Meet the Team
The Founder & Author
Tami Hershkovitz has been teaching Jewish studies to children from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade for over twenty years. Drawing inspiration from the Jewish Mishnah, Tami has dedicated her career to teaching children the values found in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers)—widely considered an early framework for what is now known as Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Throughout her career, she has developed and implemented engaging programs based on these principles for older students, beginning in 3rd grade and beyond.
When asked to write and customize a Pirkei Avot curriculum for a local preschool last year (2024), Tami sought a way to bring the teachings to life in a more vivid and relatable manner. This creative challenge led to the birth of Mishnafari, where Leo the lion cub, Moshe Mouse, and their friends embark on exciting adventures. They learn to navigate their moral compasses with the help of a magical pile of leaves that transport them to the past to learn from the sages.
Tami believes that storytelling has the power to stimulate the mind and elevate the imagination, making learning both meaningful and enjoyable. She incorporates songs and rhymes—powerful tools that imprint the lessons of the Mishnah effortlessly and joyfully in children’s minds. Tami enjoys teaching these musical elements just as much as her students love learning them. Through drama and role-playing, she further enhances the curriculum, allowing children to bring the teachings of the Mishnah to life in a dynamic and memorable way.
The Illustrators
Gali Du, founder & CEO of GaliDuArt, is a fine artist and portrait photographer in New Orleans, LA. With over 10 years of painting and photography experience, she specializes in acrylic landscape and abstract paintings as well as branding portraits to empower women in business. Described by her mother, Tami, as “the engine behind this program,” Gali not only manages the business side of things but also creates the charming illustrations that bring their projects to life.
Joining her on this creative journey is her father, Dr. Ziyun Du. A self-taught artist, he is now collaborating with Gali on the illustrations for the Mishnafari book series. This project is truly a family effort, combining their unique talents to bring these stories to life!
To learn more about GaliDuArt, click here.
The Editor
Sally Baer is a lifelong educator who attributes her expertise in editing to extensive experience teaching young children the fundamentals of writing. With a rich background in early childhood education, Sally taught preschool through third grade for many years before becoming a school administrator. When Sally moved into this leadership position, she continued to be committed to spending time with children by teaching SEL.
Classes where children learn to navigate the social and emotional challenges that they face are utmost in Sally’s passion for teaching. Through her SEL classes, children learn respect for themselves and for one another, the joy of spreading kindness, and how to be an upstander for others. They learn the basic values that we all want for our children and, with Mishnafari, the Ethics of the Fathers becomes the cornerstone for how these values are taught.
Sally currently serves as the Director of Student Services at Bornblum Jewish Community School in Memphis, Tennessee, where she ensures that students' social, emotional, and academic needs are met with care and excellence.