Westchester Day School is excited to welcome new educators to its team!
Rabbi Nuriel Klinger will be joining Westchester Day School as Rabbi-in-Residence and will be teaching eighth grade Gemara. Rabbi Klinger taught Gemara at the Ramaz Upper School for the past five years. He has semicha from RIETS at YU, an MA in medieval Jewish history from the Bernard Revel Graduate School at YU, and a BA in economics from the University of Michigan. In addition to his role at WDS, Rabbi Klinger serves as the associate rabbi at the Young Israel of Scarsdale. Rabbi Klinger and his wife, Aliza, have three children—Yair (6), Aviva (4) and Noam (2)—who all attend WDS.
Rabbi Yair Lichtman will be joining WDS as a middle school Judaic Studies educator. Rabbi Lichtman has experience teaching students of all ages in schools, synagogues, summer camps and college campuses, where he fosters a love for formal and informal learning. He studied Jewish education and Biblical studies at Yeshiva University, where he also majored in mathematics. Over the last several years, Rabbi Lichtman has had internships at the Tikvah Fund, UJA-Federation of New York and the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot. When he’s not learning or teaching, he enjoys running, hiking and cooking (but not all at the same time).
Morah Meitav Feldman will be joining the Westchester Day School team as a third grade Judaic Studies educator. Morah Meitav is coming from Israel with her husband, Yochai, and their children: Halali (13), Naveh (10) and Alma (5). She has two older children, Yahav (18) and Amana (16), who will continue their studies in Israel. Morah Meitav has 18 years of experience teaching in elementary school. For the past five years, she has worked with at-risk youth and taught Hebrew ulpan. She holds an undergraduate degree in special education and has experience in informal education as well. Nine years ago, she was on a shlichut in Antwerp, Belgium for three years. She is very excited to start working at WDS and to be joining the community!
Morah Jamie Krongrad is excited for her second year teaching in the Learning Center at Westchester Day School. Jamie earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and Judaic Studies from George Washington University. She went on to earn her master’s degree from Columbia University’s Teachers College in early childhood education and special education. Previously, Jamie taught first grade for four years at P.S. 151 in Manhattan. Prior to that, she taught kindergarten at Winchester Thurston in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has formal training using the Teachers College Reading and Writing program along with Wilson’s Fundations. Jamie is a proud alumna of WDS Class of 2004 and is proud to send her three sons, Elan, Dean and Coby to WDS. You can find her going for a jog around the neighborhood, watching movies at home and trying new recipes in the kitchen. Jamie is looking forward to a wonderful year ahead.
Morah Jennifer Lorber will be joining Westchester Day School as a Ganon teacher in the early childhood program. Jennifer has over 25 years of teaching experience in private schools and a master’s in education from Hofstra University. After substituting at WDS over the past four years, she is very excited to join our faculty full time. Jennifer and her husband Mark have three children—Andrew (WDS ‘13), Emma (WDS ‘15) and Harry, who is a current WDS sixth grader.
Ms. Beth Bergman will be joining WDS as a second grade general studies educator. Beth has 10 years of teaching experience in elementary school, most recently at North Shore Hebrew Academy. She holds a dual master’s degree in early childhood education and special education and has her professional certification in both areas. Beth and her family recently moved to Connecticut. She enjoys spending time with her husband Leigh and their three children.
Ms. Charlotte Cwikowski will be starting her journey at Westchester Day School this year as a third grade general studies educator. Ms. Cwikowski has her master’s of science in education from Sarah Lawrence College where she also got her bachelor’s in theater and psychology. Ms. Cwikowski taught for five years at a public elementary school in New York City. She believes in teaching the whole child and works to incorporate creative expression and mindfulness in her work with children as much as possible. In addition to classroom teaching, she has worked with children of all ages in a myriad of ways, from theater arts workshops to science camp.
