Expert educators who understand your child
Our teachers are subject specialists and dedicated mentors, rigorously trained and committed to bringing out the best in every child. They set high expectations while creating a warm, supportive environment where every student feels valued and seen. They forge close partnerships with parents, ensuring a strong team committed to your child's success.
Admin
Mrs. Ana Mandelbaum
Ana Mandelbaum is an experienced teacher of 17 years in the NYC Department of Education. She has assumed various roles and taught a wide range of grades and subjects throughout her tenure. Mrs. Ana Mandelbaum was ranked as the top teacher of grades 3-5 in her school from 2007-2010 by the NYC Department of Education. She has also spent many years training and supporting teachers as an instructional coach and tracking and measuring student progress as a school data specialist. Mrs. Ana Mandelbaum received a B.A. in Psychology from Hunter College, an M.S. in Childhood Education from Brooklyn College, and a School Building Leader Administration Certificate from Baruch College completed with the prestigious NYC Department of Education Leadership in Education Apprenticeship Program. Presently Mrs. Ana Mandelbaum is a doctoral student at Drexel University in Educational Policy Studies.
Mrs. Ana Mandelbaum is thrilled to share her passion for teaching and learning, a love for children, and creative energy with the Zucker Jewish Academy community, ushering it forward into its bright future. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Marine Park, Brooklyn.
Rabbi Naphtali Sudwerts
Teaching Experience: I have over 20 years of experience teaching as a Rebbe and General Studies teacher, working with various grades ranging from 4th through 12th. I've also held various roles in school leadership including executive director, director of student life and assistant principal.
Personal Interest / Fun Fact: I am the Assistant Director of Simcha Day Camp in Far Rockaway
I live with my wife and four children in Far Rockaway.
Office Staff
Ms. Meira Zakutinsky
Meira Zakutinsky is a veteran teacher, with over a decade of experience in education working with various demographics within the Jewish community, spanning from kindergarten to twelfth grade. She holds a degree in Judaic Studies, and has used her passion to inspire others throughout her career. Her responsibilities have stretched beyond the walls of the classroom, including organizing after school programs, Shabbatons, being a seminary advisor, and mechaneches. She welcomes her students on their first day of school, and guides them until they receive their diplomas at graduation. She is excited to become part of Zucker Jewish Academy, where she will be able to use her talents to support both parents and students, something that has become her trademark throughout her career.
Miriam Kahan
Miriam Kahan is delighted to join the Zucker community as an assistant teacher, bringing a profound passion for education and child development. Her academic journey began at SKA High School, where she cultivated a love for learning that has only intensified over time. Following high school, Miriam spent a transformative year in Israel at Darchei Binah, deepening her understanding of Torah and experiencing significant personal and spiritual growth. With her infectious enthusiasm and unwavering dedication, Miriam is eager to contribute to a vibrant and enriching educational environment at Zucker, fostering the social, emotional, and academic growth of her students.
Mrs. Evon Khallouf
Evon Khallouf has been working in School Executive Offices since 2017, as Executive Secretary, Purchase Manager, and Event Coordinator. She loves to give a helping hand whenever it is needed! She strives to ensure that things run smoothly and efficiently!
Teacher
Ms. Meira Zakutinsky
Meira Zakutinsky is a veteran teacher, with over a decade of experience in education working with various demographics within the Jewish community, spanning from kindergarten to twelfth grade. She holds a degree in Judaic Studies, and has used her passion to inspire others throughout her career. Her responsibilities have stretched beyond the walls of the classroom, including organizing after school programs, Shabbatons, being a seminary advisor, and mechaneches. She welcomes her students on their first day of school, and guides them until they receive their diplomas at graduation. She is excited to become part of Zucker Jewish Academy, where she will be able to use her talents to support both parents and students, something that has become her trademark throughout her career.
Miriam Kahan
Miriam Kahan is delighted to join the Zucker community as an assistant teacher, bringing a profound passion for education and child development. Her academic journey began at SKA High School, where she cultivated a love for learning that has only intensified over time. Following high school, Miriam spent a transformative year in Israel at Darchei Binah, deepening her understanding of Torah and experiencing significant personal and spiritual growth. With her infectious enthusiasm and unwavering dedication, Miriam is eager to contribute to a vibrant and enriching educational environment at Zucker, fostering the social, emotional, and academic growth of her students.
Mrs. Evon Khallouf
Evon Khallouf has been working in School Executive Offices since 2017, as Executive Secretary, Purchase Manager, and Event Coordinator. She loves to give a helping hand whenever it is needed! She strives to ensure that things run smoothly and efficiently!
Mrs. Shlomit Belilos
Shlomit Belilos, a dedicated educator, nurtures young minds and fosters educational growth through her extensive experience as a classroom assistant and teacher in early childhood education. Beginning her career supporting preschool and kindergarten teachers, Morah Shlomit developed a profound understanding of foundational learning principles and the developmental needs of young learners. She expanded her expertise across elementary and middle school settings, mastering versatile teaching strategies and tailoring educational approaches to meet each student's unique needs. Dedicated to continuous professional development, she stays updated on best practices, ensuring high-quality education. Morah Shlomit joins Zucker Jewish Academy, passionate about inspiring a love for learning and academic excellence.
Mrs. Gavi Hershman
Gavi believes that every child learns best when they feel safe, seen, and inspired. She encourages curiosity, creativity, and hands-on exploration. She finds joy in watching children discover the world around them and loves creating engaging learning environments where every student can thrive.
Whether she's building sensory stations, guiding group projects, or celebrating small victories, Gavi is committed to nurturing each child’s unique potential.
She lives with her husband and three children, and is excited to be joining the Zuker Jewish Academy family.
Shulamith Rose
I believe that each student has unique strengths, and I strive to make learning engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable. Building positive relationships with students and their families is an important part of my teaching philosophy.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and continuing to learn new things. A fun fact about me is that I love finding creative ways to make learning exciting and memorable for my students.
Ms. Mikah Samuni
Ms. Mikah Samuni
Mikah Samuni is a resolute and enthusiastic educator with extensive experience across diverse educational settings and grade levels. Born and raised in Hewlett, with a strong Israeli heritage, Mikah is passionate about positively impacting her community and instilling Jewish values and a love of Israel in future generations. A 2024 summa cum laude graduate of Muhlenberg College, Mikah earned a BA in Psychology and Early Childhood/Elementary Education. Her mission is to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued, safe, and supported, enabling academic and personal growth.
Mrs. Sophia Brintauch
Mrs. Sophia Brintauch
Mrs. Elisheva Shaps
Mrs. Bayla Weisman
Morah Amy Basch
Zahava Michilovich
Mrs. Chavi Lucks
Mrs. Gila Lazar
A fun fact about me is that I absolutely love animals! Throughout my life, I have had more than a dozen pets, so you could definitely say that animals have always been a big part of my life!
Rabbi Yehuda Zuckerman
We are going to learn many Torah skills together and grow in our appreciation for Hashem, the Torah and our fellow Jews.
This year we will continue to learn Chumash, the Pesukim of the written Torah, and your son will advance in his ability to understand it independently. This will help us see together the lessons which the Torah is teaching us, that will transform our lives to live the most meaningful lives which we are able to.
We will also continue to learn the directives of Hashem how to become closer to Him through our actions and thoughts. And finally, we are excited to add a new part to our Torah learning- we will begin learning Mishna! Mishna will really engage your son’s intellectual abilities and will be the beginning of his journey into the wonderful world of the Oral part of the Torah, which will help him make Torah even more part of his essence! After exploring what Mishna is and how to learn it, we will begin the Mishna of Sukkah and dive into the intricacies of its laws. Your son is going to really enjoy it.
I will reach out to you over the next few weeks to learn all about your son, and so I can learn about the best ways to support him in his learning. I am always available to talk in order to help your son in any way. Please email me at yzuckerman@brandrightf733.sg-host.com or call or text me at (847) 530-8655.
I am looking forward to a wonderful year of growth and enjoyable learning!
Mrs. Eryn Kaplan
Mrs. Eryn Kaplan
Osnat Zinnar
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Brooklyn College and her Master’s Degree from Touro College. In addition to her extensive teaching experience, Mrs. Zinnar is fluent in Hebrew, allowing her to connect with students and families from a variety of backgrounds.
Mrs. Zinnar is passionate about creating a warm, engaging, and nurturing classroom environment where students feel valued, challenged, and inspired to grow academically and personally. She believes that strong partnerships between home and school are essential to student success and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with her students and their families.
Outside the classroom, Mrs. Zinnar enjoys meeting new people, fostering connections, and bringing enthusiasm, creativity, and care to all that she does. She is excited to begin this new chapter and become a part of the Zucker school community.
Hadassah Kaplan
In addition to teaching, Mrs. Kaplan serves as the Director of Programming and Volunteer Coordinator at Friendship Circle of the Five Towns, where she works closely with individuals with special needs. During the summer months, she is the Aquatics Director at the JCC of Lawrence, where she leads her lifeguarding staff and teaches children how to swim.
Mrs. Kaplan is dedicated to helping children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally while supporting families through both her work in schools and the community. She is excited to join the Zucker Academy family and looks forward to getting to know her students and helping them grow into confident, successful learners.
Mrs. Galia Partush
Mrs Rivi Messinger
Mrs Rivi Messinger
I enjoy learning new things, being creative, and making the most of everyday moments. I love staying busy, exploring new ideas, and spending quality time with family and friends. I believe in maintaining a positive attitude, embracing new experiences, and continually growing both personally and professionally. I look forward to bringing that same enthusiasm and love of learning into everything I do.
Sarala Newhouse
Sarala Newhouse
Sarala is excited to join the Zucker community as an assistant teacher, bringing with her a genuine love for children and a passion for helping them learn, grow, and thrive. She attended Tiferet Seminary for a year and a half, where she continued to develop her love of learning and her commitment to making a positive impact on others.
Sarala served as a division head in a day camp, where she discovered how much she enjoys working with children and creating a warm, positive environment in which they feel supported and encouraged. Her patience, caring nature, and enthusiasm for early childhood education make her a wonderful addition to the classroom.
Sarala looks forward to helping each child grow socially, emotionally, and academically while fostering a classroom filled with kindness, curiosity, and joy. She is excited to be part of the Zucker family and to contribute to a positive and enriching learning experience for her students.
Mrs. Sharon Yanay
Mrs. Sharon Yanay
Before joining Zucker School, I worked for three years as a Teacher Assistant in a daycare. I truly enjoy working with children and helping them learn, grow, and gain confidence. I believe every child deserves to feel supported, encouraged, and valued in the classroom.
I truly love working with children, and one of my greatest joys is building meaningful relationships with my students and watching them learn and succeed.
Ina Schlessel
Ina Schlessel
Mrs. Nomi Alkobi
Mrs. Nomi Alkobi
Mrs. Tzipporah Fruchthandler
Tzipporah Fruchthandler enjoys creating educational modalities to engage each student. She specializes in designing visually-pleasing materials whose format draws the student in and helps them process and organize the information in their minds. On any given day, you will find her students putting on mini skits to synthesize a lesson learned or creating art projects to connect to a key concept.
Mrs Fruchthandler will be joining our staff as both Judaic Curriculum Coordinator and Parshah teacher for grades three through five. She brings to our school many years of experience within a variety of schools and communities. She is proficient in the fundamentals of lesson planning, core Jewish subjects, and the ability to craft a strong and robust Judaic studies curriculum.
As a teacher of Parasha, her primary goal is to familiarize her students with our Avos and Imahos, the stories of our nation’s birth. Mrs. Fruchthandler believes that it is through Parsha that children learn about Derech Eretz and Middos (respect and values), and gain an understanding of the rich tapestry of what it means to be a Jew.
Mrs Fruchthandler looks forward to working with the staff, students, and parent body of Zucker Academy to create a vibrant and supportive learning environment that places a primary focus on both the scholastic and emotional needs of each student.
Ms. Esther Goldman
Esther grew up in a house of educators, absorbing the knowledge and strategies that are employed in and outside of the classroom from her father who is a Rabbi and math teacher, and her mother who was a public school principal for over 20 years. She has her Bachelors in Psychology from Mount Saint Vincent and a Masters of Social Work degree from Long Island University and is licensed to practice in New York State.
Mrs. Miri Nadata
Miri holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University and brings over 25 years of experience in the field of special education. Her extensive background as both a treating therapist and evaluator equips her with the expertise to address the diverse needs of the students. Known for her collaborative, team-centered approach, Miri is dedicated to creating an environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.
Assistant
Mrs Rivi Messinger
Mrs Rivi Messinger
Sarala Newhouse
Sarala Newhouse
Sarala is excited to join the Zucker community as an assistant teacher, bringing with her a genuine love for children and a passion for helping them learn, grow, and thrive. She attended Tiferet Seminary for a year and a half, where she continued to develop her love of learning and her commitment to making a positive impact on others.
Sarala served as a division head in a day camp, where she discovered how much she enjoys working with children and creating a warm, positive environment in which they feel supported and encouraged. Her patience, caring nature, and enthusiasm for early childhood education make her a wonderful addition to the classroom.
Sarala looks forward to helping each child grow socially, emotionally, and academically while fostering a classroom filled with kindness, curiosity, and joy. She is excited to be part of the Zucker family and to contribute to a positive and enriching learning experience for her students.
Mrs. Sharon Yanay
Mrs. Sharon Yanay
Before joining Zucker School, I worked for three years as a Teacher Assistant in a daycare. I truly enjoy working with children and helping them learn, grow, and gain confidence. I believe every child deserves to feel supported, encouraged, and valued in the classroom.
I truly love working with children, and one of my greatest joys is building meaningful relationships with my students and watching them learn and succeed.
Ina Schlessel
Ina Schlessel
Mrs. Nomi Alkobi
Support Staff
Mrs. Tzipporah Fruchthandler
Tzipporah Fruchthandler enjoys creating educational modalities to engage each student. She specializes in designing visually-pleasing materials whose format draws the student in and helps them process and organize the information in their minds. On any given day, you will find her students putting on mini skits to synthesize a lesson learned or creating art projects to connect to a key concept.
Mrs Fruchthandler will be joining our staff as both Judaic Curriculum Coordinator and Parshah teacher for grades three through five. She brings to our school many years of experience within a variety of schools and communities. She is proficient in the fundamentals of lesson planning, core Jewish subjects, and the ability to craft a strong and robust Judaic studies curriculum.
As a teacher of Parasha, her primary goal is to familiarize her students with our Avos and Imahos, the stories of our nation’s birth. Mrs. Fruchthandler believes that it is through Parsha that children learn about Derech Eretz and Middos (respect and values), and gain an understanding of the rich tapestry of what it means to be a Jew.
Mrs Fruchthandler looks forward to working with the staff, students, and parent body of Zucker Academy to create a vibrant and supportive learning environment that places a primary focus on both the scholastic and emotional needs of each student.
Ms. Esther Goldman
Esther grew up in a house of educators, absorbing the knowledge and strategies that are employed in and outside of the classroom from her father who is a Rabbi and math teacher, and her mother who was a public school principal for over 20 years. She has her Bachelors in Psychology from Mount Saint Vincent and a Masters of Social Work degree from Long Island University and is licensed to practice in New York State.
Mrs. Miri Nadata
Miri Nadata is excited to join Zucker Jewish Academy of the Five Towns as their Special Education Coordinator. In this role, she collaborates closely with parents, teachers, school districts, and providers to ensure seamless communication and support for students requiring individualized services. Miri guides families through the evaluation process, acts as a liaison between Zucker, the school district, and parents to expedite evaluations and compliance, and ensure that students receive services in alignment with their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Miri holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University and brings over 25 years of experience in the field of special education. Her extensive background as both a treating therapist and evaluator equips her with the expertise to address the diverse needs of the students. Known for her collaborative, team-centered approach, Miri is dedicated to creating an environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.