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 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.
Rabbi Dov Emerson, Associate Head of School, Rabbi Emerson worked at MTA where he was Principal of General Studies, focusing on teacher supervision and faculty mentoring and coaching. He has also served as Head of School at YULA, and as Assistant Principal and Director of Student Programs at HALB-DRS with special focuses on educational technology and community engagement, and he has taught Limudei Kodesh classes as well. A gifted and dynamic educational leader, Rabbi Emerson has earned two Masters Degrees in Education (Adelphi University and Yeshiva University), has participated in two sessions of leadership training at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, and he has earned Semichah from Rabbi Ephraim Greenblatt in Israel. He is the proud recipient of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, and was named as one of the New York Jewish Week’s 2012 Thirty-six Under Thirty-six – Jewish innovators and influencers in the greater New York area.
Rabbi Gilad Gaon, Rav Beit HeSafer, 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.
Sarah Bartges, 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.
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.
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.
Naomi Maron, Principal, Elementary School General Studies, 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.
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. Shoshi can be contacted at [email protected] 
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. Renee can be contacted at [email protected]