As the new school year gets underway, RKYHS is pleased to welcome a number of new faculty and guidance personnel to the school.
RKYHS is excited to welcome Rabbi Yair Menchel as senior grade programming coordinator and Judaic Studies faculty. Rabbi Menchel will be facilitating social, religious and educational programs, while developing relationships with seniors and engaging them around important issues. In addition, Rabbi Menchel will work with the Israel guidance counselors to enhance students’ appreciation for the transformational value of a gap year in Israel.
Rabbi Menchel previously served as middle school dean at Yavneh Academy. In addition, he was the program director at Camp Lavi for several summers. He holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Yeshiva University, a master’s in Jewish education and administration from Azrieli, received semicha from RIETS and most recently completed a certificate in school management and leadership at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education
RKYHS looks forward to Rabbi Menchel’s energy, creativity and passion for Torah study and Judaism as he develops meaningful and lasting relationships with the students.
The emotional well-being of students at JKHA/RKYHS is always of utmost importance, and a focus as the school year begins and students return back to the building during unprecedented times. Dr. Ben Madsen joins RKYHS as the new school psychologist adding to the robust guidance and student services department. Dr. Madsen pursued his doctoral degree in the Rutgers School Psychology Program. He brings years of experience in Jewish education, broadly. and high school psychology specifically, from his work in Manhattan and Highland Park. Some of his areas of interest are helping teens and young adults build resilience and executive functioning skills.
Gabriella Elkaim joins both the JKHA middle school mathematics department and RKYHS science department. She earned a bachelor’s in physics and mathematics from Yeshiva University and has several years of experience teaching at levels ranging from middle school to college.
