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THE HEART OF EDUCATION

Our Team

Our entire team is committed to the Zucker Hebrew Academy mission: to empower our students to lead lives of integrity, connection, and growth in the path of our Jewish heritage.

Rabbi Avraham Mitgang

Head of School
rabbimitgang@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
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Rabbi Avraham Mitgang

Head of School
rabbimitgang@zuckerhebrewacademy.org

Rabbi Mitgang earned his master’s degree from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration (AGS) and achieved his ordination from the Rabbinical Seminary of America. He has years of wide-ranging experience in both formal and informal elementary school education. Rabbi Mitgang has served as director of youth activities for Congregation Ahavas Yisrael in New York and on the administrative team at Camp Magen Avraham. During his time in the classroom, he has taught both a variety of Judaic subjects and the sciences. Most recently, he held the position of general studies principal at Yeshiva of Great Neck, guiding his students towards academic and personal success.

Rabbi Mitgang brings his experience, passion, and excitement for Jewish education to every student and family. His sense of professionalism and creativity provide a strong foundation for Zucker Hebrew Academy.

Mrs. Staci Berry

Principal
sberry@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
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Mrs. Staci Berry

Principal
sberry@zuckerhebrewacademy.org

Mrs. Berry earned her degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (Bachelor of Arts In English Literature) and Nova SouthEastern University (Master of Science in Brain Based Teaching and Learning). She is also a State of Florida certified teacher. Mrs. Berry has extensive experience in K - 8 education, having been a General Studies Principal at Lubavitch Educational Center, the Director of Admission for two Jewish Day Schools, a highly successful English Language Arts teacher for several years, and most recently, as the General Studies principal of YTCTE Rohr Middle School for almost a decade.

Mrs. Berry’s determination and passion for learning motivate her to constantly research and implement the best ways to engage and inspire students and faculty. Mrs. Berry views every student as if they were her own, investing in their growth spiritually, socially, and academically. She is a natural at building and maintaining relationships with students, parents, and faculty members.

Rabbi Yossi Harari-Raful

Community Outreach Director
yraful@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
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Rabbi Yossi Harari-Raful

Community Outreach Director
yraful@zuckerhebrewacademy.org

Rabbi Yossi Harari-Raful is the assistant rabbi and chazan for Netive Ezra, a prestigious Sephardic congregation in Miami, FL. In addition to his synagogue responsibilities, Rabbi Harari-Raful is a prominent bar-mitzvah teacher and Torah educator. Originally from Israel, he spent time in Mexico studying under the mentorship of Rabbi Saul Melech. He is fluent in Hebrew, Spanish, and English.

Rabbi Harari-Raful is excited to meet with every family and be a part of their journey at Zucker Hebrew Academy.

Mrs. Yosefah Berkowitz

Curriculum Director
yberkowitz@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
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Mrs. Yosefah Berkowitz

Curriculum Director
yberkowitz@zuckerhebrewacademy.org

Mrs. Berkowitz is a Duke Law graduate who practiced litigation with a large New York law firm before pursuing her true passion of improving the quality of education in America. After earning a Master’s in Special Education for Varying Exceptionalities at Florida International University, she began her quest to ensure that all Jewish children acquire the skills needed to be successful in the 21st Century.

Over the course of the last 25 years, she has held a variety of positions in educational leadership. Among her many roles, she has served as the Director of Special Services at Yeshiva Elementary School, Curriculum Coordinator at Rohr Middle School, and General Studies Principal for Kindergarten to 8th Grade at Brauser Maimonides Academy.

Throughout her career, her goal has been to create and implement a curriculum that results in significant improvement in student achievement in reading, writing, and math. She believes that children who develop mastery of these foundational skills at an early age become lifelong learners and are best prepared to meet the challenges in our ever changing and unpredictable world.

Ms. Einav Levy

Office Administrator
office@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
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Ms. Einav Levy

Office Administrator
office@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
With many years of office administration experience and time spent in the classroom, Ms. Levy brings professionalism and purpose to our administrative team. Her warmth and friendly demeanor make all parents and staff feel welcome at Zucker Hebrew Academy. Ms. Levy encourages all to stop by the front office for anything they need or just to say hello!

Ms. Karen Bareket

Teacher
kbareket@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
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Ms. Karen Bareket

Teacher
kbareket@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
Ms. Karen Bareket’s love of reading, language, art, and education are the perfect combination for our first grade students. She comes to us with years of experience teaching both English and Hebrew. Currently she is completing her certification in Orton Gillingham, a structured, multi-sensory literacy approach that will ensure that all children learn to read. Ms. Bareket joined the Zucker Hebrew Academy because she is passionate about helping Jewish children and their families connect to our core values and traditions and gaining the skills that will make that possible. In her own words, “Seeing children as an open slate and watching them bloom into successful adults who I have helped mold into readers and learners is what excites me about teaching.”

Mrs. Sara Chanin

Teacher
schanin@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
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Mrs. Sara Chanin

Teacher
schanin@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
With a Chabad upbringing, Mrs. Sara Chanin imbibed the principle of "If you know Aleph, teach Aleph" from an early age. Over the past 15 years, Mrs. Chanin worked with children of diverse age groups, nurturing a genuine love for learning and promoting practical application. Mrs. Chanin educates children through her trademark creative, inspiring, interactive and impactful approach. Most rewarding for Mrs. Chanin? Watching the students blossom and grow in both their academic learning as well as their love for their Jewish heritage, making Judaism a way of life and not just a subject.

Mrs. Karen Nagar

TEACHER
knagar@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
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Mrs. Karen Nagar

TEACHER
knagar@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
The moment you meet Mrs. Karen Nagar you will feel her warmth, passion, and excitement about teaching and making a difference in the lives of her students. A natural connector and role model, Mrs. Nagar is the ideal teacher for our youngest students who come to us with a natural curiosity and thirst for learning. A native Hebrew speaker with a deep connection to Israel, Mrs. Nagar will be integrating both General and Judaic Studies into her classes. Her high energy, creativity, and own thirst for knowledge is felt not only in the classroom but throughout the Zucker Hebrew Academy!

Mrs. Nechama Tauber

Teacher
ntauber@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
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Mrs. Nechama Tauber

Teacher
ntauber@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
Mrs. Nechama Tauber brings with her a 20-year journey of empowering young minds in her elementary school teaching experience. Teaching brings Mrs. Tauber immense joy, especially when witnessing the sparkle in her students’ eyes as they explore their Jewish identity and embrace holidays with enthusiasm. Partnering with Zucker Hebrew Academy, she creates an atmosphere where learning is a delightful adventure, and students flourish both academically and socially.

Mr. Aaron Joseph Margolis

music director
Aaron@artsedbuddy.com
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Mr. Aaron Joseph Margolis

music director
Aaron@artsedbuddy.com
Aaron Joseph Margolis is a talented musician, and founder & CEO of ArtsEdBuddy. A passionate educator (FL state-certified in Music and English) with a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration, Margolis has years of experience building successful programs within diverse institutions.

Rachel Staple

Director of Marketing
rstaple@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
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Rachel Staple

Director of Marketing
rstaple@zuckerhebrewacademy.org
Ms. Rachel Staple is an advocate for empowering young minds with a passion for the world of marketing. Ms. Rachel is a marketing graduate from University of Florida; she is currently obtaining her Master of International Business from the University of Florida, a testament to her commitment to continuous learning and personal growth. What sets Ms. Rachel apart is her unwavering passion for working with children, whether through volunteering with the local community or working as a camp counselor for multiple years. Ms. Rachel's journey into the realm of marketing was serendipitous, sparked by a genuine love for creativity and a desire to make a meaningful impact. Over the years, she has honed her skills and expertise by revamping social media platforms for multiple established businesses. Beyond her professional pursuits, Ms. Rachel is driven by a profound love for Jewish learning and the land of Israel.
EMPOWERED LEARNING

Building skills, retaining knowledge