Who’s Who in High School

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Rabbi Joseph Beyda

Head of School

(718) 377-1100 x126
jbeyda@flatbush.org

  • Rabbi Beyda has been a part of YOF since 2002. A graduate of Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business, Rabbi Beyda has semikhah from the Sephardic Rabbinical College and a master’s degree from Brooklyn College’s School of Educational Leadership. For close to ten years, he served as Head Rabbi of Congregation Bnei Yitzhak. He is a Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Scholar, a member of the mayor of New York City's Jewish Advisory Council and AIPAC's Sephardic Division Advisory Council. Three of Rabbi Beyda’s children graduated from YOF and two are current students. Rabbi Beyda is passionate about the Yeshivah’s mission to inspire students to grow into adults committed to Torah values, empowered to impact the world.

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Dr. Michael Atlas

Associate Principal, Director of Student Life

(718) 377-1100 x124
matlas@flatbush.org

  • Dr. Atlas was previously the assistant principal at Torah Academy of Bergen County where he ensured the religious, personal, and academic growth of freshman and sophomore students. He founded the school learning center and developed its support services program. A graduate of Yeshiva University, he earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology. He completed his full year internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute where he worked with adolescents struggling with a wide range of emotional and learning challenges.

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Rabbi Yigal Sklarin

Associate Principal, Director of Student Advancement

(718) 377-1100 x183
ysklarin@flatbush.org

  • Rabbi Skalrin joined the YOF team in 2021 after a 13-year tenure at the Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein Upper School at Ramaz. A graduate of Yeshiva University, Rabbi Sklarin received semikhah from RIETS, participated in the Bella and Harry Wexner Kollel Elyon and earned a master’s in Modern Jewish History from the Bernard Revel School of Jewish Studies. In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious Pomegranate Prize from the Covenant Foundation as an emerging Jewish leader. He is a published author and speaker on a wide range of topics. He interned at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC as well as at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

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Ms. Esther Hidary

Associate Principal, Director of Teaching and Learning

(718) 377-1100 x184
ehidary@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Hidary (HS ‘94) received a master’s degree in English and American Literature from NYU as well as a master’s degree in English Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. After graduate school, Ms. Hidary returned to the Yeshivah as both a teacher and mentor. Alongside her work as an administrator, Ms. Hidary lectures widely on the topics of literature, Torah, education and Jewish philosophy

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Rabbi David Galpert

Associate Principal, Director of Student Experience

(718) 377-1100 x151
dgalpert@flatbush.org

  • Rabbi Galpert (ES ‘05, HS ‘09) oversees student life on campus and helps develop our graduates into successful leaders who are involved in seminar, athletics, chesed/community service and Tefillah. He also oversees building renovations and several school operations. Rabbi Galpert studied at Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in Jerusalem and earned a bachelor’s degree in History from New York University. He holds one master’s degree in Education and Jewish Studies and a second in Hebrew and Judaic Studies, both from New York University.

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Rabbi Avi Churba

Mashgiach Ruchani

(718) 377-1100
achurba_te@flatbush.org

  • Rabbi Churba's new role follows four years of being a beloved Judaic Studies teacher who made valuable connections with our students. He graduated from Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin and learned under the leadership of Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Aharon Schechter A"H. He is currently the Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Shaare Rahamim.

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Rabbi Naftali Besser

Dean of Students

(718) 377-1100 x175
nbesser_te@flatbush.org

  • Rabbi Besser started his relationship with YOF in 1978 as a Judaic Studies teacher and member of the Guidance Department. Over the years, he has expanded his role to become Dean of Students. He also coordinates the school’s seminars, Yachad events and the Chesed Mission to Israel among other responsibilities. He teaches Halakhah and gives adult Torah classes that are very popular among our Flatbush family.

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Dr. Etty Mizrahi

Director of Guidance

(718) 377-1100 x190
emizrahi@flatbush.org

  • Dr. Mizrahi, PSY.D., (ES '97, HS ‘01) holds a bachelors' degree from Columbia University and a doctorate in School-Clinical Child Psychology from Pace University. Dr. Mizrahi, who has more than ten years of experience working with teens, supervises the Guidance Department, which works closely with students, faculty and families to help ensure an overall positive high school experience. The department addresses relevant topics for teens in both individual and group sessions.

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Ms. Doris Anteby

Director, Shifra Hanon Pathfinders Department

(718) 377-1100 x195
danteby@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Anteby (ES' 97 HS '01) has been a crucial member of the Pathfinders Department for the past 11 years before starting her role as Director. Her love for exploring careers started during her years studying at NYU when she completed a multitude of internships in different fields. She has previously worked in advertising, retail and college guidance. She has a bachelor's degree in Mass Media and Communication from NYU.

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Ms. Yvette Beyda

Support Services Coordinator

(718) 377-1100 x160
ybeyda@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Beyda received a bachelor’s degree in Judaic Studies from Brooklyn College and a master’s degree in Special Education from Adelphi University. In the past, she worked one-on-one with preschool children as a SEIT, and was an Educational Advocate with EASE Advocacy. She has been volunteering in the community as a Kallah teacher. Ms. Beyda guides students and parents through the evaluation process and ensures they receive the correct services.

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Ms. Emily Mottahedeh

Director of College Guidance

(718) 377-1100 x222
emottahedeh@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Mottahedeh joined the YOF team after spending ten years as Associate Director of College Counseling at the selective Millennium Brooklyn High School, where she developed and executed a student-facing college preparation curriculum. She received her bachelor’s degree in Media Studies and English from Hunter College and a master’s degree in Special Education from Long Island University as part of the New York City Teaching Fellows Program. Outside of YOF, Ms. Mottahedeh founded and runs a non-profit organization called Two by Twelve, whose mission is to use music and the arts to help children and families impacted by serious illness.

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Rabbi Joseph Blumenthal

Chair of Halakhah Department

(718) 377-1100
jblumenthal_te@flatbush.org

  • Rabbi Blumenthal (ES '99, HS ‘03) has been teaching Talmud, Halakhah and Tanakh at YOF since 2010. He received his semikha from RIETS at Yeshivah University, holds a bachelor's degree from the Sy Syms School of Business and a master’s degree in Jewish Education from Azrieli Graduate School. He has participated in YU Lead, The Legacy Heritage Teacher Institute, and the Rothberg International School at Hebrew University.

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Mr. Howard Rothbort

Chair of History Department

(718) 377-1100
hrothbort_te@flatbush.org

  • Mr. Rothbort (ES ‘83 HS ‘87) holds a bachelor’s degree in History from SUNY Binghamton and a master’s degree in Social Studies Education from NYU. Mr. Rothbort is the advisor for the Mock Trial team and director of the Israel Institute. He also serves as an Education Specialist for the NY State Education Department in Albany. Mr. Rothbort was the recipient of the Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education in 2015.

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Ms. Miriam Wielgus

Chair of Jewish History Department

(718) 377-1100
mwielgus_te@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Wielgus received a bachelor’s degree in History from Brooklyn College and a master’s degree in Philosophy from Columbia University. She teaches ancient, modern and Sephardic Jewish history and coordinates the annual Sephardic Heritage Trip. She is also the Israel Guidance counselor for 12th grade girls.

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Ms. Annie Savdie

Chair of Tanakh Department

(718) 377-1100
asavdie_te@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Savdie has been teaching high school students and women for the past 25 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Jewish Studies from Stern College for Women and a master's degree in Jewish secondary education from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. In addition, she has a certificate from the Graduate Program of Advanced Talmudic Studies.

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Ms. Binah Freedman

Chair of Science Department

(718) 377-1100
bfreedman_te@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Freedman has taught various science courses and Judaic Studies for over a decade. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Psychology, as well as two master’s degrees–one in Adolescent Science Education and another in School Leadership from Brooklyn College. Ms. Freedman is the program director in a local day camp servicing over 600 children, and teaches alumni classes in the evenings.

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Ms. Hen Lerrer

Chair of Hebrew Department

(718) 377-1100
hlerrer_te@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Lerrer has most recently served as a Hebrew teacher here at YOFHS before her new appointment as Hebrew Department Chair. After serving as an officer in the Israeli military, Ms. Lerrer earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education and her master’s degree in Educational Counseling from Tel Aviv University. She also held a variety of educational roles before being selected for a mission on behalf of the World Zionist Organization. She then spent five years teaching Hebrew at SAR Middle School. During the pandemic, Ms. Lerrer completed her MSW in Clinical Social Work at Rutgers University, which allows her to continue supporting teenagers and young adults. She also holds a B.E.D. in Special Education from Seminar Hakibbutzim College.

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Ms. Sarah Shulman

Chair of Math Department

(718) 377-1100
sshulman_te@flatbush.org

  • Rabbi Prag, originally from Jerusalem, graduated Kol Torah Rabbinical College under the guidance of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. In America, he attended Yeshiva Ponevezh and Rabbinical Kollel under the guidance of Rav Feivel Cohen. Rabbi Prag joined the Yeshivah of Flatbush staff in 1981. He teaches Talmud to all grades and has given classes at Shaare Zion for many years. Additionally, he teaches Daf Yomi daily.

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Rabbi Zelig Prag

Chair of Talmud Department

(718) 377-1100
zprag_te@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Shulman holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, from Queens College. She also holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Brooklyn College, and received her teaching license from Machon Devorah Teacher’s Seminary and the Misrad Hachinuch in Israel.

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Ms. Mica Bloom

Chair of English Department

(718) 377-1100
mbloom_te@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Bloom has been a member of the faculty for over 20 years. Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, she holds a bachelor’s degree in both English and Applied Psychology from the University of Witwatersrand and a master’s degree in School Leadership and Administration from St. John’s University in New York. She currently runs teacher seminars for the Jewish Education Project and is an advisor on 9th grade AP English textbooks.

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Ms. Sally Grazi-Shatskes

Director of the Arts

(718) 377-1100
sshatskes_te@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Grazi-Shatkes (ES '95, HS ‘99) is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and theater director. Ms. Grazi-Shatzkes has spearheaded multiple creative arts-based counseling initiatives and theater-based educational programs. She piloted the first Witness Theater program at YOFHS and has gained international recognition for her work bridging Holocaust survivors and teens. She was awarded the prestigious Covenant Award in 2019 and was recognized in The Jewish Week’s esteemed “36 Under 36” list.

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Ms. Penina Ginsberg

SICHA Coordinator

(718) 377-1100
pginsberg_te@flatbush.org

  • Ms. Ginsberg works in tandem with the SAFE Foundation and coordinates YOFHS' SICHA (Safe, Inspiration, Connection, Health and Advisory) program, which provides students with a safe space to connect, converse and contemplate under the guidance of rabbis and teachers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Stern College for Women and a master’s degree in Special Education from Touro College.

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Mr. Adam Ginsburg

Director of Athletics

(718) 377-1100
aginsburg@flatbush.org

  • Mr. Ginsburg recently oversaw a complete reorganization of the Department of Athletics, using a collaborative approach that revitalized student engagement both on and off the field. Before coming to YOF, Mr. Ginsburg worked for more than 20 years at various universities across the country. Throughout his career, he has been part of high-performing basketball programs with multiple NCAA and NIT tournament bids, and has worked with several NBA and All-League players. He holds a master’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Florida.