Staff Profiles - 2007 – 2008
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Carolyn Keller, 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 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 B.A. from SUNY Buffalo, and certification from the Harvard Principal Center.
FACULTY
Lauren Ayzenberg brings her experience, commitment and creativity to MWJDS as our Kindergarten teacher. She previously worked as a Lead Teacher at Gan Yeladim Early Learning Center in Newton, MA. Lauren received her Master's Degree in Creative Arts Learning from Lesley University while working full-time as a Special Education Aide in Brookline Public Schools. She loves using art and multi-media to inspire her students, skills she honed during co-ops in the Boston Public Schools while completing her B.A. in Art and Elementary Education at Northeastern University. Lauren has also worked as a counselor and mentor at Ramapo for Children, a UJA Federation camp, which serves children with a wide range of emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities.
Orly Bejerano joins the MWJDS faculty as a Hebrew instructor for a second year. Orly, a native Israeli, 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 Master's and Bachelor's 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.
Amy Brickman, Learning Specialist, returns to MWJDS for a second year after teaching religious school and Jewish family education in the Boston area since 1992. She received her undergraduate degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew College and is currently a candidate for a Master of Special Education from Lesley University. Amy is the lead MWJDS staff member on the Wisnia-Kapp Reading Program. She is looking forward to working with children in small groups in both the general and Hebrew curricula and enhancing MWJDS’s capacity to meet the needs of all of her students.
As Curriculum Director at MWJDS, Rachel Fier strives to create an environment which challenges children’s academic potential while maximizing emotional, social and spiritual growth. Rachel actively leads our teachers in developing curriculum and assessments to meet the needs of the MWJDS student population. She fosters collegiality and vertical curriculum alignment via professional development with MWJDS teachers. Rachel is a member of a professional cohort of school leaders that reviews current research and analyzes trends in education. Previously, she worked as a classroom teacher and a Reading Specialist in the Natick Public School System. When the Natick Public Schools was awarded a grant through the Massachusetts Early Literacy Intervention Program, Rachel was selected to be the Grant Coordinator. In this role, she developed curriculum materials for early literacy acquisition, created training materials and presented town-wide workshops for literacy tutors. Rachel has participated in and conducted extensive training and consultation in the area of math, including teaching a course for elementary educators. Rachel holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst as well as a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University.
Second grade teacher Deborah Freedman received her B.A. from Brandeis University, her J.D. from St. John’s University, and her MAT from Chatham College in Pittsburgh, PA. After a rewarding tenure as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, NY, she moved with her family to Pittsburgh, where she worked at a non-profit adoption agency, helping adopted teens and adults learn more about their birth families. As a natural progression of her interests, Deborah turned to teaching, earned her Master’s degree, taught in a synagogue religious school and at The Rashi School. She has traveled to Israel numerous times, spent part of her junior year at Hebrew University, and volunteered at two summer camps in Sderot. Deborah is also a Past President of the PTA at her sons’ Jewish day school. Deborah brings her collective experiences and strong Judaic and Hebrew background to MWJDS. Deborah loves to read and looks forward to sharing her favorite books and stories with her class.
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, and was the Operations Coordinator for the JCC Maccabia Games for the JCC of Greater Boston and a 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 Master's in Sports Counseling and Psychological Services from Springfield College and a B.A. in Psychology from Clark University.
George Marcus, Judaics teacher, is a graduate of Yeshiva University with both a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Jewish Education. He has a Master of Education from Boston University and a Doctorate in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. George served as the Educational Director of Temple Israel in Swampscott MA for twenty-one years and also served as the Executive Director of the Cohen Foundation Camps sponsors of Camps Pembroke, Tel Noar and Tevya. Dr. Marcus is the recipient of the Keter Torah Award of the Bureau of Jewish Education as well as the Dr. Benjamin Shevach Award from Hebrew College. He is presently in year 57 of teaching.
Assistant Teacher/Hebrew Specialist, Marjorie Matross, will officially join the MWJDS team this year having served as a substitute teacher last year. Marjorie has been working in the Natick Schools and serves on the faculty of Temple Israel, Natick. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Clark University. For the past nine summers Marjorie has directed the sports program at Camp Grossman. Marjorie is a fluent Hebrew speaker having spent many years in Israel and on kibbutz. Marjorie will be a part of the first grade team, ensuring that our students’ Hebrew, reading, and math skills are strong.
First grade teacher Allison Pollack is a graduate of the DeLeT (Day School Leadership Through Teaching) program, DeLeT is a post-B.A. fellowship program at Brandeis University for those interested in teaching in Jewish day schools. Allison received her Bachelor's degree in Sociology, with Anthropology minor, from Brandeis and her M.A. from Brandeis University this summer. In conjunction with her DeLeT fellowship, Allison taught at the Rashi School. Pollack's longtime commitment to the Jewish community includes work experience at Boston’s Jewish Community Day School; Temple Israel in Boston; and the Union of Reform Judaism’s Kutz Leadership Academy, a summer camp in New York that trains teens to become leaders in Jewish communities. With her worldwide travels and varied personal interests, Allison brings many teachable life skills to MWJDS.
Dr. Phoebe Kazdin Schnitzer is the MWJDS school psychologist and Coordinator of Special Education Services. For over 25 years, a licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Harvard University, Dr. Schnitzer has worked with children and families through the Judge Baker Children’s Center in Boston, where she held a series of senior administrative positions. Dr. Schnitzer also serves on the psychology staff of Children’s Hospital Medical Center and holds a teaching appointment at Harvard Medical School. She has worked in local Jewish day school settings since 2001.
Lizzy Siman-Tov, Hebrew Coordinator, a native of Israel, has extensive experience teaching Hebrew, Bible, history and literature to a variety of grade levels. She taught Hebrew as a second language at Hebrew College’s Prozdor Program for high school students. While working for the Israeli Education Ministry, Lizzy taught in a start-up, experimental school using new education methods for teaching reading and writing. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that a child’s second language is best learned by using the language itself; therefore she uses the Hebrew immersion method in her classroom. She also strives to ensure that students enjoy the experience of learning through the use of games, songs, and stories. Lizzy holds an Ulpan teaching certification, a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and a certified teaching diploma from the Seminar Hakibutzim College in Tel Aviv.
Judith Spitzberg, Creative Arts Director, brings an impressive array of accomplishments. She has a special talent for devising imaginative techniques to integrate music with all facets of education and brings an impressive array of accomplishments to the school. Judith wrote a music curriculum using the arts to reinforce concepts in science, history and language arts, which has been used by the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Department of Education and the Canton Public Schools. In 2004, she received the American Music Foundation Award for creative lesson plans which used dance, poetry, music and art to explore the music of Aaron Copeland. Judith received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Boston University's School for the Arts, a Master's from Lesley University in Creative Arts in Education and teaches graduate arts courses to fellow educators. Judith, a day school student herself, graduated from the Maimonides School in Brookline.
Yael Torbin, third grade teacher, is a graduate of the DeLeT program at Brandeis University. Yael brings to MWJDS her experience as a third grade teacher at the Rashi School where she taught math, writing, reading, Judaics, science and social studies. While at Rashi, she created a third grade curriculum designed to teach students about Israel. Yael, has a Master’s in Teaching from Brandeis and is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she served as vice president of Hillel. Her background also includes study at the American Intercontinental University in London, experience as a counselor at Camp Ramah, and service with Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ Young Leadership Division. Yael attended the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston.
Dayna Wald, fourth/ fifth grade teacher, comes to MWJDS after spending five years teaching and learning in Manhattan. Dayna received a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University in English Literature, a Bachelor of Arts from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in Bible Studies, and a Master of Arts in Jewish Education from JTS as well. Dayna has worked in a variety of Hebrew schools as curriculum developer and classroom teacher. She spent last year teaching sixth grade at the Heschel Middle School with special focus on Tanach and Rabbinics. Dayna is excited to be a part of the MWJDS community and looks forward to bringing her skills, knowledge, and commitment to the Gefen class.
Dr. Ronit Ziv-Kreger, our Judaic Studies Coordinator and Family Educator, is devoted to sharing the joy of our tradition with both children and adults. She has a passion for building bridges between contemporary life and Jewish text. Ronit developed a neighborhood-based "play and learn" program for parents and their young children, and has created an award-winning course on Jewish values and food at Hebrew College's Prozdor program. Previously, in Israel, Ronit created and directed an empowerment program in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, which continues to run in 50 schools. She taught for two years at the Jewish Community Day School. Currently, she teaches adult Rosh Hodesh courses, parent programs on Torah and mitzvot, as well as Ikkarim, a course on ‘Jewish values and the journey of Jewish parenting’. Dr. Ziv-Kreger is a graduate of a two year intensive Jewish education program at Pardes Institute in Jerusalem, as well as a cantorial program at Jerusalem's Hebrew Union College. She earned a Ph.D. from M.I.T.'s Sloan School of Management with a dissertation on the link between identity and motivation. She is the mother of three children.
ADMINISTRATION
Chris Bauler, R.N., is the nurse consultant at MWJDS. She assists the staff and administration with the development of the MWJDS health services program. She graduated from the University of Connecticut and has worked as a nurse in community health, hospice care and administration and as a consultant to the home health and hospice industries. Most recently, she has worked as a school nurse at the Summit Montessori School in Framingham, and as a substitute nurse at the McAuliffe Regional Public Charter School, also in Framingham. Chris and her family reside in Framingham.
The community-building expertise of Joyce Bohnen, Admissions/Recruitment Director, has been integral to the transformation of MWJDS from dream to reality. Joyce has served the Jewish community in a variety of volunteer and professional positions for many years. For 15 years she served as registrar and recruitment coordinator of Camp Ramah in New England and chaired the recruitment committee at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston. Combining her love of Judaism and of music, Joyce has been a singer and soloist with the Zamir Chorale of Boston and as the Chair of Zamir’s Board of Directors. She served as High Holiday Hazzanit at Temple Emanuel in Wakefield for over ten years and currently holds that position at Temple Emanuel in Newton. The Synagogue Council of MA recently awarded Joyce with the Community Service Award. Joyce also has experience as a fourth-grade teacher at the Maimonides School in Brookline. Joyce is a graduate of Simmons College. Both of Joyce’s grown daughters are graduates of Solomon Schechter of Greater Boston.
The smiling face of 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 was involved in 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, including marketing, leasing, property management and eminent domain. Victoria holds a B.A. in communications from Emerson College and serves on the board of her synagogue.
Michael Goldstein, Development Director, strives to secure the funds MWJDS needs to maintain its high quality education and community learning programming. Michael has extensive experience in business and fundraising. He has over 11 years as an executive director of non-profit organizations, including Providence Summerbridge, Youth Tech Entrepreneurs, LiNC, and City Year Rhode Island. Michael is especially proud of his Jewish learning as an adult. A recent graduate of “Taste of Judaism”, “Introduction to Judaism”, and “Intensive Hebrew I” at Hebrew College, Michael is about to begin his second year of study for his bar mitzvah. He has a BA from Brown University and an MPP from Harvard University. Michael was recognized in 2002 by the Boston Business Journal and in 2007 by the Providence Business News in their respective “40 Under 40” awards for promising young business leaders.
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.
Abby Leibel, joined the staff as Development Associate. Her experience has been focused almost entirely in the non-profit world and more specifically, in fundraising. After taking a brief break from fundraising to work on her Interior Design degree, Abby is overjoyed to join MWJDS. Her experience in and love of events, programming, writing and computers will surely all help make her time at the school successful and fun! Abby has a degree in Social Studies with a specialization in Organizational Behavior from the University of Maryland at College Park. Abby serves on the board of Mothers & More as the Community Relations Coordinator.
CONSULTANTS
Sharon Freedman, Math Consultant, has been in the field of mathematics education for close to 30 years. She brings to MWJDS an extensive knowledge of mathematical content, curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment. Her teaching and editorial experiences at a wide range of grade levels have given her a strong understanding of how math curricula build from elementary school to middle school and onward. She has taught math at the Winsor School in Boston, the Calhoun School in New York City, San Francisco University High School, and the Nueva School (a school for gifted students) in Hillsborough, California. She has also worked for many years at Houghton Mifflin Company where she developed a wide variety of math curriculum and teacher support materials. In addition to working as a math consultant, Sharon teaches fourth grade math and writing at Milton Academy. She will be working with the MWJDS faculty and the Curriculum Director to enhance the school’s math curriculum. Her role will also include providing professional development training for the faculty.
Peggy Radcliff, Reading Specialist, received her degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from West Virginia University, and was certified in reading by the state of Massachusetts. She has worked with special needs students for over 30 years. Ms. Radcliff is currently the Coordinator of Reading Services at Dearborn Academy in Arlington, MA. Dearborn is a private, 766 school that services elementary, middle, and high school students who present with emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities. Peggy is also a master trainer, creative consultant, and illustrator for the Wisnia-Kapp Reading Program (WKRP), and is a reading consultant to Massachusetts school systems.
CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS
Ellen Bloch, known as Morah Ellen, has been a first grade classroom volunteer at MWJDS for two years. She works one-on-one and in small groups supporting the children with their writing and reading skills. After retiring as the Russian Resettlement program coordinator for Jewish Family Service of Metrowest (JFSMW) for more than 30 years, and as a teacher prior to that career, Ellen wanted to work with children. She also volunteers for the Woodrow Wilson School All Stars program in Framingham through JFSMW and mentors new moms in the Mom to Mom program. Ellen and her husband, Donald, the MWJDS Board of Directors President, are longtime Framingham residents and MWJDS Founders.
Carolyn Michaeli volunteers in our kindergarten and first grade classrooms once a week. She is an Occupational Therapist with a Masters degree in counseling who has worked primarily with adults in diverse settings. Carolyn is particularly interested in wellness, mental health and health promotion. With five young grandchildren including two in a Jewish day school, she has recently become interested in the learning styles and needs of toddlers and young children. For the past three years, Carolyn has brought 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.