September is a time for new beginnings, and this year, many exciting beginnings are taking place at Yeshivat Noam. Mrs. Kara Feldman joined Noam as Early Childhood Director and Rabbi Yitzchok Motechin took the position of Middle School Assistant Principal for Judaic Studies.

“Both Mrs. Feldman and Rabbi Motechin embody the ideals and philosophy of our school, including educational excellence and care for each student, and we are thrilled for them to join our administrative team,” said Rabbi Chaim Hagler, principal at Yeshivat Noam.

Morah Kara’s career has always focused on children; most recently, she was the beloved Early Childhood Director at the Torah Academy of Greater Philadelphia for six years. She serves as Division Head at Camp Shoshanim and has significant teaching experience. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Cabrini College.

“Building on the current success in Early Childhood, I hope to foster a love of learning in an environment that excites students to expand their knowledge,” said Morah Kara. “And I share Yeshivat Noam’s goals in early literacy, Ivrit b’Ivrit, and the importance of creative, experiential education.”

Rabbi Yitzchok Motechin graduated from Yeshiva University and earned a J.D. from Cardozo Law School and Semicha from RIETS. Throughout the 15 years he spent in business, Rabbi Motechin maintained involvement in his passion, Jewish education. During those years, Rabbi Motechin was a volunteer mishmar teacher at Yeshivat Noam for two years and was involved in adult outreach on the Upper East Side for 20 years. Finally, he made the move he had long considered and joined SAR as Middle School Judaic Studies teacher and program coordinator.

“I believe in empowering students and affording each child the opportunity to learn at his or her own pace,” Rabbi Motechin explained. “I like to begin a subject area by focusing on background information–for example, the structure of the Gemara and key terms– in order to allow students to understand the course material in context and give them tools to succeed.”

Noam’s students are sure to benefit from the leadership and educational vision of both Morah Kara and Rabbi Motechin.