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Family's Immigration to U.S.
My grandparents, Israel and Lila Pakier, and my mom, Freddi (her name was Freida at the time) immigrated to the U.S. Although my mom was born in Germany, my grandparents were both from Poland. They met after the Holocaust. This was a second marriage for my grandpa, as his first wife and two children were killed. -
My birth
I am names "Revah," which was after "Asher," (not sure how my parents got the name Revah from Asher), after an uncle names Oscar. (I'm the one in the pink pajamas.) -
Move to Tucson
When I was in between 2nd and 3rd grade my family moved from Chicago, IL to Tucson, AZ to live closer to my grandparents. This is a turning point in my Jewish journey, as many of my holiday memories take place at my grandparents' house in Tucson. I was also exposed to their circle of friends, almost all of whom were Holocaust survivors. -
First Summer at Camp Ramah
I see Jewish summer camp as an insurance policy on Jewish identity. There is a magic that happens at camp, which can't necessarily be recreated in the congregational or formal Jewish education setting. I attended Camp Ramah in Ojai, CA for four years. I not only learned to "bensh," but also to pray the Shacharit service as well as many Hebrew songs and Israeli dances. -
6th Grade with Mrs. Brousseau
6th grade was a tough year for many reasons. My parents divorced, I went to a new school, not to mention the usual 6th grade dramas typical to that age. I was lucky to have an amazing teacher, who made a huge difference. Mrs. Brousseau ran "Dragon Bank," which was a monetary system. We earned dragon dollars by attending school, turning in homework on time, etc. We had to spend dragon dollars to rent desks, buy supplies, etc,. I modified the system into "Shekel Bank" for religious school. -
Attended Tucson Hebrew Academy
I begged my mom to let me attend Tucson Hebrew Academy, which is a Jewish dayschool, for my 8th grade year. This was another pivotal point, in that I was consciously pursuing my Jewish identity and I had a teacher, Rabbi Becker, who had a profound influence on my life. -
Becoming Bat Mitzvah
My parsha was Vayigash. At the time, some of the girls in my class either didn't chant Torah at all or chanted very few verses. I chanted quite a bit, and continue to do so to this day. -
Joined BBYO
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization was defintely a milestone in my life. I learned to plan events, put out communications, run for offices and so many other life skills which were a phenomenal foundation for adult life. -
1st Trip to Israel
The first time I went to Israel was the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. I went on a program in which we travelled for a month, then studied Hebrew at Hebrew University for a month. -
11th Grade - Dr. Hosmer
Another teacher who had a profound effect on my life was Dr. Hosmer, in 11th grade A.P. U.S. History. I was shy, unsure of myself, and felt inadequate amongst my peers, in an accelerated high school program (University High) Dr. Hosmer saw something in me, that I didn't necessarily see, and helped me develop writing skills, and entered an essay of mine in a contest. -
Began teaching religious school
My first position as a Jewish educator was teaching 2nd grade at my congregation. This started a life-long journey. I was 18 at the time. -
2nd Trip to Israel
The second time I went to Israel was the summer after my freshman year of college. I participated in Sar-El (Volunteers for Israel) and spent 3 weeks volunteering on an army base in the Golan, called Tznobar. I then extended my stay and volunteered with children living at a children's home called Beit Apple. -
Birth of my daughter
Logan Elizabeth Riegel was born on June 19, 1997. I was 24 years old, whichi is the same age my mom was when I was born. Logan was named after my Grandma Lil (Lila). Her Hebrew name is Tovah. -
Jewish Educator Conferences
I began attending Jewish educator conferences in 2006, with the Whizin Institute for Jewish Family Education. Conferences became not only an addiction, but a crucial part of my Jewish education and journey as a Jewish educator. I also attended CAJE, NewCaje, MANAJE, Jewish Outreach Institute and CIE Summer Conference and MOFET Institute for Jewish Educators in Israel. -
Arizona Jewish Post
This was my first full-time position in the Jewish community. -
Outstanding Jewish Educator
In May, 2007 I was named the Southern Arizona Outstanding Jewish Educator of the Year Award. In November, I received the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. -
Education Director
I began my position as Youth Education Director for the Temple Emanu-El Kurn Religious School in 2008. During my time as religious school director, I grew the school to the largest enrollment it had seen in over a decade. -
Logan's Bat Mitzvah
Experiencing my daughter becoming Bat Mitzvah was so very, very different from experiencing the B'nai Mitzvah of my students. What a beautiful memory! -
Began Studies at Hebrew College
And the rest is history? Seriously, this was a huge turning point for me, not only as a Jewish educator, but as a role model for my daughter.
