Educators

Rina Cohen Schwarz, Education Director 

Rina Cohen Schwarz holds an M.A. in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She has been working in the field of Jewish Education for more than 25 years, primarily as Education Director in synagogue schools but also as a mancha (mentor) to graduate students teaching in the field. Rina and her husband, Dan, have three children: Their youngest is a student in our Religious School, their middle child is a High School student and in our Lomdim program, and their oldest is a college student.  Rina is delighted to be bringing her love and joy of Jewish education to the children and families of Habonim.  

Tina Lobel, Nursery School Director

Tina Lobel is the Nursery School Director at Habonim.  She has more than 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education.  Prior to coming to Habonim, Tina was an Early Childhood Coordinator and Learning Specialist at Leman Manhattan Preparatory School.  Tina has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education.  In addition to her overall direction of the Nursery School, Tina plans to focus her attention on meeting new families as they explore the admissions process.  She also plans to support families as they go through the exmissions process when it is time for them to leave Habonim to attend ongoing schools. Tina has been working with children and families throughout her life. She hopes that each child will develop a true love of learning and become an active participant in our warm, nurturing and welcoming Jewish community. 

Ann Obsatz, Associate Nursery School Director

Ann Obsatz is the Associate Director at Habonim Nursery School. She has been with us since September 2012. Prior to joining the Habonim community, Ann was the Associate Director of the Nursery School and Parenting Center at Central Synagogue. As Parenting Center Coordinator, Ann developed programs for infants and toddlers as well as a caregiver program. Ann is a communication skills specialist. She was co-founder and co-director of the Communication Network which provided workshops for parents, teachers and caregivers. Ann was a reading enrichment teacher for the NYC Board of Education as well as an early childhood teacher at the 92nd Street Y Nursery School in Manhattan. At Habonim, Ann continues to work with children, teachers and families to create a warm, caring environment where learners of all ages can thrive and grow.