MERKAZ TEACHER BIOS

Esther Miller
Teaching and Administrative Experience: Over 35 years. 16 years Principal at Beth Rivka High School and Seminary in Israel, 13 years Judaic Studies Principal at Merkaz
Department: Judaic Studies Principal
Degree: High School Teaching Degree from Israel
BA from Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Margie Nussbaum
Teaching and Administrative Experience: 35 years. Dean of Students of Beth Jacob Jewish Culture Program, 15 years General Studies Principal at Merkaz
Department: General Studies Principal
Degree: BA in History, French, Education from Brooklyn College,
BRE from Teachers Institute for Women of Yeshiva University
MA in Teaching English as a Second Language from Hunter College

Idy Bercovici
Teaching Experience: Head Counselor for girls at Camp Tubby for 2 years, 5 years at Merkaz
Department: Physical Education & Program Coordinator
Classes:
Degree: BA in Human Services from Touro College

Debby Deutsch
Teaching Experience: 25 years, 15 years at Merkaz
Department: Global Studies, Spanish, Yearbook, College Advisor
Classes:

Miriam Friedman
Teaching Experience: 14 years, 10 years at Merkaz
Department: English
Classes: 9, 10
Degree: BA in English from Brooklyn College

Tzipora Friedman
Teaching Experience: Over 25 years, 15 years at Merkaz
Department: Judaic Studies
Classes:
Degree: BA and a certificate in translation of Hebrew & English from Bar-Ilan University

Esther Faivushevitz
Teaching Experience: 25 years, 15 years at Merkaz
Department:
Classes:
Degree: Teaching Degree from Beth Jacob Teachers Seminary

Aliza Jalas
Teaching Experience: 14 years, 9 years at Merkaz
Department: Safa, Pirkei Avot, Ulpan
Classes:
Degree: Teaching Degree from Bais Yaakov Seminary of Bnei Brak

Esther Kahn
Teaching Experience: 12 years at Merkaz and Hunter College
Department: Assistant to the General Studies Principal, Mathematics
Classes:
Degree: BA and MA in Mathematics from Hunter College, Ph. d candidate Member of the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America

Nechama Kamelhar
Teaching Experience: 14 years, 7 years at Merkaz
Department: Chumash, Topics in Tanach, Parsha, and Halacha /Jewish Culture Clubs
Classes: 9-12
Degree: Teaching Degree from Machon Devorah Seminary

Sarah Klugmann
Teaching Experience: 28 years, 20 years at Merkaz
Department: Science and Health
Classes:
Degree: Teacher’s license from Misrad Hachinuch (Israel Department of Education) BS in Psychology from Touro College 9 credits towards a Masters in Education

Rachel Landsberg
Teaching Experience: 17 years at Merkaz and Machon Bais Yakov
Department: Home Economics
Classes:

Miriam Malowitzky
Teaching Experience: Psychology adjunct at College of Staten Island 5 years, 2 years Psychology instructor at Merkaz
Department: Psychology
Classes: 12th Grade
Degree: BA in Psychology from Touro College
MA School Psychology from Touro Graduate School

Esther Margulies
Teaching Experience: 15 years, 9 years at Merkaz
Department: Chumash, Safa, Ulpan
Classes:
Degree: Teaching Degree from Beth Jacob Teachers Seminary

Tzirel Lea Miller
Teaching Experience: 9 years at Merkaz, 6 years at Board of Education
Department: Science (Chemistry, Physics)
Classes:
Degree: BS and MA in Chemistry from Brooklyn College

Judith Nussbaum
Teaching Experience: 28 years, 17 years at Merkaz
Department: Chairperson of Social Studies Department
Classes: 9th grade Global History
11th grade Economics
Principles of American Democracy
12th grade American History
AP American History
Degree: BA in Integrated Studies from Touro College (Summa Cum Laude)

Chanie Obermeister
Teaching Experience: 30 years, 17 years at Merkaz
Department: Music
Classes: 9-12
Degree: Teaching Degree from Sarah Schnirer Seminary

Malky Ovits
Teaching Experience: 9 years at Merkaz
Department: Math, Accounting
Classes: 10, 11
Degree: BA in Liberal Arts, Math from Touro College

Shaina Pure
Teaching Experience: 4 years, 2 years at Merkaz
Department: English, Perceptions, Library
Classes: 11th
Degree: BA in English and Judaic Studies from University of Massachusetts Amherst
MA in Secondary Education, Certified 7- 12 English from New York University

Brigette Schlachter
Teaching Experience: 21 years, 3 years at Merkaz
Department: Art
Classes: 9-12
Degree: Associate Degree from Fashion Institute of Technology

Rachelli Schneider
Teaching Experience: 6 years, 4 years at Merkaz
Department: Math, History, / Halacha, Parsha, Pirkei Avot, Biur T’fila, Topics in Navi, Shoah
Classes: High School and Middle School
Degree: Teachers Certificate from Ma’or Teachers Seminary BA from Mercy College in Education and Special Education. Currently pursuing MA in Math Education at Brooklyn College.

Rabbi Levi Spitz
Teaching Experience: 16 years, 8 years at Merkaz
Department:
Classes: 9-12
Rabbinical Ordination, Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Cincinnati

Rochel Spitzer
Teaching Experience: 7 years, 4 years at Merkaz
Department:
Classes: 10, 11
Degree: Calculus and Statistics Degree from Zernentside College, London, England

Devorah Steinberg
Teaching Experience: 25 years, 14 years at Merkaz
Department:
Classes: 9-12
Degree: Hebrew Teachers Certificates from Bais Yaakov of Montreal Hebrew Teachers College, Esther Schonfeld Hebrew Teachers Seminary AS from Sir George Williams University of Montreal