Our Leadership

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• Rabbi Philip Nadel, Head of School 

  Rabbi Philip Nadel grew up in southern California and holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, in Political and Economic Development in the Third World. He received Rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1988 and has focused his professional endeavors in Jewish day school education. Prior to making Aliyah with his family in the summer of 2007, Rabbi Nadel lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, since 1996, and was the Co-Director and Jewish Studies Principal of Milwaukee Jewish Day School.

  Rabbi Nadel is also a graduate of the Senior Educators Program of the Melton Centre for Jewish Education in the Diaspora at Hebrew University.  Prior to being named Head of School in 2012, Philip was an Instructor from 2007.  
  Contact Philip at pnadel@amhsi.org

  
  

  

  Orit Rome, Chief Financial Officer
  Orit Rome is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a BA degree in Accounting and Economics from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Although she was born in Israel, she spent her teens in Australia. While studying, Orit was very active in the Australian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS), where she also served as regional president. Since returning to Israel in 1996, Orit has gained vast financial and managerial experience. Prior to joining AMHSI, Orit was an auditor for Price Waterhouse Coopers and a Financial Director in the high-tech and industrial arena. Orit is married to Jeremy, also a CPA, and they live in Raanana with their three children; Mika, Segev and Alon.

  Contact Orit at orome@amhsi.org

• Chaim Fischgrund, Headmaster Emeritus and Director of Special Projects

  Chaim Fischgrund was born in Straubing, Germany to parents that were both Holocaust survivors. In 1950, the family moved to Israel and, in 1958, to Brooklyn, NY where Chaim graduated cum laude with a BA in History from Yeshiva College. He holds a Bachelor of Religious Education from Erna Michael College of Yeshiva University and an MA in History from City University of New York. In 1974 Chaim made Aliyah with his wife, Harriet, and their infant son. A second son and a daughter were born in Israel.

  Chaim taught history and Bible in the ORT Netanya School and held a variety of other educational posts there including: History Department Chair, Coordinator of Tutorial Services and Extra Curricular Activities. From 1980 to 1983, Chaim served as an emissary for the Jewish Agency in Cape Town, South Africa. He joined AMHSI as a core teacher in April 1983, was principal from 1991 to 1999, was promoted to Headmaster in 1999 and appointed Executive Director of Israel Operations in 2004.  In 2013, he was named Director of Special Projects. 

  Contact Chaim at cfischgrund@amhsi.org 

• David Mitchell, Dean of Education

  David Mitchell was born and raised in Northern California. He completed a double BA in History and Hebrew Texts at the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He then received an MA with honors in Bible from the Hebrew University. David made Aliyah in 1975, and lived on kibbutzim for seven years. He is married to Ruti, a native Israeli and together they have two sons and two daughters. David has been in education since college, and served as a teacher in Day and Hebrew Schools in Northern California, and worked as a research and teacher's assistant while in graduate school. He taught History for the Young    Judea Year Course and taught career soldiers history and Hebrew grammar while serving in the Israel Defense Forces between  1980-1982, where he still serves on active reserve duty.

    In 1984, David became a teacher at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel. During that time he also served as an Israel emissary     for the Youth and Hechalutz Department of the Jewish Agency to the Pacific Southwest Region of USY. In addition to teaching history,   he has also traveled to the US with AMHSI to train Philadelphia-based Jewish educators, and has served as a Scholar-in-Residence   in Boca Raton, spoken in camps and elsewhere. David was named Dean of Education in 2004.

    Contact David at dmitchell@amhsi.org

• Jill Segal, Dean of General Studies

  Originally from South Africa, Jill made Aliyah in 1973. She came to Israel with degrees in Mathematics, Philosophy and English literature and, in Israel, obtained a further degree in Literature and Linguistics from Bar Ilan University.For more than 20 years, she taught Mathematics and English in high schools and lectured at teacher training colleges. In 1991, Jill became Director of the English Language Matriculation Program at Mosenson High School. During this time, Jill also taught English and was Head of the English Department at Metro-West High School in Ra’anana from 1996-2000.
  
  Jill has written several books on teaching English language and literature. She joined AMHSI in 1980 as a Math teacher and became Dean of General Studies in 1985. Jill has 6 children and several grandchildren.

   Contact Jill at jsegal@amhsi.org

• Yardena Spector-Nizri, Dean of Students

  Born in Israel, Yardena was very active in the Scouts Youth Movement for many years and later became the Program Director of Short Term Programs for Young Judea from 1994 to 1998. She went on 'shlichut' from 1998-2000 for the Jewish Agency to work for Young Judea in New Jersey.

  Since 2000, she has worked as Dean of Students at AMHSI and in 2004, was made Director of Programming and Student Life.Yardena is married to Haim, a computer analyst. They live with their two daughters, Noam and Amit in Kfar Saba.

  Contact Yardena at yspector@amhsi.org
  
  
  

  Negev Campus

• Aubrey Isaacs, Director of Negev Campus

  Born and bred in Bonny Scotland, Aubrey made aliya as soon as he finished high school. He studied in yeshivot in Jerusalem and in Gush Etzion and qualified as a teacher through the Israel Ministry of Education. He served in the tank corps of the IDF and then studied Jewish History and Informal Education at Bar-Ilan University. After a further 3 years in yeshiva to study in the rabbinical program, Aubrey returned to Scotland to serve as Director of Jewish Education in Glasgow. In that capacity, he served as Head of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at the local day school and directed the Glasgow Jewish Teenage Centre.

   Upon returning to Israel, Aubrey worked for 11 years as Rabbi and then Director of the WUJS Institute in Arad while completing a Masters in Jewish Thought at Ben-Gurion University in Be’er Sheva.Aubrey first joined AMHSI as a core Jewish Educator in 2004. He took some time out to work as Director of Jewish Education in a pluralistic school in Be’er Sheva and returned to AMHSI in 2011 to rejoin the educational faculty and to take on the role of Director of the school's new Negev Campus at Eshel HaNassi.

  Aubrey is married to Ruti and is proud father to four children. He has a special love for the desert and lives in the northern Negev town of Arad.

  Contact Aubrey at aisaacs@amhsi.org

• Andy Shapiro Katz, Dean of General Studies

  Andy Shapiro Katz grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. A proud graduate of Beachwood High School, he attended Stanford University where he earned a BA in American Studies and an MA in Educational Administration & Policy Analysis.

  Following graduation, Andy immersed himself in Jewish community and learning, first as a Project Otzma volunteer in Israel, and then as a student at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. After two years working as Assistant Director of Young Leadership at United Jewish Communities in New York, Andy returned to Jerusalem to attend the Pardes Institute, eventually receiving rabbinic ordination. Returning to the United States in 2003, Andy taught at the Weber Jewish Community High School in Atlanta, GA and the Jewish Community High School of the Bay in San Francisco, CA, where he also served as Assistant Head of School. Andy moved back to Israel in 2010 with his wife, Emily. They settled in Be’er Sheva with their three children and helped found Kehilat Be’erot, an innovative religious community of native Israelis and new immigrants.  In 2011, Andy earned an MBA at Be’er Sheva's Ben Gurion University. He now works as the coordinator of Kehilat Be’erot and the Dean of General Studies for the new AMHSI Negev campus at Eshel HaNassi.

  Contact Andy at akatz@amhsi.org

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  Israel History Faculty

• Yossi Katz, Educator

  Yossi Katz was born in 1956 in Philadelphia. As a teenager, Yossi was active in United Synagogue Youth (USY) and served as Regional President. He also spent over 15 years at Camp Ramah in the Poconos as a camper, counselor and Division Head.

  Yossi graduated with Honors from Temple University in Philadelphia and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem with a degree in Jewish and Arab history. He has studied at the Hebrew University's Center for Jewish Education and is a licensed teacher.

  Yossi made Aliyah to Israel in 1978 and served in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat soldier in a Reconnaissance Unit. He is also the former Israeli National Boxing Champion and fought for Israel in international competition. Yossi was sent to the United States as an Emissary (Shaliach) of the State of Israel from 1983 to 1986 and again from 1991 to 1994. In that capacity he traveled extensively across North America, lecturing in scores of Jewish communities, universities, synagogues & youth groups.

  Yossi Katz joined AMHSI in 1980 and has taught both high school and adult sessions, and has also served as the AMHSI Scholar-in-Residence for the Jewish communities of Boca Raton, Seattle, Orlando & Philadelphia. 

  Contact Yossi at ykatz@amhsi.org

• Elhanan Brown, Educator

  Elhanan Brown made Aliya with his family at the age of 6. Elhanan grew up in Jerusalem in the fun loving neighborhood of French Hill. Elhanan spent his summers at Ramah Poconos as a camper and on staff.

  After completing his army service as a Tank Commander, Elhanan came to work for AMHSI as a Madrich. Elhanan spent a year with us before shipping off to Australia as a Shaliach from the Masorti Olami (World Conservative Movement) to Bialik College, a Jewish Day School in Melbourne, and also at Kehilat Nitzan, the conservative synagogue in Melbourne.

  Upon his return home, Elhanan came back to work at AMHSI as a Madrich while completing his degree in Informal Education, Israel Studies and the Tour Guiding course at Beit Berl College. Elhanan has been teaching with us since 2007. Included among his passions for Israel and teenage education, Elhanan loves hiking.

  He is proud to have traveled the Israel trail from Dan to Eilat for 40 days at the end of summer in 2006. Elhanan is married and a father of one.

  Contact Elhanan at ebrown@amhsi.org

• Rona Melnik, Educator

  Rona Melnik was born and raised in Hod Ha'Sharon, Israel, and grew up in proximity of the campus of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel. She holds a B.ED in History and the Studies of Israel from Beit-Berel College, and a Masters degree in Jewish History from Haifa University. Rona also earned certification from the Ministry of Tourism to conduct guided tours.

  During her army service, Rona served as a soldier-teacher and assisted new immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia in their Aliyah process and helped organize a leadership program for local teenagers. Rona has worked extensively with many groups in Israel including Birthright Israel and has visited many communities throughout the US and Canada. She has also led groups to Europe with the March of the Living.

  She was a madricha with AMHSI in 1998 and joined our teaching staff in 2003. Rona is married and has 3 sons.

  Contact Rona at rmelnik@amhsi.org

• Danny Stein, Educator

  Danny Stein grew up in Philadelphia, PA and attended the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (formerly the Akiba Hebrew Academy) for middle and high school. In 11th grade he came to AMHSI with his class for 4 months. It was then that Danny's tenure with AMHSI began.

  After graduating from the University of Maryland with a BA in History and a BA in Psychology and spending time in different corners of the world, Danny returned to Israel to be a counselor (madrich) at AMHSI. It was then that he met his wife, Chana, who was his co-counselor. After a year at Yeshivat Hamivtar in Efrat, Danny came back to AMHSI in 2008 a third time – as an educator. He and Chana both work for AMHSI and live on campus where Danny is also the Director of Dormitory Life and Spirituality.

  Contact Danny at dstein@amhsi.org

• Akiva Gersh, Educator

  Akiva grew up in New York. He received a BA from Brown University, Providence, RI in Environmental Studies and Religious Studies, BA. He completed coursework for an MA at the Azrieli Graduate School for Jewish Education. After studying in several Yeshivot in the USA and Tzfat, Akiva was ordained rabbi.

  Akiva has a rich background in both formal and informal education. For several years, Akiva directed "The Tiyul", a program of the 92nd ST Y in New York. Tiyul is a pluralistic traveling community service program for Jewish high school students. It visits small Jewish communities along the East Coast of the U.S., volunteering at a wide range of agencies and places both in the Jewish and non-Jewish communities there.

  Akiva also taught in Hebrew Schools and Day schools and led workshops for CAJE (Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education) on Jewish Environmental Ethics.

  Akiva published the 2000 Environmental pamphlet, L'avdah U' L'Shamra, a pamphlet on the Jewish obligation to protect the environment. For several years, Akiva has served as a scholar in residence for AMHSI Shabbatonim and conducted workshops on Jewish music and spirituality.

  Contact Akiva at agersh@amhsi.org

• Alan Odess, Educator

  Alan Odess was born in the Bronx, NY. He received a BA in Psychology, Rabbinic Ordination, and an MS in Jewish History from Yeshiva University. He also holds an MS in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University Teachers College.

  Alan taught in Day Schools in the United States for four years and an additional three years in a yeshiva junior high school in Israel after making Aliyah with his wife, Judy, in 1975.

  He joined AMHSI as a core teacher in 1978 and has taught thousands of students over the years. He now has the pleasure of teaching the children of some of his alumni students. Alan has taught a number of adult groups as well, including groups of North American educators, and spent two months as Scholar-in Residence in Philadelphia, co-sponsored by ACAJE.

  Contact Alan at aodess@amhsi.org

• Reuven Spero, Educator

  Reuven earned his BA in Linguistics, holds graduate degrees in International Law and Education, and has studied at Hebrew Union College and the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Before joining the staff at AMHSI, Reuven was the Director of Jewish Education in Columbus, Ohio, and worked at Hebrew University and the College of Judea and Samaria in Ariel.

  Contact Reuven at rspero@amhsi.org

   

• Andrew Doxer, Educator
  Andrew Doxer first travelled to Israel in 1995 as a participant on the WUJS Arad program. Upon completion he worked for over a year with the Jewish National Fund guiding hundreds of teenagers in forestry work and facilitating tree planting ceremonies. After this experience he returned to his hometown of Boston and began working in the Jewish community there. Over the course of the next several years he worked in a variety of Jewish educational institutions in the Boston area. These included The Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, The Rashi School, Temple Reyim, Kesher Community After-School Program, and Camp Grossman. In 2007 he completed a Master's Degree in Jewish Education, in conjunction with a certificate in Jewish Informal Education,     Youth Leadership, and Camping. Upon completion of this degree he was chosen as the Recipient of The Wendy R. Breslau Citation and Award for demonstrated social responsibility. In 2009 he made aliya, and immediately started work as a Residential Coordinator   at Kibbutz Lotan in conjunction with Living Routes, an American study abroad program with a focus on ecology and sustainability. In addition to his work in youth education Andrew has a passion for travel, outdoor activities, painting, baseball , and American football.   In 2011 Andrew joined the teaching staff at Alexander Muss. Contact Andrew:  adoxer@amhsi.org

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  General Studies Teachers 

  
  English Department 

  Teacher	Subjects	Began at AMHSI	Degrees
  Alexa Raine	English	1988	B.A. Honors in English Literature, London University
  Jill Segal	English, Math	1980	B.A. English and Mathematics, University of Witswatersrand, South Africa B.A. Honors English Literature, University of South Africa M.A. English Literature, Bar Ilan University
  Dr. Glenda Sacks	English, History of Art	1996	B.A. Fine Arts, University of Witswatersrand, South Africa M.A Fine Arts, University of South Africa PhD Literature, Bar Ilan University
  Daniel Goldmeier	English, History	2011	B.A English, Judaic Studies, Northwestern University

   

  Math and Physics Department 

  Teacher	Subjects	Began at AMHSI	Degrees
  Dr. Susan Levenstein	Math, Physics	2001	B. Sc. University of Witswatersrand, South Africa B. Sc. Honors, University of South Africa B. Ed., M. Ed., D.Ed., University of South Africa
  Ron Erez	Math, Statistics	2004	B.A. in Mathematics, Tel Aviv University B.A. in English Literature, Tel Aviv University M.A. in Mathematics , Tel Aviv University Doctorate in Mathematics, Tel Aviv University
  Marlene Schwartz	Math	1985	B.A. Stern College, Yeshiva University, New York
  Dr. Zef Segal	Math, History	2005	B.A. History of Philosophy, Open Universty, Israel B.Sc. Mathematics, Tel Aviv University M.A. Philosophy, Tel Aviv University M.Sc. Mathematics, Tel Aviv University PhD in History, Tel Aviv University
  Brian Frank	Physics, Math	2008	B.Sc.  Math and Physics, Wits, South Africa B. Ed. UNISA
  Monica Singer	Math, German	1988	M.A. in Mathematics, University of Bucharest, Romania

   

  Sciences Department 

  Teacher	Subjects	Began at AMHSI	Degrees
  Dr. Michael Shterenshis	Chemistry,Biology	1999	M.D., Tashkent State Bio-Medical University Specialization in History of the Sciences, University of Pennsylvania Specialization in History of the Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem
  Rachel Sevitt	Chemistry, Math	1997	B. Sc., Kings College, University of London M. Sc., Kings College, University of London
  Ronit Ofir	Lab Director, Chemistry & Biology	1985	B. Sc. Chemistry, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem
  Dr. Geoffrey Jacobs	Chemistry, Biology, Physics	1996	M.Sc., Micro-Biology, University of Manchester Ph.D., Micro-Biology, University of Manchester
  Ingrid Messika	Biology	1996	B. Sc.,Chemistry and Life Science, Wits, South Africa Teacher Diploma in Chemistry University of TA

   
  Humanities Department

  Teacher	Subjects	Began at AMHSI	Degrees
  David Benkof	History	2010	B.A. American History, Standford University   M.A Modern Jewish History, Stanford University
  Rabbi Don Peterman	History, Government, Sociology	2009	B.A. Psychology University of California Rabbinical Ordination, Hebrew Union College
  Lisa Biton	History, Latin	2009	B.A., Classical Studies and History, Santa Clara University M.A., Education University of Southern California

  
  Language Department 

  Teacher	Subjects	Began at AMHSI	Degrees
  Monica Krebs	Spanish, Psychology	1997	M.A. Vermont College of Norwich University, Vermont B.A. in Social Work, Tel Aviv University M.A. in Translation, University of Buenos Aires M. Sc. Bolton University in Critical Psychology
  Esther Fellman	Spanish	1985	B.A. Political Science, Hillside College
  Pia Schalimtzek	Latin	1991	B.A. English, Teachers Training College, Jonstrup Seminary, Denmark B.A. Latin, Teacher Training College, Jonstrup Seminary, Denmark
  Giselle Gross	French, Spanish	1999	B.A. Political Science, Universidad Autonoma de Mexico
  Gila Pianko	Spanish, Hebrew	2008	B.Ed Seminar Kibbutzim B.A. Spanish Language, Buenos Aires University
  Jeanne Lumbroso	French	1992	B.A. English Literature, Sorbonne, Paris
  Helen Wu (Chinese)	Chinese	2009	B.A. Sichuan Union University Teaching Certificate in French Language, Bar Ilan University, Tel Aviv

• Hebrew Department 

• Teacher	Subjects	Began at AMHSI	Degrees
  Batya Oron	Hebrew	1998	B.A Bible Studies & Political Science, University of Haifa Teacher's License, University of Haifa
  Dalia Ben Arieh	Hebrew	1994	B.Ed. Bet Berl College, Kfar Saba
  Yaffa Kass	Hebrew	2001	B.Ed David Yellin Teachers Seminar, Jerusalem
  Malka Yasmin	Hebrew	1994	B.Ed Bet Berl College, Kfar Saba
  Rina Friedman	Hebrew	2006	B.Ed Bet Berl College, Kfar Saba
  Pnina Cohen	Hebrew	2005	B.Ed Bet Berl College, Kfar Saba
  Gila Pianko	Spanish,Hebrew	2008	B.Ed Seminar Kibbutzim
  Ronit Koblenz	Hebrew	2009	B.A Education University of Judaism, Los Angeles B.Ed, Seminar Kibbutzim

  
  Directors of Admission

• Orlie Braha: National Director of Recruitment / FL 

  Orlie Braha grew up in Brooklyn New York. She received her BA in Education at Boston University. She later completed her Masters in Early Childhood Education at Brooklyn College. After having two children, the family lived in Israel for two years. There she taught English as a second language to Israeli children at Nof Yam public school in Herzliya.

  In 2001, Orlie and her family moved to Florida where they currently reside. Orlie worked as a kindergarten teacher and a residential realtor before joining the staff at AMHSI in March of 2008 while researching educational Israel programs for her son. Ron attended AMHSI in Summer 2008 and her daughter Adi attended in Summer 2011.

  Contact Orlie at obraha@amhsi.org or 786-262-2609

  
  
  

  Alicia Press:  FL 

  Alicia is a third generation native Miamian and an early High School in Israel alum. Long affiliated with Temple Beth Torah of North Miami Beach, Alicia was a member of USY and was both Bat Mitzvah and Confirmed at Beth Torah. Alicia attended the University of Florida, earning a BS in Political Science and returned to Miami pursuing a career in the Luxury Jewelry and Watch industry. Alicia’s experience includes Sales, Marketing, Sponsorship and Branding in both the Fine Jewelry and Watch Industries.
  After a successful career as Vice President of Sales and Marketing she took a year’s sabbatical to pursue her other interests, including travel and volunteering. In 2010 Alicia joined the staff of Feeding South Florida, the state’s largest food bank, as the organization's Program Director. Alicia managed and coordinated the organization's five largest programs serving the Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach county areas.
  During her tenure at Feeding South Florida, Alicia became involved with the Temple Beth Emet Nosh Fest Event in Cooper City and now sits on the Executive Steering Committee for the yearly event. She also is on the executive board for the South Florida Hunger Coalition and the Starlight Foundation’s annual Fundraising Gala benefiting Miami Children’s Hospital. Alicia is still an active volunteer in many community based organizations.
  Alicia’s passion and support of both Israel and the AMHSI program has been a lifelong commitment and she is dedicated to giving students the opportunity to experience Israel through this outstanding program.
  Alicia Lives in Weston, FL with her husband, Barry, and her son, Zack, 23.
  Contact Alicia at apress@amhsi.org or 954-817-7108

   

• Cindy Kaufman: AL, AR, CO, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WY

  Cindy Kaufman lives in Cleveland, Ohio. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Ohio State University and her Master's Degree in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University. She worked for Bellefaire-Jewish Children's Bureau in Cleveland for 18 years as a social worker for youth and families.

  Cindy has two daughters, Rachel and Abby. She joined the staff of AMHSI in August 2005, shortly after Abby returned from the program.

  Contact Cindy at ckaufman@amhsi.org or 216-409-9450.

• Dana Gerbie Klein: CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT, IL

  Dana Gerbie Klein was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Evanston. She first visited Israel with her confirmation class on a NFTY trip when she was 16. After graduating from Tulane University, she lived for a year in Yoqneam, Israel as a Sherut Laam volunteer and returns to Israel frequently to visit.

  She has a Master's Degree in Jewish Communal Service from the Benjamin S. Hornstein Program at Brandeis University. She worked for several years at the Jewish Federation of the North Shore in Marblehead, MA. Dana lives in Boston with her husband and three children. Her 3 daughters are all alumni of AMHSI.

  Contact Dana at dklein@amhsi.org or 617-438-8775

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  Carol Vederman: DC, MD, VA, WV

  Carol Vederman was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in Bethesda, Maryland. After graduating from college, she moved to Boston where she handled the tenure and promotion process for the Office of the Provost at Boston University.
  
  Upon returning to her hometown, she then spent the next ten years as Assistant to the Executive Director at Washington Hebrew Congregation. During this time, she earned a M.Ed. in Secondary Education from The George Washington University. Her background in education and in synagogue life makes her a wonderful fit for the HSI team. Carol lives in Germantown, Maryland, with her husband, Harris, and their daughters, Cecelia and Adeline.
  Contact Carol at  cvederman@amhsi.org or 301-230-7292

• Marni Heller: NY

  Marni Heller grew up in Rockland County, New York and graduated from Frisch High School in Paramus, New Jersey. She received a B.A. in Communications with Minors in Business and Judaic Studies from the State University of New York at Albany. After a long and successful career as owner of a clothing sales business in New York, Marni became involved in Jewish camping, serving as a Division Head with Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, New York for seven years, as well as working with Ramah during the off-season in the areas of camper and staff recruitment, programming, special event planning, fundraising and development. Most recently, Marni served as Director of Recruitment and Outreach for NJY Camps. Marni has also taught Hebrew School at Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle, New York and served as Special Event Consultant for the Westchester Chapter of the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

  In addition to her Jewish-related endeavors, Marni has always been passionate about fitness and nutrition. She holds a Certificate in Fitness and Nutrition from New York University’s School of Continuing Education and has been certified as a Personal Trainer, Spinning Instructor, Kickboxing Instructor and Children’s Yoga Instructor.

  Marni currently lives in Scarsdale, New York with her husband and three children.

  Contact Marni at mheller@amhsi.org or 914-584-3066

• Andrea Schleider: FL
  Andrea Schleider came to AMHSI as the Assistant Director of Admissions for Florida in August of 2012, after spending several years working in media relations and communications at Habitat for Humanity. She has more than five years of experience working in development at Jewish National Fund and at Lehrman Community Day School in Miami, FL. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mass media and communications from the State University of New York at Old Westbury. During her mid-twenties, Andrea had the opportunity to study and work in Israel. Andrea grew up in Southern California; she currently resides in Miami with her husband and son.
  Contact Andrea at  aschleider@amhsi.org or 952-417-2334

• Yael Pritzker: GA

  Yael Pritzker attended AMHSI during the summer of 1991 and is thrilled to serve as a Director of Admissions in Atlanta. Originally from South Africa, Yael grew up in Miami and earned two degrees from the University of South Florida – a BA in Anthropology and an MA in Applied Anthropology. Inspired by her experiences at AMHSI, Yael decided to return to Israel for her Junior Year and studied at Ben-Gurion University. Yael is deeply passionate about Israel and loves helping teens create lasting connections to Israel as well. Yael resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband Raanan, a fellow AMHSI alum, and her sons, Eitan and Ilan.

  Contact Yael at ypritzker@amhsi.org or 404-964-0090

• Judy Cohen: AK, CA (Northern), HI, OR, WA

  Judy Cohen was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She attended AMHSI during her senior year of high school. The experience was so profound that she returned to Israel after college for a year of volunteer service on Project Otzma. She was amadrichafor AMHSI before officially making aliyah in the early nineties. Judy received her BA in American Studies from Grinnell College in Grinnell Iowa, and has a Master’s degree in counseling psychology from Antioch University Seattle.

  Judy and her husband Ari Brown moved to Seattle in 1996. They have two children, Mosey and Tali, who are in elementary school.

  Contact Judy at jcohen@amhsi.org or 206-829-9853
  
   

  Karen Rappaport: CA (Southern)

  Karen Rappaport has made her home in Santa Monica, California for more than 20 years but she is still a Southern girl at heart. Born in New Orleans, she grew up in Clear Lake City, Texas and was a member of Shaar Hashalom where her parents were active lay leaders for the small congregation.  Karen attended the University of Texas and graduated with her B.A. in English and her B.J. in Journalism/Public Relations before moving to the East Coast to earn her Master's degree at New York University. Finally arriving in California, she has spent years working in marketing/public relations for both corporate and entertainment industry clients before deciding to follow her personal passion for Israel.  Active in her synagogue, she has served on the Board and in many volunteer positions at Kehillat Israel, the nation's largest Reconstructionist congregation in the country. Her first two trips to Israel were family trips organized by KI. Karen also holds leadership positions with the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts in Santa Monica.  Married with three children, her daughter, Aliza is an AMHSI Alumni (2012) and her son, Sean, plans to attend in 2013. Her 11-year-old daughter, Casey, wishes she was old enough to go now but is excited to plan for her Bat Mitzvah trip in 2014!  Contact Karen at krappaport@amhsi.org or 310-995-3109

• Andrea Nadel: MN 

  Andrea Nadel, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, began her career in Jewish communal service after participating on the Career Israel internship program in Jerusalem from 2009-2010. Since then she has worked and interned with Jewish organizations in the US and Australia, including the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council in Melbourne. She now serves as Israel Program Specialist at the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, through which she joined AMHSI in December 2012.
• Andrea is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a graduate certificate in Jewish Nonprofit Management from Gratz College, both of which she anticipates completing in May 2013. A fellow in the Jewish Federations of North America’s FEREP fellowship program, Andrea is passionate about Israel engagement for Jews of all backgrounds and interests. She is thrilled at the opportunity to connect young people to Israel in such a meaningful way with AMHSI.” Contact Andrea at anadel@amhsi.org or 952-417-2334

• Staff

• Hindie Fried, Director of Operations, North America

  Contact Hindie at hfried@amhsi.org or 212-472-9300 ext 185
   

  

  Ron Shavit, Director of Marketing

  Based in Israel, Ron has over 18 years of experience in leading international and corporate companies. He holds a BA degree in economics and an MBA, both from Ben-Gurion University. Ron and his wife, Orit live in Tel-Mond with their three children, Lior, Aviv and Ofir.
  

  Contact Ron at rshavit@amhsi.org  
  

• Sarah Vanunu, Marketing Communications Manager

  Sarah Vanunu, originally from Sydney, Australia, holds a BA degree in Theatre and Film Studies with Honors in Media and Communications from the University of New South Wales. In 2012 Sarah graduated Cum Laude with an MA in Diplomacy, Strategy & Conflict Studies at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel. Sarah made Aliyah in 2006 and was married in 2007 to Eli, an accomplished jazz musician in Israel. She taught English to the Israeli corporate and VIP business sector, and was Deputy Editor and major contributing writer of Time Out Israel English magazines for both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and the 2007 Time Out Israel Travel Guidebook.

  Sarah joined the staff of AMHSI in early 2007, initially in her role as Executive Assistant to the CEO. While at AMHSI, Sarah was instrumental in establishing the Lapid coalition for high school age programs in Israel, helping to initiate, organize and mobilize a fast-growing, non-profit organization in Israel and eventually leading Lapid as its Director of Communications. In this capacity Sarah chaired the Lapid World Jewish Teens Councils in 2010 and 2011.

  Contact Sarah at svanunu@amhsi.org
  
  

  Rebecca Resnick, Marketing Coordinator

  Rebecca graduated from DePaul University in Chicago with a B.A degree in International Studies in 2010.  Shortly after graduating she moved to Israel. Rebecca received her MA in Government, with a specialization in Diplomacy, Strategy & Conflict Studies at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya.  Rebecca has been involved in several volunteer projects in Tel Aviv, including an African refugee newspaper and a women’s running program.  Most recently she worked as a grant writer for Minuf Ltd, a non-profit consulting firm in Israel. Rebecca is an alumna of AMHSI April 2005, and she is excited to be a part of the organization that made such a great impact on her life.
  Contact Rebecca at rresnick@amhsi.org 

• Marilynn Rothstein, Director of Board Development & Special Programs

  Marilynn Muss Rothstein, a telecommunications professional and business owner from 1984 to 2009, has worked with synagogue Boards of Trustees for more than 30 years. She is a past president of her current synagogue and chaired its capital campaign which funded a complete renovation of the facilities. She is proud to be working with the Alexander Muss High School in Israel because of the important role it plays in Jewish Continuity, by connecting youth to our heritage, our culture and to the land of Israel. She is also honored that she can help continue the legacy which carries her grandfather’s name. Marilynn is the Director of Board Development for AMHSI's National Board and Regional AMHSI Alumni & Friends Chapter Advisory Boards across North America. She also coordinates AMHSI special programs.

  Contact Marilynn at mrothstein@amhsi.org or 954-575-5680

• Harriet Fischgrund, Administrative Assistant

  Born in New York, Harriet made Aliyah in 1974 with her husband, Chaim, and their 2-month-old baby. After graduating with a BS in Art Education from Hofstra University and an MS in Art Education from Queens College, Harriet taught art in New York City. She has worked at AMHSI since 1985 as general secretary in the office and administrative assistant in the General Studies department. She lives in Hod HaSharon with her husband Chaim, AMHSI's Headmaster. They have three children and three grandchildren.

  Contact Harriet at harriet@amhsi.org
   

• Shelly Hanan, Logistics Coordinator

  Born in Israel, as a young girl Shelly was very active in HaNoar HaOved (The Federation of Working and Studying Youth). Shelly has strong ties with AMHSI as she attended Mosenson high school in Hod Hasharon (the sister school which co-shares AMHSI's campus), where she met her husband-to-be. After studying commerce in Tel Aviv, Shelly joined the AMHSI staff in 1994. As Logistics Coordinator, Shelly oversees the day-to-day responsibilities of organizing every aspect of the students' excursions around the country.

  Today, Shelly lives in Hod HaSharon with her husband, Yossi, and three children, Shirel, Gal and Yuval.

  Contact Shelly at shanan@amhsi.org

• Menashe Mor, Head of Maintenance

  Born in Hod Hasharon, Israel, as a youngster Menashe was very active in HaNoar HaOved (The Federation of Working and Studying Youth). After completing his army service, Menashe worked for many years in building and construction. He joined AMHSI in 1993. As Maintenance Manager, Menashe oversees the day-to-day responsibilities of maintaining the school. He lives in Hod HaSharon with his wife, and is the proud father of three and grandfather of two.

  Contact Menashe at mmor@amhsi.org
   

• Chana Stein, Hadracha Coordinator

  Chana Stein was born and raised on the small community of Moshav Mevo Modiim. Chana earned her BA and teaching certificate for special education from Michlelet Efrata in Jerusalem's Baka neighborhood. Additionally, Chana has had extensive training in many forms of visual arts. After the disengagement from Gaza, Chana worked as an art teacher and remedial teacher with children formerly from Gush Katif. After spending time running a "Bait Yehudi" or Jewish House in India, Chana found her way to AMHSI as a madricha in 2006. It was there that she met her husband, Danny, who is an AMHSI alum and was her co-madrich during her first group (and now an AMHSI educator). They were married in May of 2008 and are proud parents to a little girl, Adva.

  Contact Chana at cstein@amhsi.org
  
  

  Madrichim (Resident Counselors)

  
  Madrichim, or resident counselors, live in the dorms with the students, travel on all trips, and participate in all aspects of the group’s daily lives.  Madrichim plan group activities and informal outings and provide students with a personal connection to the vibrant lives of Israel’s young adults.  All madrichim are well trained to provide personal and emotional support and help students process their experiences in the land of Israel.  Like our educators, the madrichim are an integral part of the AMHSI program.