~Administration~

Principal

Ritzkowitz@bethshalomacademy.com

Dr. Leiter-Itzkowitz holds a Bachelors in music, Master and Doctorate in Education and a deep love for learning and teaching. From the age of 6, Dr. Leiter-Itzkowitz always wanted to be involved in education and is living her dream as Principal of Beth Shalom Academy. Dr. Leiter-Itzkowitz started teaching at Bnos Malka in Queens in 1999 and from there went on to spend 14 wonderful years teaching at Manhattan High School for girls. Dr. Leiter-Itzkowitz deeply believes in the vital importance of educating each and every student in a warm environment which adheres to their unique strengths and challenges.

Associate Principal

aleiter@bethshalomacademy.com

Ari Leiter comes to BSA with over 25 years of experience in Education. After working as a speech specialist for 10 years, he then went on to earn a Masters of Arts degree with a Teacher of the Handicapped certification. Helping children navigate their challenges and ultimately thrive is why Ari went into the field of education. Along with helping children/ leaders of tomorrow, Ari also enjoys working with parents to understand that their children will ultimately succeed and not to overly stress at the daily grind that is child rearing. (”It will work out in the end” is Ari’s mantra!)

Guidance Counselor

bobrien@bethshalomacademy.com

Bri O’Brien is passionate about helping children cultivate “shalom” with peers and within themselves. Her educational background in psychology provides her a holistic as she develops individualized growth plans for each student while considering their unique academic, social, and emotional needs. She is never too busy to provide students with a listening ear and an intentional compliment to help boost their self-confidence. Bri is a firm-believer that children retain information best when it is presented through an area of interest; she often incorporates art, music, and sports into her lessons. In her free time, Bri enjoys painting, being extraverted, and playing board games with her husband. She loves travelling and hopes to teach English in Asia in the future.

Administrative Assistant

tgoldstein@bethshalomacademy.com

Programming Coordinator

mraven@bethshalomacademy.com

Miriam Raven has a degree in early childhood education. She is passionate about teaching through play and bringing the classroom to life. She uses her creativity towards her position as BSA’s Informal Education Coordinator by actively pursuing opportunities for BSA students to involve themselves in volunteering with the broader Jewish community and planning out of the box activities for the students. Miriam was born and raised throughout Pennsylvania.

~Judaic Studies~

Rebbi

rabbieedelman@gmail.com

Rabbi Eliyohu Edelman was born and grew up in Paris, France where he learned in his childhood and adulthood life. He spent time in Germany, Australia, and France where he worked with communities and the local schools. He then came to New York to learn rabbinical studies and got married to his wife, Mushky. After spending a year in Kolel, he began teaching Kindergarten in Crown Heights and has been doing that for over a decade. Teaching has been his passion from a young age, as he grew up watching his father work as a full-time teacher. He is very excited to move to Scranton and join the BSA community!

Rebbi

szkreiman@gmail.com

Rabbi Kreiman is from Sunny Palm Springs, California, which has no real Jewish community. He left home to pursue his education from 6th grade in Los Angeles. Later, after completing his yeshiva years, he went overseas to Caracas, Venezuela to help the Jewish community there. He ran children’s education activities, day camps, and special prayer programs. He then completed his rabbinical studies in Brookyln, NY. Rabbi Kreiman has also worked for three years in a release time program in Riverdale, NY where he taught public school children. He now lives in Scranton and is excited to continue educating children at BSA. Beth Shalom Academy is thrilled to have his teaching and his positive role modeling at our school!

Rebbi

pinny@baismenachem.com

Hashkafa Advisor & Rabbi of Beth Shalom Congregation

rabbihecht@bethshalomscranton.com

Rabbi Alex Hecht is Beth Shalom Academy’s Hashkafa Advisor and overall halachic authority. Rabbi Hecht is passionate about Jewish education and has been involved in informal Jewish education with youth of various ages. Rabbi Hecht currently teaches Chumash and Gemara.

Director of Special Judaic Events

Mndlrcs@gmail.com

Rabbi Mendel Raices is the director of Chabad of the Mountains. He has spent many years working with children of all backgrounds as a teacher, camp counselor, and mentor. Rabbi Raices organizes and presents special Jewish events in relation to Yom Tovin. These include the “shofar factory” for Rosh Hashanah and the “olive press” seminar for Chanukah. BSA is thrilled to have his dynamic story-telling and his positive influence on our students.

Head Judaic Teacher for Upper Elementary Boys

tzuker.tzvi@gmail.com

Rabbi Tzuker comes to BSA with a wealth of knowledge in a wide variety of areas of Limudei Kodesh. In addition, Rabbi Tzuker is a world-renowned Chazzan/instructor who can be heard humming all sorts of nigunim in our hallways. Rabbi Tzuker teaches Chumash, Mishnayos,& Kriah

Director of Judaic Studies

blevi@bethshalomacademy.com

Originally from NY, Bracha is the go-to when it comes to an arts and crafts project. She has been interested in art since she was a child and has made it her goal to incorporate more visual learning. Sitting in class as a child was always a bit hard for her, so she understands the importance of keeping students interested and focused. Through visual, physical and hands- on activities, she brings Parsha and the stories behind each Jewish holiday to life. Bracha has been teaching at BSA since 2021 and hopes to continue providing future students with the vital information of our Jewish Heritage.

Judaic Teacher: 3rd-High school

mushkybeut@gmail.com

Mushkie Gelman grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From a very young age, she was inspired by her parents- her mom was an educational psychologist and her father was a Rabbi. They helped Mushkie discover her passion to teach Judaism to children in a fun and engaging way. After getting her diploma for “Mora lagola” from “Beis Chana Tzfas” seminary in Israel, she went to Vienna, Austria, to pursue her B.A in education. She worked in Austria as a teacher in the “Lauder Chabad school” high school and ran activities for kids from different backgrounds. Back in Brazil, she taught elementary and high school for 3 years. She has also worked at different schools in Crown Heights with a variety of age groups. Our students love Morah Gelman’s warm smile and her ability to get them excited about learning! Main teacher of High school, and Chumash teacher for 3rd – High school.

Teacher

Email

Hebrew Reading Specialist: PreK – Kindergarten

cgoldstein@bethshalomacademy.com

Chany Goldstein has been teaching in preschool for over 7 years and has worked with kids for more than 10 years. Her experience has included the teaching of Hebrew reading and Judaica Studies. She has a special love and understanding for children and believes in positive reinforcements while having the kids express themselves with their own words. Her focus is to create and cultivate a safe and fun environment for her students to learn in the best way possible.

Hebrew Reading Specialist: 1st-2nd

sysmith613@gmail.com

With over a decade of teaching experience in both limudei kodesh and chol, Morah Smith’s goals are to bring a passion for Torah and mitzvos to every student, and to ensure that each student can read and write Hebrew with fluency. Each child is unique and special and Mrs. Smith is dedicated to reaching every child in the way that will help them reach their fullest potential.

Navi Teacher: Middle school – High school

itkinscran@msn.com

~General Studies~

Director of Lower Elementary General Studies

cwilson@bethshalomacademy.com

Christina Wilson has over fifteen years of combined experience as an educator, adjunct instructor, and instructional coach. She earned her Master of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Scranton. Christina is actively pursuing her Ph d and is currently enrolled in the Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies program at Marywood University. As Beth Shalom Academy’s Director of Lower Elementary Studies, her pedagogical approach instills an early elementary foundational framework that fosters and supports individualized development of personal voice, talent/interest(s), problem-solving, and inquiry. Through a project-based learning approach, Christina also provides multi-subject-integrated activities that further reinforce a real-world connection to each concept introduced. When not teaching, Christina enjoys spending time with her son. She also enjoys participating in outdoor activities, running, traveling, and volunteering within the teaching community as a national judge for the Educators Choose Best of Stem Awards held each summer.

Head Math Teacher: Middle school – High school

neill.ackerman@scranton.edu

Dr. Ackerman was raised in South Orange, New Jersey. He graduated from Columbia High School and then went on to graduate school at Lehigh University where he earned a Ph.D in mathematics. Upon graduation, he set out on a career in teaching and has taught students of all ages. He is presently employed at the University of Scranton, the Bais Yaakov and of course the Beth Shalom Academy. He is married to his wife, Michele. They have a daughter, Tziona, in Jerusalem and a son, Yochanan, in Dallas Texas; they also have several grandchildren. Dr. Ackerman’s goal in teaching math is to convince his students that the subject does not have to be difficult, as long as the student is willing to put in the time and do the exercises. He strives to motivate his students not only to reach their potential, but also to strive to go as far beyond it as possible.

Chemistry Teacher

wmsmall1@gmail.com

Dr. Murray Small began his teaching experience as a graduate student at the University of Michigan, where he assisted his research professor. He has since taught a variety of scientific subjects including chemistry, biology, and thermochemistry at Penn State University and Bais Yaakov school in Scranton. He assigns appropriate take-home work to serve as a useful tool in helping students better grasp the material presented. He enjoys teaching his students, as the experience of teaching greatly broadens his own understanding of science.

Art History & Music History Teacher

forelle16@gmail.com

A new member of our faculty, Dr. Jo-Ann Reif-Small looks forward to introducing the young ones to the rudiments of music, the instruments, and how to listen to music, starting with simple tunes. In art history, she has found that young students respond with curiosity to paintings of children like themselves throughout history as well as to work by children, such as samplers. Music and art, the students soon see, are connected in interesting ways and have been very much a part of children’s lives for a very long time. Dr. Jo-Ann is a graduate of Scranton Central High School and Barnard College. She holds the Ph.D. in Music from Columbia University and the M.A. in Art History from Penn State University. Over these years, she studied and travelled in Europe and England. She and her husband, Dr. Murray Small, live in a delightful house in the Hill Section.

Math Teacher: 3rd-6th

sarahakakian25@gmail.com

Morah Sara is currently teaching math to third to sixth grade girls at BSA. She received her dual degree in Education & Special Education. She aims to provide her students with problem-solving skills, and fostering logical thinking. Her goal is to equip her students with a valuable set of skills essential for personal and professional success.

Teaches Bridge and Computer Programming

stevemansour@yahoo.com

Dr. Stephen Mansour received a BA in mathematics from the University of California at Berkeley, an MS in Operations Research and Applied Statistics from Union College, and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University. He worked for 12 years as a computer programmer at IBM East Fishkill, NY and later consulted for Security APL in Jersey City, NJ and the Carlisle Group in Scranton, PA. He has taught math and statistics at the University of Scranton, Marywood University and Penn State Scranton; he currently teaches statistics at Misericordia University.

Martial Arts / Physical Education teacher

freshwatersquid14@gmail.com

Matt O’Brien utilizes his cross-cultural experiences teaching abroad to bring a dynamic environment to physical education. Sportsmanship, discipline, and determination are some of the most important values that make up each class. Whether in gym class, martial arts class, or electives, these words are taught through practical application and the experiences we share. Each day his classes seize the opportunity to strive for integrity and character building.

English & Math Teacher

malrivher1@gmail.com

Malky Gaerman holds a bachelors in computer science and went on to hone her skills at practical application of subject matter during her attendance at a seminary which focused on teaching methods and practices. Mrs. Gaerman’s pedagogical philosophy is centered in, and motivated by, Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences because every child is so unique and they all really do have their own unique intelligence! Mrs. Gaerman teaches at the elementary level as well as the middle school level in both the boys and girls divisions and works to empower all her students to focus on their unique capabilities through a broadened approach without the limitation of a single learning modality. Malky Gaerman hails from Brooklyn and is just as inquisitive as the children she teaches.

Math & Science Teacher

Breanna

Teacher

courtney.murphy912@gmail.com

With a passion for fostering a love of literature and language, Courtney is a dedicated educator committed to inspiring students to explore the realms of English language arts. She studied English and Education at Long Island University and with 12 years of teaching experience she brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm to the classroom. In the classroom, Courtney employs innovative teaching methodologies to engage students in meaningful learning experiences. By integrating technology, interactive activities, and collaborative projects, she aims to create an inclusive and dynamic environment where every student feels empowered to express themselves and explore the intricacies of the English language. Committed to student success and holistic development, she believes in fostering a supportive and nurturing learning community where students feel valued, respected, and inspired to achieve their full potential.

~Preschool~

Director of Early Education

mushkyborenstein@gmail.com

PreK Assistant

Chanagittelharkavy@gmail.com

PreK Assistant

tamara1294@hotmail.com

Morah Tamara (Tam) Green was raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Tam worked with children ages six to fourteen at the JCC Camp Daleville, and toddlers at the JCC of Scranton from. Tam loves learning about each individual child and watching him/her flourish through play, cognitive activities, and of course, a structured schedule.

PreK Assistant

michc159@gmail.com

Michelle Castillo is the teacher assistant for the lovely toddler class! Michelle went to Marywood university with a focus on early childhood education. Morah Michelle loves doing arts and crafts with her classes. Morah Michelle also teaches the English ABC’s and identification of numbers. Morah Michelle loves spending her days with her very energetic toddlers!