JEC Full Time Staff
Rachel Tichauer
-Director, Jewish Experience Center
Rachel Tichauer serves as the Director of the Jewish Experience Center. Rachel oversees and works with the JEC team to make sure that our Kindergarten-12th grade programming and experiences are at the highest level.
Rachel has a Master of Arts in Education from American Jewish University and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Arizona. She grew up in Los Angeles where she developed her love and passion for Judaic Education at the age of 12 when she joined her temple's Madrichim program. She then became a Religious School teacher before serving as KI's JEC Assistant Director. Rachel is so excited to step into the Director position and to work with the wonderful JEC Team and all of our families to create the best programs and experiences for our students.
Rachel and her husband Alex are the proud parents of two children, Adam and Rose, and in her free time, Rachel enjoys watching sports, cooking and baking, and spending time with her family and friends. On the rare Sunday off, you can find her at her local Farmer's Market with her family dancing to the live music and eating fresh fish tacos and tamales!
Rachel Fox
-Assistant Director, JEC
Rachel Fox is beyond excited to be the Jewish Experience Center Assistant Director. Rachel is drawn to the warm kehillah (community) at KI and appreciates how her values align with those embodied by the KI community.
Born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee, Rachel has totally been converted into a West Coast gal after spending the past seven years in California. Her passion for Jewish education began early, influenced by her involvement in youth groups and Jewish Summer Camp in the rural South. Rachel believes that growing up in such a small Jewish community gave her a greater appreciation for the power of Judaism and being in Jewish community, and inspired her to become the Jewish Educational Leader she is today.
Rachel has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Human Development with a minor in Judaic studies from the University of Arizona. She has significant experience in synagogue youth work, camp, religious school, and family education and she loves working with kiddos of all ages.
Rachel’s vision for Jewish education comes from deep care for the future of her learners' involvement in Jewish life. She is dedicated to providing positive and memorable Jewish experiences to her students. Rachel believes that the work of Jewish education is about impacting and elevating people's lives, and helping them to learn and grow as Jewish individuals.
In her free time you can catch Rachel exploring Los Angeles, listening to audio books, searching for the next best lavender latte, or trying to pet your cute puppy.
Max Muller
-Experiential Educator
Max is thrilled to be the Youth Programs Coordinator. Max comes from an extensive background of Jewish education and experiential learning, having worked within the Jewish community in Southern California for over 20 years. Max is looking forward to sharing some never-before-seen programs with our community. Max is passionate about narrative storytelling games and imaginative play, and never skips out on the opportunity to infuse some action and adventure into the lessons he teaches. Max is committed to expanding your student's Hebrew vocabulary, and will teach your student the word for Hero (Gee-bor) before challenging them to pick up that Herev u'Magen (Sword and Shield) and become one!
When Max isn't cooking up ways to excite and surprise you through Jewish living and learning, he is creating board games, cooking delicious foods he's seen on Pinterest, and spending time with his wife Star and their two cats Panini and Makemake. Lastly, if you ever find your way to Max's office, keep an eye out for his pet Dragon "Appo".