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Administration

 

Rabbi Gary Menchel - Head of School / Rosh HaYeshiva

Rabbi Gary Menchel

Rabbi Menchel did his undergraduate work in Psychology at Yeshiva University, received his Masters Degree in Education and his Professional Certification in School Psychology from Brooklyn College, and Semicha from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) of Yeshiva University, from Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, ZT"L. Rabbi Menchel has since attended the Harvard Principal’s Center twice and AUSSIE workshops for a number of courses and professional development initiatives. Rabbi Menchel previously served as Principal of Maimonides High School in Minnesota and of the Block Yeshiva High School in St. Louis for 13 years prior to coming to YHT. He currently serves as President of the Principals' Council of the Department of Yeshivot and Day Schools of the Jewish Education Project (formerly BJE) and as a Mentor to aspiring Yeshiva principals through ELAI (Educational Leadership Advancement Initiative) of the Lookstein Center at Bar Ilan University.

 

Email: [email protected]

 

Mr. Ephi Strazynski - Executive Director

Mr. Strazynski

Mr. Strazynski holds a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from the esteemed Sy Syms School of Business, complemented by a distinguished Master of Social Work Administration degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. With a notable tenure of 5 years as the Assistant Registrar at Yeshiva University, he demonstrated proficiency in student and alumni support, staff recruitment and management, event planning, purchasing, and oversight of administrative and operational functions across registrar offices on all Yeshiva University campuses.

Prior to his role at Yeshiva University, Mr. Strazynski accrued valuable experience as the Registration & Marketing Coordinator at the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood. Additionally, he served with distinction as the Assistant Executive Director at YHT from 2016-2021 and he continues to grow within YHT. His comprehensive background and proven track record underscore his expertise in organizational leadership, administrative efficiency, and strategic planning within academic and community settings.

Email: [email protected]

 

Mrs. Sara Duani - Interim Associate Principal

Mrs. Duani received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Touro College and trained in Special Education at Touro’s Masters Program. Additionally, she is trained in the Wilson Reading Program. Prior to becoming Assistant Principal, Mrs. Duani served as the Elementary Division Jewish Studies Curriculum Coordinator and Mentor, and also was a beloved Jewish Studies teacher in both the Elementary Division and Junior High Divisions of YHT. She was also a recipient of the Jewish Education Project's Young Pioneer Award in 2017. She currently mentors new Judaic Studies teachers through the Jewish New Teacher Project (JNTP).

Email: [email protected]

 

Mrs. Chaya Wernick - Director of Early Childhood

Morah Chaya Wernick
Morah Chaya received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the College of Staten Island. She graduated from Hunter College with a Master's degree in Education and Special Education  as well as state certification in those areas. Most recently Morah Chaya received a Certification in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School. Prior to becoming Director of Early Childhood, Morah Chaya was a Kindergarten teacher in YHT for 7 years. 
 
 

Ms. Elisheva Langstein - Assistant Principal - Grades 1-2

Elisheva Langstein

Prior to joining YHT, Ms. Langstein was an accomplished teacher and young leader at Westchester Day School, serving on the faculty liaison committee and school task force to develop the mission statement, and was also integral in developing the school-wide behavior management system. She received her degrees in Jewish and Elementary education from Yeshiva University.

Email: [email protected]

 
 
Mrs. Eliana Zelman - Assistant Principal, Grades 3-5
Mrs. E. ZelmanMrs. Zelman received her undergraduate degree in Jewish Studies from Stern College and Master's degree Education and Special Education from Pace University and a state certification in those areas. Prior to becoming Assistant Principal, Mrs. Zelman served as the Jewish Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Director of Jewish Studies Special Education and Mentor. She has taught Jewish Studies in 2nd and 3rd grade at YHT
 

 

Rabbi Etan Ehrenfeld - Assistant Principal - Grades 6-8

Rabbi Etan Ehrenfeld studied at Yeshiva University where he received his undergraduate degree in mathematics and a masters in Jewish Education. Rabbi Ehrenfeld also received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Rabbi Ehrenfeld taught at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago, where he also served as the Student Activities Coordinator. Rabbi Ehrenfeld also served as the Dean of Students at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County High School. Currently, Rabbi Ehrenfeld is pursuing his doctorate in Jewish Educational Leadership and Innovation from the Azrieli Graduate School at Yeshiva University.
 

 

 

Mrs. Karen Simon - Director of Curricular and Professional Initiatives
Mrs. Simon received her B.S. in Education at Northwestern University and her Master’s Degree in Education at Hofstra University. She has continued her education by attending dozens of professional workshops and courses. She is an active participant in the Jewish New Teacher Project, in which she mentors newer teachers. Mrs. Simon has served as a writer for the New York State Science Assessment Test and as a grader for the New York State English Language Arts Assessment (ELA). Mrs. Simon has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Math Methods at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women. Mrs. Simon has served as a  team leader of YHT teachers at each grade level to coordinate and develop curriculum and hone teaching techniques. Mrs. Simon has been a team leader at the Day School Collaboration Network, an initiative of the Jewish Education Project, which addresses the needs of individual schools while also impacting on the broader field of Jewish Education.
 
 
Dr. Karyn Feinberg - Director of Psychology Services
Dr. Feinberg received her certification in School Psychology from City College and her Doctorate in Psychology  from Ferkauf Graduate School of Yeshiva University. She previously worked at Yeshivot, Public Schools, and a preschool for students with speech and language delays. She is also the Secretary of NEFESH, the International Organization of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals.
 
 
 

Mr. Jonathan Weitzman - Director of Finance

Jonathan Smiling

Mr. Weitzman earned his Bachelor of Science in accounting from the Sy Syms School of Business. He then served as an auditor at Grant Thornton for five years, where he worked with publicly traded companies and then transitioned to specialize in not-for-profit organizations, with a focus on Israeli and Jewish organizations. Most recently, Mr. Weitzman was the Finance Manager at Yeshivah of Flatbush.
 
Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

Mrs. Sara Pollak - Director of Admissions

Mrs. Pollak holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Stern College for Women of Yeshiva University. She has experience as Director of Admissions at both Manhattan Day School and Shulamith High School, and has advocated for children's needs as Coordinator for Special Events for Yachad, The National Jewish Council for Disabilities. She brings with her extensive experience, an engaging personality, and dedication to our school.



Email: [email protected]
 
 
Ms. Yael Herskowitz - Director of Student Services
 
Ms. Y. HerskowitzMs. Herskowitz received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Brooklyn College and her master's degree in general and special education from Mercy College. Ms. Herskowitz is certified in the Wilson Reading Program. She previously worked as a special education teacher in a number of NYC schools. This is her third year at Yeshiva Har Torah