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. 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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.
Dr. 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. Dr. 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 has also earned an Ed.D. at Azrieli Graduate School of Education.
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 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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
Mrs. Chana Meyers is Director of our Learning Center. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Stern College and a MS.Ed. in Special Education with a concentration in learning disabilities from Hunter College. Prior to joining the Ma'ayanot faculty, Mrs. Meyers taught for 19 years at the Moriah School as a classroom teacher, student support teacher, and teacher in the maximum support of the Gesher Yehuda program. She also worked at the Stephen Gaynor School in New York.
Mrs. Allison Miller teaches English. Most recently, she taught English, AP English Language and Composition, and a “Writing About Food” course at TABC. She participated as a mentee in the Jewish New Teacher Project, which provides professional development and mentorship to new teachers. Mrs. Miller has also taught English at HAFTR and SAR. She holds an Advanced Certificate in Secondary English Language from the Graduate School of Education at Lehman College, an M.A. in English and American Literature from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Fordham University, and a B.A. in English Literature, magna cum laude, from Columbia University.
Ms. Zahava Moskowitz
Tanakh Teacher & Chesed Coordinator
About Ms. Zahava Moskowitz
Miss Zahava Moskowitz is extremely excited to have joined the Ma'ayanot family! In addition to teaching Tanakh, she serves as the school's chesed coordinator and coaches Torah Bowl. Ms. Moskowitz earned her B.A. from Queens College and received her M.S. degree in Jewish Education and Administration from The Azrieli Graduate School. She is also a graduate of the The Bellows Eshkolot Educators Institute for Tanakh and Jewish Studies in Israel. Prior to joining the Ma'ayanot faculty, Ms. Moskowitz taught for four years at North Shore Hebrew Academy Middle School.
Ms. Rebecca Mintz, Ma'ayanot Class of 2006, returned to her alma mater as a faculty member of the Math and Science departments. Ms. Mintz holds an MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and a B.A. from Stern College in Philosophy and Jewish Studies, where she was valedictorian in both General and Judaic Studies. She is a Shoel U'Meishiv for Drisha and Mechon Hadar summer programs and a mashgicha at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center. She has also been a Fellow at Mechon Hadar, where she engaged in immersive study of Jewish texts, and at Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps Fellowship, where she studied and analyzed tools for combating poverty and building community in New York City. She has supervised the care of adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness at HASC Residential Services and has worked in a wide array of social services.
Mrs. Delia Nagar joined Ma'ayanot's faculty to teach Spanish. Born in Mexico, Mrs. Nagar studied to be a “Tecnico Profesional en Turismo,” a Professional Technician in Tourism at Colegio San Agustín in Mérida Yucatan, Mexico. She also received vocal training at the prestigious Ampaaro Rubins in Mexico City and worked for many years as a professional performer, including being the recorded voice for children’s programming for Parson Education. Most recently she has worked as a Spanish translator for early intervention programs and as a Spanish teacher for the Yeshiva Ketana of Passaic High School.
Dr. Sofya Nayer teaches AP Calculus. She earned both a B.S. and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Moscow, and an Ed.D. from Teacher’s College at Columbia University. Dr. Nayer is a tenured Professor of Mathematics at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), where she has been teaching math courses, including Basic Skills, Probability and Statistics, and the full Calculus sequence (Calculus I, II and III), for over three decades. During her tenure at BMCC she also mentored students in planning and conducting special research projects, many of which have been presented at professional conferences.