Dear AYA families,

We hope you are doing well. As we continue to move our school forward in impactful ways, we’re pleased to share some new updates.

Last week, we introduced you to Rabbi Yotav Eliach, who visited AYA this week at the invitation of our search committee. If you missed it, you can read about him here.

The search committee is pleased to introduce two more candidates – both of whom will be visiting our campus in the coming weeks to meet with the committee, administrators, staff, board, and our school community. We invite you to learn about them below.

Mr. Jason Feld is an educator and administrator known for his cutting-edge pedagogy. He has been the Head of School at Northwest Yeshiva High School in Seattle, Washington, since 2017. Previously, he served as Dean of Students at Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles, California for 12 years, where he created a nationally recognized Israel studies program. 

Mr. Feld is a past Fellow of Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Leadership Institute, Hadar Institute’s Jewish Wisdom Fellowship, the Legacy Heritage Fund’s Teacher Institute Fellowship, and the American Jewish University’s Teaching Israel Fellowship. He was featured as one of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Distinguished Entrepreneurs in 2006, and has published several articles in Jewish publications. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from New York University, his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law, and his Master’s degree in teaching from the American Jewish University’s School of Education.

Mr. Feld will be visiting January 26-29.

Mr. Jerry Isaak-Shapiro has been a Jewish leader, educator, camp director, and mentor for over 40 years. He served as Head of School at The Agnon School (Joseph & Florence Mandel Jewish Day School) in Cleveland, Ohio, for 17 years. After his service there, he was selected as the founding Head of School for The Oasis School, a co-educational, community Jewish high school in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2021.

Previously, Mr. Isaak-Shapiro was Jewish Education Director at the San Francisco JCC; Northern California Regional Director for Hillel; and Associate Director for the Jewish Community Relations Council of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties. He also served as Young Judaea Regional Director in the Southwest, and as Camp Director for Camp Young Judaea West.

Mr. Isaak-Shapiro earned his Bachelor’s degree from California State University, and his Master’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. He is a graduate of the prestigious Mandel Jerusalem Fellowship. He was awarded the 2010 Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE) “Inspiring Communications from a Head of School” Award, and was honored as a 2015 “Difference Maker” in the Cleveland Jewish community by Cleveland Jewish News.

Mr. Isaak-Shapiro will be visiting February 2-6.

Save the date: Please RSVP for our AYA Atid Evening Update on February 7th, where you will have the opportunity to learn about the AYA Atid (Future) Plan and hear additional head of school search updates.

Please be in touch if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

David Radunsky

President, Board of Trustees

David.Radunsky@gmail.com