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

Rebecca Prigal

Rebecca Prigal
Interim Lower School Principal, 5th Grade Counselor
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 of Lower School Educational Support Services
B.A., Special Education
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant

Dorie Ravick

Dorie Ravick
Director of Lower School Admission
B.A., Political Science and Judaic Studies
M.A., Higher Education Administration

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

Ariela Greengart

Ariela Greengart
Lower School Administration Assistant
B.A., Creative Writing

Edryce Rogers

Edryce Rogers
Lower School Executive Assistant

Gurim Junior Kindergarten Teachers

Moran Azar

Moran Azar
Gurim Judaic Studies Teacher

George Iweze

George Iweze
Gurim Assistant Teacher
BSc., Economics

Avital Levi

Avital Levi
Gurim Judaic Studies Teacher
B.A, Criminology & Education
Certificate of Education
Certificate of Rhythmic and Music for early childhood development

Rivka Magier

Rivka Magier
Gurim General Studies Teacher
B.S., Family Science
B.A., Psychology

Tatyana Pidgurskaya

Tatyana Pidgurskaya
Gurim General Studies Teacher
B.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Elementary Education

Jennifer Sisco

Jennifer Sisco
Gurim Assistant Teacher
B.A., Human Development
90 Hour Certification

Kindergarten Teachers

Anna Brunner-Bayer

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

Alison Cantwell

Alison Cantwell
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher
B.A., Women and Gender Studies
B.A., Criminal Justice

Shoshana Eisenberg

Shoshana Eisenberg
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher
BA, JD
90 Hour Certification

Sivan Krowitz

Sivan Krowitz
Kindergarten Judaic Studies Teacher, Kindergarten Music Teacher

Dahlia Levine

Dahlia Levine
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Rebecca Meron

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

Julie Steenberge

Julie Steenberge
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher
B.A., Journalism with a Concentration in Advertising, Minor in Jewish Studies
90 Hour Certification

1st Grade Teachers

Isabel Einzig

Isabel Einzig
1st Grade General Studies Assistant Teacher

Bethany Gertzog

Bethany Gertzog
1st Grade General Studies Assistant Teacher

Patricia Gradel

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

Marjorie Haas

Marjorie Haas
1st Grade General Studies Assistant Teacher
B.S., Education
Masters in Public Administration

Adrienne Hiatt

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

Cheryl Levitt

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

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
First Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A. Political Science
M.ED. Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Maya Schantz

Maya Schantz
1st Grade General Studies Assistant Teacher

2nd Grade Teachers

Moran Assaf-Blutstein

Moran Assaf-Blutstein
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

Cami Cohen

Cami Cohen
2nd Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction

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

Simone Nachman

Simone Nachman
2nd Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A., Psychology
Pre K-4 Teaching Certificate

3rd Grade Teachers

Moran Assaf-Blutstein

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

Tamar Bar Ilan

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

Jacqueline Baum

Jacqueline Baum
3rd and 4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher, 5th Grade Hebrew Learning Specialist
B.Ed., Primary and Secondary Art Education
Accreditation as a Senior Qualified Teacher, Oranim Academic Education College

Emma Lahn

Emma Lahn
3rd Grade General Studies Teacher

Michal Limonchik

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

Adi Moshkovitz

Adi Moshkovitz
3rd & 5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.Ed, Science
Certificate of Education
M.A, Second Language Acquisition Specializing in Hebrew

Jane Prigal

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

MollyBeth Rushfield

MollyBeth Rushfield
Judaic Studies Teacher
B.S., Elementary Education
B.HL.
M.A.Ed, Jewish Education

Alexa Singman

Alexa Singman
Third Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A., Psychology
90 + 9 Hour Certification

China Stuckman

China Stuckman
3rd Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A, Psychology
M.A., Elementary Education

4th Grade Teachers

Moran Assaf-Blutstein

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

Tamar Bar Ilan

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

Jacqueline Baum

Jacqueline Baum
3rd and 4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher, 5th Grade Hebrew Learning Specialist
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 Math Teacher
B.S., Anthropology and Religious Studies
M.Ed., Special Education

Ronit Miller

Ronit Miller
4th Grade General Studies Teacher

MollyBeth Rushfield

MollyBeth Rushfield
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

Moran Assaf-Blutstein

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

Jacqueline Baum

Jacqueline Baum
3rd and 4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher, 5th Grade Hebrew Learning Specialist
B.Ed., Primary and Secondary Art Education
Accreditation as a Senior Qualified Teacher, Oranim Academic Education College

Aaron Berner

Aaron Berner
5th Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A., History

Beth Gershman

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

Tovah Koplow

Tovah Koplow
5th Grade General Studies Teacher, Language Arts Enrichment Specialist
B.A., Psychology
M.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction

Michal Limonchik

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

Adi Moshkovitz

Adi Moshkovitz
3rd & 5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.Ed, Science
Certificate of Education
M.A, Second Language Acquisition Specializing in Hebrew

MollyBeth Rushfield

MollyBeth Rushfield
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

Meital Chookrun

Meital Chookrun
Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher
B.A. Management
M.A. Business Managmenet

Shani Levy

Shani Levy
Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher
BA, Economics and Accounting
MA, Law

Lital Saar-Tsfadia

Lital Saar-Tsfadia
Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher
B.Sc, Nutrition Sciences
M.A., Research of Child and Youth Culture

Susan Schwartz

Susan Schwartz
Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher

Israeli Center

Einat Hileli

Einat Hileli
Israeli Center Teacher and Israeli Student Counseling 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.
Masters of Science in Educational Studies
Certification in Mind, Brain, and Teaching

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

Courtney Conner

Courtney Conner
Art Specialist
BA, Art History
Dance Masters of America Certified

Kirsten Kirimlis

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

Lower School Physical Education

Shayna Held

Shayna Held
Physical Education Specialist
B.S., Business Administration
M.B.A.

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

Oshri Drori

Oshri Drori
Hebrew Learning Specialist
B.Ed., English and Education

Danna Gelles

Danna Gelles
Learning Specialist
B.A., Classical Studies
M.A., Elementary Education

Limor Hartman

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

Dafna Levi Adini

Dafna Levi Adini
Hebrew Learning Specialist

Rebecca Lipscomb

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

Inbal Raveh

Inbal Raveh
Hebrew Learning Specialist

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

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

Lindsay Young

Lindsay Young
Learning Specialist
B.A., English
M.Ed.

Lower School ESOL

Tobi Bassin

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

Julie Bayer

Julie Bayer
ESOL Specialist
B.A.
B.A.
M.A.

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

Jessica Welch

Jessica Welch
ESOL Specialist
B.A.
M.F.A.

Lower School Language Arts

Carin Gottlieb

Carin Gottlieb
Language Arts Enrichment Specialist
B.Ed, Elementary Education
M.A., Education

Tovah Koplow

Tovah Koplow
5th Grade General Studies Teacher, 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

Ilyssa Beebe

Ilyssa Beebe
Lower School Assistant Media Center Specialist

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 Counseling

Wendy Cohen

Wendy Cohen
Interim 5th Grade Counselor
B.S., Psychology
M.S.W.
Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical

Gayle Elster

Gayle Elster
Parenting Resource Center Director, Gurim, Kindergarten, and 3rd Grade Counselor and Counseling Support Specialist
B.S., Special Education
M.S.W.

Einat Hileli

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

Rebecca Prigal

Rebecca Prigal
Interim Lower School Principal, 5th Grade Counselor
B.A., Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
M.S., Social Work: Mental Health Specialization
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Certified (LCSW-C)

Natalie Selzer

Natalie Selzer
1st, 2nd, and 4th Grade Counselor

Food Services

Lisa Alcoba

Lisa Alcoba
Lower School Dining Services Assistant

Mark Glauser

Mark Glauser
Director of Food Services

Jose Gomez

Jose Gomez
Lower School Food Service Attendent

Justin Perelman

Justin Perelman
Assistant Mashigiach

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

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

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

Flex Teachers

Justin Gorton

Justin Gorton
Lower School Teaching Assistant, Recess Monitor

Cindy Shuman

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

Casey Topol

Casey Topol
Flex Teacher