Chanan Ben Simon
FJC Lower School Hebrew Teacher
Chanan Ben Simon is a vocalist/multimedia artist and an educator. Born in Jerusalem, Israel to parents of Jewish Morrocan descent, currently Brooklyn based. He holds a Bmus degree from the Jerusalem Music academy for Music and Dance and an MFA in Performance and Interactive Media Art from Brooklyn College.
As an educator, Chanan creates a personal teaching environment that is meant to give students the will to explore and have confidence in their discoveries. He combines his knowledge in the arts in order to create an innovative and creative environment. It’s important for him to share the beauty of Jewish texts and ideas in a new inclusive way.
Chanan is currently a part of the ‘School for Creative Judaism’ team as a hebrew/B Mitzvah teacher and assistant director, he is an artist in residence in the ‘FEDsocial’ Jewish network, and active in different artistic groups. In the past, alongside his artistic work, Chanan was a voice/music teacher in the best music conservatories in Israel (Ashkelon, Ramat Efal, Ramat Hasharon), a music theory TA in Brodt institute for cantors, Tel Aviv, and a music teacher for adults with Autism in Beit Or and Kfar Ofarim hostels in Israel.
In 2012, Chanan participated in the TV singing competition ‘The Voice’ Israel and reached the finals.
He is the author of the self-produced poetry booklet ‘Ebodd’ (2009) and the co-editor of the poetry fanzine ‘KETA’ in collaboration with Inbar Itzcovitz (2008-2011)
Hannah Herman
FJC Upper Hebrew School Teacher
Hannah Herman is a Kensington native, and has been a Hebrew school teacher since 2010. Her strong background in Jewish learning and education teaches children to explore Judaism in an authentic and passionate way.
Hannah encourages students to express themselves through art, writing, song and dance while infusing youngsters with a love of Jewish heritage and Torah. Her classroom is a place for all students to find their inner strength, cultivate and refine their technical Hebrew skills, explore their Jewish identity, and have fun in a positive and collaborative environment.
Hannah is a board certified Registered Respiratory Therapist, received her degree in Respiratory Care from Long Island University, and works part-time in pediatric in neonatal and pediatric intensive care. In her spare time, she assists Ukrainian Refugees through Hannah’s Humanitarian Aid Organization, enjoys baking, and is excited to be joining the Flatbush Jewish Center this fall!
Assistant Teachers
Jessica Dankowitz
Flatbush Jewish Center 