The Rockland Jewish Academy, in collaboration with Dr. Elliot Spiegel, is thrilled to list our faculty members below. Meet our faculty via video.
Rhonda Klein - Lead Teacher & Grade 5 General Studies 
Ms. Klein holds a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Hofstra University and has over 30 years experience in the classroom including 6 years teaching bridge classes (classes with children of different ages). Ms. Klein currently teaches fourth and fifth grade general studies at the Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School, where she has taught for the last 12 years.
Marilyn Soffer - Pre-K Teacher 
Ms. Soffer has more than 30 years experience in the classroom and comes to us most recently from Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School, where she has spent the last 5 years as the early childhood learning specialist and pre-K teacher. Ms. Soffer holds a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY New Paltz and a Masters degree in Educational Psychology (specializing in reading and learning disabilities) from New York University. She also holds a variety of New York State certifications including reading, special education and early intervention services.
Julie Thaler - Kindergarten Judaic & General Studies/Early Childhood Education Coordinator
Ms. Thaler has 25 years experience in education. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Exceptional Education and Early Childhood/Elementary Education from SUNY Buffalo, where she minored in Judaic studies. She completed Masters graduate work in Early Childhood Education from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She comes to us most recently from the Carmel Academy in Greenwich, Connecticut where she serves as the Kindergarten Coordinator (supervisor) and Judaic/Hebrew teacher.
Jenna Bottiglieri - Grade 1 General Studies
Ms. Bottiglieri comes to us most recently from the Carmel Academy in Greenwich, Connecticut, where she has spent the last 8 years as a general studies first grade teacher and has served as the administrative director for the school's afterschool program. Ms. Bottiglieri received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta and a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in K-6 literacy from the College of New Rochelle.
Sarah Hazi-Berk - Grades 2/3/4/5 Judaic Studies
Ms. Hazi-Berk is RJA's Hebrew and Judaic studies teacher for grades 2-5. Ms. Hazi-Berk has more than 30 years experience in the classroom, most recently at Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School, where she has spent the last 9 years teaching grades 3-5. Ms. Hazi-Berk received her Teaching Diploma for Elementary School General Studies and Science from S'minar Shayn Teaching College, Patah Tikvah, Israel and her Masters equivalent in Elementary School Science Studies from S'minar Oranim Teaching College, Kiryat Tivon, Israel.
Leah Bernabei - Grades 2/3 General Studies & Art
Ms. Bernabei holds a Bachelors degree in Art and ElementaryEducation from Muhlenberg College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Manhattanville College. Ms. Bernabei has 4 years experience in the classroom and comes to us most recently from Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School, where she was hired this year to teach general studies in the third grade. Ms. Bernabei combines her passions for elementary education and art by serving as the 2/3 bridge class general studies teacher as well as RJA's art teacher.
Lori Rutcofsky - Grade 4 General Studies 
Ms. Rutcofsky holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with Computer Education from the University of Phoenix. Ms. Rutcofsky has 7 years experience in the classroom and comes to us most recently from Harriet Tubman Charter School in New York City, where she is the fourth grade team leader, where she helped design, implement and evaluate their Social Justice curriculum.
Lynda Tortorello - Office Manager
Ms. Tortorello is the Office Manager for RJA, supporting both the faculty and families. Ms. Tortorello has 12 years of administrative experience, most recently at Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School for the last 7 years.
Arielle Richman - PreK Teacher
Ms. Richman was The Goddard School's 2011 Teacher of the Year and holds New York State certifications in childhood education and early childhood education.  She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from University of Massachusetts and a Master of Science in Childhood Education from Hunter College. In addition to her three years at the Goddard School, Morah Arielle has recently completed her second year as a teacher at the Temple Emanu-El Religious School in Closter, New Jersey.
Ava Hamburger - School Psychologist

Mrs. Avidar-Hamburger comes to us most recently from Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School, where she has spent the last 3 years as the School Psychologist. Mrs. Avidar-Hamburger has 18 years of experience working with children and families. She holds a Masters of Education degree in School Psychology from Pace University and a Masters of Professional Studies in Art Therapy from Pratt Institute. As a NY State Certified School Psychologist and Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Mrs. Avidar-Hamburger has a creative and innovative approach to working with children. She is well known among the children for her fun and creative Conflict Resolution and Social Skills groups. 
Doris Gordon-Heath - Learning Specialist 
Ms. Heath received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her Masters in Education/Special Education from William Paterson.  She has over 26 years of experience in Special Education and taught in Washington Heights in District 75 and District 6.  Ms. Heath developed a series of workshops for the paraprofessionals and teachers in District 6.  She received training at the Windward School in White Plains, NY in Orton-Gillingham Methodology and the Basic Reading Program, while teaching in District 6, and was the lead teacher on a committee that developed and wrote workbooks, using the Basic Writing Process, for the current reading anthology.  She holds certification in education in New Jersey and New York State and is licensed in New York City.

 
Jenna Rosen - PreK-3 Assistant Teacher
Ms. Rosen graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and is certified in Elementary Education in both New York and New Jersey.  She has worked in the River Vale (NJ) school district and most recently as Assistant Director at a daycare center.  She also provides private tutoring and day care.  Ms. Rosen is a graduate of Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School.
Mike Koral - Physical Education Teacher:
Mr. Koral, a resident of Suffern, NY graduated from SUNY Cortland, Magna Cum Laude, in the spring of 2011 with a degree in Physical Education.  He has been teaching around Rockland County for the past year and is excited to have landed at RJA for the 2012-13 school year.  In his spare time, Mr. Koral coaches track and field and competes in triathlons and marathons, having completed the 2010 NYC Marathon in the top 1000.  He is passionate about physical education and enhancing the health and fitness of the students at RJA.
Judy Klein - Director of Admissions:
Ms. Klein holds a BA in English from Binghamton University. She comes to us from RGHDS after a career in publishing and active volunteerism. She passionately believes that when a superior academic institution teaches values, heritage and identity along with literacy and math, children receive a foundation for life. She is thrilled to welcome families to share the excitement of RJA.
Zoe Fruchter - Judaic Support Teacher:
Ms. Fruchter is very excited to be joining the Rockland Jewish Academy family as Judaic Support Teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Marist College and a Master of Arts in Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science for Teachers in Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) at SUNY New Paltz. Having gone to Jewish day school from pre-school through high school, she understands how important a strong Jewish foundation is and is very happy to bring creativity to the subject area that she knows best!  When she isn’t in the classroom, you can find Morah Zoe doing yoga, oil painting, at the potter’s wheel, restoring furniture or playing with her family’s dog Abigail.