000. I have three children and we have been members at Temple Beth El for the past 14 years. My 2 older kids have gone through the Religious School program and had their Bar/Bat Mitzvah here, and my younger son is currently attending the program.

After finishing high school I served in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) as the Lieutenant Colonel’s head of office in the Air force. I have a BA in Social work from Haifa University and an MA in counseling from Cal State Fullerton. During my studies and my career, I specialized in working with children and families.

Working with kids has always been my passion. I was looking for a way to combine my Jewish community involvement with my kids’ religious education and being a teacher at the temple is one way to accomplish that. It is as rewarding as it is challenging.

When I’m not at temple I enjoy Art, cooking, and spending time with my family whether relaxing at home or going on trips.

Sophia Anapoell - 5th Grade

My name is Sophia Anapoell and I am the new 5th grade Hebrew school teacher until the end of the year. I have been going to Temple Beth El since I was in preschool and I love the family atmosphere it provides. I am currently a senior at Dana Hills High School and I am furthering my education in Kinesiology next year at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Some fun facts about me is I am the youngest of 3, I love animals (specifically dogs), and I absolutely love music whether I'm playing guitar or singing. I am looking forward to spending time with the kids and creating a fun and educational environment.