Mrs. Orly Amenu
Nursery 3 Hebrew
Morah Orly has been a teacher for the last 13 years. She has worked at Ganoni Day Care and HAFTR. Morah Orly as been a member of the Brandeis mishpacha for the past five years in our nursery program. Morah Orly delights in watching her students grow and develop throughout the year.
Mrs. Dana Atias
3rd & 4th Grade, Judaic Studies
Mrs. Atias joins us from Eretz Yisrael through the World Zionist Organization. She has been teaching lower and middle school students in Israel for more than 10 years. She has mastered teaching the Hebrew Language as well as various Judaic Studies subjects across grade levels. Classes will be held Ivrit B’ivrit while integrating all five senses to reach every child and their learning abilities. Mrs. Atias is looking forward to collaborating with her parents, students, colleagues and administrators and believes teamwork leads to student success.
Rabbi Aharon Bain
School Rabbi, Middle School Limudei Kodesh
Rabbi Aharon Bain is honored to join Brandeis Hebrew Academy as School Rabbi. He studied at Yeshiva Darchei Torah and Yeshivas Kodshim in Yerushalayim, receiving semicha from Darchei Torah. With experience teaching at Yeshiva Nishmas HaTorah and coordinating student programs, Rabbi Bain brings heartfelt enthusiasm and a deep love for Torah education. He looks forward to inspiring students and building meaningful relationships within the Brandeis community.
Mr. Gabriel Berger
STEAM/Science/Technology
Mr. Berger is the STEAM Coordinator here at Brandies. He has a Masters in Biology and has years of experience teaching at all grade levels. In addition to running our STEAM program, he will be teaching 3rd grade technology, as well as teaching science for 4th through 8th grade. Mr. Berger believes that science doesn’t have to be a daunting subject and can be fun for all ages. He tries to cater to all learning styles in order to provide the students with the best possible means of success. The focus of our STEAM curriculum will be to integrate all aspects of science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a fun but educational way that goes beyond the scope of what they will cover in the NYS curriculum. In technology class, students begin the year learning about the structure of computers and the typing process. Keyboard skills are expanded through various word-processing projects and assignments. The year culminates with learning how to create animated presentations and slideshows. Topics for both word processing and presentations are based on personal interests as well as content from their 3rd grade language arts and social studies curriculum. The goal of the science curriculum for all grades is to engage students in discussion that encourages them to ask questions and seek the knowledge to develop their understanding of the natural world. In addition, the 8th grade science curriculum is designed to prepare students for the NYS Living Environment Regents Exam.
Mrs. Shayna Berger
Nursery 2
Morah Shayna is so excited to be back with the Brandeis family. She was thrilled to have to opportunity to join us last year. She has years of experience taking care of kids of all ages.
Mrs. H
eidi Beyer
IEP/504 Coordinator, 5th Grade Literacy
Mrs. Beyer is a reading specialist and has been a part of the Brandeis family for five years. Students in the second through eighth grades who need reading enrichment meet with Mrs. Beyer. Prior to joining Brandeis, Mrs. Beyer was a reading teacher in the Port Washington School District.
Mrs. Audrey Bieber
Middle School English, Literacy Coordinator Grades 1-8
Mrs. Bieber brings over 20 years of experience teaching English. In accordance with Common Core/Next Generation State Standards, Mrs. Bieber’s students read grade-appropriate informational and literary texts to further develop and improve English Language skills including: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Students learn to utilize text-based evidence to determine central ideas, specify the author’s use of literary techniques, and analyze the author’s craft. A variety of writing assessments and activities are used to demonstrate these skills.
Students build upon their knowledge of the world and relationship within it through class discussion of texts, gathering information, evaluating nonfiction sources, and a variety of both teacher-directed and student-centered activities. The small teacher/student ratio allows for special attention and differentiated instruction towards individual student needs.
Mrs. Bieber’s goal for her students is to become independent readers and writers, and to facilitate a lifelong passion for the written word. By graduation, our students are well prepared for the demands of high school English and have experience with advanced texts as well.
Mrs. Karen Bitton Bahr
Pre-K, Kindergarten Judaic Studies
Born and raised in Israel, after her 2 years service in the Israeli navy, Karen moved to the U.S. Karen is a mother of two wonderful kids and resides in Queens. She loves to teach Hebrew and is passionate about the Jewish religion and culture. Karen has teaching experience at Ben Port Yosef Paramus NJ, YCQ Yeshiva in Queens and, most recently, 1st Grade Judaic Studies at Solomon Schechter of Long Island.

Mrs. Adina Frumer
PreK & Kindergarten General Studies
[email protected]
Adina Frumer is the General Education teacher for Pre-K and Kindergarten, bringing over 18 years of dedicated experience in Early Childhood Education. She holds a Master’s degree specializing in education for children from birth to age 8 and is passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging environment where young learners can thrive.
Originally from Brooklyn, Adina now resides in Merrick with her husband, daughter, and dogs. Her approach emphasizes hands-on learning and social-emotional development, preparing children not only academically but also in essential life skills. Adina is also active in ongoing professional development, ensuring she stays at the forefront of early education practices.
Mrs. Leslie Gang
Director of Admissions & Communications, Executive Administrative Assistant
Leslie is thrilled to be a part of the Brandeis family, both as a parent and administrator. She has most recently worked as Executive Assistant in the Yeshivah of Flatbush, assisting the Executive Director and lay leaders of the institution. Prior to her position in Flatbush, Leslie served as the Director of Admissions, Communications and Alumni Relations at HAFTR for seven years. Alongside Mr. Reuben Maron and the lay leadership, Leslie helped increase student enrollment, develop and expand several fundraising campaigns, and foster relationships with HAFTR Graduates. From 2009-2011, Leslie served as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Westchester Day School. Leslie is a HAFTR High School Graduate (Class of 2003) and Boston University Graduate (COM' 07).
Mrs. Hagit Genosar
Judaic Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Middle School Hebrew
Mrs. Genosar has been a core member of the Brandeis family for the past 17 years. She teaches Hebrew language, Tanach and Dinim. She began teaching fifth and sixth grade, and later moved to seventh grade. Mrs. Genosar now teaches eighth grade and prepares students for the Hebrew Regents exam.
In the Middle School, students are grouped based on their proficiency in the Hebrew language. This allows students to benefit from learning at their own pace and level. Mrs.Genosar gains great pleasure in seeing students' enthusiasm and excitement when they are introduced to Hebrew literature.
In Tanach studies, the main goal is to make students identify with Eretz Israel and deepen their connection to the land of our ancestors.
Celebrating holidays and commemorating special days in the Hebrew calendar defines the Brandeis Hebrew Academy experience. Mrs. Genosar is proud to direct and lead the middle school students in the presentations of Yom Yerushalayim (5th grade), Pesach Model Seder (6th grade), Yom Hazikaron (7th grade) and Yom Hashoah (8th grade).
Mrs. Genosar teaches by "דרך ארץ קדמה לתורה" – Proper (ethical) behavior precedes the Torah – before one can learn and receive an education, he or she must pave the path with Derech Eretz, decent behavior and good character traits
Ms. Alysha Goldberg
PreK Assistant
Alysha is currently attending Nassau Community College to receive her degree in teaching. She is very excited to join the Brandeis family and see all of the smiles on the students' faces as well as their academic progress and success.
Mr. Cary Groden
Middle School Math
Cary Groden holds both a BS in Psychology and a MS in Education from SUNY at New Paltz. He is a retired public school teacher with over 40 years experience in Grades K-8. The math curriculum this year in the Middle School will focus on Pre-Algebra and Algebra concepts. The 8th Graders will take the Algebra Regents in June. Mr. Groden is very excited to be a part of the Brandeis family and looks forward to a successful and enriching math experience for all his students.
Mrs. Rivki Guberman
Grades 1, 2 Judaic Studies
Mrs. Guberman, born in Israel, has taught Lower School Judaic Studies in Israel and also holds a degree in special education. Rivki has also taught at Brandeis in years past and is excited to be back.
Mrs. Rachel Gwirtzman
4th Grade General Studies, Middle School Math
Mrs. Gwirtzman has her BA in Art History from Smith College and a MA in Early Childhood Education from NYU. She has taught 4th grade at P.S. 6 in Manhattan. In addition, she has previously taught Math at Brandeis, and she was a 1st grade Reading Specialist at Franklin Early Childhood Center.
Mrs. Zelda Kastin
Middle School, Social Studies
Mrs. Kastin has had the pleasure of educating Middle School children in Brandeis for almost three decades. Currently, Mrs. Kastin teaches 5th and 8th grade Social Studies. Mrs. Kastin has always strived to ignite each student's love of history and the world around them.
The Middle School social studies curriculum is based on New York State standards. In 5th grade, students use a variety of their learned skills to understand major ideas, themes and turning points in history, both in North and South America. Eighth grade students delve deeper into the history of our country. There is a greater understanding of different historical periods, particularly Reconstruction, Progressive Movement, WWI, The Great Depression-New Deal, WWII, Civil Right Era, Vietnam War, Kennedy-Johnson Years, and 1988 to the present.
Mrs. Kristen Kavallierators
1st Grade General Studies
[email protected]
Kristen is so excited to join the Brandeis family. She has been happily married for eight years and has two daughters aged three and four. This is her first year back teaching since they were born. Previously she has taught for about seven years in grades spanning from preschool to third grade. She has earned a dual undergraduate degree in childhood education and English from Queens College and then went on to graduate school. She earned a masters degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages, graduating with honors from TOURO College.
Ms. Gabrielle Kaufman
Art
[email protected]
Gaby Kaufman has primarily taught in public education while pursuing her studies. She recently completed a master’s degree in Fine Arts and Education at Adelphi University. She earned her undergraduate degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), specializing in drawing and painting.
Ms. Gila Lipshitz
Nursery 2, General Studies
This is Gila's second year at Brandeis, having worked in the Kindergarten and Nursery 2 classes in the past. Gila is also a Brandeis parent, with two children currently enrolled and one son who graduated from the institution.
Ms. Lori Pennock
Resource Room
Ms. Pennock is the Special Education Teacher at Brandeis and teaches our district resource room students. She has her masters degree in Special Education and has taught students in Preschool through High School during her extensive career. The resource room is a classroom where students with educational needs are given direct specialized instruction and academic remediation, individually or in small groups. Ms. Pennock is delighted to have been an integral part of the Brandeis community for the past 6 years and looks forward to many more years working with our students.
Mrs. Lisa Sacolick
Nursery 3 General Studies
Three year nursery is taught by Morah Lisa and Morah Orly. For the past five years, our Morahs have worked together to provide a nursery curriculum that is well-rounded. Our three year-old students learn about our holidays, parsha, seasons, colors, shapes, numbers and the alphabet. Special units include author studies, apples, fire safety, health, and music appreciation. Our day includes free play, davening circle, story time, outdoor playground, center time, art projects and rest time. We provide a friendly, warm, safe, nurturing environment where the children grow, learn and make lots of friends.
Mrs. Tara Saez
Middle School Spanish
Mrs. Saez is currently in her 26th year of teaching, the last three at Brandeis. Mrs. Saez is our 6th, 7th and 8th grade Spanish teacher. Throughout her career, Mrs. Saez has taught in a variety of educational environments. While at the past three years at Brandeis, Mrs. Saez has noted that Brandeis Hebrew Academy not only provides a productive learning environment for students but also provides an inviting family environment.
The Spanish curriculum is thorough, integrating the four major skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. In sixth grade, students begin with basic language skills. By the eighth grade, our students are able to express thoughts in several language tenses. This demonstrates the student's growth.
The ultimate goal of our Spanish program is to prepare our students for higher level learning as well as the diverse society in which we reside.
Mrs. Chani Wertheimer
Front Office Administrator
Chani Wertheimer is a mom of three who’s mastered the art of juggling—between 15 years in special education, managing the chaos of an IT office for two years, and being a full-time cheerleader for her kids’ competitive karate and gymnastics careers. She’s spent her days helping students grow, organizing office mayhem, and attending enough karate tournaments and gymnastics meets to know the difference between a roundhouse kick and a back handspring. Whether it's crafting lesson plans, organizing schedules, or dodging flying elbows at the gym, Chani always strives to handle it all with a smile (and maybe a little caffeine).
Mrs. Michal Wicentowsky
1st Grade General Studies
Michal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education, underscoring her dedication to supporting the unique needs of every child. Her journey in education began at Ramaz, where she spent almost 20 years teaching in Early Childhood. She later enriched the lives of students at Yeshiva of Flatbush, and most recently, she served as Preschool Director at Solomon Schechter of Queens, where she guided both children and fellow educators with warmth, insight, and vision. Michal takes great joy in fostering each child’s individuality, creating a learning environment where students feel valued and empowered to grow. For her, the greatest reward comes from seeing children blossom over the course of a school year—transforming from the nervous excitement of the first day into confident, joyful learners by year’s end.
Mrs. Elaine Winograd
3rd Grade General Studies, Middle School Math
Elaine Winograd is a secular teacher who has taught at Brandeis for over twenty years. She has taught math, literacy, social studies, and science on the elementary level during her tenure. Recently, Mrs. Winograd has added teaching math to seventh and eighth grade students.
Mrs. Winograd challenges herself to provide a classroom that promotes curiosity and exploration among her students. Her students are willing to take risks and explore the unknown either independently or through peer interaction. Mrs. Winograd encourages her students to actively engage and participate in their learning. Mrs. Winograd believes her role is to facilitate this process through cooperative learning, investigation, inquiry and hands-on activities.