Educating our children in the richness of their past,
the diversity of their present and the possibilities for their future.

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Faculty and Staff

Head of School

Judy Finkelstein-Taff

Judy Finkelstein-Taff

Titles: Head of School
Departments: Head of School
Email:
Biography:

Judy Finkelstein-Taff has been the Head of School at CJDS for 18 years. She earned her undergraduate degrees from the University of Judaism, Los Angeles and Arizona State University. Judy also holds a Masters Degree in Education and Human Development from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Judy, known as Ms. J to the students and families of Chicago Jewish Day School, has devoted her career to Jewish Education and brought her experience working in all areas of the field to CJDS.

Ms. J began her career working in informal Jewish Education at Camp Ramah, Ojai in California. Her experience in formal education settings began in early childhood and spanned all grade levels through high school.

Ms. J held both faculty and administrative positions in Jewish Day Schools both here in the States and in Israel. Her involvement in the Reform Movement, Conservative Movement, and Modern Orthodox Communities provided her with a unique foundation for leading the first Multi-denominational Jewish Day School in the Midwest.

In 2013, Ms. J was honored with receiving the nationally recognized Covenant Award.

Ms. J is the proud parent of three sons, Avi, Josh and Ari, two daughters-in-law, Amy and Tirzah, and three grandchildren, Ethan, Eliana, and Noa.

Words written by the founders of Chicago Jewish Day School reflect Ms. J’s philosophy: Chicago Jewish Day School is dedicated to: "Educating our children in the richness of their past, the diversity of their present, and the possibilities for their future."

Educational Leadership Team

Jill Kushnir LeVee

Jill Kushnir LeVee

Titles: Assistant Head of School
Departments: Educational Leadership Team
Email:
Rachel Pickus

Rachel Pickus

Titles: Director of Middle School
Departments: Educational Leadership Team
Email:
Tamar Cytryn

Tamar Cytryn

Titles: Director of Judaic Studies, Grade Four Judaic Studies; Middle School Judaic Studies
Departments: Educational Leadership Team
Email:
Penina Berdugo

Penina Berdugo

Titles: Director of Hebrew, Grade One Hebrew & Judaic Studies; Middle School Hebrew
Departments: Educational Leadership Team
Email:
Jen Alcakovic

Jen Alcakovic

Titles: Reach Learning Specialist
Departments: Student Services
Email:
Deborah Barack

Deborah Barack

Titles: Grade Three General Studies
Departments: General Studies, Lower School
Email:
Henry Bernstein

Henry Bernstein

Titles: Operations and Logistics Administrator
Departments: Operational Leadership Team
Email:
Moriah Bradley

Moriah Bradley

Titles: Kindergarten
Departments: General Studies, Lower School, Early Childhood
Email:
Kate Burstein

Kate Burstein

Titles: Math Department Chair, Middle School Math
Departments: Middle School, Middle School Math
Email:
Nathan Clark

Nathan Clark

Titles: Middle School Science
Departments: Middle School, Middle School Science
Email:
Claudia Edwards

Claudia Edwards

Titles: Middle School Humanities
Departments: General Studies, Lower School, Early Childhood
Email:
Liz Erlich

Liz Erlich

Titles: Director of Business Operations
Departments: Operational Leadership Team
Email:
Logan Gannon

Logan Gannon

Titles: Grade Four General Studies
Departments: General Studies, Lower School
Email:
Mira Gelman

Mira Gelman

Titles: Middle School Hebrew
Departments: Hebrew/Judaic Studies, Middle School
Email:
Michael Gladstein

Michael Gladstein

Titles: School Psychologist
Departments: Student Services
Email:
Lianne Gross Philipp

Lianne Gross Philipp

Titles: Middle School Judaic Studies
Departments: Hebrew/Judaic Studies, Middle School
Email:
Lee Gruen

Lee Gruen

Titles: Athletic Director
Departments: Lower School, Middle School
Email:
Nina Harris

Nina Harris

Titles: Social Worker
Departments: Student Services
Email:
Paulette Herbstman

Paulette Herbstman

Titles: Administrative Assistant to Head of School, Director of Middle School
Departments: Support Staff
Email:
Elana Hiller

Elana Hiller

Titles: Violin Instructor/Music Education
Departments: Specialists
Email:
Carly Humes

Carly Humes

Titles: Kindergarten
Departments: General Studies, Lower School, Early Childhood
Email:
Molly Jaret

Molly Jaret

Titles: Grade Three Judaic Studies, Grade Five Judaic Studies, Campus Life Coordinator
Departments: Lower School, Hebrew/Judaic Studies
Email:
Bryce Jones

Bryce Jones

Titles: P.E. Coach
Departments: Lower School, Early Childhood, Middle School
Email:
Nancy Kamin

Nancy Kamin

Titles: Learning Specialist
Departments: Specialists, Student Services
Email:
Jennifer Katz

Jennifer Katz

Titles: Grade Four General Studies
Departments: General Studies, Lower School
Email:
Lily Kawer

Lily Kawer

Titles: Grade One General Studies
Departments: General Studies
Email:
Sydney Levenfeld

Sydney Levenfeld

Titles: Grade Two General Studies
Departments: General Studies, Lower School
Email:
Jennifer Levine

Jennifer Levine

Titles: Kindergarten
Departments: General Studies, Lower School, Early Childhood
Email:
Nadine Linton

Nadine Linton

Titles: Grade One Hebrew/Judaic Studies, Grade Two Hebrew/Judaic Studies
Departments: Lower School, Hebrew/Judaic Studies
Email:
Susie Lorge

Susie Lorge

Titles: Kindergarten
Departments: General Studies, Lower School, Early Childhood
Email:
Dorothy Margo

Dorothy Margo

Titles: Keshet Paraprofessional
Departments: Lower School, Student Services
Email:
Hadar Markin

Hadar Markin

Titles: Middle School Hebrew
Departments: Hebrew/Judaic Studies, Middle School
Email:
Jen Minkus

Jen Minkus

Titles: Marketing and Communications Manager
Departments: Support Staff
Email:
Jenn Oswald

Jenn Oswald

Titles: Grade Five General Studies
Departments: General Studies, Lower School
Email:
Kim Quixell

Kim Quixell

Titles: Grade Five Teaching Assistant
Departments: General Studies, Lower School
Email:
Alex Randhava

Alex Randhava

Titles: Middle School Science
Departments: Middle School, Middle School Science
Email:
Dorit Rogan

Dorit Rogan

Titles: Grades Five Hebrew, Middle School Hebrew
Departments: Lower School, Hebrew/Judaic Studies, Middle School
Email:
Laura Roth

Laura Roth

Titles: Receptionist
Departments: Support Staff
Email:
Molly Rubin

Molly Rubin

Titles: Grade Two General Studies
Departments: General Studies, Lower School, Early Childhood
Email:
Jennifer Saba

Jennifer Saba

Titles: Middle School Humanities
Departments: Middle School Humanities, Middle School
Email:
Rachel Schmuckler

Rachel Schmuckler

Titles: Grade Three General Studies
Departments: General Studies, Lower School
Email:
Jill Schwartz

Jill Schwartz

Titles: Middle School Math, Middle School Performing Arts Director
Departments: Middle School Humanities, Middle School, Middle School Math
Email:
Eve Segel

Eve Segel

Titles: Development Coordinator
Departments: Support Staff
Email:
Tamar Shapira

Tamar Shapira

Titles: Assistant to Director of Admissions, Art Specialist
Departments: General Studies, Lower School, Early Childhood, Specialists, Support Staff
Email:
Naomi Shapiro

Naomi Shapiro

Titles: Director of Institutional Advancement
Departments: Operational Leadership Team
Email:
Rachel Sollinger

Rachel Sollinger

Titles: High School Placement Counselor and Testing Coordinator
Departments: Student Services
Email:
Sarah Sparber

Sarah Sparber

Titles: Director of Reach Support
Departments: Student Services
Email:
Cortney Stark Cope

Cortney Stark Cope

Titles: Director of Admissions
Departments: Operational Leadership Team
Email:
Rebecca Tessler

Rebecca Tessler

Titles: Nurse
Departments: Nurses
Email:
Rachel Treister

Rachel Treister

Titles: Visual Arts Specialist
Departments: Specialists
Email:
Alex Treyger

Alex Treyger

Titles: Director of Technology and Digital Learning
Departments: Operational Leadership Team, Middle School, Middle School Science
Email:
Alicia Vinocur

Alicia Vinocur

Titles: Junior Kindergarten
Departments: General Studies, Lower School, Early Childhood
Email:
Rachel Warach

Rachel Warach

Titles: Grade One General Studies
Departments: General Studies, Lower School
Email:
Carrie Weber-Greenberg

Carrie Weber-Greenberg

Titles: Middle School Learning Specialist
Departments: Middle School, Middle School Math, Student Services
Email:
Rita Weintraub

Rita Weintraub

Titles: Junior Kindergarten
Departments: General Studies, Lower School, Early Childhood
Email:
Almog Yehuda

Almog Yehuda

Titles: Grade Three Hebrew; Grade Four Hebrew, Shinshinim Coordinator
Departments: Lower School, Hebrew/Judaic Studies
Email:
Mara Zimmerman

Mara Zimmerman

Titles: Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher
Departments: Lower School, Middle School, Specialists
Email:

Facilities Staff

Alex Bahena

Alex Bahena

Titles: CJDS Building Manager
Leticia Barraza

Leticia Barraza

Titles: Facilities Staff
Pete Calderon

Pete Calderon

Titles: Facilities Staff
Ermelinda Carcamo

Ermelinda Carcamo

Titles: Facilities Staff
Efren DeLuna

Efren DeLuna

Titles: Facilities Staff
Joel Magana

Joel Magana

Titles: Facilities Staff

Faculty & Staff