Making BT Awesome: Ms. Rachel Levitt-Klein, HS Director of Student Life and Israel Guidance

“When I was little, I used to play teacher and make fake attendance books,” shares Ms. Rachel Levitt-Klein, Beth Tfiloh Dahan High School’s Director of Student Life and Israel Guidance. That’s not just playing pretend – that is a commitment to a lifelong goal. There was a brief period in high school when she entertained the notion of joining the circus, until she discovered the incompatibility between circus life and being Shomer Shabbat (“I still have the application to clown college!”).

From then on, her career trajectory progressed through the educational field by way of Yeshiva University where she earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Jewish/Judaic Studies and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. Her path since then has included serving as a teacher, as a programming leader and as a school administrator…all preparing her for her current role at BT.

“I don’t teach subjects, I teach people,” says Ms. Levitt-Klein of her philosophy behind her multi-faceted role. “One of the most fun, challenging parts of my job is getting to know each person, how they learn best, and how to help them become better in the areas in which they need to grow.”

Now in her second year as a member of the BT faculty, Ms. Levitt-Klein devotes her limitless supply of energy, enthusiasm and creativity to helping students cultivate their leadership skills by developing and implementing programs for their peers. “Student life is the place in which I see the integration of all the different subjects; you bring together all these things you are learning in different classes and you get to apply them through additional programming and educational opportunities,” she explains.

Ms. L-K, as she’s known, also collaborates with the High School grade advisors to develop seminars that address the particular needs and concerns at each grade level: Freshman are learning how to integrate into the High School environment and bond as a grade; Sophomores are exploring leadership development; Juniors are striving to achieve balance while stepping into greatness as individuals and as a class; and Seniors are developing independence and preparing to be involved Jews in the world beyond BT. As Director of Israel Guidance, she helps students and their families navigate the process of deciding whether to spend a gap year in Israel, and if so, to find the program that is the right fit for them. And if that isn’t enough, she also teaches Bible classes, “because Hashem is great,” her famous catchphrase.

“As my Jewish Leadership teacher, Ms. Levitt-Klein not only teaches us information but connects with us and understands each of us — not just as students but as people,” shares Rebecca G. ‘16. “She relates the teachings to our everyday lives and instructs the class in a way that makes it feel like a place where we come to learn while thoroughly enjoying ourselves.”

Yitzi T. ‘16, Student Government’s Commissioner of Spirit, is also a big fan. “Mrs. L-K is incredible, she really goes out of her way to make sure the students of Beth Tfiloh love school.”

“BT is a really special place,” notes Ms. Levitt-Klein. “It’s a great place to work, a great community to be a part of. This school actually is everything it says it is on paper. It’s a really special place.”