Cantor Alisa endeavors to teach Judaism that enlivens spirit and gratitude for the gift of life and the wonder of creation. She sees each student through their studies, preparing them to chant Torah, lead prayers and value their own thoughts on their journey towards becoming B'nai Mitzvah. She imparts joy when sharing her love for prayer, holidays and Jewish values.

​Alisa has served congregations on the Central Coast and Northern California for over 30 years, teaching all grades, primarily through music. She models love, reverence and vulnerability as a leader, and strives to learn with and from her students. She provides a music based, hands-on approach that prioritizes independent thinking and feeling, and focuses on reinforcing connectedness, self-esteem, confidence and leadership skills in those she works with.
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Some of the themes Alisa focuses on:

- Teaching about the value of Shabbat- resting in the beauty and wonder of creation, the importance of the natural world and our place in it as tenders of the garden, with lots of music!

- The Jewish calendar and the importance of our holidays, cultivating mindfulness of the earth and its seasons and the joy of family celebrations, rituals and blessings primarily through music.

- The concept of blessings- that our path is one of blessing, a way to open our eyes and hearts to the "ordinary miracles of every day" and  say thank you!

-  Prayer as conversation through morning and bedtime prayers to help set and close the day, calm the heart and mind, cultivating children's relationship with the divine as Loving Presence, reinforcing that they are not alone, and  loved always by an UnEnding Love 
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-  Alisa models love, reverence and vulnerability in her teaching style, and strives to learn with and from her students.
Essential to Alisa's core values, is to reinforce self-esteem, confidence and leadership skills in those she works with.

Testimonials

​“Alisa draws on each child’s unique talents and strengths, inspiring their leadership and confidence,” 
HUC Educator Louise Riddell-Kaufman.

"Cantor Alisa is the most inspirational teacher about Jewish learning that I have encountered in my decades of study about Judaism. Whether it be the Hebrew language, the traditions and prayers, or the ethics and ethos of being Jewish, she brings her loving care and understanding to all her students, whom she calls with deep respect her teachers. She encourages all of us to "feel the Hebrew words in your mouth," and to take the prayers slowly, line by line, in order to understand the deeper meaning. Dear Cantor Alisa, you are loved by your students! You are our treasure!"   
Rosemary Lévy Zumwalt Dean of the College Emerita Professor Emerita of Anthropology Agnes Scott College

“Alisa is the best teacher I’ve ever had. Beyond the Hebrew and the trope, she has taught me to look for the miracles, squint for the answers, trust my music and trust my gut. She guides her students to become “melachim” and “malchot” (kings and queens) on the bimah (pulpit), as well as deeper, more well rounded individuals. Alisa has shown me that we are all divine, all connected and all intrinsically important.” - Lawson Marshall, Student
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