HLA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
- Directors
Adam Semler is the treasurer of the board of directors. Adam has a background in finance and accounting, and spent the majority of his professional career at York Capital Management, retiring in December 2011, after having joined the firm in 1995. He had various roles during his tenure at York, mostly as Chief Financial Officer, and then as Chief Operating Officer. He was a Partner at the firm and was primarily responsible for all of their financial operations. Adam also served on the Management Committee, as well as holding other positions in affiliated York entities. Prior to York, Adam served in accounting and operations positions at Granite Capital International Group and was a senior accountant specializing in the financial industry at Goldstein, Golub, Kessler & Co. Adam is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.B.A. from Emory University. He and his wife Jill currently reside in Chappaqua, New York.
Allyson Galishoff is a trustee of the board of directors. Allyson is currently a Mental Health Counselor in private practice at NYC Counseling. She has a background in palliative care social work and was previously an Oncology Social Worker at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Prior to this, she worked as a school counselor at Inwood Academy for Leadership from 2010-2014. A passionate philanthropist, she has held fundraisers such as Tunnels to Towers Climb to support first responders and service members as well as for Jeffrey Model Foundation, a non-profit geared toward funding research for early diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately cures for Primary Immunodeficiency. She is married to Alan Galishoff with whom she has two children.
Amy Feinblatt is a trustee of the board of directors. She is currently a SoLuxe Printing Services representative in New York City. Previously, she worked in production for a women's apparel manufacturer. Amy graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BA in retail and consumer science. Amy has been a consistent supporter of Hebrew Public's work and has volunteered at Harlem Hebrew and Hebrew Language Academy.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Israel Office
- Hebrew Public As a Project Manager
Anat joined Hebrew Public as a Project Manager. She has 13 years of experience in managing programs at the Steinhardt Family Foundation in Israel in the fields of education, informal education and reducing social gaps. She holds a master's degree in conflict resolution and negotiation from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and holds a diploma in language editing. She served in the Israeli Defence Force as a teacher and acquired experience in teaching Hebrew among new immigrants and youth in distress. Anat lives in Modi'in-Israel and has a son and a daughter.
Beryl P. Chernov is a trustee of the board of directors. Beryl is currently serving as National Executive Director of the Israel Cancer Research Fund, the largest non-governmental funder of cancer research in Israel. Prior to his new role, he served as the Executive Director of the Park Avenue Synagogue for 19 years. Beryl was also the founding director of the Weinberger Jewish Family Center at the Sid Jacobson JCC (Roslyn, N.Y.) and the Director of Education and Youth Programming at the Fair Lawn Jewish Center (Fair Lawn, N.J.). Beryl received his bachelor's degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary in Jewish Philosophy and a master's degree in School Administration from Hofstra University. Beryl actively serves on many boards and is a frequent speaker and consultant to organizations that enhance Jewish life or causes. Some of those organizations included the Board of Governors of the North American Association of Synagogue Executives, the Metropolitan Association of Synagogue Executives (where he served as a former President), the Steering Committee of Camp Ramah Nyack, the Coordinating Council for UJA/Federation Synergy, and the President's Parent Council of Goucher College. Beryl is the proud parent of Sara, Nora, and Abby.
Charita joined the Hebrew Public network of schools with over 8 years of experience as a business operations professional. She formerly worked at a private school known for its high-quality education where she was the Accounts Manager, managing students' financial and demographic records. Wanting to work in an environment with a diverse student body, Charita decided it would be beneficial to join a charter school. She began her career with Harlem Hebrew Language Academy in August 2017.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Student Support Services
Job Titles:
- Finance Manager
- Network Director of Strategic Initiatives
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance
- Director of Finance & School Finance Team Lead
Denise has been working with the HLA family since 2011. Denise pursued a career in accounting and finance based on her knack for numbers and interest in both subjects. In her previous role as Senior Finance Manager, she managed the finance department for the three NYC schools. She has a wealth of knowledge in the areas of payroll and benefits, as she used to support the HR department. Denise graduated from Long Island University with a BS in Accounting. Denise loves to spend time at the beach relaxing or taking a stroll on the boardwalk and spending time with family. She currently lives in Rockville Centre, NY with her daughter.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Prior to Hebrew Public, Elyse was the business operations manager at Success Academy Charter Schools. She opened three of the organization's middle schools. As a school leader, she oversaw all daily operations, which included budget oversight, parent communication, supply procurement and team management. Before joining Success Academy Charter Schools, Elyse earned an MBA in strategic marketing and finance from the University of Connecticut in 2012. Prior to business school, Elyse worked in various entrepreneurial and non-profit settings. In her role at Hebrew Public, Elyse advises and supports network schools in the greater New York area in the operational and financial aspects of opening and running a school.
Emily is an inspirational and strategic leader and an expert in instructional coaching, school leadership, student and staff culture, and evaluation. She has a deep knowledge of how to ensure growth while also creating warm and supportive school environments for children, staff, and parents. Prior to her role at Hebrew Public, Emily served as Founder and Principal at Brownsville Ascend Middle School. In addition to her work at Ascend, Emily has held roles at KIPP NYC and Teach For America in Miami-Dade, Florida. She is driven by a deep belief in the ability of young people to excel when presented with rigorous challenges and unwavering support.
Hillary Leibowitz is a trustee of the board of directors. For the past two decades, Hillary Leibowitz has been involved in The Chabad of The East End. She and her husband Daniel generously donate to many of the hospitals in the New York metropolitan area. Hillary is on the Weill Cornell-New York Presbyterian's Women's Health Symposium Executive Steering Committee. She is a stay-at-home mom to her three children, Austin, Caroline, and Eliza. Prior to parenthood, Hillary worked as a teacher at the Stephen Gaynor School and Birch Wathen Lenox, both private schools in Manhattan. She received a master's degree in special education from Hunter College and a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Job Titles:
- Chief Talent Officer
- Network Director of Strategic Initiatives / Talent
Jennice Hyde was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she earned a degree in Health Science and Kinesiology. In 2008, she began her career in education at Harmony Public Schools in Houston, Texas. Over the next ten years Jennice served as a teacher, Dean of Students, Elementary Principal, and High School Campus Director. Jennice's interest in school leadership lead her to pursue a Master's degree in Educational Administration and a Master's degree in Counseling. Jennice is excited to be part of the team at Hebrew Public as the Director of Recruitment and Strategic Initiatives. When she is not at work, Jennice enjoys spending time with her daughter London, cooking, and cheering on the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Cowboys!
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Special Projects
Joey is a creative problem solver and project manager supporting the Executive and Operations teams at Hebrew Public. Before Hebrew Public, he ran a Success Academy Charter School in Brooklyn and before that attended the University of Michigan where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics. He believes education is the most effective way to empower young people to seek the life they deserve by cultivating a culture of personal growth and curiosity. Joey is also an actor and writer, and proud Chicago style deep dish pizza connoisseur.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Executive
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President
- Ex Officio
- Hebrew Public 's President & CEO
- Secretary ( Ex Officio )
Jon is an experienced social sector leader, education program developer, and civil rights lawyer. He has served as CEO of Repair the World, as executive director of Roads to Success, and in senior staff roles at Edison Schools Inc., The Children's Aid Society, and the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Jon began his legal career as a public defender at The Legal Aid Society. He is an active volunteer in the Montclair School District, where he and his family live, and serves on the boards of Ascend Learning, the National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools, and the National Coalition of Diverse Charter Schools. He is a past-chair of the New York City Bar Association's Committee on Education and the Law. A graduate of Columbia Law School, he holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Judy Winitzer is a trustee of the board of directors. She is vice president of brand management at Live Nation Entertainment. She previously served as vice president at Global Merchant Services, leading an account management team that builds network-wide relationships with the largest global hotel chains in the US. Additionally, Judy served as Director of Travel Partnership at American Express. She earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Barnard College and a master's degree in marketing from Yale University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Talent Officer
- Director of Talent Operations
Katie Scrantom holds a Bachelor's Degree in Bilingual Education (Spanish/English) from Loyola University Chicago and a Masters in the Psychology of Childhood Adversity from Queen's University Belfast, UK. Her Masters research entailed interviewing youth from segregated schools in Northern Ireland to highlight the psychosocial benefits of art-based peacebuilding programs in post-conflict settings. She is also the co-founder of a community-based educational program in northern Uganda for children orphaned by conflict. Katie has worked as a teacher and social worker in various domestic and international settings, which eventually led her to Talent work in the education sector. Katie loves music, singing, yoga, meditation, and nature. She is so proud to be part of the Hebrew Public team!
Job Titles:
- Director of Data and Analytics
In her role at Hebrew Public, Kay supports the development and creation of affiliate schools around the country. Prior to joining Hebrew Public, Kay was a math teacher at Success Academy Charter Schools. Kay holds a bachelor's degree from Columbia University and a master's degree in elementary education from Touro College.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Culture for Grades 6 - 8
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Chief of Staff
- Chief External Officer
Prior to joining Hebrew Public in 2018, Lauren graduated St. Francis College where she earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) focused in Health Promotion and Science. She is an aware communicator and specializes in organization and attention to detail, which allows her to flourish in her position at Hebrew Public. As a member of the external relations team, Lauren has an active role in database management, event planning, student recruitment efforts, amongst many other tasks. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and attending kickboxing class.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Assistant
Lisa was born in the Dominican Republic but raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She attended Baruch College and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Corporate Communications. Ever since her first role in HR, she knew it was her calling and is truly passionate about learning all there is to the field. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family!
Lynette Tulkoff is a trustee of the board of directors. She is the founder of Hudson Park Realty, a New York City real estate development, and consulting firm, focused on commercial real estate opportunities.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Regional Operations
Prior to Hebrew Public, Madison served as the Director of Operations at Philadelphia Hebrew Public. Before joining the PHP team, Madison served as Senior Director of Operations at Mastery Schools, launching the organization's first two schools in Camden, NJ, and supporting strong operations at 24 schools across the Philadelphia Region. Prior to her work in schools, Madison served as the Programming Coordinator for LitWorld, a global literacy advocacy organization. Madison earned her BA at New York University and MEd from The Broad Center. In her role Madison supports network schools with operations and strategic initiatives to drive student outcomes.
Matthew was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. He attended the College of Staten Island and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. After graduating, he joined Hebrew Public as an intern for Talent and is thrilled to be further advancing in his role! During his free time, Matthew is a classic rock buff and loves to spend time with family and friends.
Meredith Verona is a trustee of the board of directors. Meredith is a partner in a three-generation family business that owns, develops, and manages residential and commercial properties in New York. Born and raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan where she still resides with her family, Meredith is an alumnus of The Dalton School, the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University Teachers College where she received her master's degree. After which, she taught high school English in both private and public schools in Manhattan. Meredith's passion for education and working with children has kept her active in child advocacy, Charter Schools around the country, and NYU's Hasenfeld Children's Hospital.
Michael Steinhardt's financial career began when he graduated from the Wharton School of Business in 1960. He worked as research associate, staff writer, and securities analyst in various firms. He formed his own money management firm in 1967, named Steinhardt Partners L.P., where he experienced unprecedented success. In his memoir, No Bull: My Life In and Out of the Markets, published in 2001, Mr. Steinhardt shares his life's journey and the private and public experiences that have shaped his career.
He is married to Judy Steinhardt. They live in New York and have three children and 13 grandchildren. Michael Steinhardt founded The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, of which he serves as chair. He is also co-founder of Birthright Israel, a transformational program to bring young Jews to Israel for immersive 10-day visits.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of School Operations
Michelle has worked with HLA since the school's inception in 2009. She served as the Director of Operations at HLA since 2012. In her role, she oversees all daily operations of the schools including recruitment and enrollment, budget, purchases, and safety regulations. She also manages all the schools' data systems and completes required reports to ensure the schools are in compliance with all safety regulations. She has a wealth of experience in office management and accounting and graduated from the University of Phoenix with an associate's degree in childhood education. Michelle loves to cook and bake with her two daughters!
Job Titles:
- Director of Mental Health & Student Wellness
Before Mimi joined as the Director of Mental Health in 2021, she served as the Social Work Team Coach at Hebrew Public's Harlem Hebrew Language Academy. Mimi came to Hebrew Public with extensive experience working with a diverse population of children and their families throughout the NYC boroughs, successfully managing several Article 31 Satellite Clinics within the Community and Renewal schools. Working in those schools confirmed her passion to bridge education and mental health to further students' social-emotional development, as well as their academic achievement. Mimi received her BA in Creative Writing and Theater from Hunter College and her MSW from Fordham University. Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, she is fluent in Japanese. Social Work is Mimi's second career, having transitioned from the entertainment field. Mimi believes Social Work is the art of listening and the science of hope.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Hebrew Studies
Mira began her education career in Israel as a Special Education teacher and brought her enthusiasm to our classrooms when she joined the HLA family in 2012. She was teaching Hebrew in almost all grades and levels. Her passion for teaching the Hebrew language led her to graduate with an MA from Middlebury College and become part of the HLA leadership and Hebrew Public team. Mira has been coaching our Hebrew teachers for three years and is excited to be part of the Hebrew Public team as the Associate Director of Hebrew Studies (2021). In this role, she is taking part in developing the K-8 curriculum and assessments, and leading the Hebrew Studies department with a focus on Israeli and other world cultures to support the growth of our students as global citizens. Mira lives in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Student Support
Natalie began her career in education working as a teacher for two years. She later transitioned to the role of School Psychologist within the same school district. This new role allowed her to work primarily with Special Education students and their families. Natalie quickly realized that her passion was working with that particular demographic. Prior to joining Hebrew Public as a Director of Special Education Services, Natalie served as a Coordinator of Student Support Services for a charter school in New Jersey which gave her the opportunity to oversee both the Special Education programs as well as the English Language Learner program. Natalie earned her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida and her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Managing Director of School Programs
Nichel is a passionate leader who began her career working as a special education teacher in Brooklyn, NY. She later transitioned and held the roles of Dean of Student Services and Assistant Principal of Specialized Services in schools in both New York and Philadelphia. Prior to joining Hebrew Public, Nichel served as Senior Director of Student Support at a diverse, EL Education, charter school network in Washington, D.C., which gave her the opportunity to oversee school programs for a diverse community of students and families. Nichel earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Cheyney University in Pennsylvania, and her Master's Degree in Special Education from Brooklyn College.
Noemi Zibuts is a trustee of the board of directors. She was born in Lithuania and spent her high school years living and studying in Israel. Upon her return to Lithuania, she taught Hebrew at a Vilnius Elementary School, which she reflects upon as a tremendously rewarding experience. After her family immigrated to the U.S., she pursued a career in finance and is currently serving as Managing Director in Markets at Citibank. Throughout her professional career, she has been a champion for diversity and inclusion. Noemi joined the board of Hebrew Public in 2016 and is looking forward to dedicating her energy, and professional experience, and leveraging her network to further the growth and success of Hebrew charters nationwide.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Hebrew Instruction
Job Titles:
- Reverend
- Trustee
- Directors
- John Maxwell Certified Coach
Reverend Karim Camara is a trustee of the board of directors. He is a spiritual teacher/pastor, author, speaker, and coach dedicated to helping individuals and organizations discover their purpose and reach their potential. He currently serves as Pastor of Abundant Life Church, Brooklyn, New York.
In addition to serving as a Pastor, he is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Camara Strategies International (a Brooklyn-based personal and organizational development company, and MayByrd Media, a digital marketing agency.
Karim is a John Maxwell Certified Coach, Speaker, and Trainer. With over twenty- years of experience in human development, Karim Camara is passionate about helping individuals and organizations reach their highest potential. Karim and his endeavors have been seen on major, nationally known news outlets.
Karim served in the New York State Government for 17 years as an elected member of the New York State Assembly (2005-2015) and the Executive Director, the Governor's Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services (2015-2022).
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Recruitment
Prior to joining Hebrew Public, Roger spent time as a classroom teacher and Business Operations Manager at Success Academy Charter School. He also spent time as a Director of School Operations at Harlem Hebrew Language Academy Charter School. In his new role as an External Affairs Manager, Roger will help to support student recruitment and development efforts.
Job Titles:
- Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Sabrina Banwait began her career in education working as a teacher in both elementary and middle schools in schools across Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City. While these experiences have varied, they have all continued to confirm her commitment to social justice and educational equity. Prior to joining Hebrew Public as an Instructional Leadership Coaching, Sabrina served as a Dean of Instruction and Assistant Principal for charter schools in Manhattan and Brooklyn. These positions gave her the opportunity to work closely with teachers. Through coaching and modeling, she has supported teacher teams in establishing and resetting the bar of excellence for rigorous student-centered instruction for all children. She looks forward to working closely with school leaders in order to share best practices that impact student achievement. Sabrina earned her Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, and her Master's Degree in Teaching from the University of Chicago with the Urban Teacher Education Program.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Directors
- Senior Portfolio Manager at Poetic Group
Sam Mark is a trustee of the board of directors. Sam is the Senior Portfolio Manager at Poetic Group, an investment manager focusing on residential real estate credit opportunities. Mr. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University. He currently resides in Englewood, NJ with his wife and two children.
Samona grew up in New Jersey and went to Rutgers University for her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Labor Relations & HR. After graduate school, she worked for two years at a logistics company starting their HR department. After that, she worked at Birthright Israel Foundation, where she was their HR Director. Samona is excited to join the Hebrew Public team as their HR Director. In Samona's free time, she enjoys hiking and skiing with her family.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Founder
- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hebrew Public
Sara Bloom is the founder and the chair of the board of directors of Hebrew Public. From 2004 to 2008, she was a weekly columnist for The New York Sun focusing on raising children in New York City. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, OneTable, the Jewish Food Society, and the Areivim Philanthropic Group. She works as a mediator at the Long Island Dispute Resolution Center, and in a private practice specializing in family disputes. Ms. Bloom lives in New York City.
Sara Bloom is the chair of the board of directors of the Hebrew Public. She is also the chair of the board of trustees of the Hebrew Language Academy Charter School in Brooklyn. From 2004 to 2008, she was a weekly columnist for The New York Sun focusing on raising children in New York City. She has been a regular guest on CBS Morning News and FOX News, as well as a frequent guest lecturer at local schools and community centers throughout the city. Before this, she was the Features Editor, and then the News Editor at the Forward,America's national Jewish newspaper. From 2002 to 2005, Ms. Bloom chaired the board of one of the eight centers of the 92nd Street Y, the Makor/Steinahrdt Center. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, the Board of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, and the Board of Trustees of the Areivim Philanthropic Group. She graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University, where she studied history. Ms. Bloom lives in New York City with her six children.
Job Titles:
- Director of Talent Operations
- Manager of Talent Recruitment
Sari Goldstein grew up in Suffern, NY. She attended Penn State University where she earned a degree in political science and psychology, and spent a semester studying in Barcelona, Spain. In 2014, she began her career with Teach for America, as a 6th grade ELA teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was during this time that she became a TALMA fellow for two summers teaching 3rd and 4th grade English in Jerusalem. Over the next 5 years, she moved back to New York City, and continued to work as a teacher, instructional leader and coach in Brooklyn, and earned a Masters in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. Sari currently works as the Manager of Talent Recruitment for Hebrew Public.
Job Titles:
- Senior External Relations Manager
Sasha has been an active member in her Brooklyn community for over ten years. She has spent her time investing and working with families in community settings such as, summer day camps, after school programs, and now Hebrew Public's diverse network of schools. Sasha is currently the Community Relations Coordinator at Hebrew Language Academy in Brooklyn and is excited to continue building relationships and providing support for students, families, and community members. As the Community Relations Coordinator, one of Sasha's major initiatives is to support Hebrew Public with their Alumni program, Atidim (Hebrew for futures). The program aims to continue the graduates' connection to Hebrew and Israel while strengthening their global awareness. Nothing makes her happier than working with families and seeing the students grow before her eyes. Sasha lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Danny and son Benjamin and their dog, Charlie. In her spare time, Sasha enjoys cooking, gardening, and going on adventures.
Thom Waye is a trustee of the board of directors. Currently, he is Chief Strategy Officer for Chabad on Campus. Previously he was managing partner at Sigma Capital Partners, and prior to that, he worked at ComVest Venture Partners, AIG Capital Partners, Motorola, and Unisys. He is the former staff head of the Recanati-Kaplan Foundation. He has been a major and consistent advocate and connector for Hebrew Public. Thom has a background in business, finance, strategy, and philanthropy. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Chief External Officer
Valerie is an experienced leader in fundraising, marketing, strategic partnerships, and Israel experiences. Prior to joining Hebrew Public, she worked at an international educational organization, World ORT, and the Jewish Federations of North America. She holds bachelor's and graduate degrees from the City University of New York in international marketing and nonprofit management, and a master's degree in language education from Middlebury College.