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
Head of School
Head of School
Ms. Leah Moskovich
Associate Principal
Associate Principal
Mrs. Aliza Gewirtz
Dean of Students
Dean of Students
Mrs. Yael Axelrod
Judaic Studies & Programming Director
Judaic Studies & Programming Director
Ms. Kymberly Baker
Assistant Director of Admissions & Office Manager
Assistant Director of Admissions & Office Manager
718-479-8550
Mr. Erez Bar-Levy
Spanish & Makeup Exam Coordinator
Spanish & Makeup Exam Coordinator
Mrs. Shulamith Biderman
Science
Science
Ms. Sophie Blumenthal
Learning Specialist
Learning Specialist
Mrs. Rena Boord
Director of College Guidance, Junior Grade Dean, & English
Mrs. Rena Boord
Director of College Guidance, Junior Grade Dean, & English
Mrs. Rena Boord is the Director of College Guidance, the Junior Grade Dean, and an English teacher. 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.
Math
Science
Ms. Sydney Daitch
Judaic Studies & Programming Director
Judaic Studies & Programming Director
Ms. Chaviva Fisher
Executive Director
Executive Director
Mrs. Ruth Fried Chair, Science Department
Chair, Science Department
Ms. Chevi Friedman
English, Yearbook Advisor, & AP Coordinator
English, Yearbook Advisor, & AP Coordinator
Dr. Ariella Gettenberg
School Psychologist
School Psychologist
Rabbi Dr. Chesky Gewirtz
Psychology and Torah, Stern College Course
Rabbi Dr. Chesky Gewirtz
Psychology and Torah, Stern College Course
Rabbi Dr. Chesky Gewirtz received his doctorate in Combined Clinical-School Psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University (YU) and his Master’s in Education from Azrieli Graduate School of Education at YU. Additionally, he has rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He has worked and taught in a wide range of clinical and educational settings and is currently an administrator and clinical psychologist at a hospital in Queens, NY and has a private practice in Long Island specializing in anxiety treatment. He also serves as an adjunct clinical supervisor for YU’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. While he has long felt connected to the Central family, he is excited to formally join the team, teaching a college-level course. He, his wife Aliza (Dean of Students) and four children reside in West Hempstead, NY.
Ms. Kathy Gold
Learning Specialist
Ms. Kathy Gold
Learning Specialist
Ms. Kathy Gold earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Secondary Education, with a minor in Judaic Studies, from New York University and her Master’s degree in Special Education from Hunter College. She is a special education teacher and worked for the NYC Department of Education for thirteen years. She is also an executive function coach for Beyond Booksmart, as well as a private tutor in her community. Her volunteer experience includes being the education coordinator for Meorot, a board trustee for the Great Neck Library, a member of the Hebrew board of North Shore Hebrew Academy and an executive board member of the Young Israel of Great Neck. Ms. Gold is passionate about empowering young people to build their metacognitive skills, self-advocacy skills and growth mindset to help them continuously achieve their academic and social-emotional goals.
Mrs. Alisa Goldberger
Director of Operations
Director of Operations
Ms. Lisa Goldman
Educational Administrator & Attendance & Regents Coordinator
Educational Administrator & Attendance & Regents Coordinator
Rabbi Joshua Goller
Mashgiach Ruchani
Mashgiach Ruchani
Mr. Joel Golombeck
Art
Mr. Joel Golombeck is an artist, designer and storyteller. He is the founder and creative director of two creative studios: Rocket Chair Media (creating stories fusing art and interaction with literature and poetry) and A Thing Design (digital design, development and marketing). Prior to starting Rocket Chair Media and A Thing Design, he received an MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons, The New School for Design. In 2008, he received a BS in Studio Art from New York Univeristy. He continues to maintain his own artistic practice (primarily painting and drawing), and is author and/or illustrator to works of fiction and poetry. Mr. Golombeck has presented his work and lectured in a broad range of academic, art and literary institutions and harbors a passion for meaningful communication, teaching and learning at every opportunity.
Ms. Naida Gonzalez
Physical Education
Ms. Naida Gonzalez
Physical Education
Mr. David Horstman
Physics
Mrs. Atara Himmel
Graphic Design
Graphic Design
History
Ms. Sari Kahn
Director of Institutional Advancement
Director of Institutional Advancement
Mrs. Marci Karoll
Director of Technology
Director of Technology
History
Mrs. Shulamis Krohn
Math
Mrs. Osnat Laks
Hebrew Language
Hebrew Language
Mrs. Karen Lavner
Judaic Studies & Freshman Grade Dean
Judaic Studies & Freshman Grade Dean
Rabbi Zvi Lew
Israel Guidance Director
Israel Guidance Director
Ms. Lisa Rothstein
Chair, English Department
Chair, English Department
Ms. Beverly S. Segal
Consultant
Consultant
Mr. Michael Spindel
Engineering
Engineering
Rabbi Moshe Taub
Judaic Studies
Judaic Studies
Rabbi Taub serves as the Marah D’Asra of the Young Israel of Holliswood/Holliswood Jewish Center. He resides in Holliswood, Queens with his wife Nechama, and five children kn’a.
Mrs. Rebecca Teper
Judaic Studies & Senior Grade Dean
Judaic Studies & Senior Grade Dean
Rabbi Elie Weissman
Tanach Coordinator
Tanach Coordinator
Rabbi Elie Weissman is the Tanach Coordinator and a member of 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 Tanach BeShanah program.
English
Science
Mrs. Saritte Wolkenstein
History
Mrs. Saritte Wolkenstein
History
Having had experience as an attorney, Mock Trial Coach, College Guidance Counselor, as well as teaching various subjects in other schools, Mrs. Wolkenstein has an impressive array of accomplishments. Mrs. Wolkenstein has a teacher’s certificate from Michalah Jerusalem College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Brooklyn College. She also holds a Juris Doctorate from Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Mrs. Wolkenstein is a passionate teacher who takes the time to make sure her students understand the lessons and are able to apply them to real-life politics. “The paths which the girls are forging for themselves along with the stellar guidance of our esteemed faculty, will help them navigate our difficult world in the future.”
Math