(Courtesy of Bruriah) With another incredible Bruriah school year about to commence, Bruriah is proud to introduce a cadre of several new faculty members who will contribute their passion and expertise to the transformative educational journey of students.
Joining Bruriah Middle School this year as assistant principal is Shirley Gantz, an inspiring and innovative educator who excels in creating a positive learning environment where each student can thrive. With over 20 years of experience in Jewish education, Gantz holds an master’s from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and a bachelor’s in education from Stern College of Yeshiva University. She served previously as director of educational programming at Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and was a teacher leader and mentor at Yavneh Academy and SAR. Gantz remarked enthusiastically, “I am so excited and humbled to join the incredible team at Bruriah and to learn and grow collectively with the students at Bruriah Middle School.”
Overseeing Bruriah’s guidance department is Sarah Stiefel Mandelbaum. Currently a Ph.D. candidate at Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Mandelbaum holds a master’s from NYU Silver School of Social Work and a bachelor’s in psychology from Stern College for Women. She has extensive experience working with adolescents, most recently as a guidance counselor at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School. As Bruriah’s director of guidance, Mandelbaum is passionate about her role, explaining, “I am looking forward to collaborating with the Bruriah faculty, administration, and guidance department in promoting the social-emotional growth of our high school and middle school students, supporting them so they can develop into their best selves.”
Joining Bruriah’s foreign language department is Shuly Leitman. Withover two decades of experience at various schools including Manhattan High School and Reenas Bais Yaakov, Leitman’s Spanish classes foster student involvement, enthusiasm and confidence as they embark on their language journey.
Racheli Lipner, a proud Bruriah alumna and graduate of Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education, is returning to Bruriah this year to teach Judaic studies courses in both the high school and middle school. Rabbi Edward Prince, a proud alumnus of the JEC, Columbia University and Rutgers University, is joining the Bruriah faculty with two decades of experience to teach various history courses including AP US History and AP US Government. Ms. Miriam Wagner also joins the Bruriah Middle School faculty to teach science and math after having taught middle school general studies courses in Monsey.
Bruriah also welcomes Randy Pearlman and Dina Simon to enhance Bruriah’s robust line-up of over 80 elective courses in the high school. Pearlman, a proud Bruriah parent with a background as a financial crimes investigator, will be teaching finance in the 12th grade. Dina Simon, a proud Bruriah alumna, will be teaching fencing in the ninth grade.
Finally, joining Bruriah’s office staff is Shira Hagler as administrative and admissions assistant, after having previously worked at Naaleh High School and Manhattan Day School. Hagler, also a proud Bruriah alumna, brings the total number of alumnae on staff to 18!
“We are so excited for these talented new hires to join our stellar faculty at Bruriah to continue to nurture our incredibly warm and positive school environment and promote joyful learning, meaningful connections, growth and self-confidence for all of our students,” shared Dr. Bethany Strulowitz, principal.
