Shomeric Beacons of Light: Adi Dzen and Tali Levy-Bernstein

This Shabbat, we’re taking a moment to celebrate two remarkable individuals who embody the educational heart of Hashomer Hatzair: Tali Levy-Bernstein and Adi Dzen. 

Tali and Adi grew up at Mosh, learning the values of justice, community, and the power of education. Today, they are public school teachers, bringing these ideals into their classrooms every single day. 

Being a public school teacher is more than a profession—it’s an act of love and resilience. It’s standing at the frontlines of shaping the future, especially in times when light feels dim. For Tali and Adi, their journey through Hashomer Hatzair wasn’t just a chapter of their youth—it was a foundation for the work they do now.

Tali is a middle school social studies teacher at a Chicago Public School. Many of her students are new immigrants to the United States, and come from low-income families.

Tali sees her job as both a way to teach critical thinking skills and to encourage cooperation and community between her students. She believes that what we learn from the past can be used to change the present for the better and help prepare young people to be independent and socially and politically engaged in an increasingly complex world. 

Her time in Hashomer Hatzair showed her the importance of critical thinking. It also taught her that young people are capable of thinking critically about complex subjects and are an essential group for making just change in the world.

Adi has taught 6th grade for 8 years. Her title may be Humanities teacher, but teaching middle school is to teach values as children grow into adults in this tough world. 

Growing up at Camp Shomria was such a gift, because she learned that education is not just the books you read but the experiences you have and the people you have them with. Every day, Adi builds community in the classroom because of the way her first and best learning community- her Kvutzah- taught her to learn.

These words remind us of the power of what we build together. Hashomer Hatzair doesn’t just shape individual lives—it shapes lives that shape others.Their light is our shared legacy. And this legacy needs your support. Please join us in keeping that light alive.

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