The Preschool at Mishkon Leadership Page

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The Preschool at Mishkon: Leadership

April Woods

Director of Education and Programming

April Woods is our Director of Education and Programming. In this role, April is in charge of the preschool, including recruitment and development of new school programs. She also works with Mishkon committees to create events and community partnerships that boost synagogue programming.

April has many years of experience in Early Childhood Education. In 2009, she was drawn to Los Angeles from Chicago to help open CHALK Preschool, and she later became ECE Director at University Synagogue and at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Most recently, she was Director of Admissions at Sinai Akiba Academy. Following the successful re-establishment of Mishkon's preschool, April, with her fresh eyes and many talents, is enhancing it as it expands.

April is on maternity leave, so please contact AdPreschool@mishkon.org with any questions.

Rabbi Joshua Katzan

Senior Rabbi

Born and raised In Los Angeles, Rabbi Katzan portrays the essence of the local vibe: He is intellectually open-minded, spiritually curious, grounded, warm, and accepting of all people.

As a child, his curiosity about Eastern meditation led him to explore his Jewish spiritual roots. He moved to Israel for several years to study Judaism intensively and became a Jewish educator, teaching high-school kids at Milken Community High School. Teaching, love of music, and devotion to Judaism led him to the rabbinate. He has made a career of exploring and sharing the depth and meaning of Jewish tradition and is passionate about making it relevant to people’s lives. As he puts it, the ancient wisdom of our tradition asks us the right questions, and it is an act of spirituality to explore how we respond to those questions today. His interests in psychology and music are front and center, and more than anything, he loves teaching and conversation, especially around an intimate Shabbat table.

At Mishkon, Rabbi Katzan conducts Shabbat services, leads a weekly Torah Study class in various venues, and regularly teaches on topics as diverse as meditation, spirituality, ethics, food/wine, philanthropy, and how to live more deeply. The preschool children love to sing with him, and the religious school kids light up because he makes Torah fun. He often sits on the Bet Din for conversions and welcomes converts, interfaith families, and seekers of all kinds.

He was ordained at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2003 and has served congregations in Denver, Colorado, and New York City. Rabbi Katzan is especially honored to be home and serving Mishkon Tephilo, the congregation his own great-grandparents founded.

Please feel free to reach out to Rabbi Katzan on the office phone (310) 392-3029 ext 6 or by email at rabbikatzan@mishkon.org.

Adriana Bailon

Early Childhood Education Administrator

Adriana Bailon serves as our Preschool Administrator. In this role, she oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of the preschool. Her responsibilities include ensuring appropriate staffing in each classroom, coordinating specialist schedules, supporting teachers with curriculum implementation, and stepping in as a substitute teacher when needed. She also plays a key role in facilitating smooth transitions for children and their families. Above all, Adriana helps uphold and reinforce the school’s mission and the values of Jewish tradition.

Adriana brings 16 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She began her career in 2009 as a teacher assistant in a Montessori setting and gradually advanced to the role of Lead Teacher. She later broadened her expertise by taking on responsibilities in school administration. Her passion for teaching led her back into the classroom at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Seeking continued growth, she joined the Preschool at Mishkon as a Curriculum Specialist and now serves as our Preschool Administrator.

Contact Adriana at AdPreschool@mishkon.org.

Sun, August 24 2025 30 Av 5785