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 Zucker
Rabbi Saul Zucker, Head of School, is an educational leader with over 25 years of experience and a history of advocating for progressive education in both Judaic and general studies. He most recently implemented this pedagogical approach – including active-learner methodology and inquiry-based learning – at Magen David Yeshivah High School in Brooklyn, New York, where he served as principal from 2011-2017. While at Magen David, Rabbi Zucker built, mentored, and led an award-winning educational leadership team that was recognized by leading educational institutions.
 

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.
 

Naomi Maron, General Studies Principal, has been a professional in Jewish day schools for close to 20 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.
 

Jessica Kohn
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.

Sarah Bartges
Sarah Bartges, Associate Principal of the Middle School, 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. Sarah can be contacted at [email protected].

Aliza Strassman, Director of Student Services, has a dual Masters degree in General and Special Education from Bank Street College, and she holds dual New Jersey State Certification in elementary education and in teaching students with learning challenges. Aliza has varied teaching experiences in general education, inclusion, and self contained classrooms. At BPY, Aliza taught Second Grade for seven years, developed curriculum, and led the school's Self Study team for NJAIS and Middlestates accreditation. Aliza is trained in the Tal'Am Ivrit program and multi-sensory reading, spelling, and assessments through the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education. Aliza enjoys collaborating with the amazing BPY teachers, parents, the Bergen County Special Services team, and outside professionals to help each and every student thrive in school. Aliza is the 2019 recipient of the Northern NJ Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. Aliza can be contacted at [email protected]

Renee Klyman
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.  Renee can be contacted at
 
Ari Headshot Ari Greene, Director of Development, has a strong background in roles including but not limited to fundraising, recruiting, business development, relationship building and sales. With his diverse skill sets, extensive experience in strategic leadership and warm, engaging personality, Greene is sure to be an asset to our team. In his previous roles as Director of Development, he was known to go beyond the scope of his duties with fervor, and with a creative and entrepreneurial approach. He is passionate and responsible, friendly and driven. A natural people person, Greene has a wealth of experience in fostering and managing relationships with others, and takes pride in earning the trust of those with whom he cultivates relationships. Greene looks forward to bringing his level of strategic thinking, problem solving, curiosity, integrity, passion and communication skills to the table, and is committed to generating high output in our mission-driven culture with the utmost professionalism, diplomacy, intelligence and humor. Ari can be contacted at [email protected] 

 

 
shoshi 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. Shoshi can be contact at [email protected]