Rabbi Aharon Bain is honored to join Lev Jewish Academy as School Rabbi. He studied at Yeshiva Darchei Torah and Yeshivas Kodshim in Yerushalayim, receiving semicha from Darchei Torah. With experience teaching at Yeshiva Nishmas HaTorah and coordinating student programs, Rabbi Bain brings heartfelt enthusiasm and a deep love for Torah education. He looks forward to inspiring students and building meaningful relationships within the Lev community.
Alysha is currently attending Nassau Community College to receive her degree in teaching. She is very excited to join the Lev Jewish Academy family and see all of the smiles on the students’ faces as well as their academic progress and success.
Alyssa is a dedicated educator with 13 years of teaching experience. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Studies from the New York Institute of Technology and continued her studies at CUNY School of Professional Studies. A graduate of the Brandeis School, Alyssa also spent seven years teaching in a yeshiva. She is passionate about creating a warm, nurturing classroom where every child feels supported, confident, and excited to learn.
Mrs. Audrey Bieber
Middle School English, Literacy Coordinator Grades 1-8
Mrs. Bieber brings over 20 years of experience teaching English. In accordance with Common Core/Next Generation State Standards, Mrs. Bieber’s students read grade-appropriate informational and literary texts to further develop and improve English Language skills including: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students learn to utilize text-based evidence to determine central ideas, specify the author’s use of literary techniques, and analyze the author’s craft. A variety of writing assessments and activities are used to demonstrate these skills. Students build upon their knowledge of the world and relationship within it through class discussion of texts, gathering information, evaluating nonfiction sources, and a variety of both teacher-directed and student-centered activities. The small teacher/student ratio allows for special attention and differentiated instruction towards individual student needs. Mrs. Bieber’s goal for her students is to become independent readers and writers, and to facilitate a lifelong passion for the written word. By graduation, our students are well prepared for the demands of high school English and have experience with advanced texts as well.
Cary Groden holds both a BS in Psychology and a MS in Education from SUNY at New Paltz. He is a retired public school teacher with over 40 years experience in Grades K-8. The math curriculum this year in the Middle School will focus on Pre-Algebra and Algebra concepts. The 8th Graders will take the Algebra Regents in June. Mr. Groden is very excited to be a part of the Lev Jewish Academy family and looks forward to a successful and enriching math experience for all his students.
Chani earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Queens College and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Hunter College. She has been working as a social worker for nearly five years and joined the LEV community in January of last school year as a Lawrence School District Social Worker. Chani is excited to return to LEV this year, where she supports students’ social-emotional well-being through counseling, advocacy, and collaboration with students, families, teachers, and school staff.
Chani Wertheimer is a mom of three who’s mastered the art of juggling, between 15 years in special education, managing the chaos of an IT office for two years, and being a full-time cheerleader for her kids’ competitive karate and gymnastics careers. She’s spent her days helping students grow, organizing office mayhem, and attending enough karate tournaments and gymnastics meets to know the difference between a roundhouse kick and a back handspring. Whether it’s crafting lesson plans, organizing schedules, or dodging flying elbows at the gym, Chani always strives to handle it all with a smile (and maybe a little caffeine).
Daisy Schlesinger
Nursery 2
Teaching is more than just a job to Morah Daisy; it is something she truly loves and feels passionate about. She loves watching her students learn, grow, and discover new things, and she values knowing that she can make a positive difference in their lives. Every day brings something new, and she feels grateful to have a career that is so meaningful and rewarding.
Mrs. Atias joins us from Eretz Yisrael through the World Zionist Organization. She has been teaching lower and middle school students in Israel for more than 10 years. She has mastered teaching the Hebrew Language as well as various Judaic Studies subjects across grade levels. Classes will be held Ivrit B’ivrit while integrating all five senses to reach every child and their learning abilities. Mrs. Atias is looking forward to collaborating with her parents, students, colleagues and administrators and believes teamwork leads to student success.
Eden Yusupov
Nursery 3 Judaic Studies
Eden is so excited to be joining the class this year and getting to know all of your children. She has over 10 years of experience working with children of different ages, and she is looking forward to a wonderful year together filled with learning, growth, and lots of positive energy.
Mrs. Winograd brings more than 20 plus years of teaching experience to the Lev Academy. Originally teaching kindergarten and first grade, she has been a secular third grade teacher for more than 10 years.
In addition to third grade, Mrs. Winograd is also responsible for teaching math to middle school students in grades 6-8.
She earned a Master of Science in Education from Queens College and believes her role as a teacher is to utilize those strategies that will maximize the potential of all her students. The emphasis is on the student’s ability to actively engage and participate in their learning.
Mr. Berger is the STEAM Coordinator here at Brandies. He has a Masters in Biology and has years of experience teaching at all grade levels. In addition to running our STEAM program, he will be teaching 3rd grade technology, as well as teaching science for 4th through 8th grade. Mr. Berger believes that science doesn’t have to be a daunting subject and can be fun for all ages. He tries to cater to all learning styles in order to provide the students with the best possible means of success. The focus of our STEAM curriculum will be to integrate all aspects of science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a fun but educational way that goes beyond the scope of what they will cover in the NYS curriculum. In technology class, students begin the year learning about the structure of computers and the typing process. Keyboard skills are expanded through various word-processing projects and assignments. The year culminates with learning how to create animated presentations and slideshows. Topics for both word processing and presentations are based on personal interests as well as content from their 3rd grade language arts and social studies curriculum. The goal of the science curriculum for all grades is to engage students in discussion that encourages them to ask questions and seek the knowledge to develop their understanding of the natural world. In addition, the 8th grade science curriculum is designed to prepare students for the NYS Living Environment Regents Exam.
This is Gila’s fourth year at Lev Jewish Academy, having worked in the Kindergarten and Nursery 2 classes in the past. Gila is also a LJA parent, with two children currently enrolled and one son who graduated from the institution.
Mrs. Hagit Genosar
Judaic Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Middle School Hebrew
Mrs. Genosar has been a core member of the Lev Jewish Academy family for the past 17 years. She teaches Hebrew language, Tanach and Dinim. She began teaching fifth and sixth grade, and later moved to seventh grade. Mrs. Genosar now teaches eighth grade and prepares students for the Hebrew Regents exam. In the Middle School, students are grouped based on their proficiency in the Hebrew language. This allows students to benefit from learning at their own pace and level. Mrs.Genosar gains great pleasure in seeing students’ enthusiasm and excitement when they are introduced to Hebrew literature. In Tanach studies, the main goal is to make students identify with Eretz Israel and deepen their connection to the land of our ancestors. Celebrating holidays and commemorating special days in the Hebrew calendar defines the Lev Jewish Academy experience. Mrs. Genosar is proud to direct and lead the middle school students in the presentations of Yom Yerushalayim (5th grade), Pesach Model Seder (6th grade), Yom Hazikaron (7th grade) and Yom Hashoah (8th grade). Mrs. Genosar teaches by “דרך ארץ קדמה לתורה” – Proper (ethical) behavior precedes the Torah – before one can learn and receive an education, he or she must pave the path with Derech Eretz, decent behavior and good character traits
Mrs. Beyer is a reading specialist and has been a part of the Lev Jewish Academy family for five years. Students in the second through eighth grades who need reading enrichment meet with Mrs. Beyer. Prior to joining, Mrs. Beyer was a reading teacher in the Port Washington School District.
Ms. Singh is a dedicated Physical Education teacher who has taught at Lev Jewish Academy for 11 years. She teaches students from Nursery through 8th Grade and is passionate about helping children develop healthy habits, confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of physical activity.
Ms. Singh holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Queens College and a Master’s degree in Health Education from Adelphi University. Throughout her years at Lev Jewish Academy, she has worked to create a positive, inclusive, and energetic environment where every student feels encouraged to participate, challenge themselves, and have fun while learning.
Kristen is so excited to join the Lev Jewish Academy family. She has been happily married for eight years and has two daughters aged three and four. This is her first year back teaching since they were born. Previously she has taught for about seven years in grades spanning from preschool to third grade. She has earned a dual undergraduate degree in childhood education and English from Queens College and then went on to graduate school. She earned a masters degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages, graduating with honors from TOURO College.
Mrs. Leslie Gang
Director of Admissions & Communications, Executive Administrative Assistant
Leslie is thrilled to be a part of the Lev Jewish Academy family, both as a parent and administrator. She has most recently worked as Executive Assistant in the Yeshivah of Flatbush, assisting the Executive Director and lay leaders of the institution. Prior to her position in Flatbush, Leslie served as the Director of Admissions, Communications and Alumni Relations at HAFTR for seven years. Alongside Mr. Reuben Maron and the lay leadership, Leslie helped increase student enrollment, develop and expand several fundraising campaigns, and foster relationships with HAFTR Graduates. From 2009-2011, Leslie served as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Westchester Day School. Leslie is a HAFTR High School Graduate (Class of 2003) and Boston University Graduate (COM’ 07).
Three year nursery is taught by Morah Lisa and Morah Orly. For the past five years, our Morahs have worked together to provide a nursery curriculum that is well-rounded. Our three year-old students learn about our holidays, parsha, seasons, colors, shapes, numbers and the alphabet. Special units include author studies, apples, fire safety, health, and music appreciation. Our day includes free play, davening circle, story time, outdoor playground, center time, art projects and rest time. We provide a friendly, warm, safe, nurturing environment where the children grow, learn and make lots of friends.
Ms. Pennock is the Special Education Teacher at Lev Jewish Academy and teaches our district resource room students. She has her masters degree in Special Education and has taught students in Preschool through High School during her extensive career. The resource room is a classroom where students with educational needs are given direct specialized instruction and academic remediation, individually or in small groups. Ms. Pennock is delighted to have been an integral part of the Lev Jewish Academy community for the past 6 years and looks forward to many more years working with our students.
Rabbi Zvulonov is excited to join the Lev Jewish Academy community as a Judaic Studies teacher. After studying in Brooklyn, he spent the past four years in Jerusalem studying toward rabbinic ordination through the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
Rabbi Zvulonov is truly looking forward to working with the students, building meaningful relationships, and making Torah learning engaging, meaningful, and relevant.
He is especially excited to be joining Lev Jewish Academy at such an exciting time of growth and new opportunities. He hopes to bring a fresh spirit, energy, and perspective to the school and to contribute and help in any way he can as the Lev Jewish Academy community continues to build, grow, and strengthen.
Meytal Amenu is entering her eighth year in the Nursery program and her 12th year of teaching young children. Throughout her years in the classroom, she has developed a strong passion for creating a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child feels comfortable, confident, and excited to learn. She is so excited for another wonderful year and feels truly fortunate to watch young minds grow, develop, and reach new milestones each day.
Nicole Kuznicki
District School Psychologist
Nicole Kuznicki graduated from Brooklyn College in 2008 with a Master’s degree in Education and certification in School Psychology. After several years devoted to raising her children and being present for her family, she returned to her professional passion three years ago and joined the Brandeis community.
Nicole is dedicated to advocating for students and their families, supporting their social-emotional well-being and academic growth, and helping each student reach their full potential in a warm, caring, and supportive environment.
Orly is so excited to begin this new position and get to know all of you and your children. She has been part of the Brandeis/Lev family for the past 12 years as a Nursery 3 teacher, where she had the privilege of teaching young children Judaic studies and introducing them to the beauty of Jewish traditions, values, and everyday life. It is such an honor to be a part of their journey and to help build the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and Judaism.
Mrs. Gwirtzman has her BA in Art History from Smith College and a MA in Early Childhood Education from NYU. She has taught 4th grade at P.S. 6 in Manhattan. In addition, she has previously taught Math at Lev Jewish Academy, and she was a 1st grade Reading Specialist at Franklin Early Childhood Center.
Mrs. Guberman, born in Israel, has taught Lower School Judaic Studies in Israel and also holds a degree in special education. Rivki has also taught at Lev Jewish Academy in years past and is excited to be back.
Morah Shayna is so excited to be back with the Lev family. She was thrilled to have to opportunity to join us last year. She has years of experience taking care of kids of all ages.
Shiran Toubul
Nursery 2
Morah Shiran believes that teaching is about inspiring, encouraging, and making a difference in the lives of others. Every day brings a new opportunity for them to learn, connect, and help children build confidence in themselves. They are passionate about creating meaningful experiences that make learning fun and memorable.
Mrs. Saez is currently in her 26th year of teaching, the last three at Lev Jewish Academy . Mrs. Saez is our 6th, 7th and 8th grade Spanish teacher. Throughout her career, Mrs. Saez has taught in a variety of educational environments. While at the past three years at Lev Jewish Academy, Mrs. Saez has noted that Lev Jewish Academy not only provides a productive learning environment for students but also provides an inviting family environment. The Spanish curriculum is thorough, integrating the four major skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. In sixth grade, students begin with basic language skills. By the eighth grade, our students are able to express thoughts in several language tenses. This demonstrates the student’s growth. The ultimate goal of our Spanish program is to prepare our students for higher level learning as well as the diverse society in which we reside.
Whitney Bachrach
PreK Assistant
Morah Whitney is so excited to be joining the Pre-K team! She loves bringing imagination, art, and hands-on learning into the classroom, where little minds can explore, create, and grow. She looks forward to getting to know everyone and having a wonderful year together.
Mrs. Kastin has had the pleasure of educating Middle School children in Lev Jewish Academy for almost three decades. Currently, Mrs. Kastin teaches 5th and 8th grade Social Studies. Mrs. Kastin has always strived to ignite each student’s love of history and the world around them. The Middle School social studies curriculum is based on New York State standards. In 5th grade, students use a variety of their learned skills to understand major ideas, themes and turning points in history, both in North and South America. Eighth grade students delve deeper into the history of our country. There is a greater understanding of different historical periods, particularly Reconstruction, Progressive Movement, WWI, The Great Depression-New Deal, WWII, Civil Right Era, Vietnam War, Kennedy-Johnson Years, and 1988 to the present.
Last updated September 18, 2026
Lev Jewish Academy staff: common questions
How experienced is the Lev Jewish Academy staff?
The Lev Jewish Academy staff includes teachers with many years in the classroom. Mr. Cary Groden, who teaches Middle School Math, has over 40 years of experience in grades K-8, Mrs. Audrey Bieber has over 20 years of teaching English, and Alyssa Kamzan has 13 years of teaching experience.
Who is the school rabbi?
Rabbi Aharon Bain is the School Rabbi and teaches Middle School Limudei Kodesh. He studied at Yeshiva Darchei Torah and Yeshivas Kodshim in Yerushalayim, received semicha from Darchei Torah, and has experience teaching at Yeshiva Nishmas HaTorah and coordinating student programs.
What math do middle school students study?
This year the Middle School math curriculum focuses on Pre-Algebra and Algebra concepts, and 8th graders take the Algebra Regents in June. Middle School Math is taught by Mr. Cary Groden, who holds a BS in Psychology and an MS in Education from SUNY at New Paltz.