Administration
Our leadership team at BEN PORAT YOSEF is guided by the mission and hashkafa (השקפה) of the school to provide an outstanding education in a warm and nurturing environment. It is our goal to instill in our children a love of Torah (תורה), Mitzvot (מצוות) and Eretz Yisrael (ארץ ישראל) and to strengthen their minds and souls so that they may grow to become active members and contributors to Klal Yisrael (כלל ישראל) and broader society.
Rabbi Dov Emerson, Head of School, became Head of School of Ben Porat Yosef in July 2026, following two years of service as the school’s Associate Head of School. He is deeply committed to advancing BPY’s mission of educational excellence, meaningful Torah learning, Hebrew fluency, a strong connection to Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael, and the intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional growth of every child. His leadership is grounded in the belief that outstanding schools are built through strong relationships, exceptional teachers, thoughtful innovation, and a culture in which every student is known, challenged, and supported.Rabbi Emerson brings more than two decades of experience in Jewish education and school leadership. Prior to joining BPY, he served as Principal of General Studies and Director of Teaching and Learning at Yeshiva University High School for Boys, Head of School at YULA Boys High School, and Assistant Principal and Director of Student Programs at HALB-DRS. Throughout his career, he has focused on instructional leadership, faculty mentoring and professional growth, student culture, and community engagement. An accomplished classroom educator, Rabbi Emerson has taught Limudei Kodesh at each of the institutions in which he has served and continues to teach at BPY, where he teaches eighth-grade Torah Sheba’al Peh.
Rabbi Emerson holds master’s degrees in education and social work, has completed leadership programs at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, and received semichah from HaRav Ephraim Greenblatt zt”l. He is a member of Class 10 of the Wexner Field Fellowship and was recently admitted to the inaugural cohort of Prizmah’s Legacy Heritage Principals’ Institute at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Rabbi Emerson received the 2011 Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education and was named to the New York Jewish Week’s 2012 “36 Under 36” list of Jewish innovators and influencers.
Sarah Balfour. Principal, Middle School General Studies, is a passionate science teacher who is thrilled to join BPY's administrative team. Sarah received her B.A. in Environmental Policy from Barnard College and her M.A. in Biology for Secondary School Education from the City College of New York (CCNY). During the past decade teaching secondary school math and science at Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science & Engineering, the Rudolf Steiner School, and the Idea School in New Jersey, Sarah has developed and implemented a curriculum that leads from a place of inquiry, engagement, and questioning. Focusing on the Next Generation Science Standards, Sarah developed and implemented the new science program at BPY. Sarah also served as the Education Director for the Rockland Farm Alliance, a nonprofit working to support and expand sustainable agriculture in Rockland County, where she helped inner city public school students experience organic farming in Upstate New York.
Whether it is working in the garden, building giant bobsled tracks for BPY’s Physics Olympics, or teaching all the middle schoolers how to knit, Sarah’s creativity and enthusiasm permeate the school and she brings amazing knowledge and energy to BPY. As Middle School Associate Principal, Sarah will be working to enhance the synergy between the Judaic and General Studies curriculum, expand the opportunities for rigorous cross-curricular programming, provide mentorship and coaching to faculty, and coordinate and revitalize the Middle School organizational structure to enable teachers and students to have support systems to enable long term growth and development.
Rabbi Gilad Gaon, Rav Beit HaSefer, has distinguished himself as a Sephardic Rabbinic personality with a deep knowledge in background in both Sephardic and Ashkenaz practice and customs. Rabbi Gaon will focus on promoting the vibrancy of authentic Sephardic heritage, alongside our parallel focus on Ashekenazic traditions, while fostering a deep connection to Torah, Halachah, and Jewish values among students, staff, and families. Rabbi Gaon is a dynamic and personable Sephardic rabbi recognized for his strong communication, leadership, and analytical skills, honed through years of experience in both Chinuch and Beit Din settings. A devoted educator and community leader, Rabbi Gaon currently serves on the faculty at the Ramaz School in New York, where he develops interdisciplinary curricula, leads school wide initiatives, and oversees the Sephardic Minyan and student life programming.
Rabbi Gaon's breadth of experience spans education, halachic adjudication, and communal service. At Yeshiva University, he mentored undergraduate students in Gemara, while simultaneously serving at the Beth Din of America as a Jewish status coordinator, guiding complex halachic inquiries and acting as a Gittin witness. Previously, he served as an Associate Dayan at Badatz Betzedek Tishpoit, adjudicating matrimonial and financial cases and assisting in Spanish-language conversions through fluency he acquired for this purpose.
Rabbi Gaon holds Semicha in Yoreh Deah from Yeshiva Torah Vodaath, and was awarded Semicha in Yadin Yadin at Yeshiva University by Rabbis Willig, Bleich, and Reiss. Rabbi Gaon further refined his halachic expertise at Yeshiva University’s Kollel L’Horah, earning prestigious awards for excellence in Gemara and Halachah, including the Torah U’Madda Award and the Maybaum Sephardic Scholarship.
Rabbi Gaon is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. He is passionate about integrating Torah values with innovative educational strategies and continues to serve the Jewish community through leadership, scholarship, and outreach.
Dr. Chagit Hadar, Principal of Judaic Studies, was born and raised in Israel, and brings with her to Ben Porat Yosef a value system steeped in Zionism, Torah and chesed. Chagit received a B.Ed. in Elementary School Science from Talpiyot College, an M.S. in Professional Communication from Clark University, and a Ph.D. in Education (with a concentration in Relationship and Interactions) from Atlantic International University.
Chagit received additional certifications in Human Resources Development and Training from Clark University and in Education from the Rabbi Wolf Seminary for Teachers.
Previously, Chagit worked as a Hebrew teacher and director of the Hebrew department at Magen David Yeshivah High School in Brooklyn, NY. In this capacity, she established programs for teaching Hebrew as well as skills that serve to augment students’ ability to process information and learn on a deeper, more permanent level. She also developed and implemented programs designed to connect students with Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. Philosophically, she finds personal inspiration in the vision of HaRav Kook (Israel’s first chief rabbi) and guides her professional life by his philosophy of integrating “Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael, and Torat Yisrael” (the people of Israel, the land of Israel, and the Torah of Israel) to work in unity.
Previously, Chagit worked as a Hebrew teacher and director of the Hebrew department at Magen David Yeshivah High School in Brooklyn, NY. In this capacity, she established programs for teaching Hebrew as well as skills that serve to augment students’ ability to process information and learn on a deeper, more permanent level. She also developed and implemented programs designed to connect students with Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. Philosophically, she finds personal inspiration in the vision of HaRav Kook (Israel’s first chief rabbi) and guides her professional life by his philosophy of integrating “Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael, and Torat Yisrael” (the people of Israel, the land of Israel, and the Torah of Israel) to work in unity.
Ms. Samara Kipnis, Director of Student Services, is a seasoned and passionate educator with over a decade of experience in special education and student support services. Samara served as the Middle School Student Services Coordinator and Supervisor at Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School in Chicago, IL, Samara leads a dynamic team of educators and oversees academic and social-emotional support systems for grades 5–8. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison (ranked among the top institutions in both Special Education and Curriculum & Instruction),Samara brings both academic excellence and practical expertise to her work. Her skill set includes evidence-based instructional methods such as Wilson Reading, Shefa Multisensory Math, and Berit Gordon’s Readers’ and Writers’ Workshop Models. Samara is also a certified educator in both Illinois and Wisconsin, holding LBS1 and other key endorsements.
In extensive conversations with her supervisors and colleagues in Chicago, Samara was recognized for her ability to build strong relationships with students, parents, and faculty, and for her talent in designing systems that promote student success. Her leadership includes creating professional development programs, coaching teachers in differentiation strategies, analyzing student data and executing plans based upon it, and facilitating parent workshops. A lifelong learner, Samara has completed Prizmah’s YOU Lead program and participates in the Jewish New Teacher Project’s Administrator Support Program.
Samara has the right balance of high social emotional skills and an action-oriented personality, which allows her to accomplish a great deal while at the same time maintaining and enhancing relationships with colleagues, parents, and students alike.
Jessica Kohn, Early Childhood Director and Founding Educator, is a professional with two and a half decades of experience in early childhood programs at Jewish day schools. “Morah Jessica,” as she is affectionately known at BPY, is an active member of every teaching team and develops a personal relationship with every student and family in our early childhood program. She infuses her warmth, energy, limitless creativity, and commitment to the children of Ben Porat Yosef into each classroom. As a founding educator of BPY, Morah Jessica was instrumental in implementing her vision of a child-centered, individualized and differentiated education.
As a founding educator of BPY, Morah Jessica was instrumental in implementing her vision of a child-centered, individualized and differentiated education. Morah Jessica earned her BA in Early Childhood Education from Stern College for Women and her M.Ed in Reading from William Paterson University. As a certified reading specialist, Morah Jessica has created an early childhood program rich with early literacy experiences, and every Early Childhood student eagerly awaits her weekly storytime visits.
Naomi Maron, Principal, Elementary School General Studies, has been a professional in Jewish day schools for close to 30 years. Naomi graduated summa cum laude from Yeshiva University, where she was a Gruss Scholar and a Belkin Scholar, and earned her Master’s degree in reading education from Hunter College. She has done post-master’s work at the Bank Street Graduate School of Education and the Windward School.
Stacy Goldstein is Director of Operations. Stacy joined the BPY family during its inaugural year in 2001 and has been integral to the growth and success of the school. On a daily basis, Stacy is the one behind the scenes orchestrating all of the intricate logistics of BPY, making sure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Some of her responsibilities include managing the building, facilities, security, budgets, human resources, lunch, schedules, programs, transportation, communications, and rentals - just to name a few.
Stacy has a BA from Rutgers University in Geography and Meteorology with an emphasis in Hazards Planning. Prior to joining the BPY family, Stacy worked in marketing for both a communications company and a record label. Her background includes planning and executing large scale events, concerts, and programs.
Shoshi Ryp, Director of Finance, oversees Ben Porat Yosef’s long-term financial health and growth. Shoshi started at BPY in 2013, and was invited to become the Director of Finance in 2018. Her areas of responsibility include budgeting, reporting, auditing, analysis, policy formation, and long-term strategies. Prior to coming to BPY, Shoshi worked in finance and not-for-profit organizations. She holds a degree in accounting from the Sy Syms School of Business. Shoshi has a deep understanding of accounting and finance principles, and regularly manages complex financial transactions. She is also the tuition assistance liaison between the assistance committee and parents, where she is passionate about helping families find a comfortable path through the process so that a BPY yeshiva education is attainable for all. Shoshi currently lives in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband and four children and loves to spend her free time reading and doing puzzles. 
Elana Katz, Director of Programming, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for creating engaging and impactful experiences. With over a decade of experience in education and event management, Elana has honed her skills in program development, strategic planning, and logistics. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from Hunter College. Elana is known for her ability to infuse creativity into every project, ensuring that programs are not only well-organized but also inspiring and memorable. At the Young Israel of Teaneck, she is involved with several committees including welcoming new families into the neighborhood. She is focused on creating a vibrant, inclusive environment where students and staff can thrive.
Renee Klyman , Director of Admissions, is a veteran Jewish day school advocate who has spent the last several years spearheading the grassroots engagement division of the Orthodox Union’s Teach NJ, the political advocacy group dedicated to supporting the state’s Jewish day schools and other nonpublic school students. In that role, she helped engage students and parents in advocating for equitable government funding for New Jersey nonpublic schools. Before that, she was the office administrator at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School in Teaneck. Renee has long felt from her years of working in Jewish education that the BPY educational experience and the community it creates is so unique and special among the choices our families have for their children and that it is such a special place for the religious Tziyoni community, which is what motivates her in working with parents and students to bring them to BPY.