The Moriah School Board of Trustees authorized the hiring of Rabbi Daniel Alter as Moriah’s next Head of School.
In an open letter to the community, the trustees wrote that “Rabbi Alter is a visionary leader, innovative thinker, and skilled communicator with a deep commitment to Moriah’s core values. He is an experienced educator who embodies our Modern Orthodox tradition and embraces our legacy of academic excellence.”
Rabbi Alter received a BA in Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University, his MA in Jewish History at YU’s Bernard Revel Graduate School, and his rabbinic ordination at YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.
The Advisory Committee members include administrators Robin Wexler, Odelia Danishefsky, Divsha Tollinsky, Rabbi Avi Bernstein, Alana Green, Dr. Eva Lazar; past board presidents Rella Feldman, Daniel Straus, Moshael Straus, Sam Moed; community leaders Rabbi Shmuel Goldin and Rabbi Zev Reichman; parents Mark Charendoff, Joanna Parker, Brian Rosen, Daniel Rynhold, Aaron Yunis and board member Debbie Pine and the members of the Executive Committee. The Search Committee members include David Flamholz, Dr. Michal Fox, David Gellman, Rebecca Glassman, Eric Herschmann, Noam Ohring, Jeremy Schwalbe, Eddie Solomon, David Spitzer, and Rabbi Jeremy Weider.
The committee surveyed the entire parent body for their insight and feedback in selecting the next Head of School. The Advisory Committee along with the Executive Committee and the Board were surveyed and ranked what would become the final set and order for the key criteria that would be used throughout the search. They worked closely with Yeshiva University’s Institute for University-School Partnership’s Dr. Scott Goldberg and Dina Rabhan, who served as partners throughout the entire search process.
The Search Committee stated in the letter that Rabbi Alter is “a charismatic personality with a keen and practical understanding of best educational practices in both secular and Judaic studies. He possesses impressive management skills and an exemplary leadership style. His steady and consistent manner, coupled with a long- term visionary focus will serve to further raise Moriah’s standard of excellence and affordable Jewish Day School education.”
Rabbi Alter, his wife Rivka and his seven children—Yehuda, Shimmy, Talya, Elisha, Ezra, Avigail and Shayna—will be moving to the area during the summer of 2015. Rabbi Alter will be working closely with Dr. Prager, the administration, and the board next year as he transitions from Denver to New Jersey. He has a full planning schedule that will include a series of welcome sessions for the parent body throughout this summer and next year.
