CESJDS Lower School Faculty & Staff

Lower School Administration

Mitchel Malkus

Mitchel Malkus
Head of School
B.A., Political Science and Government
M.A., Judaic Studies
Rabbinic Ordination
Ed.D., Curriculum and Teaching

Matthew Bellas

Matthew Bellas
Lower School Principal
B.A., Jewish Studies
M.A., Education
M.A., Judaic Studies
Rabbinic Ordination

Rebecca Prigal

Rebecca Prigal
Assistant Principal
B.A., Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
M.S., Social Work: Mental Health Specialization
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Certified (LCSW-C)

Daniella Friedman

Daniella Friedman
Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language Coordinator
M.Sc., Organizational Behavior
MJEd, Jewish Education
Education Specialist

Lenore Layman

Lenore Layman
Director, Educational Support Services
B.A., Special Education
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant

Dorie Ravick

Dorie Ravick
Director of Lower School Admission

Jennifer Rittberg

Jennifer Rittberg
Math and Schedule Coordinator
B.S., Fiber Science
M.S., Education, Concentration: Middle and High School Mathematics Education

Kimberly Sherk

Kimberly Sherk
Language Arts and Social Studies and DEIJ Coordinator
B.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Reading Instruction and Remediation
Ed.D TeacherLeadership

Alexis Soffler

Alexis Soffler
Science and STEM Coordinator
B.S., Environmental Biology
M.A.T., Secondary Science
PhD, Educational Leadership, Renewal and Change

Ginger Thornton

Ginger Thornton
Director of Instructional Technology
B.A., English, History/Philosophy
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English

Lower School Administrative Support Staff

Henry Aquino

Henry Aquino
Lower School Administrative Assistant
B.S., Fine Arts
Certification in Elementary Education

Edryce Rogers

Edryce Rogers
Lower School Executive Assistant

Gurim Junior Kindergarten Teachers

Moran Azar

Moran Azar
Gurim Judaic Studies Teacher

Avital Levi

Avital Levi
Gurim Judaic Studies Teacher

Rebecca Meron

Rebecca Meron
Gurim Assistant Teacher
B.A., Psychology
M.Ed.
Maryland Teaching Certifications in Elementary Education (1-6) and Early Childhood Education (PreK-3)

Tatyana Pidgurskaya

Tatyana Pidgurskaya
Gurim General Studies Teacher

Helen Silder

Helen Silder
Gurim General Studies Teacher

Jennifer Sisco

Jennifer Sisco
Gurim Assistant Teacher

Kindergarten Teachers

Anna Brunner-Bayer

Anna Brunner-Bayer
Kindergarten Judaic Studies Teacher
M.S., Economics
Certification, Preschool Eduation

Cami Cohen

Cami Cohen
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher

Courtney Conner

Courtney Conner
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Josephine Edery

Josephine Edery
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
B.S., Sports and Exercise Psychology and Human Services

Lior Gruman

Lior Gruman
Kindergarten Judaic Studies Teacher

Sivan Krowitz

Sivan Krowitz
Kindergarten Judaic Studies Teacher

Rivka Magier

Rivka Magier
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
B.S., Family Science
B.A., Psychology

Cassandra Rush

Cassandra Rush
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher
B.A., Theater and Performance Studies
M.A., Educational Theater

Julie Steenberge

Julie Steenberge
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher

1st Grade Teachers

Moran Assaf-Blutstein

Moran Assaf-Blutstein
1st Grade Judaic Studies and Ulpan Teacher
B.S., Social Work
M.S., Social Work

Alison Cantwell

Alison Cantwell
1st Grade General Studies Assistant Teacher
B.A., Women and Gender Studies
B.A., Criminal Justice

Ety Edery

Ety Edery
1st Grade Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher
Nursing Associate Degree

Bethany Gertzog

1st Grade General Studies Assistant Teacher

Patricia Gradel

Patricia Gradel
1st Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
M.A., Jewish Education
M.A., Psychology

Adrienne Hiatt

Adrienne Hiatt
1st Grade General Studies Teacher
B.S., Elementary and Special Education
M.S., Deaf Education

Cheryl Levitt

Cheryl Levitt
1st Grade General Studies Teacher
B.S., Occupational Therapy
M.S., Education

Tali Libedinsky

Tali Libedinsky
1st Grade Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher

Eve Margol

Eve Margol
1st Grade General Studies Teacher
M. Ed., Special Education
B.A., Fine Arts
Advanced Professional Maryland Educator Certification- Early Childhood Special Education PreK-3 & Special Education Infant-3
Certified Trainer for Maryland State Department of Education

Marina Milbert

Marina Milbert
1st Grade Judaic Studies Teacher and Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher

Elizabeth Rich

Elizabeth Rich
1st Grade General Studies Teacher

2nd Grade Teachers

Moran Assaf-Blutstein

Moran Assaf-Blutstein
1st Grade Judaic Studies and Ulpan Teacher
B.S., Social Work
M.S., Social Work

Mazal Birnstein

Mazal Birnstein
2nd Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.A Education

Michal Friedman

Michal Friedman
2nd Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A., Sociology and Elementary Education
M.Ed.,Reading Education
Stem Integration Certificate
Teacher Leadership Fellowship

Karyn Tauber

Karyn Tauber
2nd Grade General Studies Teacher and 4th Grade Co-Teacher
B.S., Government and Politics
M.Ed., Elementary Education

3rd Grade Teachers

Moran Assaf-Blutstein

Moran Assaf-Blutstein
1st Grade Judaic Studies and Ulpan Teacher
B.S., Social Work
M.S., Social Work

Tamar Bar Ilan

Tamar Bar Ilan
3rd Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.Ed, English and Education

Julie Bayer

Julie Bayer
3rd Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A., Psychology
B.A., Dance
M.A., Teaching English as a Second Language

Limor Hartman

Limor Hartman
Hebrew Learning Specialist
B.A.
M.Ed.

Pamela Lewton

Pamela Lewton
3rd Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A.
M.A., Teaching

Michal Limonchik

Michal Limonchik
3rd & 5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
College of Management Academic Studies, Tel Aviv, Law School

Jane Prigal

Jane Prigal
3rd Grade General Studies Teacher
B.S. in Hospital Administration and Planning

MollyBeth Rushfield

MollyBeth Rushfield
3rd-5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.S., Elementary Education
B.HL.
M.A.Ed, Jewish Education

4th Grade Teachers

Rabbi Lia Bass

Rabbi Lia Bass
4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher

Jacqueline Baum

Jacqueline Baum
4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.Ed., Primary and Secondary Art Education
Accreditation as a Senior Qualified Teacher, Oranim Academic Education College

Limor Hartman

Limor Hartman
Hebrew Learning Specialist
B.A.
M.Ed.

Hannah Margolis

Hannah Margolis
4th Grade General Studies Teacher
B.S., Anthropology and Religious Studies
M.Ed., Special Education

Ronit Miller

Ronit Miller
4th Grade General Studies Teacher

MollyBeth Rushfield

MollyBeth Rushfield
3rd-5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.S., Elementary Education
B.HL.
M.A.Ed, Jewish Education

Rochelle Sobel

Rochelle Sobel
4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.A., English Literature
M.A., English Literature
B.S., Judaic Studies
M.A. Education/Judaic Studies

Erica Stein

Erica Stein
4th Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A., Religious Studies
M.S.Ed., Integrating Technology in the Classroom

5th Grade Teachers

Beth Gershman

Beth Gershman
5th Grade Math Teacher
B.S., Early Childhood Education
M.Ed

Hillary Gruber

Hillary Gruber
5th Grade General Studies Teacher
B.F.A.
M.Ed.
Licensed to teach in Maryland

Michal Limonchik

Michal Limonchik
3rd & 5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
College of Management Academic Studies, Tel Aviv, Law School

Michelle Marquardt

Michelle Marquardt
5th Grade General Studies Teacher
B.S., Elementary Education
M.Ed., Administration and Supervision
Certification in Administration and Supervision

Adi Moshkovitz

Adi Moshkovitz
5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.Ed, Science
Certificate of Education

MollyBeth Rushfield

MollyBeth Rushfield
3rd-5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.S., Elementary Education
B.HL.
M.A.Ed, Jewish Education

Judaic Studies Teaching Assistants

Mercedes Aseraph

Mercedes Aseraph
Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher

Nitza Avrahami

Nitza Avrahami
Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher

Jacob Bellas

Jacob Bellas
Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher

Meital Chookrun

Meital Chookrun
Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher

Israeli Center

Einat Hileli

Einat Hileli
Israeli Center Teacher and Guidance Support Specialist
B.S., Education
iTalam Teaching Method Certification

Lower School Mathematics

Jennifer Rittberg

Jennifer Rittberg
Math and Schedule Coordinator
B.S., Fiber Science
M.S., Education, Concentration: Middle and High School Mathematics Education

Mollie Wuor

Mollie Wuor
Math Enrichment Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education
Masters in Education Learning and Technology

Lower School Science and STEM

Rogina Bolt

Rogina Bolt
Science Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education
M.A., Natural Science

Caitlin Horwitz

Caitlin Horwitz
Science Specialist
B.A., Early Childhood/Childhood Education and S.T.E.M.

Alexis Soffler

Alexis Soffler
Science and STEM Coordinator
B.S., Environmental Biology
M.A.T., Secondary Science
PhD, Educational Leadership, Renewal and Change

Lower School Visual & Performing Arts

Lisah Bernstein

Lisah Bernstein
T'filah and Israeli Dance Specialist
B.A., Psychology

Sarah Fradkin

Sarah Fradkin
School Library Media Specialist, Gurim ESOL Teacher, and 1st Grade Music Teacher
B.A., College Scholar
M.L.I.S., School Media

Kirsten Kirimlis

Kirsten Kirimlis
General Music, Strings Orchestra, and CESJDS Singers Specialist
Coursework in Elementary Education, Montgomery College
Coursework in Music Education

Emma Whitaker

Emma Whitaker
Art Specialist
B.F.A, Studio Art
B.A., Art History

Lower School Physical Education

Kimeka Johnson

Kimeka Johnson
Physical Education Specialist
B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies (Early Childhood Education/Psychology)

Amy Strong

Amy Strong
Physical Education Specialist
B.S., Physical Education

Lower School Educational Support Services

Dvora Bulman

Dvora Bulman
Learning Specialist
B.S., Computer Science
M.S., General and Special Education
Orton Gillingham Certified Educator

Danna Gelles

Danna Gelles
Learning Specialist

Limor Hartman

Limor Hartman
Hebrew Learning Specialist
B.A.
M.Ed.

Lenore Layman

Lenore Layman
Director, Educational Support Services
B.A., Special Education
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant

Rebecca Lipscomb

Rebecca Lipscomb
Learning Specialist
B.A, Psychology
M.Ed, Early Childhood Special Education

Heidi Tacktill

Heidi Tacktill
Learning Specialist
B.A., Theological Studies
M.S., Mental Health and School Guidance
Florida Teaching Certification: Elementary Ed-K-6, Reading K-6, ESS

Yael Uhr

Yael Uhr
Learning Specialist
B.A. Studio Art
M.A., Arts Administration
M.Ed., Early Childhood Education

Carol Urbach Herson

Carol Urbach Herson
Learning Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education & Special Education
M.Ed, Early Childhood and Special Education K-12
Administration and Supervision Certificate K-12
ESOL Certificate

Lower School ESOL

Tobi Bassin

Tobi Bassin
ESOL Specialist
B.A.
M.S.c.

Jane Shaughnessy

Jane Shaughnessy
ESOL Specialist
B.A., English
MSc, Education
Professional Development Program, Elementary Education
Previously certified in Elementary Education by the British Columbia College of Teacher and the State of Oregon

Rachel Uram

Rachel Uram
ESOL Assistant Teacher

Victoria Wagner

Victoria Wagner
ESOL Specialist
CELTA certification
M.A.
B.A.

Jessica Welch

Jessica Welch
ESOL Specialist

Lower School Language Arts

Tovah Koplow

Tovah Koplow
Language Arts Enrichment Specialist
B.A., Psychology
M.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction

Kimberly Sherk

Kimberly Sherk
Language Arts and Social Studies and DEIJ Coordinator
B.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Reading Instruction and Remediation
Ed.D TeacherLeadership

Lower School Media Center

Sarah Fradkin

Sarah Fradkin
School Library Media Specialist, Gurim ESOL Teacher, and 1st Grade Music Teacher
B.A., College Scholar
M.L.I.S., School Media

Sarah Roark

Sarah Roark
Head Media Specialist and T'filah Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education and Philosophy
M.A., Education and Human Development
M.S., School Library Media
Certification in Jewish Family Life Education

Lower School Health Room

Natasha Oksenhendler

Natasha Oksenhendler
Head Nurse, Lower School Nurse
B.A., Journalism
A.S., Nursing
Certifications in BLS (Basic Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

Lower School Guidance

Leslie Ashman

Leslie Ashman
4th & 5th Grade Guidance Counselor
B.S., Family Studies
M.S.W. (Master of Social Work)
LCSW-C, Licensed Certified Social Worker, Clinical

Dara Buchman

Dara Buchman
Kindergarten & 1st Grade Guidance Counselor
B.S.
M.S.

Wendy Cohen

Wendy Cohen
2nd & 3rd Grade Guidance Counselor
B.S., Psychology
M.S.W.
Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical

Gayle Elster

Gayle Elster
Parenting Resource Center Director, Gurim Guidance Counselor and Guidance Support Specialist
B.S., Special Education

Einat Hileli

Einat Hileli
Israeli Center Teacher and Guidance Support Specialist
B.S., Education
iTalam Teaching Method Certification

Food Services

Michal Cepler

Michal Cepler
Lower School Mashgicha
B.A., English
Baking and Pastry Arts Degree

Mark Glauser

Mark Glauser
Director of Food Services, Director of Food Services

Facilities, Maintenance & Security

William Belke

William Belke
Facilities Administrator -Upper School
B.S., Engineering & Management

Maria Cineros

Maria Cineros
Facilities Staff

Freddy Garrett

Freddy Garrett
Facilities Administrator
Carpentry Degree
Certification in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Shay HaLevi

Shay HaLevi
Security and Transportation Manager
B.A., Social Studies

Lare Kinnasoh

Lare Kinnasoh
Facilities Staff

Technology

Ryan Aqui

Ryan Aqui
Director of Information Technology
MCSE, MCSA, CCNA, Security +

Hadas Heyman

Hadas Heyman
Instructional Technology Specialist
B.A., Education
M.A., Teaching English as a Second Language
M.S., Instructional Technology

Samuel Itseghosime

Samuel Itseghosime

Beth Poston

Beth Poston
Instructional Technology Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education
M.S., K-12 Instructional Technology

Ginger Thornton

Ginger Thornton
Director of Instructional Technology
B.A., English, History/Philosophy
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English

Permanent Substitute Teachers

Cindy Shuman

Cindy Shuman
Permanent Substitute Teacher
B.A., Child and Family Studies with ECE concentration