MIZRAHI TORAH ACADEMY - Key Persons
Rabbi Yachnes received semicha from Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim in Queens, New York. He resides in North Miami Beach, Florida, where he has taught talmidim of all ages for over thirty years. His main focus in chinuch is the study of Mussar and character development. He is the author of Orchos Tzaddikim: A Treasure for Life, published by Feldheim.
Mr. Lynn was raised in South Orange, N.J., where he attended college at Seton Hall University, majoring in Accounting. After college, he moved to south Florida where he began his career working at Arthur Andersen & Company, one of the "Big 8" CPA firms. From there, he moved on to the advertising industry where he was a financial columnist in a trade magazine and eventually founded his own advertising agency which specialized in marketing and advertising new home communities. In 1994, when he learned about the Internet, Mr. Lynn created a marketing website for his clients that grew to become a nationwide marketing service for the entire homebuilding industry. In 2005, American Home Guides was acquired, and Mr. Lynn eventually moved on to found Credit Card Process 4 Less, a broker of credit card processing services.
Job Titles:
- General Studies Curriculum Coordinator
Mr. Heller comes to MTA with a rich and varied work experience, include teaching grades 3 to 8, History, and to patients in a children's hospital. He has also been an Assistant Principal, and a Principal in Yeshivas and public schools in California, New York, and New Jersey. As a teacher, he was a mentor teacher in Language Arts, and as an elementary school principal, his school received public recognition for outstanding academic performance.
He believes that Education should provide a positive and nurturing learning environment where each child's individual personality and learning style is respected, encouraged, and developed.
Mr. Heller received his B.A. History from the University of California, Berkeley. He also received teaching credentials for preschool through eighth grade and an M.S. degree in School Administration and Supervision from California State University, Hayward.
His personal hobbies include visiting his grandchildren, traveling, wood carving, and exercise.
Job Titles:
- Teacher
- Resident Zoologist
Mr. Engel spent a decade immersed in the teachings of Torah at Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. With degrees in zoology and education, his academic pursuits complement his spiritual ones. Hailing from Australia, he developed an early affinity for its diverse wildlife, sparking a lifelong fascination with its unique fauna. Drawing from his rich background, he expertly orchestrates engaging zoology programs tailored for Jewish children. For more than a decade, he has skillfully intertwined Torah and Science, bringing his passion to Jewish school classrooms.
Mr. Medina, commonly known at MTA as "Coach Ed" was born in New Jersey and moved to South Florida when he was 10 years old. After incurring injuries in a terrible accident, Coach Ed was inspired to become a nurse. His love of sports and working with children brought him to MTA where he runs the Physical Education Program to the delight of all the children, while simultaneously studying for his nursing degree through Broward College. Coach Ed lives in Inverrary with a myriad of reptiles, arachnids, and a bunny named Tuffy.
Mr. Florczak then spent many years in management roles, most proudly as the restaurant manager of the famed dairy restaurant Milk & Honey in New York City. Serving over 400 customers daily and managing well over 20 employees allowed him to demonstrate excellent people skills and conflict resolution. Changing career paths, for one in education in South Florida, allowed Mr. F to demonstrate those same skills on a much more personal and important level. He brings his excitement for humor, cooking skills, and scholastics background to MTA as a beloved teacher.
Mr. Ryan Lodwick is a graduate from Southeastern University in Florida where he studied and has earned a BS degree in Child Psychology/Mental Health Counseling & Human Services/Social Work. He also graduated from High school in 10th grade, surpassing many of his peers and obtaining a BS/BA in Computer Engineering & Business Management. Mr. Lodwick has been teaching for 6 years and counseling for 9 years. He now resides in Plantation, FL with his beautiful wife and son.
Mr. Pepper, a Florida native, was born in the city of Miami Beach and relocated to Brevard County at the age of 12. His educational pursuits led him to Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Seeking further knowledge and growth, he pursued a Masters of Arts degree in Education from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia. During his college years, Mr. Pepper spent time in Israel where he volunteered on a kibbutz.
With a passion for education, Mr. Pepper has dedicated over four decades to the teaching profession. His journey has encompassed both public and private Jewish day schools, where he has left an indelible mark on countless students. Throughout his extensive career, he has tirelessly nurtured young minds, fostering a love for learning and growth.
Mr. Pepper and his wife Shoshana are the proud parents of seven children, currently residing in Deerfield Beach.
Mrs. Adina Rockwerk is a dedicated and passionate educator who comes to MTA with over a decade of experience in the field of education. With her kind, positive demeanor, and her commitment to holistic growth, she inspires our students and staff members alike.
Mrs. Ashley Lodwick is a graduate from Nova Southeastern University. Mrs Lodwick graduated with a BS in Psychology, an associate in biology and a minor is Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a registered behavior therapist and has been teaching for nearly 5 years. Mrs. Lodwick was born and raised in the beautiful island of Jamaica and now resides in Broward County, Florida with her husband and son.
Job Titles:
- Director of the Registrar
Mrs. Esther Felberbaum, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, spent 15 years in corporate management before transitioning her skills to school administration. Her decision to transition from the corporate world reflects her dedication to applying her expertise in fostering positive change within an educational environment. After several years of gaining practical experience, Mrs. Felberbaum pursued a bachelor's degree in business management to further enhance her knowledge. She now resides in the beautiful city of Miami with her husband and three children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Chief Financial Officer for HealthTrust Workforce Solutions
Mrs. Chemtov serves as Chief Financial Officer for HealthTrust Workforce Solutions, a leading provider of healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. She has 25 years of financial management and leadership experience in the staffing and consulting industries. Before joining HealthTrust, Mrs. Chemtov served as Director of Financial Planning & Analysis for Randstad Technology and Randstad Professionals, leading providers in professional services recruiting and staffing. She spent 15 years at Randstad in senior management roles in finance, pricing and accounting. Mrs. Chemtov began her career at Arthur Andersen LLP, with expanding leadership roles over 6 years in Audit and Business Advisory Services.
Mrs. Louis graduated from Miami Dade College with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Shortly after graduating she landed a job with The National News Paper Association as a photojournalist, which she did for many years. After having her first child, she decided to end her career as a photojournalist and start a career in education, a decision she has yet to regret. She has worked with children of varies ages and helped them grow and develop in ways they didn't think was possible. She is an out the box thinker and is excited to bring her creativity and experience to MTA.
Mrs. Fischer has lived in South Florida for more than 30 years and is so thrilled to see how the Jewish community in Broward county has grown. She holds a B.A. in Biology from SUNY at Buffalo and a M.Ed with an emphasis in Education Technology from Walden University. Before becoming an educator, she worked in food research in Buffalo, New York and in public relations for several non-profit institutions. Teaching is her true love and passion. Before coming to MTA, she taught at North Broward Preparatory School, Posnack Day School and Lubavitch Hebrew Academy. She created the STEM program for grades K-5 at Posnack Day School. Her hobbies include reading, needlework, and cooking. She is married to her husband, Daniel, and has a son, Jonathan, who lives in Tallahassee.
Mrs. Rochel Pink graduated Bet Chana High School and three years of teaching seminary in Tzefat, Israel. She then spent a year in Vilna, Lithuania, strengthening the Jewish community through teaching and outreach work, after which she taught preschool for a year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mrs. Pink taught 4th grade in Crown Heights Yeshiva before moving to Florida. She taught 6th grade at Hebrew Academy Community School, and then co-directed Chabad of Plantation Hebrew School for 15 years. Along with her husband, Mrs. Pink co-directs the Chabad of East Plantation.
Mrs. Hirsch was born and raised in Hollywood, Florida. After attending local day schools, Mrs. Hirsch went on to graduate from Stern College with a degree in Education. After teaching in New York and then in Los Angeles, Mrs. Hirsch returned to Florida where she continued teaching middle-school girls. After the birth of her children, Mrs. Hirsch utilized her extensive teaching experience to homeschool her children and focus on the use of multi-age groupings & student-centered learning. Her vast experience both in and out of the classroom environment allowed the vision of Mizrahi Torah Academy to blossom. Mrs. Hirsch envisioned a school environment that brought the best of both worlds - the traditional school system and the homeschool model - to the forefront of the educational system. Through combining her vision with talented, like-minded educators, MTA was born. Mrs. Hirsch now spends her days working with an amazing team of staff and teachers. She lives in Hollywood with her husband and children.
Originally from Bluefield, West Virginia, Mrs. Robin has been a resident of Hollywood, Florida for the past 29 years. Mrs. Robin holds a bachelor's degree from Florida International University in Vocational Industrial Education. For the past 18 years, Mrs. Robin has been the librarian and computer teacher at Toras Emes Academy in North Miami Beach, Florida. Previously, she was a member of the Board of Trustees for Brauser Maimonides Academy in Hollywood, Florida. Mrs. Robin previously worked in the corporate sector in the areas of training and development and was the owner and operator of SRM Consultants in Richmond, Virginia, servicing the food and beverage industry.
Mrs. Tzipora Segal was raised in beautiful Silver Spring, Maryland. Brought up in a warm and inviting family, she attended Peninim Seminary in Yerushalayim, after graduating high school. She has taught children in various schools located in Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, and Florida. Intuitively, Mrs. Segal draws upon her rich background and many years of experience to teach effectively and inspire her students to become passionate about learning.
Ms. Dania Marcial obtained her B.S. in Elementary Education from Florida International University in Miami and taught elementary grades in both Miami and Atlanta. She comes to us with an extensive background in Early Childhood Education and years of experience with special needs children and families. She served as a Parent Educator for at risk families in the Broward area and received her training and certification from The Parents as Teachers National Center in St. Louis, MO. Ms. Marcial is also a certified Music Together Instructor. While working for Brainchild Institute as the office manager, Ms. Marcial completed certification in MNRI®️Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration and NeuroTactile Integration. Reaching out to families and providing support in any way possible has been her life's passion. She currently resides in the Hollywood area and with over 30 years professional experience, we are happy to have her as part of our team.
Job Titles:
- Director of Programming
- STEM Coordinator
Jessica Robbins, affectionately known as Ms. Jessie, originates from the captivating Broward County. Her deep-rooted fondness for Mizrahi Torah Academy steered her towards a pivotal role within our institution. As MTA's Director of Programming, she collaborates closely with our staff members, parents and children. In addition to her myriad of responsibilities, Ms. Jessie is also at the helm of leading and coordinating STEM initiatives, infusing our school with innovative educational experiences. Her adept organizational prowess is a cornerstone of our vibrant school environment, enriching the lives of both our students and the entire MTA community.
Ms. Tamsyn Wilkinson is a Brooklyn native who is now a one-year seasoned resident of Florida. She brings with her over 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education from New York. While there, Ms. Tamsyn spent much of her time, earning her bachelor's degree in Anthropology from York CUNY College, working with preschool and elementary school aged children in various communities and raising her son. Tamsyn's warm, inviting nature welcomes every member of her curious community. She challenges children with a classroom that encourages self-sufficiency. Her calm, conscious approaches toward problem solving, grants children the agency to discover independent solutions with intentional scaffolding. Helping to foster children's love for learning is what drives Tamsyn's passion for being an educator. She makes it a must to integrate music that encourage movement into her classroom and the curriculum to keep it fun!
Rabbi Engelhart was born and raised in Chicago. After High school he learned at Netiv Aryeh and the Mir under R' Osher Arieli. Rabbi Engelhart received Smicha from Rabbi Zalman Nechemya Goldberg ZT'L and learned in kollel for 5 years. He then began working in Chinuch and focused on cultivating bnei Torah while focusing on the student as a whole. Rabbi Engelhart has a Masters in Education Administration and is currently a doctoral candidate in clinical Psychology. He has worked as a therapist and incorporates the psychology of learning as well as his mesora of chinuch in his approach to education. Rabbi Engelhart currently lives with his family in Boca Raton.
Rabbi Avrohom Richmond teaches middle School in the mornings and elementary in the afternoon. He grew up in the greater New York area while attending Yeshiva in Queens, New York. He has nearly two decades of experience in outreach and education, and is excited to be back in the classroom in South Florida, after coming here for Yeshiva, post-high school. He is married with four children and has been living in Boca Raton since 2015.
Rabbi Azerad received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Yechiel Malik. He earned his teaching certificate from the Mercaz Teachers Training by Rabbi Yoel Kramer. He is certified as a School Mashgiach by Torah Umesorah through the Nefesh Chaya program. Rabbi Azerad is a graduate of the COJDS PTI cohort of 2019, as well as Harvard Business School's School Management and Leadership Program - "Leading School Strategy and Innovation", "Leading People", and "Leading Learning". He is also a professional Hazzan and his services are in demand throughout the United States. Rabbi Azerad lives in East Boca Raton with his wife and three children.
Rabbi Waxman is an alumnus of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia and is a current member of the North Miami Beach Kollel. After teaching at MTA in the mornings, he spends his afternoons and evenings immersed in Torah studies at the Kollel. Known for his patience and warmth, Rabbi Waxman imparts his knowledge and exuberance for Torah to his students in his inimitable manner. He currently lives in North Miami Beach with his wife and 2 adorable children.
Job Titles:
- Limudei Kodesh Curriculum Coordinator
Rabbi Chait comes to MTA with many years of teaching experience. Over the years, he has developed a warm rapport with hundreds of students and instilled them with the skills and passion for learning Torah. Rabbi Chait oversees the Limudei Kodesh curriculum at MTA, working with Rebbeim and Morahs to develop and implement our rich Limudei Kodesh program. Rabbi Netanel Chait also teaches Limudei Kodesh in our middle school boys division.
Rabbi Chait received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbinical Seminary of America, Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim of Queens. He earned his Master's in Education from the Azrieli School of Education at Yeshiva University and a teaching certificate from the Mercaz Teachers Training by Rabbi Yoel Kramer. Rabbi Chait lives in Boca Raton with his wife and five children.
Rabbi Teles has been learning in Kollel for the past 3 years, and he is excited to bring his inimitable personality and energy to MTA!
Rabbi Teles lives in Hollywood with his wife, Arielle (Wernick) who is a Florida native, with their four children; Akiva Shalom (5) Moshe Tzvi (3) Leah Baila (2) Miriam Tova (3 months).
Rabbi Hecht was born and raised in New York and learned in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens, NY for many years. He holds a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Touro College in New York. He worked in Jewish outreach for many years, helping Jewish families from all backgrounds and upbringings discover the beauty of Torah and leading a Jewish lifestyle. Rabbi Hecht brings fourteen years of experience working with children, teenagers and adults in a variety of roles. His positive, upbeat and energetic personality helps in fostering healthy child development and creates a fun learning environment with enriched Chinuch practices. He is also a singer, musician and DJ performing at events of all types across South Florida. He lives in East Boca Raton with his wife and 4 children.