MetroWest Jewish Day School

As part of a learning community, we invest in our teachers and staff to develop their skills and help them grow as professionals and individuals.

I found your staff to be particularly passionate and engaged and the students to be really on task and excited. It appears that you have created an environment of inquiry and creativity and you should be proud of these efforts. ~ Principal of a local public middle school upon visiting MWJDS

To email a staff member, click his or her name below.

  

 HEAD OF SCHOOL

Behzad Dayanim is the new Head of School of MetroWest Jewish Day School. Most recently Behzad has been the Head of School of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford. He is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and has earned an MBA from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management and an MA in Education from the Hornstein Program in Jewish Communal Service, both from Brandeis University.

In addition, Behzad brings a wealth of educational and work experience having been involved with several educational institutions throughout the Boston area, serving in a range of creative and educational capacities. He is also President & Artistic Director of Berach Productions, a business offering a wide array of creative services including musical performance, composition & production and creative and strategic marketing. Behzad was an early member of the MWJDS faculty when we first opened our doors. He looks forward to applying his diverse skills, experience and passion to support our wonderful faculty and staff in their efforts to serve our students and their families.

Behzad is a person of high integrity and compassion with a deep love for children and Judaism. In his new role as our Head of School, he will build upon the very foundation he helped to create, having infused our community with a special ruach (spirit) that inspires us to this day. He lives in Newton with his wife Rachel and three daughters, and is excited to be rejoining our community.

Classroom Faculty

Nitzan Singer is the MWJDS Kindergarten teacher. Originally from Israel, Nitzan has lived in Massachusetts since she was five years old. Nitzan recently completed the DeLeT program and received a Master of Arts in Teaching in elementary education from Brandeis University. Her internship as a DeLeT fellow was in a first grade classroom at Boston’s Jewish Community Day School in Watertown, MA. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of MA at Amherst, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Education. At UMass, Nitzan was a Resident Assistant and worked with students with physical disabilities. Nitzan is very passionate about using creativity when teaching and learning and cannot wait to bring this enthusiasm and ingenuity into her classroom. Nitzan and her family live in Burlington.

Rebecca Byard is the MWJDS first grade teacher. She received her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University and is a graduate of Oberlin College where she majored in biology and environmental studies. Rebecca prior job was a teacher in the pre-kindergarten class at Alef-Bet Childcare Center in Cambridge for four years. She has also worked at Drumlin Farm and her skills and interests in science and ecology are well suited for MWJDS. Rebecca and her husband Dan live in Watertown.

Ellen Fink is the MWJDS second grade teacher. Prior, she worked as a student teacher and special education teaching assistant in a first grade classroom in the Needham Public Schools. Before teaching in Needham, Ellen spent three years as a lead teacher at Kehillath Israel Nursery School in Brookline. Teaching preschool inspired her to return to school to earn her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Cambridge College. Ellen loves the enthusiasm and joy for learning that young children bring to school. As an avid reader, she especially enjoys sharing the world of books with her students and helping them to build a foundation of early literacy skills.

Janis Kamin, grades three/four teacher, joins the MWJDS faculty with a variety of skills and experiences. Janis has her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Rider University, and a master’s degree in Special Education from Framingham State College. For the past 13 years, Janis has taught children with special needs in Westborough and Framingham Public Schools. Prior to that, she taught preschool at Temple Beth Sholom in Framingham. Janis resides in Framingham with her family.

Eliza Weiss is MWJDS’s Teaching Assistant for grades three and four, and teaches Social Studies to fourth graders. Eliza is a graduate of Brandeis University’s DeLeT program, an initiative that trains adult learners to teach general and Jewish studies in Jewish day schools. In 2008, she traveled to South Africa, where she volunteered at the Baphumelele Children’s Home, an AIDS orphanage outside Cape Town. In addition to Eliza’s MAT degree, Eliza holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Tulane University and a Master of Science in Journalism from Boston University. Eliza continues to write freelance articles for various publications, including the Jewish Advocate. Eliza lives in Boston with her dog, Jack.

Dara Grossman brings her experience, energy, and passion to MWJDS as our fifth grade teacher and Social Justice Coordinator. Prior to joining the MWJDS faculty, she worked as a fourth grade teacher at Claremont Preparatory School in New York City. Dara received her Masters Degree in Childhood Education from New York University, while student teaching in the New York City Public Schools. She completed her Bachelors degree at Union College, where she majored in Sociology and studied Hebrew and Judaic Studies. Dara is a member of the Young Leadership Division’s Kadimah Program, a year-long leadership development series that serves to educate participants about CJP and the Boston Jewish community. She lives in Boston with her husband, David.

Carrie Fuchs is the seventh grade Humanities teacher. Most recently, Carrie worked as a learning specialist at Cohen Hillel Academy in Marblehead, MA, where she implemented early reading programs and taught and supported 7th and 8th graders in Social Studies and English. Carrie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Masters in Business from Simmons Graduate School of Management and a Masters in Special Education from Lesley University. Carrie has worked extensively as an educational consultant developing strategy initiatives and evaluating programs including Gateways, Hebrew College and Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Carrie was the consultant for and Executive Director of The Sudbury Valley Jewish Special Initiative. Previous to educational consulting and teaching, Carrie worked as an environmental planner for the Boston Harbor and The Central Artery Tunnel Projects. Carrie lives with her husband, Gary Girzon, and their children, Ben and Maya, in Sudbury, where they are active members of Congregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley.

Elana Rome, a native of Newton, MA, is the MWJDS Math and Science Coordinator, as well as the seventh grade math and science teacher in the ATID program. She graduated from Harvard College in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a teaching certification for middle and high school mathematics. She taught 7th, 8th, and 10th grade math at the Community Charter School of Cambridge, math and science for 6th and 7th graders at the Summerbridge Cambridge program, as well as 4th and 6th grade math and Hebrew at Cohen Hillel Academy. Aside from teaching, Elana’s passion is music. As an undergraduate, she directed a co-ed a cappella group, the Harvard Opportunes, and currently sings with the Zamir Chorale of Boston. She also works at the Jewish Reconstructionist overnight camp, Camp JRF, during the summer where she supervises the C.I.T. staff. Elana lives in Watertown with her puppy, Mali.

Hebrew Faculty

Orly Bejerano is the MWJDS Hebrew Coordinator and language instructor. Orly, a native of Israel, has taught adult Hebrew language classes at MWJDS as part of our community adult education programming as well as elementary school students. She brings her wide range of experience which includes teaching children at the Maimonides School, the Temple Beth Am Hebrew School, the Prozdor program of Hebrew College, and the Chabad Center of Natick. She has also been a Hebrew Lecturer at Brandeis University. Orly received her Masters and Bachelors degrees from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Hebrew teacher training at Hebrew College in Newton as part of the Neta Project, a curriculum initiative in Hebrew language and culture for day school students.

Sefi Dror, Hebrew teacher, joins MWJDS after spending many years as a preschool teacher in the Metrowest area. Sefi, a native of Israel, has a wonderful ability to interact and guide children of various ages. As a graduate of the Avni School of Art in Tel Aviv, Sefi has a strong knowledge of many art forms. She integrates her artistic abilities with her Hebrew instruction enabling her to teach children with a variety of learning styles. Sefi lives with her family in Newton.

Tali Mugg, Hebrew and Judaics teacher, received her bachelor degree in Education and a teaching certificate from the Ministry of Education. Prior to teaching at MWJDS, Tali taught Judaics and Hebrew at Worcester’s New Jewish Academy for more than a dozen years. Previously, she was a mentor to a student in the Master’s of Arts in Teaching degree program at Brandeis University. In addition to her teaching responsibilities at MWJDS, Tali is a Hebrew instructor at Clark University in Worcester and is the Central MA Federation’s Boston-Haifa liaison. Tali serves on the Board of Directors at the Worcester Jewish Community Center, where she will serve as the Camp Habonim’s Director. Tali was named by the Jewish Federation of Central MA for the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. She lives in Holden with her husband, also a teacher, and her children.

Supporting Faculty

Patricia Kelly-Bernhard, an accomplished artist and art educator, is the MWJDS Art Teacher and the After School Program Coordinator. Since receiving her BFA and Masters Degrees in Education, Patricia’s classroom experiences include teaching visual arts in public and private schools, pre-school age through grade 12, directing an after-school program, teaching studio classes at the Worcester Art Museum and teaching painting to private students. Additionally, for over ten years, Patricia taught visual arts for children with special needs and physical challenges. She continues to exhibit her own work at many galleries and art spaces in Worcester County as well as in several private collections in the U.S. and Scotland.

Gretchen Marks Brandt, Director of Teaching and Learning, shares with the faculty her enthusiasm for integrating Jewish and general studies. She was the General Studies Principal at Striar Hebrew Academy and the Assistant Head of School and Director of the Judaic Studies at the New Jewish Academy. Gretchen holds a BS in Earth Sciences and a BA in English from the University of California at Berkeley; her graduate work at Boston University had a research emphasis in Jewish identity. Gretchen taught elementary, middle school, high school, college, and adult education; she also worked at Camp Ramah in New England, where “everyone is a Jewish educator!” An active member of Temple Israel of Natick and the Chabad Center of Natick, she is enthusiastic about helping to lead a Jewish day school in her own community. Gretchen and her husband, Stewart Brandt, sent their four children to Jewish day schools.

Amy Brickman, Learning Specialist, has been teaching religious school and Jewish family education in the Boston area since 1992. She received her Bachelors Degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew College, and Masters Degree in Special Education from Lesley University. Amy is the lead MWJDS staff member using the Wilson Reading Program. She works with students, both individually and in small groups, in classrooms and in the Learning Center. Amy enhances MWJDS’s capacity to meet the needs of all of our students across the curriculum.

Wayne Goldstein is the school’s Wellness and Physical Education teacher. He brings to MWJDS over 15 years of experience in management and supervision of school, synagogue and summer camp programs. He serves as Director of Informal Youth Education at Temple Emanuel in Newton. Previously, he was the Operations Coordinator for the JCC Maccabi Games for the JCC of Greater Boston and Regional Director for the Mulberry Childcare Centers. Wayne has also directed after-school programs for the Leventhal Sidman Jewish Community Center and the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston. He holds a Masters Degree in Sports Counseling and Psychological Services from Springfield College and a Bachelors in Psychology from Clark University.

Phoebe Kazdin Schnitzer, PhD is the MWJDS School Psychologist and Coordinator of Special Education Services. A licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Harvard University, Dr. Schnitzer worked for more than 25 years with children and families through the Judge Baker Children’s Center in Boston, where she held a series of senior administrative positions. During that time she was also affiliated with the psychology staff of Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Schnitzer has worked in local Jewish day school settings since 2001. As of January 2010, she began a research position at Brandeis University’s Women’s Studies Research Center.

Administration

Dina D’Amico, our Development Associate, brings a wealth of project management and event experience to the role. Previous to MWJDS, Dina worked at College Pro Painters, where she rose from the ranks from administrative assistant to project coordinator and conference planner. Originally from Connecticut, Dina attended UMass Amherst, where she studied apparel marketing. Dina and her husband reside in Waltham.

The welcome from Victoria Felson, Office Administrator and Marketing Associate, is for many visitors the first indication that they have entered a welcoming environment when they come through the door at MWJDS. Before coming to our school, Victoria was Program Director of the Newton Historical Society, where she coordinated programming, marketing, public relations and community outreach—work she also performs for MWJDS. She also oversees many of the day-to-day functions of the school. Victoria spent 15 years in various roles in Boston’s real estate industry in marketing, leasing, property management and eminent domain, including work on Boston’s Central Artery Tunnel Project and the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Victoria holds a Bachelors degree in communications from Emerson College and is an active congregant at Temple Beth Am of Framingham where she and her family reside.

Robin Kaye, Operations Manager, has a diverse background in both the business and nonprofit sectors, including experience as Vice President of the Harvey Kaye Corporation. She also served as program coordinator at CBS-TV in New York. Robin’s extensive community involvement includes work with the Adult Patient Family Advisory Council at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and service as Team Captain and member of the Captain’s Circle for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. She had been active in the Framingham school system as room parent, coordinator of the computer expo, and reading tutor. She has also been a volunteer for the Brandeis University National Women’s Committee and the Framingham Chapter of Hadassah. Robin holds a B.S. from the Boston University School of Public Communications.

Valerie Montuori, RN, Consulting Nurse, brings many years of nursing experience to MWJDS. Valerie worked as a staff nurse in the Maternity and Labor & Delivery departments of a local hospital. Additionally, she is certified as a childbirth educator, lactation consultant. first aid and CPR instructor. Valerie has served as the Health Care Administrator and Camp Nurse at a local day camp. To satisfy to her creative energies, Valerie was a floral designer in Northboro where she resides.

As our Director of Development, Jan Schwartz is focused on building greater community awareness of and dynamic support for MetroWest Jewish Day School’s mission. Jan holds a Bachelor in Liberal Studies in English and Judaic Studies from Boston University. She is a graduate of Hebrew College’s Me’ah Program and, in 2009, participated in Brandeis University’s Fisher-Bernstein Institute on Philanthropy’s Development at the Core program. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Boston’s Women in Development. Before coming to MWJDS, Jan worked for Gateways: Access to Jewish Education and for a Cambridge philanthropist. A parent of a former day school student, Jan and her family live in Metrowest.

Risa Werblin is the MWJDS Director of Admissions. She combines her background in Jewish communal work and insurance sales, with her devotion to Judaism and Jewish education. Risa’s vast volunteer experiences both locally and regionally with Hadassah, Young Judea, and Temple Israel of Natick will help facilitate her recruitment efforts. Additionally, her involvement with promoting Jewish camping and youth initiatives complements Risa’s goals of increased community outreach and programming for pre-schoolers and young Metrowest families. Risa and her husband live in Framingham with their three children.

CONSULTANTS

 

 Carolyn Michaeli has been associated with MWJDS for many years as an Occupational Therapist and an active school supporter. She is particularly interested in wellness, mental health and health promotion. With five young grandchildren, including two in a Jewish day school, Carolyn has especially become interested in the learning styles and needs of toddlers and young children. Carolyn brings her expertise to our classrooms by creating exercises that enhance fine motor coordination. She works in groups and with individuals. Carolyn and her husband, Israel, are members of Temple Israel of Natick and Founders of MWJDS.

Francine Ferraro Rothkopf is the MWJDS Tefillah Coordinator. She was a member of the school’s Founding Board of Directors, and has been an active volunteer at MWJDS for many years. Francine has a Master of Jewish Liberal Studies from Hebrew College, focusing on Biblical and Rabbinic text interpretation, concentrating on educating people with special needs. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University; prior careers include theater management and computer technical support. She was the Cantorial Soloist for the High Holidays at Congregation Sha’arei Shalom in Ashland for the synagogue’s first 15 years and is a tutor for b’nai mitzvah students. Francine guides unaffiliated families in observing meaningful life-cycle events, including as baby namings, weddings, and b’nai mitzvah. She was a member of the Zamir Chorale of Boston for ten years. Francine lives in Ashland with her husband, David, and they proudly send three children to MWJDS.

Niza Weiss, Early Learning Hebrew Consultant, brings high energy along with theatrical and musical skills as a Certified Drama Instructor. Born and raised in Argentina, Niza made aliyah to Israel; she is fluent in English, Hebrew and Spanish. She majored in theater at the fine art high school Talma-Yalin in Tel Aviv, served two years in the Israel Defense Forces as both a sergeant and a developer of training program. She studied theater and dance in New York and has taught drama to children from preschool through elementary school students in Israel and Ireland for over 18 years, using her diverse background as a playground for kids to enrich their imagination and creativity skills. Niza resides in Framingham with her husband Ken and three children.

FOUNDING HEAD OF SCHOOL

Carolyn Keller, Founding Head of School, is a nationally recognized Jewish leader and educator. In establishing the first Jewish day school in Metrowest, she has overseen the development of a unique, integrated Judaic-general studies curriculum, welcomed families from across the spectrum of Jewish observance, and initiated educational and cultural programs for adults and families, making MWJDS a center of Jewish learning and celebration for the entire community. Previously, Carolyn served as Director of the Commission on Jewish Continuity and Education of Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Among the programs initiated during Carolyn’s tenure are Me’ah, now a leading model of adult Jewish education across the nation and Sh’arim, which trains family educators for synagogues and community centers. Carolyn is former Director of Camp Ramah in New England and of several religious schools and served as an instructor in Jewish Education at Hebrew College. A Jerusalem Fellow, Carolyn has received numerous awards from the Jewish community, including S’fatai Tiftakh Award from Hebrew College, the Keter Torah Award for Excellence in Jewish Education from the Bureau of Jewish Education; the Sidney Hillson Educational Award from Hebrew College; and the Bernard Reisman Professional Excellence Award from Brandeis University. Carolyn received her M.A. from Brandeis University, her Bachelors degree from SUNY Buffalo, and certification from the Harvard University Principal Center.

CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS

MWJDS is so grateful for the many volunteers who enrich our student experience and support our staff.

• Patricia Blank
• Ellen Bloch
• Joyce Bohnen
• Adele Carl
• Ann Green
• Rona Kahn
• Elaine Marmer
• Carolyn Michaeli
• Phyllis Peskin
• Rose Raduziner
• Cantor Scott Sokol
• Judy Spivak
• Robert Snyder