Karen Hafter

Karen (she/her) is a third-generation member of Society Hill Synagogue and a proud graduate of our Ann Spak Thal Hebrew School. She has dedicated her professional life to education. After graduating summa cum laude and being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at Skidmore College in 2019, Karen moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to teach middle school English through Teach for America.

During her time in Tulsa, Karen became deeply engaged in the local Jewish community, teaching Hebrew School twice weekly at the joint program of Congregation B’nai Emunah and Temple Israel. She extended her time there beyond the initial Teach for America commitment, ultimately serving as the English Language Arts Department Chair at Nathan Hale Middle School, all while continuing to teach in the Hebrew School setting.

Karen later returned to her hometown of Philadelphia, where she taught at The Workshop School, a project-based high school that emphasizes hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. This approach to education — immersive, inquiry-driven, and student-centered — deeply informs her leadership of our Hebrew School. Karen brings to her role a deep love for our community, a rich background in both secular and Jewish education, and a special blend of energy, creativity, and passion for teaching.