Jewish Learning Center

JLC Calendar

SIJCC's Jewish Learning Center is designed for students in grades K-7.  This experiential Sunday morning program uses multiple learning modalities to accommodate diverse learning styles.  Students learn the tools to dig deeper into, and find meaning within, their Jewish identity.

To learn more, reach out to Natasha@sijcc.net.

Three young girls smiling and laughing together while showing a drawing of a girl with pigtails and a dress, with one girl holding a stuffed animal.

Grades Kindergarten through 7th

WHO?

18 Sunday mornings throughout the school year, approximately every other Sunday.

9:30am to 12:00pm

WHEN?

SIJCC

WHERE?

ENroll today

HOW?

SIJCC Membership required for this program. Membership will be included in your tuition.

JLC Team

A woman with glasses and short brown hair smiling, wearing a leopard print top, with a lizard on her shoulder, against a blue background with some umbrellas.

DIRECTOR
YOUTH & FAMILY

  • Natasha Lake Newman is a seasoned Jewish educator and program leader with over 20 years of experience creating dynamic, inclusive, and joy-filled learning environments. A Los Angeles native, Natasha has dedicated her career to building strong communities through supplemental and informal Jewish education. She’s led everything from religious schools and teen programs to summer camps and family engagement initiatives, always centering her work on meaningful relationships, innovative curriculum, and the holistic needs of learners. 

    Her work is grounded in a deep belief that Jewish education should be joyful, identity-affirming, and rooted in real connection. Natasha’s educational philosophy centers the whole child and person, nurtures socio-emotional growth, and celebrates lifelong learning.

    Natasha is excited to bring her experience and warmth to the SIJCC. She currently lives in Pasadena with her animal sidekicks, Burrito and Saffy.

TEACHER
GRADES 4/5

  • Soren is a recent graduate of Pitzer College, where they were very active in their college community and graduated with a degree in Organizational Studies and Sociology. They're currently pursuing a joint Masters in Management Information Systems. Soren had a strong Jewish upbringing, going to both Jewish day school in Houston and a Jewish sleep-away camp in the Poconos. They were active in organizations like BBYO and Hillel and their favorite Jewish holiday is Purim.

TEACHER
GRADES K/1

  • Mayla is an educator, a researcher, a podcaster, and a dancer. She loves teaching and has taught all ages and a variety of subjects including Hebrew school, Bat Mitzvah tutoring, Math, Science, and Israeli dance. Mayla studied Jewish theology at the Jewish Theological Seminary List College program, Mathematics at Columbia University, and received her PhD from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Computational Biosciences.
    She is currently a researcher at University of Southern California Keck Medical School focused on how to help researchers collaborate better to generate new research ideas and accelerate science.
    She recently started The Ignorance Podcast, where she interviews researchers about their research questions, as a new way to communicate science to the public. She also writes for the organization AI and Faith.
    When not doing all of these things, Mayla loves to be outside in nature hiking, biking, or skiing.

TEACHER
GRADES 6/7

  • Joshua Mendel is a student at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and will be ordained as a rabbi in 2028. Joshua has a passion for Jewish education and has taught B’nei Mitzvah lessons, Hebrew school, tefillah (Jewish prayer), Hebrew language, and has spent 9 years on staff in Jewish education and teaching horseback riding at camp Ramah in the Rockies. In his free time, Josh enjoys hiking with his dog, snowboarding, mountain biking, and baking.

TEACHER
GRADES 2/3

  • Lily Goldfarb is originally from Minneapolis, MN. She developed her love for Judaism through summers spent at Jewish camp, afternoons at religious school, and family traditions. This upbringing led her to prioritize Jewish community and conversations as a teacher. This is her second year at the JLC. She’s taught in religious schools for three years.
    During the week, Lily works in development at a youth and adult serving community-based organization and spend evenings completing elaborate cooking projects.

MUSIC SPECIALIST
JLC

  • Leah Paul is a Los Angeles–based musician, composer, and beloved early childhood music educator. A classically trained flutist (University of Michigan) and accomplished composer praised by the LA Times and NPR, Leah has performed and recorded with artists across genres and can be heard on countless films and TV shows. After the birth of her daughter, she founded Sweet Potato Music in 2017, creating joyful, engaging classes and original children’s songs that have been featured on On Air with Ryan Seacrest. With her unique blend of professional artistry and deep understanding of how young children connect to music, Leah brings warmth, fun, and community to every class—helping children and families experience the joy of singing, rhythm, and play together.