Chaya Kranz

Jewish Center Director

Chaya received her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Long Island University and has been involved with teaching children for 36 years. She directed an English immersion preschool for 2-6 year-olds in Jerusalem, Israel from 1985-1996 before moving back to the United States. From 1996-1999, Chaya was the lead teacher of the Torah Kids class (4-5 years olds) at SSLC. Chaya worked with the Jewish Academy of Fine Arts for 7 years and was responsible for coordinating the lunch program and aftercare. Since 1996, Chaya has been the home manager of the Hebrew Sheltering Society. Currently, Chaya is the Executive Director at the Silver Spring Jewish Center, works in the office at SSLC, and has been the Director of SSLC's camp, Camp Ahava for 10 years. Chaya is blessed with four children and 3 grandchildren.

Sharon Shimoff

Co-Director
Special Programs Manager

Sharon Shimoff joined the Silver Spring Learning Center family in the fall of 2012. She has worked with and taught almost every age group in their early childhood program, including a five year stint as the Toddler Class teacher. Prior to teaching at SSLC she ran a playgroup and worked in Jewish communal life, developing programs for various Federations as part of the United Jewish Communities Washington Action Office. Sharon enjoys volunteering and has served in leadership positions for Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and has been a part of the YISE Board of Directors and their youth committee. She graduated with a degree in Human Services from George Washington University. Sharon also really likes spending time with her husband and their four children.

Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Zaks 

Prayers and Parsha

Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Zaks serves as the Rabbi to Silver Spring Learning Center. He received his rabbinic ordination from Beit Hora’ah of Modi’in Illit in 2018. Before moving to the USA, R' Eli Meir lived in Israel and served his community in many ways. He created/grew an after-school Judaics and Torah-study program for children ages 8-14, supervised a class of 50 teens (14-17) in Yeshiva, and planned/taught a 15 person Kollel. He works with Kindergarten and Pre-K and everyone looks forward to his visits.

Dana Foster

Office Administrator

Dana Foster is a born a bred Marylander who loves Old Bay, Ocean City, and attended the University of Maryland (go Terps!). Dana has been working with children for over 20 years; as a school librarian, teacher, and now the office administrator at our wonderful school. In her spare time, Dana enjoys Phish concerts, listening to the Grateful Dead, and spending time with her three children Leah, Ari, and Mendel.

Mr. Bill

Facilities and Maintenance

Morah Natali

Kindergarten
Lead Teacher

Miss Eleni

Sunflowers (pre-K)
Lead Teacher

Miss Daniela

Sunflowers (pre-K)
Teaching Assistant

Morah Eden

Shemesh (pre-K)
Teaching Assistant

Morah Hagit

Ilanot (3) 
Lead Teacher

Morah Shani

Parparim (2)
Co-Teacher

Miss Hilda

Keshet (3)
Co-Teacher

Miss Asse

Parparim (2)
Co-Teacher

Miss Leila

Ladybugs (2)
Leader Teacher

Morah Tehila

Ladybugs (2)
Teaching Assistant

Miss Tasha

Kochavim (2)
Lead Teacher

Morah Avigael

Kochavim (2)
Assistant Teacher

Morah Meshi

Parparim (2)
Co-Teacher