The Leffell School in Hartsdale, New York is excited to welcome several new faculty members, including the following members of the middle and high school teams.
Lauren Goldberg has joined Leffell as middle school principal. Prior to joining Leffell, Goldberg held senior leadership positions in both Jewish and non-sectarian independent school environments, overseeing academic and non-academic elements of the middle school experience. Most recently, she was middle school director at Hannah Senesh Community Day School, a Jewish independent school in Brooklyn. Prior to joining Senesh in 2020, Goldberg spent 15 years at the Berkeley Carroll School, also in Brooklyn: 11 years as middle school academic dean/curriculum coordinator and four as middle school dean of students.
Goldberg holds an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, master of arts degree in English literature from Stanford University, and an Ed.M. degree from Teachers College at Columbia University with a concentration in private school leadership through the Klingenstein Center for Independent School Education. She is known for her collaborative style, strong communication and problem-solving skills, outstanding support for teachers, engaging manner with students, and energetic work ethic—and the middle school will benefit from her talent and leadership.
The Leffell School is also thrilled to welcome two new high school deans.
Rabbi Tavi Koslowe joins The Leffell School as the ninth grade dean with over 20 years of experience working closely with students, faculty and families. His most recent role was Judaic studies principal at the Idea School, a project-based learning high school in Tenafly, New Jersey. In that capacity, he supported students in navigating their academic, social, emotional and religious journeys.
Prior to that position, Rabbi Koslowe had been the head of lower school at the Ramaz School in New York and was the inaugural Judaic studies middle school assistant principal at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus. Koslowe earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Yeshiva University, where he also received his rabbinic ordination, master’s degree in secondary Jewish education, and a specialist’s certificate in educational administration.
Ahuva Graber joins the Leffell community as the 10th grade dean. She has spent the last five years working at the Heschel School in Manhattan in an administrative capacity and is excited to get back to working directly with students. Prior to working at Heschel, Graber served as the assistant director of religious education at Congregation Rodeph Sholom on the Upper West Side where, in addition to her teaching responsibilities, she was deeply involved in mentoring the teaching staff of the religious school. She also currently teaches in the Hebrew school of the Riverdale Temple on Sunday mornings. She is passionate about helping each student feel comfortable and able to truly shine within the school community. Graber holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in social work from New York University.
As high school deans, Rabbi Koslowe and Graber will support and advise students, helping them learn to self-advocate and problem solve when facing challenges. They will also work closely with families and teachers to create an environment where each student can succeed at The Leffell School.
Alissa Butterfass is director of communications at The Leffell School.
