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YOU Lead 2022 - 2023 Cohort

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Rabbi Joey Adler
Rabbi Joey Adler

Dean of Students
Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy

 

Rabbi Adler is the Dean of Students at Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy’s Middle School. Prior to this position, Joey served as Rosh Moshava (Head Counselor) at Camp Moshava Ba’ir NJ for four years and as a Kollel Member at the Frisch School. He holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Yale University and will soon complete his MA in Jewish Philosophy and MS in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University, as well as semikha from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.

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Vinita Ahuja
Vinita Ahuja

Chief Strategy and Operations Officer
Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital

 

Vinita started as the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital in July, 2022. She comes to Milton following 15 years at Georgetown Day School, most recently serving as Director of Strategic Programs. Other experience includes work in DC nonprofits: as the Math Program Coordinator for For Love of Children, in fundraising for Community Family Life Services, and six years on the board of Rosemount Center early childhood program. Vinita attended Georgetown University undergraduate, including a year abroad in Strasbourg, France and received a BA in Government and French and a minor in Spanish and attended Havard’s Graduate School of Education where she received an MA in School Leadership.

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Rabbi Dr. Cody Bahir
Rabbi Dr. Cody Bahir

Director of Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Tucson Hebrew Academy

 

Rabbi Dr. Bahir is the Director of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at Tucson Hebrew Academy. Before that, he was the Dean of Jewish Studies at Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto, CA, after finishing a Post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley. After spending his teenage years in the Hasidic community, studying in yeshivot affiliated with Bobov and Tsanz-Klauzenberg, Rabbi Cody earned his BA at American Jewish University and first MA at Hebrew Union College before teaching in each seminary’s rabbinic program. By conducting extensive fieldwork in Taiwan for six years, Rabbi Cody taught English while earning his PhD in Humanities from Leiden University in the Netherlands before earning semichah from Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk.

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Stephanie Bash-Soudry
Stephanie Bash-Soudry

Director of Institutional Advancement
Golda Och Academy

 

Stephanie is the Director of Institutional Advancement, and the founding Development Director, at Golda Och Academy in West Orange, NJ. Prior to joining the Golda Och community, she held positions as Grants and Marketing Manager at Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, Young Leadership Director and Community Campaign Director at Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, and the Social Services Coordinator at Neponset Health Center. She earned her BA in Political Science from Brown University, and her MSW/MA from the Columbia University School of Social Work and Jewish Theological Seminary.

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Tarryn Breskal
Tarryn Breskal

Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Milken Community School

 

Tarryn is the Chief Financial and Operating Officer at Milken Community School in Los Angeles. Tarryn qualified as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa in 1997 where she worked at Arthur Andersen. She then worked for a year in the UK and qualified as a CPA in the USA in 2000. She worked as a CPA until 2003 at which time she took some time off to be with her children.  Tarryn grew up going to a Jewish day school and holds Jewish education as a high priority. Prior to taking on the position as CFO at Milken in 2019, Tarryn served on various school and non-profit boards and finance committees.

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Rabbi Matisyahu Devlin
Rabbi Matisyahu Devlin

Rabbi and Upper Elementary Curriculum Director
Lanaar Elementary School

 

Rabbi Devlin is currently a fourth grade rebbi in a transitional role at Lanaar Elementary in Miami, FL. He has experience teaching both kodesh and general studies over the past decade, ranging from first grade through adult education. Rabbi Devlin studied at various yeshivas in New York, and received his smicha from the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tomimim 770 in Crown Heights.

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Matthew Dorsch
Matthew Dorsch

Director of Learning Support
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy

 

Matthew is the Director of Learning Support at the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (Barrack) in Bryn Mawr, PA. Previously, he served as a Learning Specialist at Barrack and was the Volunteer and Program Coordinator at the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA). Matt received a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies and a Certificate in Jewish Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and holds a dual master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from La Salle University. He is currently completing an Interdisciplinary Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Saint Joseph’s University and expects to defend his dissertation by the start of 2023, focused on the impact of learning management systems on executive functioning skills. Matt also holds Pennsylvania Instructional II certifications in Elementary Education; Special Education; Mid-Level English, Math, Science, and Citizenship Education; and Technology Education.

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Caroll Dweck-Sutton
Caroll Dweck-Sutton

Director of The Pathfinders Department
Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School

 

Caroll is the Director of The Pathfinders Department at the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School, where she works alongside her four team members to guide students as they make career decisions. She also teaches AP Psychology and previously led the Social Sciences Department. Caroll earned an MA in Mental Health Counseling and Ed.M in Psychological Education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, she frequently consults with Jews in various age groups about their careers. She currently serves as the Director of the Young Professionals Board at Propel Network.

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Sharon Esses
Sharon Esses

Principal
Barkai Yeshivah

 

Sharon is the Principal at Barkai Yeshivah in Brooklyn, NY. Sharon has grown professionally at Barkai over the last 15 years. She has held positions as a teacher, teacher mentor, curriculum coordinator, assistant principal, and middle school principal before beginning her role as Principal grades 1-8 in 2021. Sharon holds a BA in Elementary Education from Yeshiva University Stern College, and Masters degrees in Teaching Literacy (2006) and School Building Leadership (2013) from Brooklyn College.

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Kate Friedman
Kate Friedman

Director of Jewish Culture and Curriculum
Hillel Day School of Tampa

 

Kate is the Director of Jewish Culture and Curriculum at Hillel Day School of Tampa. As a military spouse, she lived in a number of cities, and worked as a substitute teacher in all ages and subjects of Judaic and general studies while volunteering as much as possible in the community, with a niche in girls’ sports, speech and debate, and community programming. She previously held roles in teaching and athletic administration in midwest Hebrew schools and day schools, and stayed home with her children part-time. She earned her B.A. in Hebrew and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University, studied for a combined year in Israeli women’s seminaries, and also participated in additional programs in Holocaust education and Jewish teacher training.

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Lorne Grintuch
Lorne Grintuch

Director of the English School
Azrieli Herzliah High School

 

Lorne is the Director of the English School at Herzliah High School in Montreal, Quebec Canada. Lorne has been working at Herzliah High School for 15 years. He has been in his current role for the past three school years, and before that, he served as the Assistant Director, Vice-Principal, and a teacher in the math and sciences department. Lorne has also worked in various public schools in Montreal and the informal educational environment at summer camps and youth groups. He has been on the board of his synagogue and his community baseball organization, and loves coaching his kids’ baseball teams. Lorne has a Masters in Educational Leadership and Bachelor’s degrees in Education and Psychology.

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DJ Kaplan
DJ Kaplan

Director of Sulam@JDS
Charles E. Smith Jewish day School

 

DJ is the Director of Sulam@JDS. Prior to joining the Sulam team, DJ spent the last five years working at the Shefa School in Manhattan. He held many roles including Head Teacher, Teacher Resident, and Mentor Teacher, as well as served on many committees at the school. DJ attended Hunter College where he received his Master’s Degree in General and Special Education, as well as the University of Cincinnati where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Judaic Studies, a Minor in Psychology and a Certificate in Art Therapy.  

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Samara Kipnis
Samara Kipnis

Middle School Student Services Coordinator
Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School

 

Samara is the Middle School Student Services Coordinator at Hillel Torah in Skokie, IL. Prior to joining the school in 2021 first as a Middle School Learning and Behavior Specialist, she worked in both Jewish private schools and public schools in both the Chicago area and New Jersey. Samara graduated with a degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and has received certifications in the Nurtured Heart Approach, Collaborative Problem-Solving, and Wilson Reading System. In addition, she has been trained in mindfulness practices, trained by Berit Gordon in teaching targeted reading comprehension skills to middle and high school students, incorporating play into learning, and how to teach math to students with speech-based language disorders at the Shefa School in New York.

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Faye Rosenberg
Faye Kohn

Middle School Director of Academics and Instruction
Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey

 

Faye is the Middle School Director of Academics and Instruction at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey (RYNJ). Leading up to this role, Faye worked for twelve years as a learning specialist at RYNJ, teaching students in second grade through middle school and developing curricula for the Middle School Learning Center. In addition, Faye taught at the Hunter College Graduate School of Education as an adjunct professor for the Learning Lab. Faye holds an MS in Special Education from Hunter College, a BA in Educational Psychology from Empire State College, and Teacher Certification in both General and Special Education.

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Brett Kugler
Brett Kugler

Middle School Dean of Students and Director of Educational Support Services
Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy

 

Brett is the Middle School Dean of Students and Director of Educational Support Services at the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy. Prior to joining the Berman team, Brett spent the past 16 years working as a high school learning specialist and Z’man Kodesh Coordinator. In these roles, Brett managed caseloads of roughly 50 students each year and oversaw the growth and development of the minyan program for the high school. He also enjoyed coaching the middle school girls basketball team to three championships in the last four seasons. Brett holds a BA in Studio Art from the University of Maryland in College Park and an MS in Special Education (mild to moderate disabilities) from Johns Hopkins University.

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Chantal Lawrence
Chantal Lawrence

Director of Academic Student Support
Maimonides School

 

Chantal is the Director of Academic Student Support for the middle and upper schools at Maimonides School in Brookline, MA. Prior to starting this position in 2021, Chantal worked as the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Maimonides for six years. She served as the Director of Early Childhood Centers at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Boston for five years, and, before she and her family relocated to Boston, she pioneered a student support department at Addlestone Hebrew Academy in Charleston, SC. Chantal is originally from South Africa, where she worked as a school psychologist providing direct services to students and families, and later as a consultant to private and public schools. She holds a Master's degree in educational and counseling psychology.

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Maggie Madere

Language and Literacy Coordinator
Manhattan Day School

 

Maggie is the Language and Literacy Coordinator at Manhattan Day School, Yeshiva Ohr Torah. Maggie moved from New Orleans where she taught for almost a decade, most of which was at the Jewish Day School of Greater New Orleans. A lifelong learner, she holds a BA in Drama from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, a Master of Arts in Communications from Loyola University, a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans and is completing her doctoral research for a PhD in Educational Administration at the University of New Orleans.

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Rabbi Eli Mandel
Rabbi Eli Mandel

Vice Principal
TanenbaumCHAT

 

Rabbi Mandel is the Vice Principal at TanenbaumCHAT in Toronto, the largest Jewish Community high school in North America with over 1,200 students. He has been in this position for the past 17 years. Prior to that, he served as Jewish Studies Principal in PS Gymnasium #299 “Orach Chaim” in Kyiv, Ukraine, the first post-Communist Jewish school in Ukraine. Rabbi Mandel holds a B.Ed  from Lifshitz College in Jerusalem with a major in Talmudic Studies. He also holds Rabbinic ordination from Midrash Sefaradi in Jerusalem.

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Joshua Meisel
Josh Meisel

Lead Judaic Educator
Nishmat Adin Shalhevet Scottsdale

 

Josh is the Lead Judaic Educator at Nishmat Adin Shalhevet Scottsdale. Prior to Scottsdale, Josh has spent time as an educator in Seattle and Los Angeles working in roles with Student Life and Student support as well as teaching Judaic studies. Outside of the school setting, Josh has spent time working in leadership roles with Bnei Akiva and NCSY Israel. While in Israel, he spent five years learning in Yeshiva and serving in the IDF.

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Robin Meyerowitz
Robin Meyerowitz

Director of Maimonides Early Childhood Center
Maimonides School

 

Robin is the Director of Maimonides Early Childhood Center, a Reggio-inspired school that is a division of Maimonides School in Brookline, MA. She has worked for 40 years directing schools, including serving as the founding director of three different early childhood centers around the country. Robin has spent her career bringing the principles of progressive, child-centered education to the Jewish world, and davens every day to inspire our students and teachers to love Torah, love Hashem, and love learning. She holds a BA in Psychology and Education from Colombia University, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College, and a certificate in Statir family therapy.

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Avi Meyers
Avi Meyers

Head of Judaic Studies
Calgary Jewish Academy

 

Avi is the Head of Judaic Studies at the Calgary Jewish Academy in Calgary, Alberta. Prior to moving into this position, she taught a variety of courses and grade levels for over 15 years at the CJA. Avi has also served as lead educator at Beth Tzedec Congregation’s Shul School. She holds a BA in Religious Studies and a BEd in Primary/Secondary Education from York University, Toronto, as well as a Certificate of Jewish Education from the BJE in Toronto.

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Bat Sheva Miller
Bat Sheva Miller

Director of Upper School
Luria Academy of Brooklyn

 

Bat Sheva is the incoming Director of Upper School at Luria Academy of Brooklyn in Brooklyn, NY. Before joining Luria, Bat Sheva was the associate head of school at Oakland Hebrew Day School in Oakland, CA, where she worked closely with the faculty and the administrative team in curriculum development, student experience, and overall educational program. Bat Sheva was born in Israel and grew up in Brazil. She has a BA in journalism from PUC-Sao Paulo and a master’s degree in Special Education from San Francisco State University. Bat Sheva looks forward to making Brooklyn her new home.

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Emily Mintz
Emily Mintz

Third/Fourth Grade Classroom Teacher and Lower School Coordinator
MetroWest Jewish Day School

 

Emily is the third/fourth-grade classroom teacher and Lower School Coordinator at MetroWest Jewish Day School. Before joining MWJDS she worked as an assistant teacher at Maimonides School in Brookline. Since joining MWJDS in 2018, she has worked as the third-grade teacher as well as the EdTech Specialist this past year. Emily holds a BA in Creative Writing from Brandeis University, an MA as a Specialist Teacher in Reading from Lesley University, licensure through Massachusetts in Elementary Education and Reading Specialist as well as certification in educational technology leadership through Johns Hopkins University.

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Suzanne Mishkin
Suzanne Mishkin

K-6 Sager School Principal
Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago

 

Suzanne is the K-6 Sager School Principal at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago. Before joining Schechter, Suzanne worked for almost ten years as a middle school special education teacher at both the South Area Solomon Schechter Day School in Stoughton, MA and at a local public middle school in Skokie, IL. She has a BS in special education from Boston University and a Masters of Administration from Loyola University Chicago, where she was part of a Jewish day school principal training program and cohort.

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Leah Perl
Leah Perl

Middle School General Studies Principal
Yeshivat Noam

 

Leah is the Middle School General Studies Principal at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus, NJ. Prior to this role, Leah was a Curriculum Coordinator, Teacher Mentor and Middle School Language Arts Teacher at Westchester Day School. She holds a BA from Brandeis University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Bank Street School of Education as well as a Certificate in School Leadership and Management from Harvard University.

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Avigayil Raskin
Avigayil Raskin

Middle School Principal
Mazel Day School

 

Avigayil is the Middle School Principal at Mazel Day School. Prior to becoming principal, Avigayil worked as a Humanities teacher for over 15 years at a variety of Jewish day schools in Brooklyn. She holds a BA in Psychology and in Youth Work from Edith Cowen University, Australia, a Certificate in Teaching from Ohel Chana Teaching Institute, and a certificate from The Maurice Ralph Julis Principal Training Institute.

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Sydney Robinson
Sydney Robinson

Primary School Student Services Coordinator
Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School

 

Sydney is the Primary School Student Services Coordinator at Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School. Prior to her coordinator role at Hillel Torah, Sydney was a primary school resource teacher. Sydney is a graduate of Indiana University where she received her Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education. She received her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis with an Emphasis in Autism from Ball State University. Sydney attended training for the Fountas and Pinnell Reading Curriculum, Wilson Reading System and Orton Gillingham multisensory approach to reading.

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Jennifer Sebrow
Jennifer Sebrow

Director of Gan Yavneh
Yavneh Academy

 

Jennifer is the Director of Gan Yavneh, Yavneh Academy’s satellite program for Early Childhood Education. Prior to Joining Yavneh, Jennifer was the Early Childhood Literacy Coordinator at Manhattan Day School and an Adjunct Professor at Hunter College in the Graduate School for Education. She holds a Masters in Literacy Education from Hunter College and a BA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University.

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Eli Shavalian
Eli Shavalian

Director of College Counseling & Academic Planning
Milken Community School

 

Eli is the Director of College Counseling & Academic Planning at Milken Community School. Eli spent the formative years of his career working in Undergraduate Admission, first at Yeshiva University followed by the University of Southern California. Wanting to connect more closely with applicants, he transitioned to working in College Counseling, most recently as the Director of College Counseling and Academic Guidance at Shalhevet High School. Eli holds a BA in Psychology from Yeshiva University and an MPA (with an emphasis in Higher Education) from the University of Southern California.

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Amira Soleimani
Amira Soleimani

Director of Judaic Studies Curriculum and Instruction
Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit

 

Amira is the Director of Judaic Studies Curriculum and Instruction at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit. Prior to joining Hillel, Amira served as the Head of the Bible Department at the Frankel Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit. She holds a triple BA in Judaic Studies, Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies, and Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies from the University of Michigan, an MA in Talmud from Tel Aviv University, and a Certificate in Talmud, Jewish Thought, and Pedagogy from the Shalom Hartman Melamdim School for Teacher Education.

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Erica Stein
Erica Stein

Fourth Grade Grade Level Leader and General Studies Teacher
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

 

Erica is the Fourth Grade Grade Level Leader and General Studies Teacher at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Maryland. Erica has dedicated her career to teaching Jewish children. Prior to teaching fourth grade, Erica taught religious school and preschool outside of Atlanta and first grade in South Florida. Most recently, Erica taught first grade at JDS before moving to her position in fourth grade. She holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Connecticut College and an M.S.Ed from Walden University.

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Miriam Swann
Miriam Swann

Principal of General Studies
Arie Crown Hebrew Day School

 

Miriam is the Principal of General Studies at Arie Crown Hebrew Day School in Skokie, IL, where she has served as an administrator for the past 10 years. Prior to that, she taught English at Lake Forest High School in Illinois, worked on curriculum restructuring and served as a mentor to new staff members. From 1996-2004 she lived in England and served as Deputy Head of the English Department at Bay House School in Gosport. She holds a BA in English from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, an M. Ed. degree in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Illinois at Chicago, and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

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Dayna Wald
Dayna Wald

Upper School Principal of Hebrew Language and Judaic Studies and Director of Hebrew and Judaic Curriculum, JK-12
David Posnack Jewish Day School

 

Dayna is the Principal of Hebrew Language and Judaic Studies for grades 6-12 and Director of Hebrew and Judaic Curriculum for grades JK-12 at Posnack School in Davie, FL. Dayna has spent over a decade in day school Jewish education, and she held several different leadership roles in administration. Previously, she was the Principal of Hebrew Language and Jewish Studies, and most recently she served as the Lower School Principal, both at Hochberg Lower School in North Miami Beach and Hallandale Beach, FL. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and STEM Education for Elementary and Middle Grades from Nova Southeastern University, an MA from the William Davidson Graduate School for Jewish Education in Day School Education, a BA from List College in Bible Studies, and a BA from Columbia University in English.

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Diane Weintraub
Diane Weintraub

Science Department Chair and STEM Research Coordinator
Kohelet Yeshiva High School

 

Diane is the Science Department Chair and STEM Research Coordinator at Kohelet Yeshiva High School. She has been at Kohelet for the past 18 years. She earned a BS in biochemistry/molecular biology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and an MS.Ed in teaching and learning from Drexel University. She holds Pennsylvania state secondary certifications in both chemistry and biology.

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Yali Werzberger
Yali Werzberger

Assistant Principal
Hebrew Academy Five Towns and Rockaway Middle School (HAFTR)

 

Yali is the Assistant Principal at HAFTR Middle School. She is also a psychologist in private practice. Previously, Yali has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at Queens College and Touro University, and has worked as the Director of Guidance and Pupil Personnel Services at HAFTR Middle School. She holds a BA in Political Science from Queens College, an MSEd in School Psychology from Queens College, a Psy.D. in School-Community Psychology from Hofstra University, and a Certificate in Jewish Day School Teaching from Michlalah Jerusalem College.