A team of highly qualified, talented and widely recognized professionals are dedicated to nurturing our students as individuals in an atmosphere of open inquiry. Our faculty members include recipients of the Gruss Award, the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, the New York English Council’s Educators of Excellence Award, and the Toyota/National Science Teachers Association Tapestry Grant. Our teachers serve as role models for a new generation, and provide our students with personal attention and challenging academic experiences to help them realize their full potential. Our teachers’ investment and commitment continue long after our students graduate, as attested by the close relationships they maintain, and the advice, guidance, and unwavering support they provide.
Ms. Bracha Rutner
Interim Head of School
Ms. Bracha Rutner is the Head if School. Ms. Rutner teaches Talmud and Halakha. Ms. Rutner also serves as the Yoetzet Halakha at the Kemp Mill Synagogue in Silver Spring, MD. She has given numerous lectures throughout the New York area on the interface of halakha and various women’s issues, such as gynecology, infertility, women’s health, and family dynamics and sexuality. She graduated from Stern College for Women and completed her Yoetzet Halakha training in Nishmat’s Keren Ariel Women’s Halachic Institute in Jerusalem. Ms. Rutner is a graduate of the Bruria Scholars Program in Midreshet Lindenbaum, is a graduate of the ATID Fellowship Program in Jerusalem, and has participated as a fellow in the Lookstein Continuing Education program. As part of her ATID fellowship, Ms. Rutner published a pamphlet about eating disorders entitled “Body and Soul: A Guide for Addressing Eating Disorders in a Jewish Education Setting.” Ms. Rutner completed her MA in Talmud from the Hebrew University and her Masters in Education Administration from St. John’s University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Administration at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. She lives with her husband and four children in West Hempstead, NY.
Ms. Beverly Segal
Associate Principal
Ms. Beverly S. Segal is Associate Principal. She is a seasoned educator with an outstanding reputation in both formal and informal education. Ms. Segal possesses a love and understanding of teenagers and a passion for engaging students in discovery and exploration. Her career has been dedicated to advancing Jewish education and promoting thoughtful approaches to the critical questions we face in the Jewish community. Before coming to Central , Ms. Segal was a core faculty member at SAR Academy in Riverdale, NY for 17 years, where she was both highly respected and beloved. In addition to her classroom experience, Ms. Segal designed innovative learning programs for the Early Childhood Center, served on the Teachers’ Liaison Committee, and chaired the New York State Association of Independent Schools accreditation subcommittee with a focus on school administration. She has presented workshops on curriculum to educators. Ms. Segal graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. She holds two Master’s degrees, one in Education from Adelphi University and, most recently, in School Building Administration from St. John’s University. Ms. Segal has also served as Program Director in Jewish and secular summer camps for the last eighteen years. She is an attorney, having graduated from Yeshiva University’s Cardozo Law School, and is a member of the New York State Bar. Prior to becoming an educator, Ms. Segal practiced as a litigator in Washington, D.C., and worked for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Manhattan.
Ms. Leah Moskovich
Associate Principal
After four amazing years as a Central student (and Central Wildcat!), Ms. Leah Moskovich graduated Central and went on to Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY), for a year and a half of advanced Torah study in Israel. She then attended Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University, participating in the first cohort of the Legacy Heritage Scholars Program, and graduating magna cum laude with a B.A. in Jewish Education. While at Stern College, Ms. Moskovich also returned to Central as a senior chaburah leader. After graduating Stern College, she began teaching at Central as a Legacy Heritage Teaching Fellow, while assisting in Student Activities, and completing her Masters from the Azrieli Graduate School, receiving an M.A. in Jewish Education. She is currently working toward her EdD in the Azrieli Doctoral Program for Administration. Ms. Moskovich is currently one of our Associate Principals, overseeing the Judaic Studies and Student Life departments.
Mrs. Rivka Alter
Judaic Studies
Mrs. Rivka Alter is a new member of the Judaic studies department. She was previously a Judaic studies instructor at the Denver Academy of Torah for 15 years. She graduated from Stern College for women and holds a masters in secondary Jewish education and is currently completing her doctorate at the Azrieli School of Jewish education. Mrs. Alter serves as a yoetzet halakha for the Riverdale community. She lives in Bergenfield, NJ.
Mr. Erez Bar-Levy is a member of the Foreign Language Department and he teaches all levels of Spanish to our students. He is also known as “Profe”, a Ph.D. candidate at Stony Brook University, with a B.A. and M.A. in Spanish from Binghamton University and St. John’s University. Aside from influencing the world with the Spanish Language & Culture, he is also a passionate reader of the Spanish Golden Age Literature.
Ms. Kimberly Baker
Assistant Director of Admissions and Office Administrator
Assistant Director of Admissions and Office Administrator
Baker@yuhsg.org
718-479-8550 ext. 116
Mrs. Shulamith Biderman
Science, Attendance Coordinator
Mrs. Shulamith Biderman, a member of our Science Department, teaches the science of Forensics, supports our Biology and Chemistry courses, and is our laboratory technician and instructor for Biology and Chemistry. In addition, Mrs. Biderman is the attendance coordinator. Mrs. Biderman received her B.A. from Brooklyn College. Before joining the faculty of Central, Mrs. Biderman taught Biology at Shevach High School and Prospect Park High School, and was a lab instructor at Shulamith High School.
Mrs. Rena Boord
Director of College Guidance
Mrs. Rena Boord is the Director of College Guidance. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Stern College for Women and a Masters of Education, along with certification as a School Psychologist, at Queens College. Rena hails from Midreshet Shalhevet where she worked as both the Director of College Guidance and a member of the English faculty. Rena has also been an ACT and SAT test prep consultant for over 20 years and brings her well established knowledge of the exams to her role.
Mr. Yitzchok Borenstein is a member of our Math Department. He received his B.A. in Math with a minor in Secondary Education from Queens College in 2005. He has also passed four actuarial exams. Previously, he taught at Yeshiva Derech Hatorah, where he taught Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry. He has also taught AP classes, including Statistics, Microeconomics and Psychology. Mr. Borenstein is also trained by CIJE to teach STEM classes.
Mrs. Miriam Chopp, a member of our Science Department, teaching Chemistry and AP Chemistry. She also mentors our science teams in a number of statewide and local competitions. She came to us with ten years of experience, teaching Regents Biology, Chemistry and Earth Science at prominent yeshiva high schools in the metropolitan area. Mrs. Chopp is a magna cum laude graduate in Chemistry from Brooklyn College and holds Master’s degrees in Chemistry and Secondary School Education. In 2012 she received her Master of Science in Teacher Education in Science from Columbia University. She is also a graduate of Michlalah in Jerusalem and was the recipient of an Empire State Mathematics and Science Teacher’s Fellowship. Mrs. Chopp is listed in the 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2005 – 2011 editions of “Who’s Who in Education”. In May 2008, she received the Senator Padavan Certificate of Honor for local teachers. During the summer of 2010, Mrs. Chopp attended the 5th Annual Schwartz Family Science Teachers Seminar at the Davidson Institute of Science Education at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. She attended a three week chemistry modeling seminar sponsored by STEM teachers NYC at Columbia University during the Summer of 2016. She is currently acting as a mentor to new teachers following completion of a two year training course sponsored by the Jewish New Teacher Project.
Mrs. Chani Cooper
Learning Specialist
Mrs. Chani Cooper is a member of our Learning Center. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in History from Queens College. She also holds a Master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education as well as a Master’s in General and Special Education from Touro’s Graduate School of Education and Special Education. Mrs. Cooper has previously worked in the Special Education Department at Manhattan Day School. She has a passion for helping each and every student succeed.
Ms. Chaviva Fisher
Executive Director – Tuition & Budgeting
Ms. Chaviva Fisher served as the Director of Finance at Yeshiva University, where she worked with multiple departments overseeing operations and budgeting. She earned an MS in Accounting as well as an MBA in Finance from Baruch College. Ms. Fisher lives in Teaneck, NJ with her husband and three children, where she serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Congregation Beth Aaron.
Mrs. Hadassah Frankel
Judaic Studies, Chessed Coordinator
Mrs. Hadassah Frankel is a member of our Judaic Studies Department, teaching Chumash to students in the eleventh grade and Navi in the ninth and tenth grades, as well as joining our Religious Programming Department. She graduated summa cum laude from the Honors Program at Stern College, where she studied Judaic Studies, Mathematics, and Philosophy, receiving the Miriam Araten Memorial Award for Excellence in Bible. She is currently completing her Master’s at the Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration of Yeshiva University. Mrs. Frankel was a madricha on NCSY Michlelet for two summers, and worked at Camp Kaylie. Prior to joining the faculty at Central, Mrs. Frankel worked at Bruriah High School, where she taught Judaic Studies and Math and was the program director for the junior high school.
Mrs. Ruth Fried
Chair, Science Department
Mrs. Ruth Fried is the Chairperson of the Science Department and the Coordinator of the Science Institute. She teaches Regents Biology and Advanced Placement Biology. She serves as the liaison to the Yeshiva University High Schools/Albert Einstein College of Medicine Joint Summer Research Program. She was a summa cum laude graduate of Stern College for Women, where she majored in Biology, and she holds a Master’s degree in Biology from New York University. Mrs. Fried is a member of the Educational Steering Committee for the March of Dimes Nelson Rosenthal Convocation. In the summer of 2008, Mrs. Fried was selected to attend the third Sheila Schwartz Family International Leading Science Teacher Seminar at the Davidson Institute of Science Education at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. She received certification to implement both the Davidson Institute and the British Neufield Foundation Science Literacy Program (LSS – Learning Skills for Science). In 2014, she judged the NYSSEF (Andromeda Division) Science Division. Mrs. Fried is a recipient of the $10,000 Toyota Tapestry Grant from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
Ms. Laura Fruchter
Director of Academic Support
Ms. Laura Fruchter is the Director of Academic Support. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Sociology from Queens College. She is a Learning Specialist with a Master’s degree in Special Education with a specialty in Severe and Multiple Disabilities from Hunter College. During the summer, Ms. Fruchter is the director of the Yachad program in Camp Morasha. She has a passion to help each student recognize her individual potential and succeed at accomplishing her goals. She is the grade level coordinator for our sophomores, and serves as chesed coordinator.
Mrs. Aliza Gewirtz
Director of Admissions
Mrs. Aliza Gewirtz is the Director of Admissions and a member of our Judaic Studies Department. A proud graduate of Central, where she served as GO President her senior year, Mrs. Gewirtz also studied at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim and at Stern College for Women. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Judaic Studies with a minor in Business, and earned a Masters in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. In addition, she is a licensed social worker with a MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Mrs. Gewirtz is the Director of Public Relations at Camp Kaylie. She is also one of the freshman grade deans.
Mrs. Alisa Goldberger
Office Manager
Mrs. Alisa Goldberger is our Office Manager. Mrs. Goldberger sits at our front desk, greeting students, faculty, and parents, assisting our administrative team with their day-to-day needs. She holds a BS in Business Communications from Touro College and was the recipient of the Academic Excellence award. Before coming to YUHSG, Mrs. Goldberger worked in the office at YULA Girls’ School in Los Angeles.
Rabbi Joshua Goller
Mashgiach Ruchani
Rabbi Joshua Goller serves as our Mashgiach Ruchani and teaches Chumash and TSBP/Halakha in our Judaic Studies department. In addition to his role at Central, Rabbi Goller currently serves as the Assistant Rabbi at the Young Israel of West Hempstead, giving multiple weekly shiurim and offering other vibrant adult education and community programs. Before coming to Central, Rabbi Goller was a teacher at HANC High School and a part of their Beit Midrash Program. Previously, he served as the Assistant Rabbi of the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates. He earned his BA in History and received Semicha from Yeshiva University. Rabbi Goller’s dedication to making Torah learning and lessons personal for each student has increased the prominence of personal religious growth in our school community. Rabbi Goller’s insight and leadership is a strong part of the religious guidance team at Central, supporting all of our efforts to design opportunities for our students to make strides in their personal religious growth as an integral part of their Central experience.Rabbi Goller has been an important voice in the leadership of the West Hempstead community and we are excited that his insight and leadership will be a strong part of the religious guidance team at Central. Rabbi Goller’s leadership will support all of our efforts to design opportunities for our students to make strides in their personal religious growth as an integral part of their Central experience.
Mrs. Audi Hecht
Chair, History Department
Mrs. Audi Hecht is the Chairperson of the History Department, teaching AP US History, AP US Politics and Government, and Trendsetters and Trailblazers, an elective examining the political, historical, and sociological trends in the U.S. She holds both B.A. and M.A. degrees in Political Science from Brooklyn College, with an emphasis in American Government. Mrs. Hecht also attended the Rothberg International School at Hebrew University in Jerusalem where she studied Middle Eastern Politics. In addition, Mrs. Hecht served as Adjunct Instructor of Political Science at the College of New Rochelle.
Mr. Richard Isaacs is a member of our History Department. He was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in History from the University of Toronto, and a Master’s degree in Jewish History from Touro College. Mr. Isaacs also spent many years in yeshiva/kollel in Israel. Mr. Isaacs has taught high school history and English literature for almost twenty years. His specialties are the U.S., Europe, and the Far East. He enjoys directing theater productions, and, as a Canadian, enjoys coaching and playing hockey.
Mrs. Marci Karoll
Director of Educational Technology
Mrs. Marci Karoll is the Director of Educational Technology at Central. Mrs. Karoll has spent most of her career working in the Jewish communities of New York and Chicago. Prior to coming to Central, Mrs. Karoll was a program officer at the Legacy Heritage Fund. With a portfolio focused on Jewish education and technology, she developed and implemented www.DahBear.org, an online Hebrew language tool designed to help teachers integrate technology into classroom lessons, enabling students to effectively learn and review Hebrew subjects. Mrs. Karoll was also responsible for the management and support of the Legacy Heritage SMARTBoard Project, including the SMARTBoard Jewish Educational Database which offers more than 2,400 SMART Board lessons created by and for teachers in Jewish schools across the U.S. Mrs. Karoll holds a Master’s degree from Touro College in Instructional Technology and a Master’s degree in Human Services Administration. Mrs. Karoll completed the YU Lead Program of the Center for the Jewish Future, a year long Day School Leadership Development Program.
Mrs. Amy Katz, a member of our History Department. Mrs. Katz teaches Global Studies and U.S. History. Mrs. Katz holds a B.A. in History from SUNY Binghamton, where she minored in Judaic Studies. She received a Master’s degree in Secondary School Social Studies Education from Queens College. She has participated in the Azrieli Graduate School Summer Seminar for High School Teachers on “Issues and Themes in Holocaust Education” and the China Institute’s “Women in Chinese History.” Mrs. Katz also attended the workshop “Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: People, Places and Things” at the Museum of the City of New York, and the “African Burial Ground National Monument Workshop” at the African Burial Ground National Monument. She attended the U.S. History for Teachers of Advanced Placement program at Molloy College.
Dr. Riki Koenigsberg teaches AP Psychology. Dr. Koenigsberg received her B.A. cum laude from Barnard College with honors in Psychology, her Master’s degree from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and her doctorate from George Washington University, where she studied under a National Institute of Mental Health fellowship. Dr. Koenigsberg is a licensed psychologist who has worked for over thirty years with children, adolescents and their families, as well as with senior adults. She is a consulting psychologist to the Queens Borough Public Library System and has served as an adjunct assistant professor of Psychology at Stern College and Touro College. She also speaks on psychological and Jewish topics to women’s groups in the Queens community. In the summer of 2011, she was one of twenty-five school psychology teachers invited to participate in a three-day workshop sponsored by the American Psychological Association and Clark University on the Clark campus.
Ms. Diane Kolatch teaches English, supervises the school newspaper, and serves as an English consultant in the Learning Center. She received a B.A. in Religion from Columbia University and an M.A. in Secondary English Education from Teacher’s College. Prior to teaching at Central, Diane taught at The NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies.
Mrs. Rebecca Teper
Judaic Studies
Mrs. Rebecca Teper is a member of our Judaic Studies Department and the Assistant Director of Student Activities. She teaches ninth grade Chumash and tenth grade Navi. After two years in Michlalah Jerusalem College, she graduated with High Honors (Summa Cum Laude) from Queens College with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in History. Mrs. Teper has completed her Master’s degree at the Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration of Yeshiva University as part of their 1-year accelerated Master’s program, Prior to joining the faculty at Central, Mrs. Teper taught Judaic Studies at Yeshiva of Central Queens and SAR Academy. Over the summer, as part of their Head Staff team, Ms. Konigsberg works as a Divison Head in Camp Morasha. She has experience with programming from having created camp-wide themes and activities as well as having helped orchestrate Shabbatonim, special occasions throughout the school year, and grade-wide trips in YCQ.
Ms. Kimberly Konzack is a member of our Mathematics Department. She teaches Algebra, Geometry, and AP Calculus. She is experienced in the instruction of all upper level mathematics courses at both high school and university levels. Ms. Konzack was the valedictorian of her high school class and attended Adelphi University on a full academic scholarship, obtaining her B.S. in Mathematics, with summa cum laude designation and her M.A. in Mathematics/Secondary Education. Ms. Konzack began her career at HAFTR High School in Cedarhurst, where she taught various Regents level classes. She then taught for ten years at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School in Great Neck. Besides teaching all levels of Mathematics at North Shore, she was director of the “Drop-In” Center Program for extra help and coordinated the Work Study Program for seniors. She is also an adjunct professor at Adelphi University.
Ms. Elana Kook
English Teacher
Ms. Elana Kook is a member of the English Department and student activities team. Ms. Kook earned her B.A from Yeshiva University with Summa Cum Laude honors where she majored in English Literature and completed a minor in History, and also served as Editor in Chief of the newspaper. Elana completed her M.A in Adolescent Literacy from Fordham University, where she also received her NY State teaching certification. Prior to teaching at Central, Elana taught middle school English in a NYC Public School. She teaches ninth, eleventh, and twelfth grade English classes and is also one of the freshman grade deans.
Mrs. Karen Lavner
Judaic Studies
Mrs. Karen Lavner, a member of our Judaic Studies Department, teaches Chumash and Jewish History. She also serves as junior grade level coordinator. In the past, Mrs. Lavner served as the faculty advisor for the Names, Not Numbers© Holocaust Memorial Project. Mrs. Lavner is a summa cum laude graduate of Stern College with a B.A. in Judaic Studies and Psychology. She was awarded the Belkin Scholarship for Academic Excellence, the Miriam Araten Memorial Award for Excellence in Bible, and the Ida Lamport Hurowitz Memorial Award for Excellence in Psychology. She also served as coordinator of the Peer Counseling Program at Stern College for Women. Before coming to Central in 2007, Mrs. Lavner worked in psychology research at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. We note with pride that Mrs. Lavner was the valedictorian of Central’s Class of 2002 and the recipient of the Keter Shem Tov award.
Rabbi Zvi Lew
Israel Guidance Advisor
Rabbi Zvi Lew, a member of our Judaic Studies Department, also serves as our Joy Rochwarger Balsam Israel Guidance Advisor. He teaches Chumash and Halakha/Gemara. On Fridays, Rabbi Lew teaches a shiur to our returning alumnae. Rabbi Lew also serves as advisor to our champion Torah Bowl Team, as well as to our Senior Beit Midrash. In addition to teaching at Central , Rabbi Lew teaches at Ateret Women’s Seminary of Queens College. Before coming to Central, Rabbi Lew was a faculty member at several area yeshivot, including SKA, Westchester Hebrew High School, and Yeshiva Netzach Dovid for Men. Rabbi Lew holds a B.A. in Psychology from Yeshiva University. He studied at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University for Rabbinic ordination. He is a Master’s degree candidate at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.
Mrs. Osnat Laks
Hebrew Language
Mrs. Laks recently joined Central’s Hebrew Language department and also teaches Ivrit in the Ptach program. Mrs. Laks grew up in Israel and received her degree from the Seminar Ohr Chaim, Bnei Brak. Afterwards she went on to obtain her Masters in Education from Seminar Haifa and a degree in special education from Seminar Tel Aviv. In Israel, she taught at the high-school Netiv Ohr in Chadera. There she taught Limudei Kodesh classes as well as special education classes. When she moved to the U.S., she taught at Westchester Day School and afterwards she taught at North Shore Hebrew Academy. There, she created the Hebrew Language curriculum for the Middle School and taught Jewish History and Lashon.
Dr. Katina Manko is a member of the history department. She holds a B.A. from Bradford College, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Delaware. In addition to a career in museums and archives, she has taught history to students of all levels, including student teachers at the Bard College Masters in Teaching Program, young scholars at Simons Rock College of Bard, and the Bard High School Early College. Most recently she was teaching at Magen David Yeshivah High School in Brooklyn. Dr. Manko specializes in US Women’s History, as well as World History.
Mrs. April McNally
Physical Education
Mrs. April McNally recently joined the Central family as a Physical Education teacher, and has implemented her unique style of mindfulness and wellness into the curriculum. Over the past twenty years. Mrs. McNally has worked in education in a variety of settings which include teaching physical education and health K-12, coaching Varsity /JV Track and Softball, GBL basketball Coach, and served as the Third President of her school’s PTA. Mrs. McNally has completed over a thousand hours in yoga and meditation trainings and has created relaxation, and stress relieving techniques geared specifically for a school and classroom environment. Mrs. McNally is also the Co-Founder of All 4 One Kids Yoga which supports kids with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and Down Syndrome. As an advocate for health, Mrs. McNally uses her skills and expertise to teach transformational tools to find balance in everyday life and physically challenges her students to be the best versions of themselves. Mrs. McNally received her Bachelor of Science from Dowling College, attended Graduate School at Adelphi University in Health and Physical Education, and received a Master of Arts from Teacher Education University.
Mr. Gili Nagar
Chair, Math Department
Mr. Gili Nagar is the chair of the Mathematics Department. He has a B.A. in Computer Science from Academic College of Tel-Aviv-Yafo. He also has an M.S. in Mathematics Education from UMass D as well an M.A., with honors, from Tel-Aviv University. He is currently a PhD candidate in Mathematics Education at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass D). His research focuses on high school mathematics teachers’ conceptualization of variance and invariance in a dynamic geometry environment. Prior to coming to Central, Mr. Nagar taught math at middle school, high school, undergraduate and graduate school level. He was also one of the developers of the non-profit organization, Educating for Excellence, which supports children from low socioeconomic backgrounds to realize their potential for excellence in their academic studies and social life. He teaches Algebra and Precalculus to our students.
Mr. Sabyasachi Rath is a faculty member of the Science Department at Central. He teaches Physics and AP Physics to the eleventh and twelfth graders. He studied Physics as an honors subject along with Mathematics and Chemistry for his Bachelor of Science degree at Ravenshaw College, India. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics from Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay and from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. During his graduate studies he participated in the MuLan experiment which was aimed at the measurement of positive muon lifetime to a precision of 1ppm. His research includes experimental high energy physics, nuclear physics and biophysics. Prior to coming to Central, Mr. Rath taught Physics at various undergraduate colleges and institutes. He had developed Physics lab activities for non-physics, engineering and physics major students. He taught General Physics (both calculus and non-calculus), Physics for health and life sciences, Technical Physics, Problem Solving in Physics courses over the years as a Physics teacher. His Physics teaching focuses real world applications based on scientific principles that can steers minds and offer solutions to challenges the world is facing now.
Mrs. Tova Rosenberg
Chair, Hebrew Language Department
Mrs. Tova Rosenberg is the Chairperson of the Hebrew Language Department and the Director of the Ulpanat Zvia Exchange Program at Central. Mrs. Rosenberg has extensive experience as a teacher mentor and curriculum developer. For 26 years, she was a college lecturer in Israel on “Methods of Teaching Hebrew as a Foreign Language.” In addition, as the creator of the acclaimed Names, Not Numbers© Intergenerational Holocaust Oral History Film Project, she serves as an educational consultant to a number of middle schools and high schools. Mrs. Rosenberg holds a B.A. magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Washington University in History, Hebrew and Jewish Studies. Her M.A., with honors in European and American History, is from St. Louis University. Mrs. Rosenberg’s coursework towards her PH.D. is from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She served as a day school principal in Pennsylvania and Toronto. Mrs. Rosenberg is the recipient of Yeshiva University’s Baumel Faculty Incentive Award in recognition of the Names, Not Numbers© Project.
Ms. Lisa Rothstein
Chair, English Department
Ms. Lisa Rothstein is the Chairperson of the English Department. In addition to teaching English, she also coaches the College Bowl and Poetry teams and advises the school newspaper. Ms. Rothstein earned a B.A. with both general and departmental honors in English, and an M.A. from the University of Chicago. Before coming to Central, she taught at Ramaz and Akiba Schechter in Chicago. Ms. Rothstein is a regular contributor to program development for the Princeton Review. She received the New York State English Council Educator of Excellence award in 2009, and the Princeton Review Teacher of the Year award in 2005 and 2009.
Ms. Tzirel Schwartz
Learning Specialist
Ms. Tzirel Schwartz is a new member of our Learning Center. She attended Bnos Sarah Teacher’s Seminary, earned her Bachelor’s degree from Excelsior College, and graduated with a Master’s of Science in Special Education, specializing in Learning Disabilities, from the University of North Dakota. Ms. Schwartz holds a Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language Teacher’s License from the Greater Miami Board of License for the State of Florida and is trained in both the Orton-Gillingham method for teaching reading, as well as the KriahMaster approach to teaching Kriah. She has previously taught in Toras Emes Academy of Miami as well as Bnos Malka Academy in Queens, gaining experience in both the general education classroom and the special education resource room. Ms. Schwartz has also worked one-on-one with high school students who have learning challenges, to break down complicated concepts, modify exams, and provide the necessary accommodations for their individual needs. She has a passion to bring out the strengths in each of her students and build their confidence and desire to succeed, so each girl can shine and reach her full potential.
Ms. Karine Shauli leads our Art Department. She teaches Survey in Art, Foundations in Art, Studio Art I, Studio Art II, and Graphic Design. A graduate of Boston University with a B.A. in both Elementary Education and Advertising, Ms. Shauli has maintained her creative outlet through both learning and teaching. She followed her degree with an Associates in Fine Arts at Nassau Community College, where she was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for outstanding academic performance. Following NCC, she attained a certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Design in Fashion and spent a year interning in the field. With a background in fine arts, advertising, fashion, and education, Ms. Shauli has joined us at Central to stimulate and educate the creative minds of our students.
Mrs. Estee Shor
Assistant to the Principals; Registrar
Mrs. Estee Shor is our Assistant to the Principals and the Registrar of our main office. She brings her many years of managerial experience and organizational expertise to the Central administrative offices, maximizing our efficiency with a level of excellence and professionalism that is recognized by all. As Registrar, Mrs. Shor manages our school records, student files, and reports from the moment a student enters our school until many years past graduation. Mrs. Shor also oversees the many home/school communications that occur throughout the course of the academic year and is actively involved in supporting the administration. Her care and concern for each student often makes her desk the first stop for our students. Mrs. Shor received her B.A. in Psychology from Stern College and has been active in the field of informal Jewish Education for many years.
Growing up primarily on Long Island, Michael was raised in the deaf culture by two deaf parents. Living in these circumstances, Michael learned to sign before being able to walk or talk. Having been an avid game player and programmer throughout high school, Michael decided to combine these two skills with a degree in Game Design and forthcoming Masters in Mobile Engineering. It is his hope that he can use his prior engineering experience to engage students in a rigorous and exploratory experience into the world of engineering. Additionally, he has spent the last two and a half years teaching both sign language and game design and is now looking to use his experiences both inside and outside of the classroom to enhance the students’ learning experience at Central. Michael brings real life experience with programming and designing games to the classroom. Michael is looking forward to having a positive year, and can’t wait to help his students learn and grow.
Rabbi Joshua Strulowitz
Judaic Studies
Rabbi Joshua Strulowitz is a member of our Jewish Studies Department and serves as the Torah Sheba’al Peh Curriculum Coordinator. He teaches Halakha/Gemara as well as Chumash. Rabbi Strulowitz received his rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He also received ordination from Rabbi Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg and Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst of Chicago. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Economics and received an award for excellence in Talmudic Studies while at YU. He is also nearing the completion of an M.A. in Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Talmudic Studies. Prior to joining the Central faculty, Rabbi Strulowitz served as a shul rabbi for over a decade. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise that will enhance the school experience in a multitude of ways.
Rabbi Elie Weissman
Judaic Studies
Rabbi Elie Weissman is a member of our Religious Programming Team and the Judaic Studies Department, who teaches Gemara and Navi. Rabbi Weissman received his B.A. cum laude in English from Yeshiva University and his Master’s degree in Bible from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. He was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Weissman serves as the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Plainview and has lectured for the Five Towns Tanakh BeShanah program.
Mr. Jason Williams is the Science Research/Methodology instructor for the Central Science Institute. Mr. Williams holds a B.S. in Biology from SUNY Stony Brook, and is currently an educator at the Dolan DNA Learning Center of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. An experienced researcher in his own right, he has mentored and supervised many high school students’ independent research projects, and has mentored several Intel Science Talent Search semi-finalists and top winners. Mr. Williams created and currently administers a program for advanced high school research students. These students participate in the international scientific conferences held annually at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. He is also the coordinator of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Partnership for “iplant,” a fifty-million-dollar National Science Foundation project that builds cyberinfrastructure for plant biologists.
Mrs. Rena Wolf is a member of our Judaic Studies Department and teaches Navi. Mrs. Wolf received her B.A. with honors from Bar Ilan University. She received her Master’s degree in Bible from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. She has served as a mentor as part of Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration Give-Back fellowship program. Mrs. Wolf is a recipient of a Fellowship at the Bernard Revel Graduate School and has received the Joseph S. Gruss Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Mrs. Danielle Wyner
Director of Guidance
Mrs. Danielle Wyner is the Director of Guidance. She is a New York State Licensed Master Social Worker, having received her MSW degree from Adelphi University. She also holds a B.A. in Psychology from Queens College. Mrs. Wyner is an alumna of Central (’01) and was the recipient of the Keter Shem Tov Award at her graduation. In addition to conducting regular meetings with students for academic and social development, she coordinates the Homeroom Program, which provides an extra layer of support to our students. Prior to her “return” to Central, Mrs. Wyner served as the school social worker at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County Middle School and High School, and as a psychotherapist at South Shore Child Guidance Center.
Mrs. Betty York is a member of our Mathematics Department, teaching all levels of Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, and Trigonometry. Mrs. York received her B.S. in Mathematics magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from City University of New York, followed by her Master’s degree in Math Education summa cum laude also from CUNY. She received her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University Law School. Mrs. York previously taught at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School in Great Neck, as well as at TAG in Far Rockaway. She began her career at the Bronx High School of Science.
