Mashi Polstein, Director
Mashi is a passionate educator whose use of drama and contemporary expressive technique has
inspired students the world over. Under the auspices of NCSY Canada, Mashi founded and directed
Toronto’sTorah High: For the Arts, a groundbreaking initiative that combines traditional Jewish learning
with a progressive arts-based education. While studying theater and psychology at York University,
Mashi began developing a drama infused curriculum that would eventually be used as a medium to
teach an accredited Jewish Ethics and Values Course. After getting married and moving to Israel,
she continued to teach drama at Emunah V’omanut, an arts-based seminary in Jerusalem. Mashi
advocates for the use of arts in the classroom to create exciting, dynamic, and impactful lessons. She aspires to help students
develop and nurture their creative sides and to use their gifts to impact the world for the better. Mashi along with her husband
Yehuda , are inspired and enthusiastic educators who have been involved in Jewish education and communal work for the past
15 years. In 2015 the Polstein's were awarded the Evan Goldberg-Mailing Innovation in Education in recognition of their efforts.
In 2017 Mashi Polstein was recognized as one of the 36 under 36 by the JUF of Chicago for her work at JFE.
Email at mashi@jewishfamilyexp.org
inspired students the world over. Under the auspices of NCSY Canada, Mashi founded and directed
Toronto’sTorah High: For the Arts, a groundbreaking initiative that combines traditional Jewish learning
with a progressive arts-based education. While studying theater and psychology at York University,
Mashi began developing a drama infused curriculum that would eventually be used as a medium to
teach an accredited Jewish Ethics and Values Course. After getting married and moving to Israel,
she continued to teach drama at Emunah V’omanut, an arts-based seminary in Jerusalem. Mashi
advocates for the use of arts in the classroom to create exciting, dynamic, and impactful lessons. She aspires to help students
develop and nurture their creative sides and to use their gifts to impact the world for the better. Mashi along with her husband
Yehuda , are inspired and enthusiastic educators who have been involved in Jewish education and communal work for the past
15 years. In 2015 the Polstein's were awarded the Evan Goldberg-Mailing Innovation in Education in recognition of their efforts.
In 2017 Mashi Polstein was recognized as one of the 36 under 36 by the JUF of Chicago for her work at JFE.
Email at mashi@jewishfamilyexp.org
Alise Gold, Educational Director and Bnei Mitzvah Coordinator
Alise Gold is the Educational Director and Bnei Mitzvah Coordinator at JFE. Alise received her BA
in Judaic Studies from Stern College and her Masters Degree in Jewish Education from Azrieli
Graduate School. She taught elementary and middle school in New Jersey for three years before
moving to Chicago.She taught middle school at Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School in Hyde Park for
8 years and is currently in her fifth year with JFE.
Email at alise@jewishfamilyexp.org
in Judaic Studies from Stern College and her Masters Degree in Jewish Education from Azrieli
Graduate School. She taught elementary and middle school in New Jersey for three years before
moving to Chicago.She taught middle school at Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School in Hyde Park for
8 years and is currently in her fifth year with JFE.
Email at alise@jewishfamilyexp.org