Our Team

Location

For Parents

Contacts

For Parents

Parent - Student Handbook download

2024-25 Calendar download

Get to Know Our Team

Dedicated Teachers & Staff

We are fortunate to have administrators, educators, and advisors who are leaders and visionaries in fostering an educational, caring, and warm environment. Key members of our program include:

Our Administration

Rabbi Avrohom Yachnes
Menahel Ruchni

Get to know me

Rabbi Yachnes received semicha from Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim in Queens, New York. He resides in North Miami Beach, Florida, where he has taught talmidim of all ages for over thirty years. His main focus in chinuch is the study of Mussar and character development. He is the author of Orchos Tzaddikim: A Treasure for Life, published by Feldheim.

Mrs. Samantha Hirsch
Head of School

Get to know me

Mrs. Hirsch was born and raised in Hollywood, Florida. After attending local day schools, Mrs. Hirsch went on to graduate from Stern College with a degree in Education. After teaching in New York and then in Los Angeles, Mrs. Hirsch returned to Florida where she continued teaching middle-school girls. After the birth of her children, Mrs. Hirsch utilized her extensive teaching experience to homeschool her children and focus on the use of multi-age groupings & student-centered learning. Her vast experience both in and out of the classroom environment allowed the vision of Mizrahi Torah Academy to blossom. Mrs. Hirsch envisioned a school environment that brought the best of both worlds – the traditional school system and the homeschool model – to the forefront of the educational system. Through combining her vision with talented, like-minded educators, MTA was born. Mrs. Hirsch now spends her days working with an amazing team of staff and teachers. She lives in Hollywood with her husband and children.

Ms. Jessica Robbins
Director of Programming

Get to know me

Jessica Robbins, affectionately known as Ms. Jessie, originates from the captivating Broward County. Her deep-rooted fondness for Mizrahi Torah Academy steered her towards a pivotal role within our institution. As MTA’s Director of Programming, she collaborates closely with our staff members, parents and children. In addition to her myriad of responsibilities, Ms. Jessie is also at the helm of leading and coordinating STEM initiatives, infusing our school with innovative educational experiences. Her adept organizational prowess is a cornerstone of our vibrant school environment, enriching the lives of both our students and the entire MTA community.

Mrs. Esther Felberbaum
Director of the Registrar

Get to know me

Mrs. Esther Felberbaum, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, spent 15 years in corporate management before transitioning her skills to school administration. Her decision to transition from the corporate world reflects her dedication to applying her expertise in fostering positive change within an educational environment. After several years of gaining practical experience, Mrs. Felberbaum pursued a bachelor’s degree in business management to further enhance her knowledge. She now resides in the beautiful city of Miami with her husband and three children.

Ms. Chana Korkos
Office Manager

Get to know me

Ms. Korkos was born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida. She has just returned from Eretz Yisroel after 2 years, working in a seminary as a counselor and office secretary. Having joined the administrative team at Mizrahi Torah Academy, Ms. Korkos is now the nexus at the front desk, ensuring the smooth functioning of the main office, where her organizational and people skills are instrumental in creating a welcoming and efficient atmosphere. Ms. Korkos’s role extends beyond the administrative realm, as well, as she collaborates on programming for the girls’ division. With innovative ideas and enthusiasm, Ms. Korkos is dedicated to running programs and creating an environment that fosters both growth and enjoyment!

Ms. Korkos is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work. Her passion for helping others is evident in both her academic pursuits and her professional endeavors.

Board of Directors

Mr. Barry Lynn
President

Get to know me

Mr. Lynn was raised in South Orange, N.J., where he attended college at Seton Hall University, majoring in Accounting. After college, he moved to south Florida where he began his career working at Arthur Andersen & Company, one of the “Big 8” CPA firms. From there, he moved on to the advertising industry where he was a financial columnist in a trade magazine and eventually founded his own advertising agency which specialized in marketing and advertising new home communities. In 1994, when he learned about the Internet, Mr. Lynn created a marketing website for his clients that grew to become a nationwide marketing service for the entire homebuilding industry. In 2005, American Home Guides was acquired, and Mr. Lynn eventually moved on to found Credit Card Process 4 Less, a broker of credit card processing services.

Mrs. Jennifer Chemtov
Board Member

Get to know me

Mrs. Chemtov serves as Chief Financial Officer for HealthTrust Workforce Solutions, a leading provider of healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. She has 25 years of financial management and leadership experience in the staffing and consulting industries. Before joining HealthTrust, Mrs. Chemtov served as Director of Financial Planning & Analysis for Randstad Technology and Randstad Professionals, leading providers in professional services recruiting and staffing. She spent 15 years at Randstad in senior management roles in finance, pricing and accounting. Mrs. Chemtov began her career at Arthur Andersen LLP, with expanding leadership roles over 6 years in Audit and Business Advisory Services.

Mr. Yossi Mizrahi
Board Member

Get to know me

Coming Soon

Mrs. Michelle Mizrahi
Board Member

Get to know me

Coming Soon

Mrs. Susan Grossman Robin
Board Member

Get to know me

Originally from Bluefield, West Virginia, Mrs. Robin has been a resident of Hollywood, Florida for the past 29 years. Mrs. Robin holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University in Vocational Industrial Education. For the past 18 years, Mrs. Robin has been the librarian and computer teacher at Toras Emes Academy in North Miami Beach, Florida. Previously, she was a member of the Board of Trustees for Brauser Maimonides Academy in Hollywood, Florida. Mrs. Robin previously worked in the corporate sector in the areas of training and development and was the owner and operator of SRM Consultants in Richmond, Virginia, servicing the food and beverage industry.

Our Educators

Limudei Kodesh

Rabbi Netanel Chait
Rebbe

Get to know me

Rabbi Chait comes to MTA with many years of teaching experience. Over the years, he has developed a warm rapport with hundreds of students and instilled them with the skills and passion for learning Torah. Rabbi Chait oversees the Limudei Kodesh curriculum at MTA, working with Rebbeim and Morahs to develop and implement our rich Limudei Kodesh program. Rabbi Netanel Chait also teaches Limudei Kodesh in our middle school boys division.

Rabbi Chait received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbinical Seminary of America, Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim of Queens. He earned his Master’s in Education from the Azrieli School of Education at Yeshiva University and a teaching certificate from the Mercaz Teachers Training by Rabbi Yoel Kramer. Rabbi Chait lives in Boca Raton with his wife and five children.

Rabbi Yisroel Hecht
Rebbe

Get to know me

Rabbi Hecht was born and raised in New York and learned in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens, NY for many years. He holds a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Touro College in New York. He worked in Jewish outreach for many years, helping Jewish families from all backgrounds and upbringings discover the beauty of Torah and leading a Jewish lifestyle. Rabbi Hecht brings fourteen years of experience working with children, teenagers and adults in a variety of roles. His positive, upbeat and energetic personality helps in fostering healthy child development and creates a fun learning environment with enriched Chinuch practices. He is also a singer, musician and DJ performing at events of all types across South Florida. He lives in East Boca Raton with his wife and 4 children.

Rabbi Shlomo Schwartz
Rebbe

Get to know me

Rabbi Schwartz comes to MTA with almost three decades of classroom experience.

A native of Queens, NY, he studied in the Rabbinical Seminary of America (Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim) and then at its branch in Rochester, NY, the Talmudical Institute of Upstate NY, eventually joining the kollel there.

While in Rochester, Rabbi Schwartz earned a Masters degree in Education Administration from SUNY Brockport and received Semicha from Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, Shlita of Baltimore, MD.

After teaching in Rochester for two years at the Hillel Community Day School, Rabbi Schwartz moved to his current residence in North Miami Beach, where he was offered a position as a rebbe at Toras Emes Academy of Miami. After twenty years in the classroom, Rabbi Schwartz accepted the offer to establish a Judaic Studies Resource Room at the Katz Hillel Day School in Boca Raton, and most recently, has developed curriculum materials for the Resource Room at Yeshiva Elementary School in North Miami.

Recently, Rabbi Schwartz has authored a series of Mishnayos booklets, the Mishnah Rishonah series, that is geared to younger students but appreciated by adults as well.

Rabbi Schwartz is a frequent contributor to Chinuch.org where much of his materials are shared with mechanchim across the globe.

Rabbi Avrohom Richmond
Rebbe

Get to know me

Rabbi Avrohom Richmond teaches middle School in the mornings and elementary in the afternoon. He grew up in the greater New York area while attending Yeshiva in Queens, New York. He has nearly two decades of experience in outreach and education, and is excited to be back in the classroom in South Florida, after coming here for Yeshiva, post-high school. He is married with four children and has been living in Boca Raton since 2015.

Mrs. Esther Rotenberg
Morah

Get to know me

Coming Soon!

Ms. Liatt Perez
Morah

Get to know me

Coming Soon

Mrs. Bracha Doch
Morah

Get to know me

Mrs. Doch grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and learned in Seminary in England.

She has been teaching Judaic Studies, Hebrew language, (and sometimes also music) for the past 25 years. She has taught all different ages, elementary, middle and high school, and seminary, too!

She is passionate about infusing the students with a love for Yiddishkeit and a clear in depth understanding of Torah.

She lives in Sunrise with her husband and sons

Ms. Yehudit Soosi
Morah

Get to know me

Coming Soon

General Studies

Mr. Joshua Florczak
Teacher

Get to know me

Mr. Joshua Florczak, fondly known as “Mr. F”, grew up in sunny South Florida. Enamored with expanding his Jewish education he enrolled in the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, New Jersey.

Mr. Florczak then spent many years in management roles, most proudly as the restaurant manager of the famed dairy restaurant Milk & Honey in New York City. Serving over 400 customers daily and managing well over 20 employees allowed him to demonstrate excellent people skills and conflict resolution. Changing career paths, for one in education in South Florida, allowed Mr. F to demonstrate those same skills on a much more personal and important level. He brings his excitement for humor, cooking skills, and scholastics background to MTA as a beloved teacher.

Ms. Tamsyn Wilkinson
Teacher

Get to know me

Ms. Tamsyn Wilkinson is a Brooklyn native who is now a one-year seasoned resident of Florida. She brings with her over 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education from New York. While there, Ms. Tamsyn spent much of her time, earning her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from York CUNY College, working with preschool and elementary school aged children in various communities and raising her son. Tamsyn’s warm, inviting nature welcomes every member of her curious community. She challenges children with a classroom that encourages self-sufficiency. Her calm, conscious approaches toward problem solving, grants children the agency to discover independent solutions with intentional scaffolding. Helping to foster children’s love for learning is what drives Tamsyn’s passion for being an educator. She makes it a must to integrate music that encourage movement into her classroom and the curriculum to keep it fun!

Mr. Dovid Engel
Teacher

Get to know me

Mr. Engel spent a decade immersed in the teachings of Torah at Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. With degrees in zoology and education, his academic pursuits complement his spiritual ones. Hailing from Australia, he developed an early affinity for its diverse wildlife, sparking a lifelong fascination with its unique fauna. Drawing from his rich background, he expertly orchestrates engaging zoology programs tailored for Jewish children. For more than a decade, he has skillfully intertwined Torah and Science, bringing his passion to Jewish school classrooms.

Mr. Ryan Lodwick
Teacher

Get to know me

Mr. Ryan Lodwick is a graduate from Southeastern University in Florida where he studied and has earned a BS degree in Child Psychology/Mental Health Counseling & Human Services/Social Work. He also graduated from High school in 10th grade, surpassing many of his peers and obtaining a BS/BA in Computer Engineering & Business Management. Mr. Lodwick has been teaching for 6 years and counseling for 9 years. He now resides in Plantation, FL with his beautiful wife and son.

Ms. Katherine Parker
Teacher

Get to know me

Ms. Parker was born and raised in Pembroke Pines, Florida. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Science with a focus in Biosecurity from Broward College. She taught for five years in the Broward County Public Schools teaching high school biology, middle school science, and middle school math.

She lives in Pembroke Pines, with her cat named Moo and a dog named Kitty.

Mrs. Marsha Fischer
Teacher

Get to know me

Mrs. Fischer has lived in South Florida for more than 30 years and is so thrilled to see how the Jewish community in Broward county has grown. She holds a B.A. in Biology from SUNY at Buffalo and a M.Ed with an emphasis in Education Technology from Walden University. Before becoming an educator, she worked in food research in Buffalo, New York and in public relations for several non-profit institutions. Teaching is her true love and passion. Before coming to MTA, she taught at North Broward Preparatory School, Posnack Day School and Lubavitch Hebrew Academy. She created the STEM program for grades K-5 at Posnack Day School. Her hobbies include reading, needlework, and cooking. She is married to her husband, Daniel, and has a son, Jonathan, who lives in Tallahassee.

Ms. Dania Marcial
Teacher

Get to know me

Ms. Dania Marcial obtained her B.S. in Elementary Education from Florida International University in Miami and taught elementary grades in both Miami and Atlanta. She comes to us with an extensive background in Early Childhood Education and years of experience with special needs children and families. She served as a Parent Educator for at risk families in the Broward area and received her training and certification from The Parents as Teachers National Center in St. Louis, MO. Ms. Marcial is also a certified Music Together Instructor. While working for Brainchild Institute as the office manager, Ms. Marcial completed certification in MNRI®️Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration and NeuroTactile Integration. Reaching out to families and providing support in any way possible has been her life’s passion. She currently resides in the Hollywood area and with over 30 years professional experience, we are happy to have her as part of our team.

Enrichment & Support

Rabbi Netanel Chait
Limudei Kodesh Curriculum Coordinator

Get to know me

Rabbi Chait comes to MTA with many years of teaching experience. Over the years, he has developed a warm rapport with hundreds of students and instilled them with the skills and passion for learning Torah. Rabbi Chait oversees the Limudei Kodesh curriculum at MTA, working with Rebbeim and Morahs to develop and implement our rich Limudei Kodesh program. Rabbi Netanel Chait also teaches Limudei Kodesh in our middle school boys division. Rabbi Chait received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbinical Seminary of America, Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim of Queens. He earned his Master’s in Education from the Azrieli School of Education at Yeshiva University and a teaching certificate from the Mercaz Teachers Training by Rabbi Yoel Kramer. Rabbi Chait lives in Boca Raton with his wife and five children.

Mrs. Mindi Gordon
General Studies Curriculum Coordinator

Get to know me

Coming Soon

Rabbi Yisroel Hecht
Student Success

Get to know me

Rabbi Hecht was born and raised in New York and learned in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens, NY for many years. He holds a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Touro College in New York. He worked in Jewish outreach for many years, helping Jewish families from all backgrounds and upbringings discover the beauty of Torah and leading a Jewish lifestyle. Rabbi Hecht brings fourteen years of experience working with children, teenagers and adults in a variety of roles. His positive, upbeat and energetic personality helps in fostering healthy child development and creates a fun learning environment with enriched Chinuch practices. He is also a singer, musician and DJ performing at events of all types across South Florida. He lives in East Boca Raton with his wife and 4 children.

Rabbi Dovid Sacks
Mechanech

Get to know me

Coming Soon

Mrs. Beth Sacks
ESE Support Coordinator

Get to know me

Coming Soon

Mr. Dovid Engel
Resident Zoologist

Get to know me

Mr. Engel spent a decade immersed in the teachings of Torah at Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. With degrees in zoology and education, his academic pursuits complement his spiritual ones. Hailing from Australia, he developed an early affinity for its diverse wildlife, sparking a lifelong fascination with its unique fauna. Drawing from his rich background, he expertly orchestrates engaging zoology programs tailored for Jewish children. For more than a decade, he has skillfully intertwined Torah and Science, bringing his passion to Jewish school classrooms.

Ms. Jessica Robbins
STEM Coordinator

Get to know me

Jessica Robbins, affectionately known as Ms. Jessie, originates from the captivating Broward County. Her deep-rooted fondness for Mizrahi Torah Academy steered her towards a pivotal role within our institution. As MTA’s Director of Programming, she collaborates closely with our staff members, parents and children. In addition to her myriad of responsibilities, Ms. Jessie is also at the helm of leading and coordinating STEM initiatives, infusing our school with innovative educational experiences. Her adept organizational prowess is a cornerstone of our vibrant school environment, enriching the lives of both our students and the entire MTA community.

Mr. Edwin Medina
Sports Director

Get to know me

Mr. Medina, commonly known at MTA as “Coach Ed” was born in New Jersey and moved to South Florida when he was 10 years old. After incurring injuries in a terrible accident, Coach Ed was inspired to become a nurse. His love of sports and working with children brought him to MTA where he runs the Physical Education Program to the delight of all the children, while simultaneously studying for his nursing degree through Broward College. Coach Ed lives in Inverrary with a myriad of reptiles, arachnids, and a bunny named Tuffy.

Mr. Jorge Reyes
Maintenance and Security

Get to know me

Coming Soon

Rabbi Dovid Azerad
Operational Support

Get to know me

Rabbi Dovid Azerad brings his unique style and energy to MTA from New York, where he was an Assistant Principal at Yeshiva Shaarei Zion in Queens.

Rabbi Azerad received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Yechiel Malik. He earned his teaching certificate from the Mercaz Teachers Training by Rabbi Yoel Kramer. He is certified as a School Mashgiach by Torah Umesorah through the Nefesh Chaya program. Rabbi Azerad is a graduate of the COJDS PTI cohort of 2019, as well as Harvard Business School’s School Management and Leadership Program – “Leading School Strategy and Innovation”, “Leading People”, and “Leading Learning”. He is also a professional Hazzan and his services are in demand throughout the United States. Rabbi Azerad lives in East Boca Raton with his wife and three children.

Mizrahi Torah Academy Standards of Ethical Conduct