My name is Morah Esther. I'm so excited to be back at Shaare Shalom after two years away. Our summer of planning was a great start for this year ahead. I love teaching Hebrew and Judaics and I hope your child or children will have a very positive Jewish educational experience.

Some basics about me-
The rest of the world knows me as Kate Friedman but my Hebrew school teacher identity is beloved to me and I like to be called Morah Esther for all things related to SSRS. I am married to Robert, an attorney, and we have an 18 month old daughter, Adira. She was born in Seattle where we lived for about a year and a half. Robert is a native St. Louisan and I grew up outside of Portland, Oregon. We met at Brandeis University in our first semester of college. I have been teaching Hebrew school for about seven years and studying Hebrew since I was the age of your children now. I even minored in it at Brandeis because I loved it so much! When I'm not teaching Hebrew School I am a devoted stay at home mom and like to be involved in the community and world around me. I like to exercise and coach, read, be outdoors, garden, do anything Jewish including Shabbat and Torah study, scrapbook, explore the city, and try new things (all with my darling daughter in tow)! I really look forward to getting to know your family this year.

My preferred mode of standard communication is email. I'm also good by phone and will return your call, but do feel free to call again. If I can't pick up please do leave a message; I listen to them!

I enjoyed meeting your children today at BSKI. Please send them to Hebrew school tomorrow (at SZ) with a photo of them with your family from this summer (if possible.) If you don't have printed pictures yet, whenever you get them is fine. Anita could probably print them if you don't plan to.

As a teacher, I love hearing from you about your kids and how they learn best. I have high hopes for a great year ahead! Please be in touch, and I intend to do the same on a weekly basis.

Morah Esther