CESJDS High School Faculty & Staff
High School Administration
Mitchel Malkus
Head of School
B.A., Political Science and Government
M.A., Judaic Studies
Rabbinic Ordination
Ed.D., Curriculum and Teaching
M.A., Judaic Studies
Rabbinic Ordination
Ed.D., Curriculum and Teaching
Lisa Vardi
High School Principal, Campus Head
B.S., Political Science and Government
M.A., International Affairs
M.Ed., Education
E.d.D., Educational Leadership and Policy
M.A., International Affairs
M.Ed., Education
E.d.D., Educational Leadership and Policy
Aileen Goldstein
High School Assistant Principal
B.A., Jewish Studies
M.A., Educational Administration
M.A., Educational Administration
Victoria Ball
Dean of Experiential, Leadership, and Service Learning, High School Math Teacher
B.A.
M.Ed., Educational Leadership
M.Ed., Educational Leadership
Alexandra Brown
Upper School STEM Director, Middle School Science Chair
B.S., Science
M.S.Ed., Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
M.S.Ed., Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Lenore Layman
Director, Educational Support Services
B.A., Special Education
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant
Becky Silberman
Director of Athletics, Upper School Health and Exercise Science Chair
B.S. Kinesiology
M.Ed.
M.Ed.
David Solomon
Debra Herman Berger Director of Arts Education
B.A., Literature
M.A., English
Ph.D., English
M.A., English
Ph.D., English
Ginger Thornton
Director of Instructional Technology
B.A., English, History/Philosophy
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English
High School Administrative Support Staff
High School Arts Department
Gary Prince
Upper School Instrumental Music Teacher
M.M., Music Education
B.F.A., Jazz & Contemplative Studies
BA, Psychology
B.F.A., Jazz & Contemplative Studies
BA, Psychology
David Solomon
Debra Herman Berger Director of Arts Education
B.A., Literature
M.A., English
Ph.D., English
M.A., English
Ph.D., English
Benjamin Tellie
Upper School Visual Arts Teacher
B.A., Studio Art with a Minor in Art History
M.A., Art Education
Psychoanalytic Studies Program (PSP), Psychoanalytic Studies Certificate
M.A., Art Education
Psychoanalytic Studies Program (PSP), Psychoanalytic Studies Certificate
Debra White-Dilworth
Upper School Photography Teacher, High School DEIJ Coordinator
B.A., Photography and Film
M.F.A., Photography and Film
M.F.A., Photography and Film
College Counseling
Geri Sliffman
Assistant Director of College Counseling
B.S., Business Administration, Concentration: Marketing
M.Ed., Student Personnel Services in Higher Education
M.Ed., Student Personnel Services in Higher Education
High School STEM Department
Alexandra Brown
Upper School STEM Director, Middle School Science Chair
B.S., Science
M.S.Ed., Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
M.S.Ed., Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Rustom Meyer
Upper School STEM Teacher
B.S., Biological and Environmental Engineering
Masters of Engineering, Biological and Environmental Engineering
Professional Engineering License
Masters of Engineering, Biological and Environmental Engineering
Professional Engineering License
Jennifer Newfeld
Middle School Jewish Text Teacher, Digital Animation Teacher, and Jewish Life Chair
B.A., Psychology
M.Ed., International Education
M.A., Jewish Education
Ed.D, Curriculum, Teaching, Leading and Learning
M.Ed., International Education
M.A., Jewish Education
Ed.D, Curriculum, Teaching, Leading and Learning
Ginger Thornton
Director of Instructional Technology
B.A., English, History/Philosophy
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English
High School English Department
Dory Fox
High School English Teacher
A.B., English and Jewish Studies
M.A., English Language and Literature
Ph.D., English Language and Literature
M.A., English Language and Literature
Ph.D., English Language and Literature
Thomas Worden
David Bruce Smith English Department Chair
B.A, English Literature
Ph.D., British Literature (1609-1640)
Ph.D., British Literature (1609-1640)
High School Health & Exercise Science Department
Alexander Kirsch
Health and Exercise Science Teacher
B.S., Sport Management
M.S., Sport and Recreation Administration
M.S., Sport and Recreation Administration
Becky Silberman
Director of Athletics, Upper School Health and Exercise Science Chair
B.S. Kinesiology
M.Ed.
M.Ed.
Levitt Family Media Center Staff
Mirele Kessous
Media Specialist
B.A., Visual Art, Concentration: Children’s Illustration
M.L.S., Library Science
M.L.S., Library Science
Upper School Health Room
High School Hebrew Department
Hani Abo Awad
High School Arabic and Hebrew Teacher
B.A., Arabic and Comparative Literature
M.A., Arabic Language
M.Ed., Educational Systems Administration
Ed.D., Educational Leadership
M.A., Arabic Language
M.Ed., Educational Systems Administration
Ed.D., Educational Leadership
Yaffa Dagony
High School Hebrew Teacher
B.A, Hebrew Language and Education, Concentration: Administration and Supervision
Talya Edery
High School Hebrew Teacher
B.A., Bible and Jewish History
M.A., Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language
M.A., Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language
Anat Kaufman
High School Hebrew Teacher, High School Liaison to Israeli Families, High School Israel Engagement Coordinator
B.A., Special Education
M.A., Special Education and Judaic Studies
M.A., Special Education and Judaic Studies
Shelli Putterman-Kenett
Upper School Hebrew Language Chair
B.A., Building Elements and Architecture
M.A., Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language
Doctor of Modern Languages Candidate
Certified Language Program Administrator
M.A., Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language
Doctor of Modern Languages Candidate
Certified Language Program Administrator
High School History Department
Carl Atwood
Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky History Department Chair, High School History Teacher
B.A., History and Economics
MAT, Teaching
M.A.Ed, Teacher Leadership
MAT, Teaching
M.A.Ed, Teacher Leadership
Matt Cohen
High School History and Psychology Teacher
B.S., Secondary Social Studies Education
M.A., Educational Technology
M.A., Teacher Leadership
M.A., Educational Technology
M.A., Teacher Leadership
Natalie Levitan
High School History Teacher
B.A., Law and Society
B.A., Secondary Education
M.Ed, Curriculum and Instruction
M.A. credits in Gilder Lehrman US History Program
Certificate: Learning Differences and Neurodiversity
B.A., Secondary Education
M.Ed, Curriculum and Instruction
M.A. credits in Gilder Lehrman US History Program
Certificate: Learning Differences and Neurodiversity
Sara and Samuel J. Lessans Jewish History Department Faculty
Anna Band
High School Jewish History Teacher
B.A., History and Jewish Studies
M.A., History
Ph.D., History
M.A., History
Ph.D., History
Rachel Bergstein
Director of the CESJDS Center for Excellence and Engagement in Jewish History, High School Jewish History Teacher
B.A., Jewish Studies and English
M.A., Jewish History
Master of Philosophy in Jewish History
M.A., Jewish History
Master of Philosophy in Jewish History
Sara Coxe
High School Jewish History Teacher
B.A., Religion
M.A., Jewish Studies
Ph.D., Religious Studies
M.A., Jewish Studies
Ph.D., Religious Studies
Dan Rosenthal
Evonne and Elliot Schnitzer Family Jewish History Department Chair
B.A. (Honors), History
M.A., History and Jewish Studies
Ph.D., History and Jewish Studies
M.A., History and Jewish Studies
Ph.D., History and Jewish Studies
High School Jewish Text Department
Benjamin Barer
High School Jewish Text Teacher
B.A., Honors Philosophy
Masters of Jewish Education
Rabbinic Ordination
Masters of Jewish Education
Rabbinic Ordination
Grace McMillan
Nancy and Paul Hamburger Jewish Text Chair, High School Jewish Text Teacher
B.A., Comparative Religion
M.T.S., Comparative Religion
M.S.W.
M.T.S., Comparative Religion
M.S.W.
Reuvane Slater
High School Jewish Text Teacher
B.S., Talmudic Studies
Rabbinical Ordination
M.S., Educational Administration
Rabbinical Ordination
M.S., Educational Administration
High School Mathematics Department
Victoria Ball
Dean of Experiential, Leadership, and Service Learning, High School Math Teacher
B.A.
M.Ed., Educational Leadership
M.Ed., Educational Leadership
Robert Shorr
High School Math Teacher, High School Jewish Life Chair
B.A., Chemistry
B.A., Jewish Studies
MEd, Jewish Education
B.A., Jewish Studies
MEd, Jewish Education
John Watkins-Chow
High School Math Teacher
B.S., Mathematics
B.S., Mechanical Engineering
M.S., Mechanical Engineering
B.S., Mechanical Engineering
M.S., Mechanical Engineering
Publications Department
High School Science Department
Melissa Andrew
9th Grade Dean, High School Biology and Ecology Teacher
B.S., Biology and General Science Education
Raymond Hodges
Ruth and Samuel Salzberg Science Department Chair, High School Physics Teacher
M.S., Physics
M.A., Mathematics
Certification in Physics, Mathematics, and Earth & Space Science: Grades 7-12, State of MD
M.A., Mathematics
Certification in Physics, Mathematics, and Earth & Space Science: Grades 7-12, State of MD
Daniela Munteanu
High School Chemistry Teacher
M.S., Chemistry and Physics Education
M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction
IB Chemistry Teaching Certification, State of Maryland
M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction
IB Chemistry Teaching Certification, State of Maryland
High School World Languages Department
Hani Abo Awad
High School Arabic and Hebrew Teacher
B.A., Arabic and Comparative Literature
M.A., Arabic Language
M.Ed., Educational Systems Administration
Ed.D., Educational Leadership
M.A., Arabic Language
M.Ed., Educational Systems Administration
Ed.D., Educational Leadership
Silvia Kurlat Ares
Upper School World Language Department Chair, Middle School DEIJ Coordinator
B.A., Philosophy
M.A., Argentine Literature
PhD, Latin American Literature and Culture
Pos-Doctorate, Latin American Literature and Culture
M.A., Argentine Literature
PhD, Latin American Literature and Culture
Pos-Doctorate, Latin American Literature and Culture
Upper School ESOL
Rebecca Reiser
Upper School ESOL Teacher
B.A., International Studies/French
M.A., International Development
M.A., Education
M.A., International Development
M.A., Education
High School Guidance
Melissa Gartner
Co-Director of the Upper School Health and Wellness Center
B.A., Sociology and Communications
MSW
MSW
Marnie Lang
High School Counselor
B.S., Applied Developmental Psychology
M.S.Ed, School and Mental Health Counseling
M.S.Ed, School and Mental Health Counseling
Rachel Soifer
Co-Director of the Upper School Health and Wellness Center
B.A., Psychology and Journalism
M.A., Clinical Psychology
M.A., Clinical Psychology
High School Educational Support Services
Brett Kugler
10th Grade Dean, High School Learning Specialist
B.S., Studio Art
M.A., Special Education
M.A., Special Education
Lenore Layman
Director, Educational Support Services
B.A., Special Education
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant
Susan Zuckerman
Feder Family Educational Support Services Chair
B.A., Speech and Hearing
M.A., Educational Psychology
M.A., Educational Psychology
Upper School Technology
Hadas Heyman
Instructional Technology Specialist
B.A., Education
M.A., Teaching English as a Second Language
M.S., Instructional Technology
M.A., Teaching English as a Second Language
M.S., Instructional Technology
Beth Poston
Instructional Technology Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education
M.S., K-12 Instructional Technology
M.S., K-12 Instructional Technology
Ginger Thornton
Director of Instructional Technology
B.A., English, History/Philosophy
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English
High School Z'man Kodesh
Matt Cohen
High School History and Psychology Teacher
B.S., Secondary Social Studies Education
M.A., Educational Technology
M.A., Teacher Leadership
M.A., Educational Technology
M.A., Teacher Leadership
Ethan Merlin
Middle School Math Coordinator and Middle School Math Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator
B.A., Comparative Religion
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction
Rebecca Reiser
Upper School ESOL Teacher
B.A., International Studies/French
M.A., International Development
M.A., Education
M.A., International Development
M.A., Education
Robert Shorr
High School Math Teacher, High School Jewish Life Chair
B.A., Chemistry
B.A., Jewish Studies
MEd, Jewish Education
B.A., Jewish Studies
MEd, Jewish Education
Reuvane Slater
High School Jewish Text Teacher
B.S., Talmudic Studies
Rabbinical Ordination
M.S., Educational Administration
Rabbinical Ordination
M.S., Educational Administration
Rachel Soifer
Co-Director of the Upper School Health and Wellness Center
B.A., Psychology and Journalism
M.A., Clinical Psychology
M.A., Clinical Psychology
Benjamin Tellie
Upper School Visual Arts Teacher
B.A., Studio Art with a Minor in Art History
M.A., Art Education
Psychoanalytic Studies Program (PSP), Psychoanalytic Studies Certificate
M.A., Art Education
Psychoanalytic Studies Program (PSP), Psychoanalytic Studies Certificate
Debra White-Dilworth
Upper School Photography Teacher, High School DEIJ Coordinator
B.A., Photography and Film
M.F.A., Photography and Film
M.F.A., Photography and Film
Heidi Zansler
Middle School Social Studies Teacher
B.A., Political Science, Concentration: American Government and Developing Countries
M.S., Real Estate Finance
M.S., Real Estate Finance
Upper School Facilities, Maintenance & Security Staff
Arely Gallegos
Facilities Staff
Ebert Vera Bracamonte
US Facilities