Your Awesome Torah High Teachers!
 | Rabbi Yehuda Simes
Dean Torah High Co-Founder, Guest Speaker, and Teacher Professional Development Rabbi Yehuda Simes, originally from St Paul, Minnesota (and still a huge Vikings fan), moved to Ottawa in 2002 to teach at Hillel Academy. In 2006, he was one of the founders of Torah High in Ottawa and let us tell you - it's busy teaching at two schools at the same time! Well known for his incredible teaching style which is interactive, engaging and memorable, Rabbi Simes is loved by students, parents and colleagues. Rabbi Simes and his wife, Shaindel, have 9 children and are known for their warmth and hospitality. Rabbi Simes is volunteering as a guest speaker in Torah High this year, so every single Torah High student will have multiple opportunities throughout the year to hear from him, discuss with him, and spend time with him. |
 | Rabbi Ari Galandauer
Director of Education Torah High Teacher A native of Montreal, Rabbi Galandauer grew up being involved in the Jewish community. Schooled in Montreal and Israel, Rabbi Galandauer earned a post graduate certificate in Advanced Rabbinics and Synagogue management from the National Council of Young Israel and Touro College. Rabbi Galandauer's first experience as a Rabbi took place in Salt Lake City, Utah (he has lots of cool stories from there). Rabbi Galandauer has taught at Rambam School, Talmud Torah Afternoon School, and Yitzhak Rabin High School in Ottawa. This is Rabbi Galandauer's second year teaching at Torah High, and his students enjoy his class and his warm personality. In addition to being the Director of Education at Torah High, Rabbi Galandauer also teaches at Torah Academy and is the Rabbi of theYoung Israel of Ottawa. Rabbi Galandauer is married to Erin (from Ottawa!) and they have 5 beautiful children. |
 | Bram Bregman
Executive Director Torah High Teacher & Co-Founder I am entering my 6th year of teaching Torah High! And I love it! I enjoy lively discussions and debates, delving into current issues, and making Jewish thought relevant to a typical 21st century teenager. I make my material interactive, enjoy going off-topic, and work with my students to decide what to learn about. In me free time, I play guitar, cook, enjoy TV and enjoy life. I'm married to Chani and have been working with Jewish teenagers for over 10 years with NCSY! My schooling is an engineering degree and MBA (I won a creativity award and I always try to be creative with Torah High). |
 | Gaby Scarowsky
Director of Programming Torah High Teacher Gaby is entering his fifth year as a teacher at Torah High and boy has he been busy. Aside from getting married to his lovely wife Tamara and having two children, Gaby has spent a tremendous amount of time refining his unique interactive teaching style that draws students to his class every year. Gaby was born and raised in Ottawa and spent two years in Israel after high school where he developed a strong love for shwarma (oh, and his Jewish homeland). Gaby then attended York University where he received a Bachelor’s in Administrative Studies. After a brief stint working in the pharmaceutical industry (the legitimate kind) Gaby quickly realized his passion lay elsewhere (Torah High baby!) and he hasn’t looked back since. When not teaching at Torah High, Gaby enjoys making his own beer (which he does not share with his students) and is a passionate hockey fan (they go hand and hand, right?). |
 | Rabbi Moshe Baron
Torah High Teacher Rabbi Moshe Baron, an Alumni of Yeshiva University in New York, graduated with degrees in both Biology and Jewish Studies. Upon graduation he was honored with the excellence in Bible Award. He then moved back to Canada where he followed his dream of becoming a Rabbi. After his ordination, Rabbi Baron went on to learn and become a Mohel (ritual circumciser) in order to better serve his community. He then moved to England where he was appointed University Chaplain for Bristol & Western Region by University Jewish Chaplaincy. Rabbi Baron was continuously involved in many communal organizations and ran many activities, such as weekly Kosher Kafe learning sessions, Lunch n’ Learns, social events and offered several Torah and Modern Hebrew classes to students in Bristol University and surrounding cities (even in Wales!). In addition to his religious education and work, Rabbi Baron has also developed his secular learning and gained extensive administrative experience over the years. He had started up two companies and worked in his field upon graduation. In addition to teaching at Torah High, Rabbi Baron is the Program Director at Machzikei Hadas. Rabbi Baron enjoys sports (basketball, karate, ping pong…you name it!) and is an avid skier. Rabbi Baron is married to Melissa and they have one baby girl. |
 | Rabbi Menachem Friedman
Torah High Teacher Rabbi Friedman is returning for his second year at Torah High. Originally from New York City, Rabbi Friedman moved to Ottawa when his Air Conditioner broke. Known for his hot tasty snacks, New York accent and the 'joke-of-the-week', Rabbi Friedman brings a unique style of teaching to Torah High. During the day, Rabbi Friedman is a teacher at Torah Academy. His wife, Chavie, is also from New York City and they have 4 children. When not teaching he enjoys hiking and biking with his kids, he enjoys singing and he is a racing enthusiast (see picture on left for more insight). |
 | Rabbi Yisroel Goldbaum
Torah High Teacher Rabbi Goldbaum's full-time position is as Judaic and Secular Studies Principal of Torah Academy of Ottawa. Before coming to Ottawa in 2004, he taught for over a decade at the Torah Academy of Philadelphia. Rabbi Goldbaum grew up in Denver, CO and spent 8 years living and attending school in Israel after making Aliyah in 1980. Six years of study in the Lakewood Yeshiva and Kollel followed (for those of you keeping track, that’s a boat load of school). Rabbi Goldbaum earned his Master of Education in Educational Leadership at St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA. Rabbi Goldbaum and his wife Rochel are the proud parents of 7 children. When Rabbi Goldbaum is not in school he enjoys all manner of outdoor activities (including jai allay?) and a number of hobbies that include sourdough bread baking and tending to an aqaurium full of goldfish. |
