Executive Leadership Team
Rabbi Benjy Owen, Head of School
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, Principal
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.
Leadership Team
Rabbi Benjy Owen, Head of School
Kerri Stern, Principal
Sharon Mezistrano, Director of Admissions
Rabbi Chaim Weiss, Rosh Beit Midrash, Director of Judaics
Mike Loebe, Controller
Benjamina Menashe, Development Director
Education Team
Kerri Stern, Principal
Rabbi Chaim Weiss, Rosh Beit Midrash, Director of Judaics
Sara Weiss, Dean of Middle School Students and Middle School Judaic Studies Teacher
Julia Guard, Curriculum and Instruction Specialist and 5th Grade Teacher
Sarah Seiler, Counselor
Admin Team
Rabbi Benjy Owen, Head of School
Kerri Stern, Principal
Sharon Mezistrano, Director of Admissions
Saul Greene, Director of Technology
Susan Matalon, Office Manager K–8
Mike Loebe, Controller
Kris Hawley, Human Resources/Benefits
Benjamina Menashe, Development Director
Peta Mehlman, Development Assistant
Josiah Rocksmith, Facilities Manager
Cruz Garcia, Maintenance
Faculty
Early Childhood
Hummingbirds: Eli Brudnick and Eli Warshal
Chickadees: Sheryl Warshal and Rachel Rozen
Robins: Gail Ben-Meir and Aimee Christoffersen
Eagles: Rubissa Sharona Hassan
Support: Talya Ben-Meir
Judaic Curriculum Coordinator: Rubissa Sharona Hassan
Curriculum Advisor: Gail Ben Meir
Lower School
Kindergarten
Katie Regala, Sonya Basseri, Lea Hanan
First Grade
Nomi Winderbaum, Mindy Swedarsky, Naomi Solam
Second Grade
Lindsay Powers, Rabbi Saadya Davidoff, Blake Wotherspoon
Third Grade
Blake Wotherspoon, Avi Behar
Fourth Grade
Patricia Morris, Tali Rothstein
Fifth Grade
Julia Guard, Tali Rothstein
Middle School
Rabbi Chaim Weiss, Director of Judaic Studies
Sara Weiss, Dean of Middle School Students
Benzy Shani, Hebrew
Jamie Kahana, Social Studies
Stavroula Voules, Language Arts
Jill Norton, Math
Gisela Dumm, Science
Naama Merromy, Hebrew and Math
Specialists
Rabbi Saadya Davidoff, Learning Center Coordinator
Kim Hardman, Lower School Learning Center Specialist
Patricia Morris, Middle School Learning Center Specialist
Dr. Jed Davis, Athletic Director
Drew Artiaga, Physical Education
Jan Harvey, Art
Lindsay Powers, Library
Saul Greene, Director of Technology, Coding
Board
Karen Naggar, President
Ben Lipman, First Vice President
Ilana Segal, Second Vice President
Jamison Russ, Treasurer
Jason Shindler, Secretary
Naomi Newman, Immediate Past President
TRUSTEES
David Barak
Hanoch Feit
Elizabeth Sytman
Janna Harel
Cynthia Gamel
EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS
Employment
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 b.owen@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.
FULL TIME TEACHING POSITION
SHA is seeking candidates for a full-time teaching position. Successful candidates will be enthusiastic, energetic, and dedicated to working with other teachers to create developmentally appropriate curricula for children 1-4 years old. Flexibility and excellent communication skills required. We are team oriented and have a growth mindset. Background and experience with early childhood preferred. Stars Training, First Aid and CPR preferred although we will provide this training for the right candidate. Must pass a Washington State background check. COMPETITIVE PAY and FULL BENEFITS offered.