Senior Management

Larry Berman (Chief Operating Officer), oversees the facilities, IT, security, health, transportation, and food services teams, and uses his experience in education to support the entire Nursery - 12 student body that resides in three different campuses. In his 14 years in the field of education, Larry has been committed to creating environments where open dialogue is commonplace and feedback is encouraged. This has allowed him to successfully oversee multiphase facility renovation and building improvements; create systems for staff training, student transportation, and material requisitions; and build and grow partnerships with external businesses. In addition to his operational expertise, Larry has a strong background in education, having also served as a dean, department head, and teacher at the VOICE charter school in Long Island City.

Esther Buterman (Chief of Staff, Head of School Office)  implements HOS initiatives and manages special schoolwide projects; works with key stakeholders (e.g., students, parents, faculty and staff, trustees, Parent Council) to help ensure proper collaboration and communication; partnering to ensure effective and timely workflow, as well as improve the timeliness and effectiveness of communications coming out of the Head of School Office; and works with Rabbi Josh Lookstein to communicate the core values of the Ramaz mission statement.  Ms. Buterman also represents the Communications Department on the Senior Management team.

Prior to joining Ramaz in 2012, Ms. Buterman worked at Edelman, the world’s largest PR agency, where she managed creative accounts for health, corporate, and non-profit organizations in the firm’s engagement marketing company; led editorial activities, including producing marketing, press, and advocacy materials; and worked with clients to navigate challenging issues. With a passion for mentoring, Ms. Buterman was an adjunct professor at the NYU School of Professional and Continuing Studies, where she taught PR writing to graduate students. Ms. Buterman lives in NYC with her husband and three children, all of whom have attended Ramaz.

Robin Greenfield, CPA (Chief Financial Officer), oversees the financial operations of the Ramaz School and heads our Business and Human Resources offices. Leading the audit, investment, and finance board committees, Robin also serves as a relationship liaison with parents and employees. Robin came to Ramaz from the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey where she served as CFO for seven years. Prior to that, she spent 12 years as a CFO of a publicly traded chemical company. Robin started her career at Deloitte and has managed the finances of companies in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. She has been the guest speaker at the New Jersey State Society of CPAs, where she spoke about best practices in non-profit organizations and was the recipient of the New Jersey Biz 2012 "CFO of the Year" Award.

Rabbi Joshua Lookstein ‘88 (Associate Head of School, Rabbinic Leadership, Jewish Life and Learning) is responsible for ensuring that the mission and values of the school are executed and sustained across the entire Ramaz experience. Rabbi Lookstein supports the Head of School in our commitment to Ramaz being a yeshiva day school environment that reflects and celebrates its Modern Orthodox, Zionist ethos. 

Rabbi Lookstein began his career in education at the Ramaz School as a part-time Judaic Studies teacher at the Upper School, teaching 9th and 11th grade Talmud and Halacha, and was a member of the administration team, and served as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun. Prior to joining WDS, Rabbi Joshua Lookstein served as a Major Gifts Officer at UJA-Federation of New York, where he led the fundraising effort for the Day School Challenge Fund, a $150 million fund to incentivize endowment fundraising at NY-area day schools, and was the Coordinator of the King David Society. Prior to UJA-Federation, Rabbi Joshua Lookstein served as Executive Director of the S. Daniel Abraham Foundation based in Palm Beach, Florida. 

Rabbi Joshua Lookstein received his BA in Philosophy at Yeshiva University, his MA in Medieval Jewish History at YU’s Bernard Revel Graduate School, and his rabbinic ordination at YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is a member of the New York Board of Rabbis, the International Rabbinic Fellowship and the RCA, and is a board member of the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot and American Friends of Nishmat. Rabbi Joshua Lookstein lives in Scarsdale with his wife, Georgie, and their three children, Trudy, Oliver, and Claire. 

Kenny Rochlin '86 (Head of Institutional Advancement) is a proud 1986 graduate of the Ramaz School. Before assuming his current position, Kenny served Ramaz as Upper School Director of Student Services and Student Activities, Assistant Administrator, and Administrator. A graduate of Yeshiva University, Kenny has overall responsibility for the development and implementation of a long-range plan and program to meet the future needs of the school through the growth of the Annual and Capital Funds, as well as the Alumni Program. Kenny has been involved in Jewish education for more than 25 years. He is a much sought after confidant and advisor to colleagues in day schools nationally and has spoken at a number of regional and national conferences where his presentations range from managing a development program to fundraising in independent schools.

Leah K. Silberstein is currently Director of Strategic Initiatives for Ramaz. Before applying her skills in the field of Jewish education, Leah enjoyed a 20-plus year career as a newspaper reporter, radio producer, and magazine editor, working for such media outlets as Dow Jones, the Voice of America, and Knight-Ridder, in the United States and Southeast Asia. She also previously worked as a communications strategist for several financial services and technology companies. In addition to her professional affiliations, Leah has maintained a longstanding commitment to building bridges in and beyond the Jewish community, serving as founding board chair of Yeshivat Maharat and more recently, helping resettle Afghan refugee families through HIAS. She has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the State University of New York at Albany, and a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Maryland. She lives in Bergen County, N.J. with her husband, Andrew, and relishes occasional visits from their grown sons.