Alissa Zeffren (She, Her, Hers)
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Alissa Zeffren is a Jewish History teacher at Ida Crown Jewish Academy. In addition to being a well-known and loved teacher in her community, Alissa makes it her mission to inform and educate others.
In 2019, she brought a national program, Student to Student, to Chicago. The program was created as an opportunity for Jewish high school students to present to other teens in high schools with low to no Jewish populations about their lives as Jews. The goal of the program is to create positive face-to-face interactions between Jewish and non-Jewish teens and dispel antisemitic stereotypes. Alissa has successfully implemented this program over the last three years. Next year, the program plans to expand to 18 high schools in the area, reaching nearly 2,000 high school students.
When she's not busy with school, you can find Alissa practicing yoga, running, or having a dance party in the kitchen with her three children.
AGE:
36
PRIMARY GIG:
Jewish History and Tanach Teacher and Student Activities Coordinator at Ida Crown Jewish Academy;
Program Coordinator for Student to Student, a program of Ida Crown Jewish Academy (with support from JUF)
ON THE SIDE:
Doctoral student in Jewish Education (Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University)
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 10 WORDS OR LESS:
Passionate, invested, driven, hard-working, enthusiastic
YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE:
Famous Education Quote: "Students don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."
HOW YOU JEW IN CHICAGO:
How do I NOT Jew in Chicago?! From my job as a teacher, activities coordinator, Student to Student coordinator, and volunteer board member roles in the Chicago Jewish Historical Society and Kehillat Chovevei Tzion, I am deeply committed to giving back to the Jewish community and fostering Jewish leadership among my students both in Ida Crown and the Student to Student program.
WHAT IS YOUR NEWFOUND PANDEMIC TALENT OR HOBBY:
Crafting with my kids!
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