YOU Lead 2024 - 2025 Cohort

Sarah is the Assistant Principal of General Studies for grades 1-4 at Arie Crown Hebrew Day School in Skokie, IL. Prior to joining the administration, Sarah served as a 2nd grade teacher, 2nd grade team leader, and the ELA Curriculum Coordinator and Instruction Coach. She received her Bachelors degree from Brandeis University and her Masters Degree from the University of Southern California. She is also a certified practitioner of Collaborative Problem Solving.

Lilach is the K-8 Hebrew Department Chair at Krieger Schechter Day School (KSDS) in Baltimore, Maryland. Lilach initially embarked on a career in pharmaceutical companies. Her lifelong dream of becoming an educator led her to pursue a teaching certificate and make a career shift fueled by her passion for teaching. At KSDS, Lilach works on curriculum development and the advancement of Hebrew proficiency among students, and oversees various initiatives, including an all-in-Hebrew 8th-grade musical. She holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a Teaching certificate from Levinsky College in Tel Aviv.

Tali is the Director of Student Wellness at Netivot HaTorah Day School in Toronto,Canada. Tali’s role at Netivot includes supporting students, staff and parents in all areas relatedto mental health and wellness. Tali is trained as a social worker and obtained her Masters ofSocial Work through Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She holds a BA with a major inPsychology from Reichman University, in Herzliya, Israel.

Gwenn is the Early Childhood Director at Katz Hillel Day School of Boca Raton. Her background includes previously teaching in both private and public schools, working at Camp Ruach, and serving as the Youth Director at the Boca Raton Synagogue. Gwenn holds a BA in Child Development and Management with a minor in Judaic Studies, as well as a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of Massachusetts. She also possesses Florida Child Care and Education Program Director and VPK Director Credentials.

Vardit is the Director of Technology and Hebrew Programs, and a teacher at Akiva School in Nashville, TN. Vardit was born and raised in Israel, where she worked at Motorola in a variety of IT roles. She loves to teach and to integrate her love of teaching with her love of technology. She received her Masters of Business Administration and her B.Sc. in Industrial and Management Engineering at Ben Gurion University in Be’er Sheva, Israel.

Stephanie is the Middle School Principal at Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton, Florida. Prior to joining the DKJA team, Stephanie spent over 15 years working as a K-8 principal in independent, charter and magnet schools in Chicago, Illinois. Before joining DKJA, she served as the Head of Middle School at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago. Stephanie holds a Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision from National Louis University, a Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning from DePaul University, and a Journalism BA from the University of Wisconsin Madison.

Henny Bochner is the Director of Educational Advancement at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, and has been teaching Jewish History, Psychology, and Biology there for the past 12 years. She received her BA in Psychology (Neuroscience) from Yeshiva University’s Stern College, and a MA in Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. Henny is completing her doctorate in education and administration at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education & Administration, and is working on a dissertation that explores Israel Education in Modern Orthodox Yeshiva High Schools.

Rabbi Bodner is the K-12 Judaic Studies Principal at Denver Academy of Torah (DAT). Before DAT, He served in various rabbinic positions including Rabbi of the Stanton Street Synagogue on the Lower East Side and as Rabbi of Congregation Ramath Orah on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He also held the position of Mashgiach Ruchani at the Ramaz Upper School and taught in their Tanakh, Talmud, Hebrew and JLT departments. Prior to that he worked as a corporate law attorney in Tel Aviv for several years and served as a combat fighter in the IDF’s armored corps during the Second Lebanon War. Aviad earned an LLB in Law from Bar Ilan University and received his semikha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

Jackie is in her third year as Director of General Studies at Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School. Jackie has served as coach and administrator in several public school districts in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, and has worked in adult, family and early childhood education in rural Connecticut. Her passion is teacher coaching and professional development. Jackie holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, a Master of Education from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, and an Education Specialist Principal’s license from Concordia University - St. Paul.

Dr. Derin is the Co-Curricular Programs Director and a Humanities teacher at the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital. After having served as a paratrooper in the IDF, David was the Middle School TaNaKh teacher at Carmel Academy in Greenwich, CT, as well as an athletics coach. Most recently before joining Milton, David was a coach and Judaic Studies teacher at the Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School in Northridge, CA. David holds a BA in History and Social Science Education from the University of Southern California (USC), a Masters in Jewish Education from Hebrew College and the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem, and a Doctor of Education degree from USC. His dissertation work focused on meeting the needs of neurodiverse students in independent school settings.

Yafit is the Director of Humanities at the SAM Middle School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She has previously taught English and History to grades 6–12 in New York City and Memphis, in addition to volunteer-teaching in Israel over the summer. Throughout her years in education, Yafit has been passionate about developing creative experiential learning opportunities for students, from pioneering school newspapers to running Model UN, as well as planning educational field trips in order to engage students in their learning. She earned a bachelor’s in English Literature from Brooklyn College, a master’s in Secondary English Education from NYU, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Jewish Education and Leadership from Yeshiva University.

Naomi is a sixth grade Humanities teacher and the Middle School Student Activities Coordinator at Hannah Senesh Community Day School in Brooklyn. Before working at Senesh, Naomi was an 8th grade ELA teacher at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Boston, where she was once a student herself. Naomi earned her BA in English and Education at Washington University in St. Louis, as well as a master’s degree in Technology, Innovation, and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Rebecca Frazin-Chan is the director of admissions at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago. Previously, Rebecca served as the director of engagement and programming at Chicago Sinai Congregation, and the government affairs manager at the Greater Chicago Food Depository and for U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10). She holds a BA in psychology and Jewish studies from Indiana University-Bloomington, and a master's in Jewish professional studies from the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. She is participating in the 2024-25 cohort of YOU Lead.

Sally is Director of the Arts at Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School. Sally has spent two decades in the field of Jewish education, developing and spearheading theater based educational and therapeutic programs. Sally’s work includes over ten years in the YOF Elementary School guidance team, 12 years facilitating the renowned Witness Theater program and directing close to 75 theatrical productions, many of them originals. She holds an MA in Drama Therapy from NYU and a NYS license in Creative Arts Therapy. Sally was recognized in 2018 as one of the Jewish Week’s “36 under 36” and she received the 2019 Covenant Award for excellence in Jewish Education.

Lisa is the Upper School Division Director at Sulam, a special education inclusion program in Rockville, MD, where she oversees the educational program for high school students included at Berman Hebrew Academy. Lisa ensures that each student receives the individualized support they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Before joining Sulam, Lisa served in positions including Inclusion Coordinator for the Jewish Abilities Alliance in Atlanta, educator at SINAI Maayanot, and was a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist for many years, working with a broad range of students and educators from preschool through high school, both in and out of the classroom in public and private schools as well as in Camp HASC. Lisa also spent three summers as Program Director for Camp Shoshanim and Camp Mesorah. Lisa holds a B.A. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Stern College and an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University.

Allison is currently the Dean of Students and Director of Learning Support at HANC High School. Prior to joining HANC, Allison was a Special Education teacher and Student Activities Director at both Manhattan Day School and Yeshiva Har Torah. Allison holds a BA in Jewish Studies from Queens College and a dual Masters degree in General and Special Education from Hunter College.

Mara is the Director of Jewish Life & Learning at the Milwaukee Jewish Day School. Prior to joining the administrative team, Mara spent a decade working at MJDS in Jewish studies and Hebrew classes. She student taught at Striar Hebrew Academy in Sharon, MA, and began her career as a teacher at Hillel Torah in Skokie, IL. At MJDS, Mara supports teachers and staff in infusing Jewish life in the school; aligns classroom teaching with the Jewish studies curriculum; and facilitates Tefillah and holiday experiences for students, staff, and families. She holds a BA in Jewish Studies and Hebrew & Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin, and an MA in Teaching with a focus on Jewish Day School Education, as part of the DeLeT Fellowship from Brandeis University.

Amy is Director of Academic Advising at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School. She works with students to ensure proper academic planning and extracurricular involvement throughout their four years of high school. Amy has worked in the College Guidance office at NSHAHS for over a decade and continues to advise students in the college application process. She holds a BA in Journalism from Lehigh University and a MSEd in School Counseling from Hunter College.

Ariella is the Director of Student Support Services in Yavneh Academy, located in Paramus, NJ. Prior to this role, Ariella taught English Language Arts for over a decade in Yavneh Academy and other schools. She was also a high school learning center teacher and has taught a few other subjects as well. After graduating from Stern College for Women with a BA in Elementary Education, Ariella received her Masters in Special Education from Queens College.

Sari is the Dean of Student Life in the Primary School at Hillel Torah. This role provides Sari the opportunity to continue to build the community and trust amongst students, staff, and families. For over a decade, she served as an elementary and middle school classroom teacher in Hillel Torah’s General Studies department. Sari holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from National Louis University, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and is certified in Collaborative Problem Solving and Responsive Classroom.

Ricki is the Dean of Academic Operations at Naaleh High School. Prior to joining Naaleh, Ricki devoted over 15 years to teaching at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus, NJ, where she also served as the LMS Coordinator for several years. Additionally, she worked for one year as a Curriculum Coordinator for The Consortium of Jewish Day Schools (CoJDS), contributing to the ongoing development of their published curricula. Ricki holds a BA in Education from Stern College and a Master’s in Literacy from Fordham University.

Sarah is the Dean of Student Life in Middle School at Hillel Torah. Prior to this role, she spent 10 years teaching first and third grade and also served as the Middle School Athletic Director and Basketball Coach at Hillel Torah. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with endorsements in middle school science, social science, math, and language arts.

Karen looks forward to entering her third year as the Associate Director of Curriculum (General Studies) at Bialik Hebrew Day School in Toronto. Prior to this role, she was the Primary Vice Principal for six years. Karen loved teaching in the classroom at many grade levels from Kindergarten to grade 8. Karen completed an Honours B.A. at York University, and a B.Ed. at OISE at the University of Toronto. She has since completed specialist qualifications in Mathematics, Kindergarten and Library studies.

Rabbi Muller is the Curriculum and Academics Coordinator at Beth Rivkah in Montreal. Prior to working at Beth Rivkah, he spent over a decade developing Jewish-themed experiential workshops, and teaching in New York and Montreal. Since joining Beth Rivkah 16 years ago, his responsibilities include coaching teachers, onboarding new staff in curriculum development and overseeing the academic progress of each student. Rabbi Muller holds a B.A. in Advanced Rabbinics (Semicha) from Central Lubavitch Yeshiva and Certificate in Inclusive Ed (McGill).

Jenna is the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Mentorship, and fifth grade teacher, at Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Prior to joining the Hebrew Day School team, Jenna worked as a fifth grade teacher for National Heritage Academies, designed and taught writing enrichment programs for the Canton Academy for Excellence, and privately tutored students in both remediation and enrichment formats. Jenna has a special interest in ELL advocacy and in intentional instructional design to best suit the needs of multilingual students in the mainstream classroom. She holds a BA in Elementary Education from Michigan State University with minors in both K-12 Language Arts and TESOL.

Sabrina is the General Studies Principal at Beth Rivkah Academy of Montreal. With 18 years of experience teaching sciences across diverse high schools, Sabrina brings a wealth of educational expertise to her leadership role. She holds a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) from the University of Montreal.

Jenny is the Elementary School Director of Student Support Services at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus, NJ. Prior to heading the Elementary School Learning Center, Jenny spent over a decade in Yeshivat Noam as the Assistant Director of Student Support Services, General Studies Curriculum Coordinator, and Learning Center teacher. Jenny holds a BA in Jewish History from the University of Judaism (American Jewish University).

Aviva is a Jewish History and Ivrit teacher at TanenbaumCHAT High School in Toronto, where she has been a faculty member since 2001. As the department head of Ivrit, Aviva leads a department of 16 teachers. She is a graduate of the Concurrent Teacher Education program at York University, and holds a master’s degree in education from York. Other highlights of her career include teaching at the Leo Baeck Day School and Associated Hebrew Schools. Since 2016, Aviva has served as president of the Federation of Teachers in Hebrew Schools in Toronto working passionately and tirelessly to ensure all parties in the schools are respected and their needs met.

Reena is the Director of Student Support at RASG Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach, Florida, where she oversees the academic and social emotional needs of the elementary school students. Previously, Reena served as a school psychologist in the West Hempstead School District in Long Island, New York. In her roles, she provides essential psychological services and support to students, helping to create a nurturing and effective learning environment. Reena holds a BA in Judaic Studies and Psychology from the Anne Blitstein Teachers Institute and a Masters in Education and School Psychology from Queens College.

Rabbi Rhine is a Middle School Rebbe, 8th grade madrich, and Tefilla coordinator at Brauser Maimonides Academy in Hollywood, Florida. He is also the Youth Director of Boca Raton Synagogue in Boca Raton, Florida. Prior to joining BMA, Rabbi Rhine worked at Westchester Hebrew High School in New York, where he taught High School Judaics and served as the school’s Athletic Director. Additionally, he has over a decade of experience in Camp Administration, including Chinuch Director, Boys Head Counselor, and Day Camp Director. He holds a BA in Psychology, Semicha from RIETS, and an MA in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education, all from Yeshiva University.

Josh is a Middle School Judaic Studies Teacher, with focus in teaching Chumash and Gemara. He is currently entering his 15th year in education and 10th year at Yavneh Academy in Paramus, New Jersey. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Josh is the 6th Grade Dean, focused on building relationships with the 6th graders and helping them ease their transition into Middle School. Josh is also the Co-Director of Student Activities; in this capacity, he plans trips, color war, Shabbatons, and many other in-school activities. Josh pursued undergraduate education at Yeshiva University, and a Master’s in Education and Special Education from Touro University.

Aliza is the Director of Speech and Language at Yeshivat Shalshelet in Tenafly, New Jersey. Prior to joining the founding administrative team at Yeshivat Shalshelet, Aliza spent over 15 years conducting individual and group therapy sessions as well as helping students with language and learning challenges access curricula. Her experiences working in both private practice as well as various educational settings – including at Teaneck Speech and Language Center, Naaleh High School for Girls and Sinai Schools — have given her a unique understanding of language learning and its implications for academic success. She holds a BA in Communication Disorders from Stern College for Women and an MA in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Queens College.

Arlene is the Upper School Dean of Students, and Middle School and Upper School Science Teacher, at Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy. She has educational experience in science pedagogy and curriculum, and she served as an adjunct professor in several local universities. Arlene is a proud graduate of Barrack (formerly Akiba Hebrew Academy), where she taught grades 7-12 for several years before moving to a public school career for 19 years. She is happy to have returned to Barrack to continue her tenure in both administration and education. Arlene has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, and a graduate certificate in Administration.

Lindsay is the Director of Student Services at Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School in Toronto, where she oversees the social, emotional, and academic care of all students. Lindsay began her career as a middle school English Language Arts teacher. In addition, Lindsay founded a private tutoring and consulting company, where she provided individualized intervention for children with learning difficulties and consulted with dozens of families and institutions. Lindsay holds a Bachelor’s Degree from McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario) and a Master’s degree from Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario), both in English Literature, and Teacher’s Certification from D’Youville University (Buffalo, NY). Most recently, she completed a second Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology and Education at the University of Toronto. Lindsay has trained in risk management and deescalation, is a qualified Sounds-Write Practitioner and a CAIS Innovation Grants Recipient (2022) for her Response to Intervention research on implementing a science of reading based intervention program.

Ilan is the Hebrew Specialist and Instructional Coach Teacher for K-2 at Pressman Academy in Los Angeles, where he previously taught K-7 Hebrew and Judaic Studies. Before joining Pressman, Ilan taught these subjects at Temple Israel of Hollywood Day School. He specializes in the use of authentic materials through the proficiency approach to teach Hebrew as a living language. Ilan is also active through the Tikvah Fund in teaching Zionism and the history of Israel to eighth graders. He holds a BA in Linguistics from Tel Aviv University and completed additional graduate training in Early Childhood Special Education at California State University, Los Angeles. He also earned an MA in Hebrew as a Second Language from Middlebury College, where he is currently a doctoral candidate.