Faculty
About Our Faculty
Connections forged between teachers and students enrich the educational experience at Hannah Senesh and are the foundation of our learning community. Experienced and dedicated teachers work to create environments that encourage active engagement and challenge. Each elementary grade is staffed by one general studies teacher and one Judaic studies teacher. Our departmentalized Middle School includes teachers of humanities, mathematics, science, Hebrew language, and Jewish text study. School-wide specialists include teachers of STEAM, music, physical education, and performing arts.
Our teachers come from across the country and around the world, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a variety of perspective. All of our teachers are professionals with degrees in education or related disciplines. Many of our teachers are graduates of Bank Street College of Education, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and DeLeT: Day School Leadership through Teaching, some of the most innovative and substantive programs in the field. Collaboration among colleagues is encouraged, and extensive professional development opportunities are provided, at both in-house and outside workshops and seminars.
Albert Einstein once said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” At Hannah Senesh, our teachers artfully awaken students’ curiosity, promoting creative thinking and supporting thoughtful inquiry.
Explore Our:
School Leadership
Educational Leadership
Student Support Services
Lower School
Middle School
Additional Faculty
Administrative Staff
School Leadership
Nicole Nash
Head of School
M.S.Ed., Bank Street College of Education
B.A., University of Rochester
Shelley Fogelson
Lower School Director
B.A., University of Leeds, UK
M.Ed., William Davidson Graduate School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary
Sarah Kay
Middle School Director
B.A., University of Rochester
M.A., William Davidson Graduate School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary
Annette Powers
Director of Admissions
B.A., University of Michigan
M.A., American University
Karen Stein
Director of Development
B.A., University at Albany, SUNY Albany
M.A., William Davidson Graduate School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary
Kristen Williams
Director of Communications and Marketing
B.A., Hollins University
Nathalie Cabot
Director of Operations
B.A., Touro College
Shai Carmel
Business Manager
B.S., University at Albany, SUNY Albany
M.B.A., University at Albany, SUNY Albany
Educational Leadership
Shelley Fogelson
Lower School Director
B.A., University of Leeds, UK
M.Ed., William Davidson Graduate School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary
Sarah Kay
Middle School Director
B.A., University of Rochester
M.A., William Davidson Graduate School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary
Nir Rikman
Hebrew Language Coordinator
B.A., Haifa University, Israel
M.A., Brandeis University
Phyllis Sussman
Judaic Studies Coordinator
B.A., Barnard College
B.A., Jewish Theological Seminary
M.A., Yeshiva University, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies
Jennifer Brier
Director of Outplacement and Middle School Humanities Department
B.A., Tufts University
M.A., Columbia University
Student Support Services
Suzanne Khuri
Learning Specialist
B.A., Harvard University
M.A., Institute of Education, Language of Learning Certificate
Helena Jacobs
Lower School Learning Specialist
B.A. University of Rochester
M.A. Teachers College, Columbia University
Karen Brody
Lower School Psychologist
B.A., Brooklyn College
M.S., City College
Julie Arner
Middle School Counselor
B.A., SUNY Albany
M.S., Hunter College
Lower School
Kindergarten
Elizabeth McGinn
General Studies
B.A., Endicott College
Alexandra Ben-Abba
Hebrew and Judaic Studies
B.F.A. Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem
Collegiate Teaching Certificate, Brown University
M.F.A., Rhode Island School of Design
Talia Nudell
General Studies Associate
B.A., Brandeis University
M.A., University of Oregon
Tal Kazaz
Hebrew Associate
First Grade
Rebecca Heus
General Studies
B.A., Hamilton College
M.A., Bank Street College
Ilana Elmkies
Hebrew and Judaic Studies
B.S., Tel Chai Rodman College, Israel
Jeanette Dweck
General Studies Associate
B.A., Brooklyn College
M.S., Bank Street College of Education
Tal Kazaz
Hebrew Associate
Second Grade
Jessica Dalfen
General Studies
BA, Binghamton University
MS, Hunter College
Shira Becher
Hebrew and Judaic Studies
BA, New York University
MA, Hebrew College, Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education
NETA-CET Certificate in Hebrew language education
Julie Spiegel
General Studies Associate
B.A., Northwestern University
Ph.D, University of Pennsylvania
Tomer Yanay
Second, Third, and Fourth Hebrew Heritage Teacher
B.A., Brooklyn College
Third Grade
Hilary Davis
General Studies
B.A., Goucher College
M.S.Ed., Bank Street College of Education
Aliza Donath
Judaic Studies
B.A., Queens College
M.A., New York University
Ilana Swisa
Hebrew Language
B.A., Open University
Teaching Certificate, Hebrew University, Israel
M.A., Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, Israel
Julie Spiegel
Science
B.A., Northwestern University
Ph.D, University of Pennsylvania
Ilana Nowatzky-Bendet
Heritage Hebrew
B.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
M.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Ph.D., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Tomer Yanay
Second, Third, and Fourth Hebrew Heritage Teacher
B.A., Brooklyn College
Fourth Grade
Mike Steele
General Studies
B.S., College of New Jersey
M.LIS., Rutgers University (in progress)
Aliza Donath
Judaic Studies
B.A., Queens College
M.A., New York University
Ilana Swisa
Hebrew Language
B.A., Open University
Teaching Certificate, Hebrew University, Israel
M.A., Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, Israel
Samantha Butwin
Science
B.S., Pennsylvania State University, University Park
M.A., Hofstra University
Tomer Yanay
Second, Third, and Fourth Hebrew Heritage teacher
B.A., Brooklyn College
Middle School
Fifth Grade
Tony Buonomo
Humanities
B.A., Brandeis University
M.S. Ed., Simmons College
Samantha Butwin
Science
B.S., Pennsylvania State University, University Park
M.A., Hofstra University
Mike Noll
Science
B.S., Rutgers University
M.S. Ed., College of Saint Elizabeth
Laura Marder
Judaic Studies
B.A., Rutgers University
M.A., Hebrew College
Pardes Institute, Educators Program Advanced Certificate
Ilana Nowatzky-Bendet
Heritage Hebrew Language
B.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
M.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Ph.D., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Sixth Grade
Naomi Forman
Humanities
B.A., Washington University
M.Ed., Harvard University
Mike Noll
Science
B.S., Rutgers University
M.S. Ed., College of Saint Elizabeth
Laura Marder
Judaic Studies
B.A., Rutgers University
M.A., Hebrew College
Pardes Institute, Educators Program Advanced Certificate
Andreea Adereth
Hebrew Language
B.A., Tel Aviv University
Teaching Certificate in ESL K-12, Kibbutzim College of Education, Tel Aviv, Israel
Ilana Nowatzky-Bendet
Heritage Hebrew Language
B.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
M.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Ph.D., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Seventh Grade
Allison Corvo
Humanities
B.A. Rutgers University
Ed.M., Rutgers University
Shana Orlando
Math
B.S. Mathematics, St. Francis College
Mike Noll
Science
B.S., Rutgers University
M.S. Ed., College of Saint Elizabeth
Jessica Lissy Trey
Judaic Studies
B.A., Yale University
M.A., Hebrew University
Pardes Institute, Educators Program Advanced Certificate
Ilana Nowatzky-Bendet
Heritage Hebrew Language
B.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
M.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Ph.D., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Eighth Grade
Michael Gentile
Humanities
B.A., University of Kentucky
Shana Orlando
Math
B.S. Mathematics, St. Francis College
Mike Noll
Science
B.S., Rutgers University
M.S. Ed., College of Saint Elizabeth
Jessica Lissy Trey
Judaic Studies
B.A., Yale University
M.A., Hebrew University
Pardes Institute, Educators Program Advanced Certificate
Andreea Adereth
Hebrew Language
B.A., Tel Aviv University
Teaching Certificate in ESL K-12, Kibbutzim College of Education, Tel Aviv, Israel
Ilana Nowatzky-Bendet
Heritage Hebrew Language
B.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
M.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Ph.D., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Additional Faculty
Samantha Butwin
Technology Integrator and STEAM Educator
B.S., Pennsylvania State University, University Park
M.A., Hofstra University
Iviva Olenick
Lower School Art
B.A., Binghamton University
A.A.S., Fashion Institute of Technology
Susan Hamburger
Middle School Art
B.A., Brandeis University
M.F.A., Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University
M.A., The City College of NY
Joanna Greer
Performing Arts Director
B.A., Columbia College, Chicago
Eyal Vilner
Lower School Music
B.F.A., New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music
Naum Goldenstein
Middle School Music
B.A., Ithaca College
M.A. from the City University of New York
Orff and Kodaly Certificates
Anne Lilly
Lower School Physical Education
B.A., University of Washington
Certification from National Academy of Sports Medicine
Ayinde George
Middle School Physical Education
B.S., SUNY Cortland
Administrative Staff
Denisa Tomlinson
Administrative Associate
Tracey Ceurvels
Administrative Associate
Leah Robinson
Director of Alumni Relations and Donor Relations Officer
B.A., Colgate University
Helene Ruddy
Development Officer
Rivky Nigen
Nurse
Jimmy Littman
Security
Jorge Martinez
Fitness and Maintenance Technician