Known to her students simply as Morah Keren, Keren Ashkenazi is a native of Holon, Israel. After graduating from an engineering-focused high school, she proudly served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), where she developed strong leadership skills while serving in a specialized coding unit supporting soldiers in the field.

Morah Keren’s passion for education has led her to teach in a variety of settings, including English instruction for students in grades K–6 in Israel and as a substitute teacher across multiple grade levels. After moving to Chicago with her family in 2008, she spent two years as a substitute teacher and volunteer Hebrew teaching assistant at Hillel Torah Day School.

At Starr Family Jewish Day School, Morah Keren brings the Hebrew language to life through engaging, interactive lessons that help students build confidence and a love for Israeli language and culture. She is also our beloved art teacher, where she creatively blends Hebrew, Jewish holidays, and artistic expression, inspiring students to explore their creativity while deepening their connection to their heritage.

Outside the classroom, Morah Keren enjoys spending time with her husband and their four children and sharing her love of Israel and Judaism with the Starr JDS community.