Faculty

Search by LAST NAME or filter by DEPARTMENT to find FACULTY members. Hover over each faculty member for contact and bio information.

friedmans@maayanot.org

Mrs. Shifra Friedman

Tanakh & Student Activities

goldmintzj@maayanot.org

Rabbi Jay Goldmintz

Tanakh & Jewish Philosophy

gordons@maayanot.org • ext 222

Ms. Sarah Gordon

Director of Israel Guidance and Experiential Education, Talmud

gordonsb@maayanot.org

Ms. Susan Gordon

Music

grinfelds@maayanot.org

Mrs. Sara Grinfeld

Development Associate

info@maayanot.org • ext 256

Mrs. Sara Gruenspecht

Administrative Assistant

guzmang@maayanot.org

Mrs. Gila Guzman

Nutrition

hanauerm@maayanot.org • ext 321

Mrs. Meredith Hanauer

Business Manager

horowitze@maayanot.org

Mrs. Emma Horowitz

English

isseroffs@maayanot.org

Mrs. Shalvi Isseroff

English

kadishn@maayanot.org

Ms. Natalia Kadish

Art

katzensteina@maayanot.org • ext 219

Mrs. Adele Katzenstein

Learning Specialist, Algebra

kapustinm@maayanot.org

Mrs. Melissa Kapustin

Jewish Philosophy

kellerc@maayanot.org

Ms. Caryn Keller

History

knappl@maayanot.org

Dr. Leah Knapp

Psychology

klapperd@maayanot.org

Mrs. Dina Klapper

Math

kurs@maayanot.org

Ms. Samantha Kur

English Department Chair

krauser@maayanot.org

Mrs. Reyce Krause

Director of STEAM Curriculum

lebowitzt@maayanot.org

Tiffany Lebowitz

Physical Education

majorm@maayanot.org

Mrs. Michele Major

Director of Educational Technology

lernerc@maayanot.org

Mrs. Chava Lerner

Talmud Department Chair

mallinl@maayanot.org • ext 276

Ms. Leebie Mallin

Director of College Guidance

Mr. Avi Mandel

Tanakh, Contemporary Israel, Jewish Philosophy

lowym@maayanot.org

Mr. Mike Lowy

Technology Associate

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Mrs. Shifra Friedman

Tanakh & Student Activities

email: friedmans@maayanot.org

About Mrs. Shifra Friedman

Mrs. Shifra Friedman, a Ma'ayanot alumna, teaches Tanakh and serves as our Assistant Director of Student Activities. She previously taught Judaic studies at SAR Academy's Middle School for six years. Mrs. Friedman studied at Migdal Oz before earning a B.A. in Judaic Studies from Stern College and a dual Master’s in Education and Jewish Studies from New York University. Mrs. Friedman is a graduate of Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center’s U.S. Yoatzot Halakha Fellows Program and serves as a Yoetzet Halakha in Westchester, counseling women in areas of health and halakha. She and her husband serve as the OU-JLIC couple at the Columbia/Barnard Hillel. Ms. Friedman has served as an educator and worked in programming at Camp Moshava in Indian Orchard, PA.

Rabbi Jay Goldmintz

Tanakh & Jewish Philosophy

email: goldmintzj@maayanot.org

About Rabbi Jay Goldmintz

Rabbi Dr. Jay Goldmintz joined the Ma'ayanot faculty in 2014 and teaches Tanakh and Jewish Philosophy. He is a veteran day school educator who has published widely on curriculum, tefillah education, child and adolescent religious development, and religious parenting. He is author of the 2014 National Jewish Book Award-winning Koren Ani Tefila Weekday Siddur. He serves on the Editorial Board of the Koren Magerman Educational Siddur series. He was a Jerusalem Fellow and has received both a Gruss Excellent Teachers Award and a BJE Creative Teaching Award. He has served in various capacities including teacher, department chair, Israel and college guidance counselor, and eventually Headmaster at Ramaz School over the course of more than 30 years. He received a B.A. with Honors from University of Toronto, semikha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, an M.S. from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, and an Ed.D. from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education at Yeshiva University, where he also served as an adjunct professor.

Ms. Sarah Gordon

Director of Israel Guidance and Experiential Education, Talmud

email: gordons@maayanot.org

ext: 222

About Ms. Sarah Gordon

Ms. Sarah Gordon, a Ma'ayanot teacher since 2008, serves as the Director of Israel Guidance and Experiential Education, and teaches Talmud and chairs the 12th-grade Contemporary Israel course. She previously served as the Director of Student Activities for ten years. She holds a B.A. in Judaic Studies from Stern College, an M.A. in Modern Jewish History from Bernard Revel Graduate School, and an M.A. in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education, where she is currently pursuing her Ed.D as a Wexner Fellow and Davidson Scholar. She also completed the Stern College Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies. Ms. Gordon has studied in education programs at Midreshet Lindenbaum, Matan, and Pardes Institute, and is the recipient of the Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. Her extensive experience in informal Jewish education includes leadership positions at Camp Stone and Bnei Akiva’s Mach Hach Ba’Aretz program. Most recently, she has spent summers teaching in Drisha's Dr. Beth Samuels High School Program.

Ms. Susan Gordon

Music

email: gordonsb@maayanot.org

About Ms. Susan Gordon

Ms. Susan Gordon joins Ma'ayanot with four decades of experience as a music educator. Most recently, Ms. Gordon taught Strings and General Music in the Fair Lawn School District. She has also served as the Orchestral Director and String Instructor at Riverdell Regional High School and Middle School in Oradell, NJ. She has held many other positions as a music instructor in the tri-state area. A multi instrumentalist, Ms. Gordon is an active chamber music and orchestral freelance violist and violinist in the NY metropolitan area. She is a tenured member of The Queens Symphony Orchestra and has performed regularly in New York City theater orchestras of numerous Broadway productions. Additionally, Ms. Gordon has recorded and performed live with many headline entertainers. She earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Chamber Music from Sarah Lawrence College and a B.S. in Music Education from New York University. She holds certificates as a New Jersey State Public School Instrumental Music Teacher, Suzuki Violin Instructor, and is a Registered Yoga Instructor of adults and children. Additionally she performs with her singer/songwriter husband David.

Mrs. Sara Grinfeld

Development Associate

email: grinfelds@maayanot.org

About Mrs. Sara Grinfeld

Mrs. Sara Grinfeld joined the Ma'ayanot team in 2018 as our Development Associate. Mrs. Grinfeld assists in coordinating fundraising projects such as the Annual Dinner, the Capital Campaign and sponsorships for various programs run by Ma'ayanot for the students and the community at large. Previously, Mrs. Grinfeld worked in the Business Office at SAR Academy and High School and at American Friends of Nishmat. Mrs. Grinfeld has volunteered at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, NJ, in the capacity of co-president of the BNOT sisterhood, the Welcoming Committee, and as a member of the Board of Directors.

Mrs. Sara Gruenspecht

Administrative Assistant

email: info@maayanot.org

ext: 256

About Mrs. Sara Gruenspecht

Mrs. Sara Gruenspecht, Administrative Assistant, works in the front office. Everything she needs to know she learned in nursery school, having taught at Gan Rina, Teaneck Jewish Center and Bnai Yeshurun. Sara earned her B.A. in Art History from Barnard College and served as a museum educator and assistant to the director at Yeshiva University Museum. Most recently, she held the position of executive assistant to the senior partner at Leshkowitz & Company, an accounting and law firm in Manhattan.

Mrs. Gila Guzman

Nutrition

email: guzmang@maayanot.org

About Mrs. Gila Guzman

Mrs. Gila Guzman teaches Nutrition at Ma’ayanot. She is the Director of Main Asset Health LLC, a health coaching practice. She is the in-house Nutrition Health Coach at Grand and Essex Market, where she has her own line of “Coach Gila-Approved” healthy takeout foods. She serves as the Camp Nutritional Specialist at Camp Mesorah, where she teaches nutrition workshops and is responsible for all of the special dietary needs of campers and staff. Coach Gila is also a health columnist for The Jewish Link and Shopping Maven. She has taught healthy cooking classes at Ma’ayanot and at Yachad’s vocational program, and in addition to teaching Nutrition at Ma’ayanot will also be teaching a Nutrition/Cooking Elective at Yavneh Academy this year. She holds a B.A. from Stern College, a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, and certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Mrs. Meredith Hanauer

Business Manager

email: hanauerm@maayanot.org

ext: 321

About Mrs. Meredith Hanauer

Mrs. Meredith Hanauer is Ma'ayanot's Business Manager. Prior to joining our staff in 2014, Mrs. Hanauer worked as an HR Manager. She earned a B.S. from the Sy Sim School of Business at Yeshiva University.

Mrs. Emma Horowitz

English

email: horowitze@maayanot.org

About Mrs. Emma Horowitz

Mrs. Emma Horowitz teaches English at Ma’ayanot. She graduated Washington University in St. Louis magna cum laude with an A.B. in English Literature and a minor in General Business. She earned a J.D. from Benjamin Cardozo School of Law with a Concentration in Intellectual Property Law, and has been admitted to the bar in New York and New Jersey. She has worked in the field of law for the past 13 years. For more than six years, she was an Assistant District Attorney in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, managing hundreds of felony, misdemeanor and Grand Jury cases.

Mrs. Shalvi Isseroff

English

email: isseroffs@maayanot.org

About Mrs. Shalvi Isseroff

Mrs. Shalvi Isseroff teaches English and serves as the Co-Director of Interdisciplinary Studies. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Stern College and an M.A. in English Education from Teacher’s College of Columbia University. Prior to coming to Ma'ayanot, Mrs. Isseroff worked as a student teacher at the high school and middle school levels.

Ms. Natalia Kadish

Art

email: kadishn@maayanot.org

About Ms. Natalia Kadish

Natalia Kadish joined the Ma'ayanot faculty in 2014 and teaches Art. Mrs. Kadish, who holds a B.A. in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York, has extensive and varied experience as an art teacher: she is the president and founder of Kadish Studios, where she conducts artistic workshops to promote understanding and stimulate creativity for students seeking art enrichment; she created and directed Spirit Art Camp and has worked as an art instructor for numerous other summer camps; and she conducts art therapy for the elderly. Ms. Kadish is also a professional illustrator whose artwork and stained glass have been displayed at numerous venues in New York and New Jersey.

Mrs. Adele Katzenstein

Learning Specialist, Algebra

email: katzensteina@maayanot.org

ext: 219

About Mrs. Adele Katzenstein

Mrs. Adele Katzenstein works as a Learning Specialist in Ma'ayanot's Learning Center and teaches Algebra and Jewish Philosophy. She joined Ma'ayanot in 2014. In addition to working at Ma'ayanot, Mrs. Katzenstein maintains a private tutorial practice and is a Parent Trainer for EPIC (Every Parent Influences Children) in Rockland, NY. Mrs. Katzenstein has had extensive experience in special education in yeshiva day schools for more than 30 years. Mrs. Katzenstein earned a B.A. in Special Education from Baruch College and a Master's in Education and Reading from Walden University. She has presented numerous staff development workshops throughout the tri-state area.

Mrs. Melissa Kapustin

Jewish Philosophy

email: kapustinm@maayanot.org

About Mrs. Melissa Kapustin

Mrs. Melissa Kapustin teaches Jewish Philosophy at Ma’ayanot. She is a partner at The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP as well as a frequent lecturer on the topics of Jewish History and Law. She has been a guest speaker in many communities across the Northeast, including the Institute for Jewish Ethics as well as Yeshiva University’s Midreshet Yom Rishon. Mrs. Kapustin attended Stern College as a Forcheimer Academic Scholar earning a B.A., Magna Cum Laude, in Judaic and American Studies. While pursuing a B.A., Mrs. Kapustin also attended a joint degree program at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University where she received an M.A. in Modern Jewish History. After several years of teaching Jewish History at Ma’ayanot, Mrs. Kapustin earned a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, graduating with High Honors as well as receiving acceptance into the “Order of the Coif,” a National Honors Society for law school graduates.

Ms. Caryn Keller

History

email: kellerc@maayanot.org

About Ms. Caryn Keller

Ms. Caryn Keller teaches History and has been a member of the Ma'ayanot faculty since 2014. She is the faculty advisor to the Chesed Committee and serves as a teacher mentor. Prior to coming to Ma’ayanot, Ms. Keller taught History at Kohelet Yeshiva High School and at Delaware Valley High School, both in Pennsylvania. Ms. Keller served as a docent for the Museum of Jewish Heritage, where she guided tours for public school students to educate them on the history of the Holocaust. She earned a B.A. in History from Stern College and an M.A. in Teaching Social Studies from Teachers College at Columbia University. She is working toward an Ed.D. at Azrieli Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Leah Knapp

Psychology

email: knappl@maayanot.org

About Dr. Leah Knapp

Dr. Leah Knapp teaches AP Psychology and Topics in Psychology. Dr. Knapp earned a B.A. in Psychology from Stern College and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Ferkauf School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. In addition to teaching at Ma’ayanot, Dr. Knapp maintains a private practice in Teaneck, where she provides psychotherapy to individuals and couples experiencing a range of difficulties and diagnoses. She also gives lectures and workshops to educators and support staff on relationships and parenting.

Mrs. Dina Klapper

Math

email: klapperd@maayanot.org

About Mrs. Dina Klapper

Mrs. Dina Klapper teaches Algebra II and Geometry. She has an M.S. in Mathematics Education (5-12) from Touro College and a B.S. in Management from the University of Massachusetts. Previously, she taught middle-school mathematics at Ben Porat Yosef. Ms. Klapper also served in the Israeli Defense Forces as a Sergeant/Instructor for the Education Unit. She is a Certified Personal Trainer.

Ms. Samantha Kur

English Department Chair

email: kurs@maayanot.org

About Ms. Samantha Kur

Ms. Samantha Kur, our English Chair, teaches English and Writing Seminar, as well as advising our Poetry Slam team and serving as Co-Director of Humanities Enrichment. Ms. Kur earned a B.A. in English and an M.A. in English Education from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She came to Ma’ayanot with a variety of teaching experiences; she taught English, History and Drama in South Africa and England, as well as Tanakh, Talmud and English at schools in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Ms. Kur also studied as a Fellow at the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies in Israel, and has a degree in graphic design.

Mrs. Reyce Krause

Director of STEAM Curriculum

email: krauser@maayanot.org

About Mrs. Reyce Krause

A beloved math teacher for many years, Mrs. Reyce Krause is Director of our STEAM curriculum, working with our Director of STEAM Education & Innovation to coordinate the planning, development and implementation of our constantly evolving, cutting-edge STEAM curriculum. Mrs. Krause teaches our freshman and sophomore STEAM course at Ma’ayanot. She earned her B.S. in Math from Ramapo College where she won the Wiley Prize for Excellence in Mathematics. Prior to joining Ma'ayanot's faculty, Mrs. Krause worked as a computer programmer.

Tiffany Lebowitz

Physical Education

email: lebowitzt@maayanot.org

About Tiffany Lebowitz

Mrs. Tiffany Lebowitz teaches physical education. She has more than 20 years of experience in fitness education. Currently, Mrs. Lebowitz is a group fitness instructor at Lifeplex Health Club in Monsey, the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, and Vision Sports Club in Pearl River. In the summer, she works as the Girls’ Fitness Director at Camp Regesh and Camp Malchus for Girls at the Teaneck Jewish Center. She has a B.A. in Psychology from York University in Toronto and an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling from New York University. Mrs. Lebowitz is certified by the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America and the American Sports & Fitness Association. She teaches Spin®, HIIT, BOSU Strength, Total Body Conditioning and more. She has run marathons, half marathons, and other distance races, and enjoys challenging her students “to the core.”

Mrs. Michele Major

Director of Educational Technology

email: majorm@maayanot.org

About Mrs. Michele Major

Mrs. Michele Major joins the Ma’ayanot faculty with extensive experience in educational technology. For the past 15 years, she has served in many capacities at Yeshivat Noam, most recently as an educational technologist, math teacher, technology teacher, and General Studies head teacher. Her role as an educational technologist includes training faculty to conduct assessment programs, leading professional development in the use of technology tools in both Judaic and General Studies, and overseeing the technology curriculum. She has also led instruction in creative applications, Google and Office suites, presentation tools and coding skills. Prior to teaching at Yeshivat Noam, Mrs. Major taught in Ramaz Lower School and worked as a technical recruiter at AC Lion International. She has a B.S. in Human Development from Binghamton University, an M.S. in Elementary Education from Hunter College and earned a certificate in Online and Blended Learning from Yeshiva University.

Mrs. Chava Lerner

Talmud Department Chair

email: lernerc@maayanot.org

About Mrs. Chava Lerner

Mrs. Chava Lerner, a graduate of Ma’ayanot’s Class of 2004, serves as Chair of the Talmud Department and teaches Talmud. Mrs. Lerner has a B.A. in Judaic Studies and Psychology from Stern College. She also holds an M.A. in Bible from Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University, and an M.A. in Biblical and Talmudic Interpretation from Yeshiva University’s Graduate Program for Women in Advanced Talmudic Studies (GPATS). Prior to joining the Ma'ayanot faculty, Mrs. Lerner worked at SAR Academy for two years, beginning as a Beit Midrash Fellow and then moving on to a position as a Judaic Studies teacher.

Ms. Leebie Mallin

Director of College Guidance

email: mallinl@maayanot.org

ext: 276

About Ms. Leebie Mallin

Ms. Leebie Mallin is Director of College Guidance. She is a member of the National Association of College Admission Counselors, the New Jersey Association of College Admission Counselors, and Counselor Advocacy for the Jewish University Experience. She previously worked as Director of Hillel at the College of Staten Island and subsequently as Executive Director of the Hillels of Westchester Foundation, a multi-campus Hillel serving 1300 Jewish students. This experience gave her an intimate understanding of campus life, which serves her well in her work as a college guidance counselor. Ms. Mallin holds a B.A. in Political Science from Stern College, an M.A. in Political Science from Columbia University, an M.A. in Jewish History from Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University, and certification in Talmud and Jewish Law from the Drisha Scholars Circle.

Mr. Avi Mandel

Tanakh, Contemporary Israel, Jewish Philosophy

About Mr. Avi Mandel

Mr. Avi Mandel joins our Judaic Studies faculty from Israel, where he earned a Certificate of Advanced Jewish Studies and Diverse Learner Education Certification at the Day School Educators Program of Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. He received a Master of Jewish Education (MJEd) degree and Certificate in Jewish Day School Education from Hebrew College, Schoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education in Newton, MA, and a B.Ed. in English and Jewish Thought at Herzog Academic College in Alon Shvut, Israel. Mr. Mandel studied at Yeshivat Otniel and Yeshivat Beit Orot. He served in the Israel Defense Forces as a military religious coordinator (mashak dat). Since 2013, he has student taught toward his teaching degrees at elementary schools in Israel, as well as Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles and the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr, PA.

Mr. Mike Lowy

Technology Associate

email: lowym@maayanot.org

About Mr. Mike Lowy

Mr. Michael Lowy is a Technology Associate at Ma’ayanot. Prior to joining Ma’ayanot's faculty, he was an IT Analyst and Manager at various corporations and organizations. Mr. Lowy’s responsibilities include supporting the Technology Department’s mission of ensuring the smooth functioning and usage of the school's technological resources.