Andrea Miksch, Pre-Kindergarten
Hi! I’m Andrea Miksch. I’m originally from Plano, Texas, and most of my (very large!) family, 56 members and counting, still live in the Dallas area. I graduated from the University of Kansas with a BFA in Painting, which is also where I met my husband, Matt. After college, we moved to Los Angeles to chase big dreams, me as a makeup artist, Matt as a film director. But it did not take long to realize that LA was not quite the right fit, and we made our way back to Kansas to start a new chapter. Now, we are raising our two boys, Warner, who is in fourth grade, and Meyer, who is in first grade and loving this season of life. I am passionate about painting, crafting and baking, and I have had the chance to explore a variety of careers, from banking and transportation to mortgages, hairstyling and teaching. I am so excited to bring together my love of art, Judaism and education in the classroom this year. Thank you for welcoming me into your community. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your children’s learning journey. It is going to be a wonderful year!
Rhonda Karol, Kindergarten
Rhonda is so pleased to share time with B’nai Jehudah’s Religious School! She and her husband, Rabbi Larry (z”l), retired in June 2020 and ultimately returned to Kansas City. Rhonda has a BA in sociology and elementary education from Clark University in Worcester, MA and a Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. She has taught religious school for over 40 years, directed early childhood education centers, worked with a reading grant and taught early childhood education at two community colleges and at Washburn University in Topeka. She and Rabbi Larry’s son, Adam, live with his wife, Rabbi Juli, and their two children, Josh and Eva, in Manhattan, NY. Rhonda believes our world and our Jewish communities need hearts and souls nourished by caring teachers and community members. She believes children are the best material from which a responsible adult can be made, and she is honored to be able to contribute to B’nai Jehudah!
Paula Suroff, 1st Grade
Paula Suroff has taught first grade at B’nai Jehudah for over 13 years. She has a degree in music education from Indiana University and a master’s in education from Washington University. Paula taught elementary music (K-6), pre-school, subbed in various grades and has even been a camp counselor. Her personal passion is singing. She has sung at the Muny Opera in St. Louis, Bells of Indiana, various choirs, Jewish folk groups, a klezmer band and independently at weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, nursing homes and community theater. She was the cultural arts director at the Kansas City Jewish Community Center and the creative assistant to the president of US TOY/ Constructive Playthings for 18 years. Mrs. Suroff is the wife of Victor Suroff, mother of David Suroff and Julie Spiegel and grandmother to Daniel Spiegel.
Michael Shabason, 2nd Grade
My name is Michael Shabason, and I have been a member of B’nai Jehudah since childhood. As a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area, I was raised within the synagogue community at 68th and Holmes, where I developed a strong foundation in my Jewish education. I have fond memories of studying for my b’nai mitzvah, attending Sunday school and walking along Troost to the New York Delicatessen after classes with Cantor Silbersher. The joy of being Jewish, teaching that joy to students and answering their questions, is wonderful.
I have dedicated my professional career to education, and I am currently in my fourth (non-consecutive) year teaching at Yalla! My wife, Sarah, and I have a son, Elias, who will begin attending Yalla! this year. Sarah is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and through our family’s experiences, I have gained a meaningful understanding of the needs and opportunities available to returning service members through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Our home is shared with several pets, including two dogs, one of which is a PTSD service dog, and a cat. In my personal time, I enjoy being a Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holder, a commitment I have maintained since 1991. I also enjoy golf, reading, spending time with my family and participating in outdoor activities such as ATV riding, camping and hunting.
Ilan Steigman, 2nd Grade Assistant Teacher
Hi! My name is Ilan Steigman, and I will be one of the second grade teachers this year at B’nei Jehudah! This is my first time officially teaching a class, but for the past 3 years I have been a madrichol at the congregation. I am 17 years old but will be turning 18 in January. I am a high school student at Lincoln College Prep and will be going to college very soon. I have gone to Jewish summer camp for the past 10 years (shoutout OSRUI) and love to help kids integrate with their Jewish community. I love tikkun olam (repairing the world) as I am interested in environmental and biological sciences to help our ever-changing world. I am looking forward to getting to know all of my amazing students and being with them throughout the year!
Audrey Bryant, 3rd Grade
Hello! My name is Audrey Bryant, and I will be teaching third grade this year. I am currently a junior at the University of Kansas studying elementary education and Jewish studies. My family and I have been active members of B’nai Jehudah for as long as I can remember, and I feel so grateful to be able to call this synagogue home. I have worked here at B’nai Jehudah as a madricha and Machane Jehudah counselor for several years, as well as filling in some odd jobs here and there, such as running slideshows for High Holy Days, working at the front desk for a summer, and even babysitting Rabbi Kramer’s kids. I love being able to work with my community, and I am excited to continue to do so as a Yalla! educator.
Noah Gibbs, 4th Grade
A chef and culinary educator of 20 years, Noah has been a member of B’nai Jehudah with his wife Meg since 2024. In that time, he has loved being a part of the brotherhood, an associate teacher with the fifth grade and is super excited to be taking his teaching skills and love of Judaism to the fourth graders this year!
Rabbi Linda Steigman, 4th Grade Hebrew
Rabbi Linda Steigman is a native of Chicago and has also lived in Philadelphia, New York and Jerusalem. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, a master’s in clinical social work from Bryn Mawr College and a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters, as well as ordination, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. After serving congregations in Fredericksburg, VA, and Wilkes-Barre, PA, Rabbi Steigman moved to the Kansas City area in 2008 to be closer to her children. Until May 2024, she served, on a part-time basis, at Temple Adath Joseph in St. Joseph, MO. Rabbi Steigman is also a trained hospital and hospice chaplain. She loves teaching at Temple B’nai Jehudah and challenging our youngsters to see the beauty in Judaism and Jewish practice, and is looking forward to another wonderful year in Yalla!
Rabbi Monica Kleinman, 5th Grade
Rabbi Linda Steigman is a native of Chicago and has also lived in Philadelphia, New York and Jerusalem. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, a master’s in clinical social work from Bryn Mawr College and a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters, as well as ordination, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. After serving congregations in Fredericksburg, VA, and Wilkes-Barre, PA, Rabbi Steigman moved to the Kansas City area in 2008 to be closer to her children. Until May 2024, she served, on a part-time basis, Temple Adath Joseph in St. Joseph, MO. Rabbi Steigman is also a trained hospital and hospice chaplain. She loves teaching at Temple B’nai Jehudah and challenging our youngsters to see the beauty in Judaism and Jewish practice, and is looking forward to another wonderful year in Yalla!
Maya Matatall, 5th Grade Assistant Teacher
Maya moved to KC from Boulder, CO. She joined the Yalla! faculty two years ago as a kindergarten teacher with Rhonda, and is excited to return to Yalla! This year to help teach our amazing fifth-grade students! In her spare time, Maya likes exploring KC restaurants with friends, photography and watching Bob’s Burgers.
Derek Greeley, 6th Grade
Hi, my name is Derek Greeley, and I am excited to be teaching our sixth-grade learners this year. I am originally from New York, and grew up at Temple Israel of Northern Westchester. I attended the College of Wooster in Ohio. There, I majored in archaeology with a focus on first-century synagogue architecture, and met my wife, Courtney. After graduating, I became a two-time AmeriCorps member, serving in Washington, DC and Denver. I then moved to New Jersey and served as director of youth engagement at Adath Emanu-El and then director of engagement at Har Shalom. During that time, I taught Hebrew school for sixth-ninth grades, ran youth group programming and put on events for young professionals and new families. After moving to KC, I did what anyone needing a career shift in this town seems to do, and went to work for Cerner. I now work as a cybersecurity analyst at Oracle. When I am not working or spending time with my wife and two sons, I play basketball, run obstacle course races and garden. I am looking forward to learning with sixth grade and hope to see you soon! B’shalom, Derek Greeley
Rabbi Beryl Padorr, 6th Grade Hebrew
Rabbi Beryl Padorr currently serves as a visiting spiritual leader of United Hebrew Congregation in Joplin, Missouri. Rabbi Padorr previously served as the rabbi of Congregation Ohev Sholom, shared vision coordinator at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. She served as a resident chaplain for two years at Research Medical Center, and as a chaplain at Children’s Mercy Hospital and taught a class for the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning. Rabbi Padorr served as the rabbi and religious school director for Temple B’nai Hayim in the Los Angeles area, and on the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. She served as rabbi for Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Des Moines, Iowa, where she was called upon to offer prayer for the House of Representatives at the State Capitol.
Outside of the synagogue, Rabbi Padorr enjoys running, Pilates, Zumba, scuba diving, pottery and reading by the ocean. She holds a strong commitment to community, maasim tovim, a life of good deeds, and teaching, the joy and love of Torah.
Lindsey Lipsky, Inclusion Coordinator
Lindsey Lipsky is excited to join B’nai Jehudah as the new inclusion coordinator for Yalla! She has been part of the Kansas City Jewish community since 2014 and brings nearly two decades of experience in special education, disability inclusion, educator training, family support and nonprofit programming.
Lindsey began her career as a special education teacher and later moved into nonprofit leadership and special education consulting. As a learning and behavior specialist, she has worked with schools, communities and organizations to help make learning more accessible, inclusive and supportive for children with diverse needs.
Lindsey holds a master’s degree in special education and educational leadership, as well as an undergraduate degree in nonprofit management from North Park University in Chicago. She is passionate about helping every child and family feel welcomed, supported and able to participate meaningfully in Jewish life and learning. Lindsey lives in Leawood with her husband and three young children.
Paula Fremerman, Inclusion Specialist
Paula was born and raised in the Kansas City area and currently lives in Overland Park. She works as a nanny, substitute teacher and paraprofessional for the Blue Valley School District. She has a particular passion for special education and enjoys helping students reach their full potential. Her extensive experience working with children includes owning and operating her own home daycare, serving as a nanny and then working in special education in the Chicago area. While living in Chicago, she also taught pre-K Sunday school. For the last two years, Paula has been our second grade teacher at Yalla!. Paula is the proud mother of three grown children and grandmother of three grandchildren. All of her grandchildren live in Chicago. She loves spending time with her family, visiting her grandchildren whenever possible and reconnecting with lifelong friends both in Kansas City and during her travels. This is Paula’s third year teaching at Yalla! and her first year serving as the Inclusion Specialist. She is excited to continue building relationships with students and families while helping ensure that every child has the support they need to learn, grow and succeed.
Robbye Timmerman, Inclusion Specialist
Shalom Chaverim, I am so glad to introduce myself to you! My first experience with preschool was in my hometown in St. Louis as an assistant with three-year-olds. Moving to Overland Park took me to the CDC with different age groups, varying from twelve months to four-year-olds over a two-year period. My love of Judaism led me to teaching in religious and Hebrew school, ages kindergarten through high school over a 20ish year time span. Nearest and dearest to me is teaching in a Jewish environment! In my leisure, I am with my family, yay! My son and daughter-in-law are in town. My grandchildren are in grades six, second and kindergarten. They are the delicious loves of my life, as are mom and dad! My daughter is a rabbi, currently in Chicago, and this pack is complete when she is home for a visit. I am an avid reader, enjoy exercising and all kinds of music. I am so excited to be a part of this team!
