My husband, Ron, has told me that I have this "drive to teach." Since Roberta Osser Baum, a writer for Behrman House (a publishing company for Jewish books used in several Hebrew Schools around the country), asked me to be a long-term substitute for a Hebrew School class, I was hooked. That is when I got my calling to teach, to contribute to the continuation of Judaism. My new career began in 1987 in conjunction with teaching Special Education.

Since then, I have taught everywhere we moved, Philadelphia, PA; Matamoras, PA; Tampa, FL; and now in South Florida for past 15 years. I also worked for Camp Ramah in Palmer, MA for 6 summers teaching archery, tutoring children for their Bar/Bar Mitzvah ceremonies, and teaching adults Hebrew and Prayer. I have experience in every grade level from Preschool through Adults, teaching many subjects: Hebrew, Prayer, Torah, Holidays, Jewish History, Prophets, Recitation of Torah and Haftarah, etc.

Throughout our relocations I have had wonderful teachers and mentors. I began my college education in Philadelphia, PA, attending Temple University and Beaver College. Upon moving to Matamoras, PA I studied with a wonderful rabbi and cantor, both graduates from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. In Tampa I attended Hillsborough County Community College becoming certified to teach preschool. When I moved to Coral Springs, FL, I attended Florida Atlantic University to study conversational Hebrew, and took several courses at the Central Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE) receiving my Hebrew License. As well, I have studied at the Fuchsberg Yeshiva in Jerusalem, continue with their on-line education, and have been a long time student of Cantor Avshalom Zfira renowned Cantor throughout Israel and the United States.

I am presently the Cantor for The Court At Pam Aire in Pompano Beach, FL conducting Shabbat and High Holidays services (see my page Around the Town on my Bulletin Board). I teach children and adults all the subjects mentioned above as well as preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies. I am also working for five preschools teaching Music and Judaic Studies.

I travel around the area officiating life cycle events, entertaining, and lecturing for Jewish organizations as well as providing distance learning to children and adults via Internet. Please see my page Around the Town on my Bulletin Board.

I look forward to teaching your children, or you!

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, I can be reached at 954-562-4662 or Rysaa@Bellsouth.net.

Cantor Risa Askin