Religious School Faculty & Administration
Temple Shalom Religious School has the highest teacher retention in the city. Our teachers are professional, experienced and participate in on-going educational development and training. Our committed and experienced staff administers our school with love and caring. They are extremely dedicated in their willingness to fulfill the needs and requests of all of our families.
Rivka Arad, Director of Lifelong Learning
Rivka has served as Director of Education of our religious school since 1993. A Sabra, she was born in Bnei Brak, Israel and received her senior teaching certificate at the Levinsky Teachers College in Tel Aviv. She received her B.A. in Jewish Studies and her M.A. in Jewish Education at the University of Judaism, Los Angeles. In 1994, Rivka was honored by the National Association of Temple Educators with the prestigious title of Reform Jewish Educator. Currently, she serves on the Jewish Education Committee of Dallas. Rivka is a member of the Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education and a member of the National Association of Temple Educators. Rivka brings to our students a passion for learning, teaching and communicating a love of Jewish tradition.
Bonnie Rubinstein, Director of Preschool and Kindergarten
Bonnie has a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland as well as Texas certification in Early Childhood Education. She took graduate courses in Jewish Education at Baltimore Hebrew College and was President of the Child Study Association of Maryland. All of her professional experience has been in the field of Early Childhood Education as a teacher, Assistant Director and now Director. She participates in accrediting preschool programs through the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). She was on the board of the Teacher Learning Center for many years and was also a charter member in the establishment of the Jewish Preschool Coalition of Dallas. She was one of the authors of the book "Teaching Gratitude to Young Children" published by Thanksgiving Square in Dallas. Bonnie believes strongly in providing quality programs for young children.
Barrett Harr, Youth Director
Barrett has a BA degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas where she concentrated in Religion, Child Development, and Gender Studies. Always working with youth, ever since she was one herself-whether it was teaching gymnastics, babysitting, teaching Religious School & Pre School, working as a camp counselor, or as a volunteer youth advisor, Barrett has always been drawn to working with youth. Most recently she has run the 8-10th grade Religious School program at another local congregation. A member of NATE (the National Association of Temple Educators), Barrett comes to Temple Shalom with a rich understanding of the needs of Jewish Youth, the programs available, and endless energy and drive to create a vibrant and diverse youth community at Temple Shalom.
