WHAT WE DO
The Bureau of Jewish Education began serving the community in 1971 offering supplemental evening classes to Jewish high school students. Today it has evolved into a full scale center for lifelong Jewish learning. From Jewish Baby University to Hebrew High to Passages Lecture Series...there truly is something here for everyone.
The BJE's Community Library offers a tremendous collection of books and media on a wide-range of topics.
Adult Learning classes are offered on a variety of subjects. Hebrew is also available. City and state-wide educational conferences on the Holocaust and Jewish topics for both public and religious school teachers are held throughout the year. The BJE provides scholarships for Israel and other learning experiences.
The Bureau of Jewish Education is located at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in Scottsdale, Arizona. The BJE works closely with synagogues and communities throughout the State of Arizona.
No one is ever turned away from a BJE activity because of an inability to pay.
The Bureau of Jewish Education promotes and enhances Jewish literacy and understanding. Our classes and programs inspire appreciation of Jewish heritage and strengthen Jewish identity and spiritual life through a pluralistic learning environment. The BJE is a community agency which works with all ages, with Jews of all backgrounds, as well as with many areas of the general community.
WHO WE ARE - Professional Staff
Executive Director
MYRA SHINDLER
Serving as Executive Director and Hebrew High Principal, Mrs. Shindler is a lifelong Jewish Educator. Through her endless energy, she has implemented a variety of experiential programming complementing the Hebrew High curriculum; including 8th grade Retreats, Hebrew High Care-A-Van, Cookies for Hunger, and Bikkur Cholim Team, to name a few. During the 2014-2015 school year, Hebrew High, under Mrs. Shindler's guidance, successfully completed an extensive external review process for accreditation for Hebrew language credit through AdvancED Accreditation.
Myra is an avid sports fan, and active in numerous fitness pursuits, both for enjoyment and to keep up with the teens. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa, with a Masters degree in Jewish Studies from Spertus College of Judaica.
Contact Myra at myras@bjephoenix.org
Associate Director, Hebrew High Principal, & IGNITE Director
RABBI AVIVA FUNKE
After eight years in Los Angeles, Ziegler ordained Rabbi Aviva Funke is thrilled to be back in the Valley of the Sun with her husband Yosef and their two children (EB 6 and baby Amitov).
For the past two years, Rabbi Aviva has served as School Rabbi for Brawerman Elementary School of Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Co-founder of Na’or, a prayer innovation project, Rabbi Aviva is a regular presenter for Jewish conferences and retreats, and guest rabbi to several communities throughout California and Arizona.
A musician, storyteller and trained entertainer, Rabbi Aviva is passionate in helping to find personal meaning in Jewish ritual, lifestyle and tradition. As an alumna, Rabbi Aviva is excited to take on her next role as school principal of Hebrew High.
Contact Rabbi Aviva at rabbiaviva@bjephoenix.org
Director of Family Education
LINDA FELDMAN
Linda Feldman has been working at the BJE for over 19 years creating programs and bringing families into our Jewish world. From Chicago and Washington, D.C., her numerous teaching opportunities helped her to become a master educator. Linda was the former Director of the Temple Solel Preschool before joining the BJE.
Linda created Jewish Baby University for Expectant Parents and Baby & Me Shabbat for young families in addition to Jewish Marriage University - a marriage preparation program. She administers the hands-on holiday experiences; Let's Make Olive Oil for Hanukkah, and Let's Make Matzah for Passover. Through these and other creative programs, Linda helps participants experience Judaism and become part of our Jewish community.
Contact Linda at lindaf@bjephoenix.org
Program Director
MARINA AWERBUCH
Marina Awerbuch has 14 years experience working with children and parents in community-based settings. Marina has successfully delivered continuing education seminars to professionals and families on evidence-based parent education, trauma informed care and child development. She has conducted community outreach, education, and collaborative program efforts to enhance awareness of infant-toddler development and child abuse prevention in the Arizona community.
Marina’s work focuses on building program infrastructure, and data management to best support growth of local and national non-profits focusing on the wellbeing of children. Marina holds a Masters of Advanced Study in Infant Family Practice from Arizona State University and is endorsed through the Infant Mental Health Coalition of Arizona. Marina currently works at Sacred Spaces as the Aleinu program manager, where she assists Jewish Youth Serving Institutions implement best practices for child protection.
As part of the BJE team, Marina advises on Passages, family and community programming, and teacher conferences.
Contact Marina at marinaa@bjephoenix.org