Executive Leadership Team

Rivy Poupko Kletenik, Head of School

Rivy Poupko Kletenik is a renowned educator, writer, and sought-after speaker. She has served SHA for almost 20 years, most recently as head of school since 2006. A recipient of the Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education in 2002, Rivy brings deep Torah knowledge and pedagogical skills to classes for children, parents, and community members. 

Sharon Mezistrano, Director of Admissions

Sharon Mezistrano is the director of admissions at Seattle Hebrew Academy. Originally from Brooklyn, she has been living in Seattle since 1988. In Sharon’s years at SHA, she has had many roles: kindergarten teacher, early childhood director, and now director of admissions. Sharon's husband and children are all proud SHA alumni.

Kerri Stern, Director of K-8

Kerri is a seasoned educator who has worked in independent schools since 1998. She holds two master’s degrees from Pepperdine University: one in administration and one in education. Kerri’s commitment to excellence, combined with her hands-on collaborative approach and warm personality, stand out to teachers, parents, and students. Kerri is also mom to two fourth graders at SHA. 

Rebecca Angel-Feuer, Director of EC and Building Operations

Part of the SHA family since 2004, Rebecca has served many roles: as a student, teacher, learning center specialist, and now as director of the Early Childhood Center. She brings organizational skills, versatility, sensitivity, and joy to the EC every day. Rebecca has a masters in Special education from Seattle Pacific University. She and her husband (also an SHA grad) are also the proud parents of four SHA students.

Rabbi Chaim Weiss, Rosh Beit Midrash, Director of Judaics
Mike Loebe, Controller
Benjamina Menashe, Development Director

Hummingbirds: Julia Aroneau and Eli Warshal
Chickadees: Sheryl Warshal and Rachel Rozen
Robins: Gail Ben-Meir and Aimee Christoffersen
Eagles: Tracy Rackham and Rubissa Sharona Hassan
Support: Talya Ben-Meir
Judaic Specialist: Rubissa Sharona Hassan
Curriculum Adviser: Gail Ben Meir

Katie Regala, Sonya Basseri, Lea Hanan

Nomi Winderbaum, Kaden Oppenheimer, Naomi Solam 

Lindsay Powers, Rabbi Saadya Davidoff, Blake Wotherspoon, Avi Behar

Kristin Teske, Benzy Shani

Julia Guard, Benzy Shani

Rabbi Chaim Weiss, Director of Judaic Studies
Sara Weiss, Dean of Middle School Students
Rabbi Ben Aaronson, Judaic Studies
Rabbi Ben Hassan, Judaic Studies
Jamie Kahana, Social Studies
Stavroula Voules, Language Arts
Jill Norton, Math
Virginia Kirima, Science
Naama Merromy, Hebrew and Math

Dr. Jed Davis, Athletic Director

JUDAIC STUDIES TEACHING POSITIONS
Seeking experienced Judaic Studies teachers for Lower School. Candidates must have mastery in all Torah studies. Candidates should be highly motivated to grow professionally, work collaboratively and to becoming part of our professional learning community.
Seattle Hebrew Academy is a Modern Orthodox Jewish Day School, serving the greater Seattle community for over 70 years. SHA provides exceptional academics and inspired Judaic Studies to students from Early Childhood through 8th Grade.
Seattle Hebrew Academy supports teacher growth and development through professional mentoring, peer mentoring, professional development, teacher collaboration and opportunities for growth.
Primary skills and responsibilities:
• developing a learning environment that is conducive to learning and inspires student growth
• creating organized lesson plans where students are encouraged to engage in inquiry: ask thoughtful questions, discover answers, apply what they learn, and problem-solve creatively
• continually assess student achievement with a variety of methods and modalities toward mastery of standards and keep students and parents informed of student progress
• differentiating instruction according to student needs and abilities; provide accommodations and modifications to support the success of all students
• possessing the knowledge and creativity to deliver innovative and personalized instruction designed to maximize student learning;
• collaborating with partner teachers
• participating in department, school and parent meetings
• communicating effectively with parents, students and colleagues;
• participating in school-wide professional development, and seek continual feedback and coaching to develop as a teacher
Must have a Bachelor’s degree in the field of Education, Judaic Studies, Hebrew, or other pertinent field. Candidates should be comfortable in English and Hebrew. A Master's degree and or five or more years of experience would be laudable.

We thank all applicants in advance. We will be contacting only those candidates invited for an interview.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references to Rkletenik@sha613.org Judaic Position
Compensation: Competitive salary and benefits package, contingent upon experience and education.
MISSION: SHA IS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH 8TH GRADE MODERN ORTHODOX JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

We provide our students, families and community a school of excellence,
founded on love of God & Torah and inspiring academics
within an atmosphere of Kavod HaTalmid, student dignity.
We develop students of character and integrity
through the pursuit of Torah knowledge and secular studies,
connection to the State of Israel and
commitment to our Ashkenazic and Sephardic heritage.
We prepare future generations to lead lives of service and mitzvot
and to perpetuate our Torah and traditions in Seattle, Israel and worldwide.

LOWER SCHOOL TEACHING POSITION
Seeking experienced Lower School Teacher for Third Grade. Candidates must have mastery in all areas of the Third Grade curriculum. Candidates should be highly motivated to grow professionally, work collaboratively and to becoming part of our professional learning community.
Seattle Hebrew Academy is a Modern Orthodox Jewish Day School, serving the greater Seattle community for over 70 years. SHA provides exceptional academics and inspired Judaic Studies to students from Early Childhood through 8th Grade.

Seattle Hebrew Academy supports teacher growth and development through professional mentoring, peer mentoring, professional development, teacher collaboration and opportunities for growth.
Primary skills and responsibilities:
Develop a learning environment that is conducive to learning and inspires student growth
Create organized lesson plans where students are encouraged to engage in inquiry: ask thoughtful questions, discover answers, apply what they learn, and problem-solve creatively
Continually assess student achievement with a variety of methods and modalities toward mastery of standards and keep students and parents informed of student progress
Differentiating instruction according to student needs and abilities; provide accommodations and modifications to support the success of all students
Possesses the knowledge and creativity to deliver innovative and personalized instruction designed to maximize student learning;
Collaborate with partner teachers
Participate in department, school and parent meetings
Communicate effectively with parents, students and colleagues;
Participate in school-wide professional development, and seek continual feedback and co Flexibility, maturity and a sense of humor
Ability to work efficiently in a Microsoft Windows using Office, Google Suite, and learn new technology
Required Education & Experience:

Current Washington State teaching certificate

Strong knowledge of elementary content areas and state learning requirements

Effective oral and written communication skills

Minimum of two years successful teaching experience
Knowledge and ability to assess student learning and set individual learning goals based on assessment outcomes

Willingness to work closely with colleagues in a mentoring relationship

Ability to create and maintain a positive classroom environment that encourages student learning, risk-taking, and character development

Commitment to ongoing individual professional growth

Experience or interest in Project Based Learning

We thank all applicants in advance. We will be contacting only those candidates invited for an interview.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references to kstern@sha613.org

Compensation: Competitive salary and benefits package, contingent upon experience and education.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE / STEM TEACHER
Passionate about Science? Seeking to become part of a team dedicated to developing young minds in a joyful academic setting? K-8 private school located in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood is seeking a qualified Science / STEM teacher to fill a full-time or part time position.

As a Science / STEM Teacher in our Middle School, you will have the opportunity to work with students in Sixth through Eighth Grades. Successful candidates must hold a current WA state teaching certificate, have a minimum of two years of successful classroom teaching experience, demonstrate effective communication skills, have strong Science content knowledge, can set up and execute weekly labs that align with the curriculum including robotics and STEM, and enjoy working as part of a team.

Seattle Hebrew Academy, a Modern Orthodox Jewish Day School, has been serving the greater Seattle community for 70 years, by providing exceptional academics and inspired Judaic Studies to children from Early Childhood through 8th Grade. Seattle Hebrew Academy – founded on love of God & Torah – educates students, families, and community within an atmosphere of K’vod HaTalmid, student dignity.

We're looking for teachers who set high expectations for themselves and their students, who are eager to build an exciting hands-on Science program in a state-of-the-art Laboratory.

Primary responsibilities include:
• creating lesson plans
• assigning and grading class work, homework, tests and assignments
• collaborating with partner teachers
• creating a positive learning environment for students to learn
• observing and evaluating student performance
• knowledgeable in working with diverse learners and differentiating instruction
• participating in department, school and parent meetings
• performing other administrative duties.
• Teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Science/STEM
• Monitors, stocks, and manages Design Lab
• Has one preparation period and one additional duty per day (e.g., study hall, lunch room, etc.)
• Participates in school related functions (e.g., Open Houses, Back to School Night, Commencement, etc.) as determined by the Head of School and Director of K 8
• Teaches advisory or elective
• Vigorously engages in his/her own professional development
• Establishes and cultivates community relations by maintaining open dialogue with all of the school’s constituencies
• Complies with all school policies
• Since safety and security are everyone’s responsibility, takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, faculty, staff, equipment, materials and facilities
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Education & Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in English or a related field from a four-year college or university required
• Master’s degree in English or a related field preferred
• At least 2 years of successful teaching experience in an Upper School environment preferred
• Recent and successful teaching experience, particularly in teaching English, is preferred
• 5+ years of successful teaching experience preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Competence in the content area and pedagogy for Middle School
• Good understanding of the developmental needs of Middle School students
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the students and program
• Energy and enthusiasm and ability to hold students and oneself to high expectations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Commitment to civic engagement, experiential education, and providing authentic opportunities for learning outside the classroom
• Ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to create an active learning environment that supports understanding, passion and creativity in students
• Ability to prepare lessons to appeal to a variety of learning styles, needs and accommodations
• Ability to use formative assessments and strategies in the classroom
• Deep interest in being part of a community as a colleague and grade-level team member
• Experience being part of a curricular and co-curricular team preferred
• Educational leadership experience (team leader, department head, grade-level coordinator) preferred
• Ability to work and communicate well with all levels of faculty and staff
• Ability to work and communicate well with students and their parents
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Flexibility, maturity and a sense of humor
• Ability to work efficiently in a Microsoft Windows using Office, master common automated systems for record keeping, and learn new technology

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references.
We thank all applicants in advance. We will be contacting only those candidates invited for an interview.

Compensation: Competitive salary and benefits package, contingent upon experience and education.