Congregational School

MELISSA SILVERMAN COHAVI
DIRECTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL
mscohavi@pasyn.org

Melissa Silverman Cohavi has been working in the field of Jewish education for the past 25 years. She holds a master’s in Jewish education from Hebrew Union College, a master’s in social work from Yeshiva University, and a B.A. in Judaic studies from the University of Michigan. Melissa is very connected to Israel, having lived there for several years, and she believes that a Jewish education should include building a connection to and a knowledge about Israel. Prior to this position, Melissa was the Director of Jewish Identity Development at Congregation B'nai Yisrael in Armonk, New York. She spent five summers on faculty at Jewish camps and has worked with individuals of all ages in the Jewish educational sphere. Melissa considers herself to be a lifelong learner and believes that each day brings something new to learn. She lives in Stamford, CT with her husband, Ilan, and they have two adult children who visit from time to time, but it's never enough!

AARON HERSH
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOL
ahersh@pasyn.org

Aaron joined the PASCS team in 2021 as an intern while studying for his master's degree. He earned a B.A. in American Studies and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University, and a Master of Arts in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Prior to pursuing his M.A., Aaron was a full-time educator at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, NY. He spent many summers at URJ Eisner Camp as a camper, song leader, and Jewish life specialist. Aaron grew up across Central Park, on the Upper West Side. While in high school, Aaron was inspired to become a Jewish educator  because of his experiences traveling on a family trip to Israel and working as a teen teaching assistant at his synagogue. As a teacher and song leader, he believes in the importance of meeting each learner at their level, as well as the power of music as a way of connecting to Judaism. Aaron is delighted to engage in Jewish learning with PAS students and families!

HEATHER NOVER
Administrative Assistant    

In addition to her work as an Administrative Assistant at Park Avenue Synagogue, Heather Nover is the Executive Director of the Anshe Emeth Community Development Corporation located in New Brunswick, NJ. She has her Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Monmouth University.  She lives in East Windsor, NJ with her husband Rabbi Matt Nover, their daughter Jane, and their dog Jada.

AMY ADLER RITELL
Hebrew Tutor

Amy lives with her husband in Ridgefield, CT and Highland Beach Fl, depending on the time of year. She has two grown children, a son who lives in Brookline MA and a daughter who recently married and is living with her husband in Scotland. Amy has been involved in some form of Jewish education for over thirty years as both a teacher and administrator for several schools in Connecticut as well as Westchester. Her favorite subject to teach is the Aleph Bet.

CANTOR MIRANDA BECKENSTEIN
Teacher and Hebrew Tutor 
Teaches First and Seventh Grade

Cantor Miranda "Mandi" Kark Beckenstein was born in Cape Town, South Africa. In 1985 she emigrated to the USA. She immediately entered the cantorial program at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion-Debbie Friedman School of s Sacred Music graduating with a Masters Degree in Sacred Music and Ordination as a Cantor.  She has served several Reform and Conservative Congregations in the Tri-State area, as Cantor, Director of Education, Nursery School Director and most recently as a 1st thru 7th grade Hebrew teacher in our Congregational School. She loves teaching and working with our young folk, hopefully inspiring students and families to be enthused about our Jewish learning.  In her free time she knits, collects mint postage stamps, loves Broadway shows and opera, as well as reading voraciously. She is the Secretary of Kol Hazzanim, the Cantors Group in Westchester County, NY.

ILANA BURGESS
Teacher  
Teaches Third, Forth, and Sixth Grade

Ilana Burgess was born in Hungary and educated in Israel and the United States. She started her career a social worker in Israel and came to the states as part of an international program for educators.
For the last 45 years she has taught in Jewish Day Schools , and Congregational Schools serving as principal for 20 years.

Ilana embraces the opportunity to work with students in grades 3,4,5, and 6 grades at Park Avenue Synagogue. 

She finds it very satisfying to see the growth of her students.

REBECCA CHIET
Teacher 
First Grade

Rebecca Chiet (she/her/hers) is a student in The Jewish Theological Seminary's Joint Program with Columbia University. Rebecca is earning two Bachelor's Degrees in Jewish Bible and Political Science. She was born in Nanchang, China and grew up in South Florida. Raised in a multi-ethnic household as an adopted Asian-American Jew, Rebecca is passionate about embracing diversity, promoting tolerance, and ensuring equitable opportunities for marginalized groups. Additionally, in her exploration, Rebecca bridges her Asian and Jewish identities through her involvement in the Jews of Color cohort at her university's Hillel. Beyond her work on campus, Rebecca creates inclusive spaces for female-identifying Chinese adoptees and continues to explore her love for education as a Hebrew school teacher in New York synagogues.

LILIA DOLGOPOLSKAIA 
Tutor 

Lilia Dolgopolskaia, is a Hebrew tutor at PAS working with 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th graders. She holds an MA in Hebrew Language and Jewish Tradition. She has more than 25 years of experience teaching Hebrew to all ages and all levels. Lilia loves to teach/tutor and believes that every student can succeed. Her approach is adaptive and based on keeping students actively engaged.

EZRA FELDER 
Tutor 

Ezra grew up with a deep Jewish tradition and rich Jewish education. He attended Jewish day school from K-12 and then spent three years in Israel before returning to college in New York. He is now in his first year of medical school but continues to find tremendous meaning in teaching children and discussing Jewish topics at PASCS. This is Ezra's third year here and currently tutors students in Grades 1-6.

CHARLIE FEUERMAN
Teacher 
First Grade

Charlie is a sophomore at the joint program between JTS and Columbia University, majoring in Talmud and Physics. In his spare time, you can find him listening to music, painting, or hanging out with his friends.

MACKENZIE HAUN 
Teacher
Third, Forth, and Seventh 

Mackenzie Haun is the Youth Coordinator at Park Avenue Synagogue and she teaches 3rd grade, a 3rd and 4th grade elective on Shabbat, and a 7th grade elective. She has a degree in Jewish Studies from the University of Kansas and has spent the last several years working for different Jewish non-profits. Mackenzie is excited to be at Park Avenue Synagogue and working with the kids!

JOAN KANTOR
Teacher 
Forth Grade

Joan Kantor has been working in the field of Jewish Education for over 4 decades.  Her experiences ranges from directing her camp's teen program, to directing the after school program at the 92nd street Y to mentoring teenage girls during their Rosh Hodesh group and beyond. 

Joan has been a teacher for every grade from kindergarten to adult Jewish mindfulness training. Joan is thrilled to be a member of the PAS team teaching fourth grade this year.

REBECCA KUZNICK
Teacher & Tutor
Second & Forth Grade  

Rebecca has been teaching at PAS for 7 years. She is currently teaching Bet and Dalet during the week, as well as tutoring and Shabbat mornings. In past years she has taught grades K-6. She also works at Shalom Shtayim. When she's not at PAS she's pursuing a career in Musical Theatre.

MISSY LAVINTMAN
Tutor
Kindergarten  

Missy is a Hebrew and Judaic teacher for 46+ years at the Talmud Torah of Minneapolis, University of MN, and other institutions and a former Director of Education at B'nai Emet Synagogue in MN. Currently, she is in her 3rd year as Hebrew tutor at PASCS and continues to be passionate about Israel and the Hebrew language. She spends time with her 5 children, 2 sons-in-law, 4 grandchildren, and 3 granddogs who live from Coast to Coast and in Israel. 

HILA NAUS
Tutor

Hila Naus joined Park Avenue Synagogue in 2019 as a Zman Ivrit Specialist, engaging students in Hebrew through music, singing, and movement. Hila moved to the states in 2011 to study acting and music and graduated from The American, Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC with a focus on musical theater. As a native Hebrew speaker from Israel, Hila is able to connect students of all ages to Jewish heritage from an Israeli perspective. Her expertise comes from a decade long working with children in Israel and New York. When Hila is not at Park Avenue, she pursues her acting and singing careers.

YAFFA NISHLI  
Teacher
Third, Fifth, and Sixth 

Yaffa Nishli currently teaches 3rd (Gimel), 5th (Hey) and 6th (Vav) grades at the PAS Congregational School. She studied Education and Sociology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Yaffa studied Computer Programming in Queens College, New York. Yaffa teaches at Park East Day School, a Jewish Day School, as a computer teacher and spent many summers as a computer teacher at the NYIT– Horizon Camp in Old Westbury, NY. She worked in The Israeli Mission to The United Nation for six years prior to teaching. She loves and enjoys teaching in Jewish schools.

NICOLE RAPHAEL
Teacher
Second – Fifth Grades   

Nicole is honored to have made her home at Park Avenue Synagogue! As an Educator at PASCS for the past four years and Founder and Artistic Director of The Mesaper Theatre, Nicole combines her passions of acting, Jewish heritage and education. In addition to teaching Kitah Bet, Nicole has developed and is facilitating the special Shabbat Elective: From Page to Stage - Out of the Apple Orchard! PASCS students work as members of a theatre company, learning about the unique history of the Catskills while acquiring acting skills. Nicole holds a Master's degree from the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education at The Jewish Theological Seminary and an MFA in Acting from The Actors Studio Drama School at The New School. She is a proud graduate of Smith College, as well as a member of the Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

ETI ROZEN 
Teacher & Tutor
First & Sixth Grade   

Eti Rozen teaches 1st grade, and is a tutor for students in 2nd, 4th, and 6th grades at PASCS. Born in Israel, Eti has also been a Music teacher at the Schechter Manhattan school for fifteen years. Eti graduated from New York College of music, that later became the music department of NYU.

SARAH SHEINKOPF 
Teacher
Second Grade   

Sarah currently teaches Bet on Thursdays at PAS. Sarah has been a part of the PAS community for 3 years. Sarah holds a master's in Childhood and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education and is currently a Master's student at NYU Silver School of Social Work.

DOV SMILEY 
Teacher & Tutor 
Fourth & Fifth Garde

Dov Smiley is a Davidson Student of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary, focusing on Jewish Education. He has worked at Park Avenue as a classroom teacher for five years, and includes Jewish art, comic books and media projects as unique ways to give young Jewish learners a chance to explore their Jewish identity. This year, Dov is teaching 4th-5th grade, and running the Storytelling Kehila on Shabbat.