Introducing New Faculty & New Roles

We’re so excited to introduce Perelman’s new faculty — as well as familiar faces taking on new roles!

Dr. Limor Carasso, Director of Hebrew Language and Jewish Studies: Limor comes to Perelman from Texas, where she has held roles including Instructional Coach, Department Chair, Special Education Support, Educational Project Manager, and Hebrew Teacher. Limor earned an MBA and bachelor's degree in education while living in Israel and recently received a doctorate in educational leadership.

 

Tom McStravock, Director of Technology: Tom has spent his career in school technology, working most recently at Archbishop Ryan High School. Prior to that, he spent eight years at Princeton Day School, before which he worked at Princeton University. We’re thrilled to have Tom in this vital role that supports all of our students and staff.

Aurora Zecher, Associate Director of Development: Aurora has a rich background in investor relations, sales, operations, and strategy-building in a variety of environments — in the US and Israel. She is also a proud Perelman parent!

Penina Braffman Greenfield, moving into the role of Co-director of Enrollment: Penina will serve on the Senior Leadership Team and will continue to support the school’s enrollment efforts. She will also oversee our amazing After School Program.  

Mindy Civan, moving into the role of After School Program Coordinator: Mindy comes into this role with many years of teaching experience at Perelman, as well as recent administrative experience as the PAIS Accreditation Coordinator. Mindy’s intricate knowledge about Perelman makes her the ideal person to build this program.  

Audrey Kraus, moving into the role of Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Audrey brings her invaluable experience as a classroom teacher and educational leader into this essential role. Formerly a practicing attorney and fifth grade teacher, Audrey’s thirst for knowledge will undoubtedly help further build a culture of teacher learning at Perelman.

Rachel Profeta, moving into the role of Director of People and Culture: Rachel will serve on the Senior Leadership Team and continue providing major support to our human resources efforts.

Lisa Blumenband, Jewish Studies Support Teacher: Lisa has more than 15 years of classroom teaching, most recently at Oakland Hebrew Academy in California and Jacobson Sinai Academy in Miami, Florida where she also served as Literacy Coordinator.  

Lisa Dizengoff, Science Teacher: Lisa brings over 30 years of teaching experience, most recently creating and maintaining her previous school’s STEAM lab in South Florida. There, Lisa also oversaw the Curious Science Investigators after-school program. She is excited to return to her beloved Philadelphia! 

  

Rachel Glauser, OROT Teacher: Rachel is returning from maternity leave after teaching at Perelman for over 10 years, and will also be directing our school play and co-chairing our Student Council. We are very fortunate and thankful to have Rachel back with us!

Joanna Gurwitz, 5th Grade General Studies Teacher: Joanna spent the last nine years working at the Leffell School in New York. She has nearly 20 years of teaching experience, including a specialty in outdoor environmental education.  

Rebecca Kleiman, Gan General Studies Teacher: Rebecca is excited to bring her experience teaching in the classroom, after school, and in a home-school setting. She recently spent seven years working at the Chabad Garden School.

 

Shirly Kolet, Ganon Jewish Studies Teacher: Shirly comes to Perelman with a wealth of experience, most recently in the preschool at Chabad of the Main Line. She spent five summers as a shlicha (Israeli emissary) at various US summer camps and as the head of Mishlachat (all of the Israeli emissaries). She served as the head of numerous age groups at Ramah Day Camp, and was head of their shira (singing) program. 

 

Amanda Lane, 2nd Grade General Studies Teacher: Amanda has over a decade of teaching experience in a variety of institutions, most recently at the Friends School of Haverford. She served as the Director of Children’s Education at a religious school, and spent seven years as a head gymnastics coach!

 

Courtney Meyer, Ganon General Studies Teacher: Courtney has more than 20 years of experience in fostering academic excellence and holistic development — as a lead teacher, a special education and inclusion teacher, and as a behavior consultant.  

 

Cara Ozlek, Gan General Studies Teacher: Cara comes to Perelman with numerous years of teaching experience in a variety of settings, including various public schools, Adath Israel on the Main Line, and several tutoring companies. 

 

Ira Raviv, Jewish Studies Gan and 2nd Grade Teacher: Ira joins the Perelman family after substituting last year, bringing 10 years of prior music teaching experience.

 

Erica Schafer, 3rd Grade General Studies Teacher: Formerly a practicing attorney, Erica joins Perelman after teaching most recently at The Shipley School and Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech. 

 

Hedva Tzabbar - 2nd and 3rd Grade Jewish Studies teacher: Hedva comes to us most recently from Barrack Hebrew Academy, with over 20 years of teaching experience. She has also taught at the Jewish Academy of Orlando and the Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School in Toronto, Canada.

Emily Watson, 1st Grade OROT GS Teacher: Having taught for more than a decade, Emily spent the past six years at the Jewish Academy of Orlando. There, she held many roles, including classroom teacher, Academic Coordinator, Remote Learning Coordinator, Curriculum Coordinator, and Director of Jewish Life. 

Sagit Bar-On, 4th and 5th Grade JS Teacher: Sagit brings a decade of teaching experience and expertise in social-emotional support, individualized instruction, and engaging students through extracurricular activities. She is finishing a PhD program in linguistics at Bar Ilan University, has a master’s degree in linguistics, and has a bachelor’s degree in education and english from Ohalo College.  

Tama Berman, 2nd Grade JS Teacher: In addition to twelve years of classroom teaching in several Israeli elementary schools, Tama has also worked as a tour guide! She holds a master’s degree in education management and organization systems and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Oranim College. We’re also thrilled to welcome her three children to Perelman!

Moran Einis, Ganon Jewish Studies (JS) Teacher: With over 12 years of experience as an elementary school teacher in a variety of fields, Moran brings a dynamic teaching approach that adapts to diverse student needs. Her expertise includes interactive and experiential learning, incorporating movement and play for engaging lessons. Moran holds a master’s degree in curriculum and evaluation as well as a bachelor’s degree in physical education. We’re also excited to welcome her three children to Perelman!

Einav Kahana, post-high school volunteer: Einav studied computer science and Spanish in high school. In her spare time, she volunteers at Magen David Adom, and is a counselor in the Tzofim (Scouts) movement.

Shira Maimon, post-high school volunteer: Shira was born in Australia and moved to Israel as a child. Shira studied biology and biotechnology in high school. She has been dancing professionally since childhood and in her spare time, she loves being a Tzofim counselor.