BPY is delighted to welcome the following faculty to our team:
Rabbi Dov Emerson, Associate Head of School
Rabbi Emerson is passionate about fostering student learning, educational innovation and teacher growth, and his dedication to the elements that compose the BPY mission is manifest in everything he has done in his renowned career of twenty-three years. Rabbi Emerson came to us from MTA, where he was the principal of General Studies, having focused on teacher supervision and faculty mentoring and coaching. He has also served as head of school at YULA, and as assistant principal and director of Student Programs at HALB-DRS with special focuses on educational technology and community engagement. In addition, Rabbi Emerson has taught limudei kodesh classes. A gifted and dynamic educational leader, Rabbi Emerson has earned two master’s degrees in education (Adelphi University and Yeshiva University), participated in two sessions of leadership training at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, and earned semicha from Rabbi Ephraim Greenblatt in Israel. Rabbi Emerson is the proud recipient of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.
Shlichim: Meyden & Shir Elbaz, Racheli & Ariel Charlap
Meyden has years of experience teaching limudei kodesh in elementary and high school grades. A certified teacher in Israel, Meyden has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Bar Ilan University, and has also served as a mentor for teachers in the field of EdTech. Shir has her master’s degree from Tel Chai College, as well as years of experience teaching elementary school, and serving as a director of Programming.
Ariel is a certified teacher with years of experience teaching limudei kodesh and history in elementary and high school, along with serving as the assistant head of school. Racheli has her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Hebrew University. She began her career as a legal prosecutor, but then turned her attention and her passion to teaching. Racheli is a certified teacher, and she has years of experience teaching at Tzur Hadassah. The Elbaz family will be residing in Paramus and the Charlap family will be residing in Teaneck.
Elana Katz,
Director of Programming
Elana Katz, director of Programming, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for creating engaging and impactful experiences. With over a decade of experience in education and event management, Elana has honed her skills in program development, strategic planning, and logistics. She holds a master’s degree in education from Hunter College. Elana is known for her ability to infuse creativity into every project, ensuring that programs are not only well-organized but also inspiring and memorable. At the Young Israel of Teaneck, she is involved with several committees including welcoming new families into the neighborhood. She is focused on creating a vibrant, inclusive environment where students and staff can thrive.
Yair Vaanunu, English Teacher
Zev Rappaport, History Teacher
Yair Vaanunu will be teaching seventh and eighth grade English Language Arts (ELA), and Zev Rappaport will be teaching seventh and eighth grade history. Yair has a master’s from Bar Ilan University in education and curriculum studies, and has taught for the past seven years at Tenafly Chabad Academy, where he also developed and implemented ELA curricula. Prior to that, Yair taught for years at the Herzog Beit Chashmonai and Ben Gurion schools in elementary and middle school grades. He views his mission as fostering a culture of curiosity among students, along with critical thinking and collaboration. Zev has taught history for the past eight years at the Netivot School in East Brunswick. Zev is known for transmitting a love of knowledge to his students, and combines critical and creative thinking skills and projects in his classroom.
