Administration

Ruth Gafni (Head of Nursery - Grade 8) is a trailblazer in Jewish education and a highly respected visionary leader. Ms. Gafni comes to Ramaz from Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County, where, as Head of School for the past 10 years, she transformed the institution into a nationally recognized model of 21st century education. By creating an environment where children are known, loved, and challenged to reach their highest potential, Ms. Gafni prepares her students to become Jewish leaders in a globalized world through holistic, integrated programming and inquiry-based learning. Ms. Gafni is also widely recognized for her child-centered approach to learning and implementation of the latest and most effective STEAM (Science, Technology Engineering, Art, and Math)-based and other educational strategies.

At Ramaz, Ms. Gafni is responsible for developing and retaining a faculty trained in curriculum integration and methodologies to educate our students in becoming proficient in STEAM, as well as other core areas, including Hebrew, Judaic Studies, Language Arts, and Social Science. She acts as an active part of the student, faculty, and parent community, walking the hallways and being in classrooms to help support and guide teachers and administrators. Ms. Gafni is also developing a social and emotional curriculum that flows from the early childhood years through the end of Middle School and works closely with colleagues in the Upper School to build on those foundations.

Some of Ms. Gafni's notable accomplishments while at Schechter include the introduction of international exchanges with youth in Rwanda, South Africa and Poland; development of a values-based honor code and social-emotional learning across all grade levels; utilization of technology to enhance academic and extracurricular programming; and increased student enrollment by 25 percent. She also led Solomon Schechter to a prestigious accreditation from International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for the Middle School years.

Prior to joining Solomon Schechter, Ms. Gafni was a teacher at Hawes Elementary School, a public school in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where she implemented programs for children with special needs, English as a Second Language students, and gifted students. Ms. Gafni is the recipient of numerous educational leadership awards from Harvard University, The Lookstein Center, and The Avi Chai Think Tank. She is the subject of numerous articles, including those in Thrive Global, Parents League of New York, and the New Jersey Jewish Standard. Ms. Gafni received her Masters of Science in Special Education from Adelphi University and her Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Comparative Literature from Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan.

Danielle Taxerman-Smith (Director of General Studies) has a Masters Degree in Elementary Inclusive Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a Masters Degree in Teacher Leadership from Brandeis University. For the past eleven years, she has been an educator at Ramaz, teaching second, third, and fourth grade, serving as a Curriculum Leader and as an Instructional Coach. Ms. Taxerman-Smith’s expertise in instruction and teacher leadership has led to her publishing and presenting at the Prizmah Conference for Jewish Day School leaders. In her capacity as Director of General Studies, Ms. Taxerman-Smith supports the schoolwide implementation of our curriculum, conducting regular classroom observations to observe Ramaz students as learners, mentor teachers, support our social emotional learning initiatives and the Ramaz mission, and much more.

Rabbi Steven Eisenberg (Director of Judaic Studies, N-4) earned both his semicha and his doctorate in education at Yeshiva University. Since then, he has spent 13 years in Jewish day school leadership positions, working specifically with lower school students. Rabbi Eisenberg also lived in Israel for two years and focused his dissertation research, which he has published, on religious changes in students during their gap years there. Throughout his career in Jewish education, Rabbi Eisenberg's focus has been updating Judaic and general studies curricula, adding experiential learning to milestone events, fostering community building, and creating an environment where students enjoy coming to school. In his role as Director of Judaic Studies, Rabbi Eisenberg organizes Shabbat Onegs, celebrations and commemorations for chagim and the “Yoms,” and grade-wide events including Havdallah, Chag HaSiddur, and Chag HaChumash.  He works with our faculty on the daily Tefillah program, as well as the Judaic content of the curriculum.

Hedva Ofek-Shai (Director of Curriculum and Faculty Supervision for Judaic Studies) initially joined Ramaz as an assistant first grade teacher before moving into a teaching position in the Learning Center. Ms. Ofek-Shai has led the amazing change in our Hebrew program over the last several years. She has designed curriculum, worked with every teacher, and visited every class on a regular basis. She has been tireless in her work. As a member of the ECC and Lower School leadership team, Ms. Ofek-Shai has been an inspiring colleague, with a refreshing straightforward approach to every situation.