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Head
of School: Dean Goldfein
 Now in his eighth year as Head of School at CCJDS, Mr. Goldfein has earned widespread respect from colleagues, students, and parents. He possesses extensive experience in curriculum development, faculty hiring and evaluation, student assessment, and working with parent groups and governing boards as well as an extraordinary passion and commitment to education of Jewish youth. He served as Dean of Students and history teacher at Sacred Heart Preparatory and taught English at Brandeis Hillel Day School. M. Ed. Admin, SFSU, M.A., University of Virginia; B.A. History, U.C. Berkeley. Joined CCJDS in 2000.
Faculty and Staff
The School's commitment to a superior academic experience begins
with superior instruction. Small class sizes assure that each student
benefits from The Faculty's depth of training and experience.
 Mira
Pilosof,
Director of Hebrew & Judaic Studies
Returning for her seventh year at CCJDS, Ms. Pilosof is an experienced and engaging teacher and administrator. A native of Uruguay who lived for nine years in Israel, she taught at the Yavneh Community Day School in Cincinnati for 17 years where she created and directed the Mitzvah Community Service Program. M.Ed. Special Education, University of Illinois; B.A. Education, Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Joined CCJDS in 2001.
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 Lisa
Friedman,
General Studies Coordinator
Ms. Friedman brings extensive experience in elementary teaching and teacher education, including four years teaching children and student teachers at Mills College, 12 years teaching many different grade levels in both public and private schools, and leadership roles in program evaluation, curriculum development, and parent education. At CCJDS, she oversees professional growth, standardized testing, program individuation, and General Studies curriculum development and methodology. M.A. Education and B.A. Psychology, U.C. Berkeley. Joined CCJDS in 2002.
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 Rabbi
Daniel Kohn,
Rabbi-in-Residence & Judaics Master Teacher
Rabbi Dan joined CCJDS with an impressive list of academic accomplishments and solid experience in Jewish Day Schools as both a teacher and program director. His love for teaching and working with children and families make him an outstanding addition to the school. He received his ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary, NY; B.A. Washington University, St. Louis; B.S. University of Judaism, Los Angeles. Joined CCJDS in 2005. |
 Sarah
Schwartz,
General Studies
Ms. Schwartz returns for her third year as an experienced Kindergarten teacher who brings a warmth, intelligence, and lots of fascinating stories about her dog Bert to our full day Kindergarten schedule. Her classroom blends academics and play to create a wonderful transition into elementary school. She taught Kindergarten in Oakland and was the Math Team Leader for her school prior to coming to CCJDS. M.A. SFSU; B.A. U.C. Santa Cruz. Joined CCJDS in 2005.
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 Rebecca
Highland,
General Studies
Returning for her fourth year at CCJDS, Ms. Highland has previous teaching experience at independent, public, and Jewish Day Schools. Colleagues and parents describe her as an extremely intelligent, warm, and highly skilled educator. Ms. Highland also provides leadership in Literacy and Library Science. M.A. Early Childhood Education; Teaching Credential, Mills College; B.A. Smith College. Joined CCJDS in 2004.
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 Lawrence Delaney,
General Studies
Mr. Delaney, originally from Wales, taught second through sixth grades at schools in Oakland, Germany, and Dubai prior to coming to CCJDS. He brings great enthusiasm for teaching and athletic talents as our physical education instructor. Visual Cultures (Magna cum Laude), University of Derby in England; M.A. Media and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Post-Graduate Certificate in Education, Open University, England. Joined CCJDS in 2006. |
 Josie Levi,
General Studies
Ms. Levi has over 15 years of teaching experience both here and abroad. Prior to CCJDS, she taught Judaic Studies at Temple Sinai in Oakland. Described by both colleagues and parents as effective, engaging, and deeply committed to learning, Ms. Levi has a great rapport with her students and takes the time to understand their individual needs. She has also produced award-winning educational software geared toward elementary and middle school students. B.A. Social Welfare, U.C. Berkeley. Joined CCJDS in 2006. |
 Mitchell
Slater,
General Studies
Mr. Slater has become a key part of the CCJDS leadership team, joining us after teaching at Brandeis-Hillel Day School in San Francisco. In addition as a general studies lead teacher, Mr. Slater advises middle school independent studies in math and science, and coaches after school sports teams for CCJDS. B.A. Biology, U.C. Santa Cruz; Teaching Credential, San Jose State. Joined CCJDS in 2004. |
 Jesse McTigue,
Middle School Humanities
A graduate of Dartmouth College, Ms. McTigue worked at the Telluride Mountain School and Crested Butte Academy in Colorado, and taught the past five years at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Oakland. Ms. McTigue was awarded the Peter Stewart Inspired Teaching Award while teaching a multi-age program in Telluride and has completed professional development work in differentiated instruction, history curriculum, and social curriculum. B.A. English Literature, Dartmouth College. Joined CCJDS in 2007. |
 Uri Skowronski ,
Middle School Math and Science
Originally from Marblehead, MA, Mr. Skowronski taught biology and chemistry at Lowell High School in San Francisco, and participated in the Exploratorium's Teacher Institute. In addition to teaching our middle school math and science programs, Mr. Skowronski will coordinate the CAIS and WASC accreditation processes. B.A. Science, Cornell University; Teaching Credential, SFSU; M.A. Educational Administration, Harvard University. Joined CCJDS in 2007. |
 Inbal Levi-Sabag,
Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Born and raised in Eilat, Israel, Ms. Levi-Sabag anchors our early elementary grades. Before moving to the United States in 2001, she taught English in Israel, working with children across all grade levels. A motivating teacher, she brings tremendous warmth and a native accent and spirit to our children. B.A. Education, Kibbutzim College, Tel Aviv. Joined CCJDS in 2002.
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 Mirit
Grembek,
Hebrew
Ms. Grembek, a native of Moshav Kfar Yehezkel, Israel, has been involved in educating children since youth. She brings her enthusiasm and passion to her classroom while developing and encouraging Jewish identity and relations to Israel. Ms. Grembek was a group leader in Israel’s national tutorial project (Perach) and briefly had a human resources career before moving to the U.S. in 2004. M.B.A. Ono Academic College; B.A. Behavioral Science, Management and Economics, Ben Gurion University. Joined CCJDS in 2006 . |
 Aya
Gonen,
Director of Extended Care Program
Energetic, warm and thoroughly organized, Ms. Gonen returns for her seventh year directing the after-school enrichment and extended day care programs. Before joining CCJDS, she taught for four years at an extended care program in Walnut Creek. Fluent in Hebrew, she also works in our classrooms as a Teacher's Assistant in the lower grades. Joined CCJDS in 2001. |
 Michelle Jacoby,
Teacher Assistant
Ms. Jacoby comes to CCJDS as she transitions to a career as an elementary school teacher. She served as the Head Coach of the Women’s Basketball team at St. Mary’s College in Moraga for the past six years and most recently worked at the Meher School in Lafayette. Ms. Jacoby’s main responsibilities at CCJDS are as a Teaching Assistant in the lower grades and assisting in the aftercare program. Joined CCJDS in 2007. |
 Devorah Levy,
Judaic Studies, Hebrew, Spanish
With a wealth of experience in a variety of school settings, Ms. Levy works for CCJDS as both a teacher and assistant in Judaics, Hebrew, and Spanish. Ms. Levy has a strong background as a teacher of expressive arts and writing. B.A. Religious Studies, University of Virginia; M.A. Elementary Education–Curriculum and Instruction, University of Colorado; California and Colorado Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials. Joined CCJDS in 2007.
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 Rachel
Ben Shushan,
Art Specialist
"Racheli" trained at the Michlelet Oat Art School in Jerusalem and worked most recently at Tehiyah Jewish Day School. She worked with the Iriyah Matnas V'Votizor V'Naamat - a highly regarded program for art for children. Joined CCJDS in 2006. |
 Jennifer M. Griest,
Music Specialist
Ms. Griest has taught music since 2001. Her area of specialty is Piano and Music Theory. She received her undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and her Masters Degrees in both Pedagogy and Performance, separately, from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Joined CCJDS in 2007. |
 Nina Meehan,
Drama
Ms. Meehan is the founding director of the award winning Youth Theatre Company in Walnut Creek and co-founded Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences. She has taught drama in over 30 schools, performed as a storyteller in many synagogues, and worked as an actress throughout the Bay Area. B.A. Theater, Northwestern University. |
 Monica Frame,
Counselor
Ms. Frame, LCSW, worked for S.F. Jewish Family and Children’s Services for ten years providing individual and family therapy, and developed and facilitated socialization groups for children. She now works, consults, and speaks at schools and preschools throughout the East Bay. MSW, SFSU; B.A. Music, CSUH. |
 Amy Wittenberg,
Admissions Director
Ms. Wittenberg brings a career of work in the Jewish community, non-profit management, customer service and sales to CCJDS as our Admissions Director. Amy lived in Israel for 10 years. B.A. Health Education, University of Washington. |
 Rebecca Murray,
Office Manager
Ms. Murray has worked in marketing, management, sales, and administrative support for high tech and non-profit organizations. She also has extensive experience managing a children's business in the East Bay. B.A. Mass Communications, U.C. Davis. |
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