After a thoughtful and thorough strategic process, the Jewish Educational Center of Elizabeth, NJ, is excited to announce the hiring of Rabbi Ami Neuman as the new principal of its Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy (RTMA) boys’ high school division.

Currently the school’s assistant principal, Rabbi Neuman is a twelve-year veteran of the JEC and is a highly sought-after rising-star in the world of Jewish education. He brings experience and energy to the role and is beloved by students, parents and faculty alike.

Renowned as a motivated educator, Rabbi Neuman will lead the RTMA with vigor and help establish it as a premier institute of Torah learning on the cutting edge of math, science, technology and humanities. He will help shape an RTMA where students are empowered and enriched by their education and extracurricular activities.

This wonderful opportunity comes as RTMA is being recognized for its pursuit of excellence in education, commitment to Torah values, and “whole child” approach to student development. Innovations in Judaic Studies, STEM, humanities and athletics will expand with renewed spirit under Rabbi Neuman’s creative and decisive leadership. “His track record of keen judgment and sound decision-making puts RTMA’s future in excellent hands,” said Rabbi Eliyahu Teitz, associate dean of the JEC.

Rabbi Neuman holds a BS in information systems from the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University, a master’s degree and all coursework towards his doctorate in administration from YU’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, and smicha from YU’s affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He has been a multi-year participant of YULead, a by-invitation-only leadership training cohort, run by the Yeshiva University School Partnership (YUSP), and has recently been appointed as coach for YULead, assigned to other incoming educators. Rabbi Neuman has also attended prestigious leadership courses at Harvard University and continues to both seek and promote professional development opportunities for himself and his peers throughout the division.

This pivotal news comes as the Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy experiences an exciting uptick in enrollment. The division is participating in the AVICHAI-sponsored Partnership for Jewish Education’s Atideinu pilot initiative on recruitment and retention, and in-roads have already been made this year into new market segments, with favorable projections for the near future.

“Rabbi Neuman is a known quantity,” said Adina Abramov, the JEC’s director of admissions, recruitment and retention. “He has earned the respect and partnership of both faculty and students alike and I fully expect this transition to be a seamless one.”

Joining Rabbi Neuman in leading RTMA into the future will be Rabbi Noach Sauber, Assistant Principal, RTMA, and Rabbi Sharir Yablonsky, Associate Principal, RTMA middle school. Rabbi Neuman’s experience as assistant principal serves him well as he takes on the division’s top leadership role and acclimates to his new position in preparation for the 2016-17 academic year.

Early responses to the school’s official announcement last week have been excellent and an enthusiastic and positive energy is surrounding this exciting development.

“The future is certainly looking bright for RTMA,” exclaimed Rabbi Eliyahu Teitz.