Leadership
Leadership Team
Leadership Team
Janet Barzilay
Director of Enrollment
Started at Rodeph Sholom School in:
2022
Began career in Education in:
2004
Educational Background:
B.A. in political science from Brown University; NYU Law School, JD.
Favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom School:
My favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom is the commitment of the school to superb academics and joy in learning, combined with the focus on developing socially responsible and moral citizens of the world.
Other things to know about me:
My husband and I raised our daughters in Los Angeles, but have maintained a long and deep relationship with the fabulous Rodeph Sholom community. I am honored to be a part of the Rodeph team.
Marc Fried
Chief Financial Officer
Started at Rodeph Sholom School in:
2003
Years in Education:
2003
Educational Background:
Bachelors of Science from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and M.B.A. from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University.
Favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom School:
My favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom is the community.
Other things to know about me:
I am a long suffering fan of the New York Islanders and the New York Jets. There’s always next year!
Rebecca Hammerman
Head of Elementary Divison
Started at Rodeph Sholom School in:
2020
Began career in Education in:
2000
Educational Background:
B.A. in modern Jewish studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary, B.A. in anthropology from Columbia University, M.Ed. in independent school leadership from Teachers College, & M.S. in education from Bank Street College.
Favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom School:
My favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom is the students! They come to school each day with enthusiasm and care. They care deeply about their peers and teachers. It is a joy to spend my days with them.
Other things to know about me:
I love to hike, read, and cook, but not bake!
Danny Karpf
Head of School
Started at Rodeph Sholom School:
2016
Began Career in Education in:
1992
Educational Background:
B.A. in psychology, Haverford College; M.S. in education, The Johns Hopkins University.
Favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom School:
My favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom is the passionate and joyful people.
Other things to know about me:
I am a huge Baltimore Orioles fan.
Leslie Kuo
Director of Development
Started at Rodeph Sholom School in:
2023
Sally Meisner
Head of Middle School
Started at Rodeph Sholom School in:
2023
Began career in Education in:
1995
Educational Background:
Undergraduate degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison in education,
graduate degree from Bank Street College in math leadership in education.
Favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom School:
The energy, joy and commitment of all members of the community is palpable.
Other things to know about me:
I am always game for a number, word, or jigsaw puzzle as well as a round of backgammon, Boggle or mah-jong.
Jackie Meyer
Chief of Staff and Operations Coordinator
Started at Rodeph Sholom School in:
2013
Began Career in Education in:
2013 when I made the transition from corporate public relations
Educational Background:
B.S. from Ithaca College; major in marketing and communications with a minor in culture and communications.
Favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom School:
My favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom School is the culture and warm community, radiating from our students and parents to our faculty and staff.
Other things to know about me:
Similar to our 8th graders, I finished my senior year in High School with a trip to Israel (for 3 months). I am also a mom to two boys.
Susan Newman
Head of Early Childhood
Started at Rodeph Sholom School in:
1991
Years in Education:
40
Educational Background:
B.A./M.A. from Wesleyan University 1978, M.S. in education, Bank Street College of Education 1992.
Favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom School:
My favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom is watching the children learn and grow together.
Other things to know about me:
I am the mom of three grown men and the grandmother of one baby boy. I love to knit and spin and do so frequently in my spare time.
Keren Schuller
Director of Academics
Started at Rodeph Sholom School in:
2006
Began career in Education in:
1995
Educational Background:
B.S. in psychology; M.Ed. in special education.
Favorite thing about Rodeph Sholom School:
Out students’ enthusiasm for learning, discovery and for our community.
Other things to know about me:
I love to cook, even more so with friends or when listening to a good podcast.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
The fundamental responsibility of the Board of Directors is to protect and advance the interests of the school and its various constituencies in ways that are consistent with Rodeph Sholom School’s mission. The Board of Directors is responsible for the appointment of the Head of School, for the overall policies of the institution, for the safekeeping and management of its assets, for fundraising and development, and for the approval of its budget. The Board is not involved in responsibilities within the Head of School’s domain, which include, but are not limited to admissions, curriculum, and discipline.
The Rodeph Sholom School Board of Directors has up to 25 members who serve as directors for the entire school community. The majority of the Board is appointed by its Nominating Committee with additional members appointed by Congregation Rodeph Sholom (CRS). Directors include current and past parents of Rodeph Sholom School students, and educators from other academic institutions. Since most board members are also current parents, they are familiar faces within the community and can successfully steward Rodeph Sholom resources to help the school reach its strategic goals and live its mission.
Board of Directors 2023-2024
Kara Aborn
Karen Bank
Talia Day
Peter Ehrenberg
Martha Epstein ’10,
~ Alumni Association Representative
Cindy Gavin
Eliot Horowitz
Roni Jacobson
Eileen Kleiman
Gheña Korn
Marcelo Messer
David Resnick
Michael Sand, Chair
Brady Schneider ’10
Suzanne Waltman
Tina Deutsch
Sarah Eisenman
William Friedland
Michael Hirschberg
Nancy Bach
Heather Morgan
Marc Regenbaum
Scott Reisinger
Gara Schwartz,
~ Parents Association Representative
Lisa Siegel
Parents Association
Parents Association
At the core of any strong school community is an active Parents Association who complements the school’s programming with meaningful ways to connect. We are lucky to have an exceptional Rodeph Sholom School Parents Association led by a strong Executive Board.
The Parents Association supports the school through community building and organizing a variety of events throughout the school year. Events include, a Book Fair, an Ice Skating Party, divisional Shabbat experiences, and Family Service Days, just to name just a few. To support these events, the Parents Association actively encourages family involvement through volunteering — a great way to make friends and to stay connected to the school and your children’s education.
Parents Association Executive Board 2023-2024
Gara Schwartz, President
Jaime Horowitz, Vice President
Samantha Feinberg, Engagement
Matt Mezvinsky, Treasurer
Laura Littman, Communications
Elyse Cromer, Secretary
Erica Fishbein, Jewish Life & Learning
Allison Blick, Member-at-Large
Tracey Amdur, Member-at-Large
Nikki Fisher, Member-at-Large
Robyn Sacks Matthews, Member-at-Large