Administration

Our Administration is made up of a team of professionals, most of whom have served the school and the community for over 25 years and are part and parcel of the rich history of the Academy in Montreal.

Head of School - Dr. Shimshon Hamerman Dr. Shimshon Hamerman has been a member of the administration of the Academy since 1981 having served first as Vice Principal of Judaic Studies and Principal since 1992. Dr. Hamerman holds a B.A. in Mathematics, a Bachelor of Literature and a Hebrew Teacher’s Diploma from Yeshiva University. He holds a Master of Science degree in Operations Research from New York University School of Engineering and Science and a Ph. D. from University of Montreal in Theology and Biblical Studies. Dr. Hamerman has been ordained by the chief rabbi of Montreal, Rabbi P. Hirschprung. Dr. Hamerman may be contacted by e-mail at: shamerman@solomonschechter.ca

Principal - Shireen Deen Butman Shireen Deen-Butman holds a B.A. in Economics from Concordia University, and a Certificat en Enseignement from Université de Montréal. She has completed the Day School Leadership Training Institute at the Jewish Theological Seminary and the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Principals' Center Art of Leadership Program. She is currently in the first BJEC cohort completing her Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from McGill University. She has been a teacher and administrator for 18 years and has worked at Jewish Day schools in both Montreal and the USA. Shireen is excited to be joining Solomon Schechter Academy as its new principal. Shireen can be reached at sbutman@solomonschechter.ca

Head of the French Department – Josiane Herman Josiane Herman has been a French teacher since 1973. She was appointed Directrice des etudes francaise at the academy in 1987. Madame Herman holds a B.A. from Concordia as well as a diploma in education from McGil University. Madame Herman may be contacted by e-mail at: jherman@solomonschechter.ca

Head of Judaic Studies - Yocheved Sonenberg Yocheved Sonenberg began her career at the Academy as a Judaic Studies teacher in 1981 and was appointed coordinator of Judaic Studies in 1992. She holds a B.A. from Bar Ilan University and a M.Ed. in Educational Administration from McGill University. Mrs. Sonenberg may be contacted by e-mail at: ysonenberg@solomonschechter.ca

English Language Coordinator - Junior Cycle Shari Stone (grades 1,2,3) Shari Stone began her career at Solomon Schechter Academy in1987 as an assistant teacher. She has taught English Language Arts and Math in both the junior and senior grades. Shari holds a Bachelors Degree in Education from McGill University. She presently teaches the junior grades and is coordinating the Junior Cycle English Language Arts program. Shari may be contacted by e-mail at: sstone@solomonschechter.ca

English Language Coordinator - Senior Cycle Debbi Feldman (grades 4,5,6) Debbi Feldman has been a member of the teaching staff at Solomon Schechter Academy since 1988. She holds a Bachelors of Education from McGill University. Debbi has taught Language Arts and Math in all three cycles. In recent years she has had the pleasure of teaching grade six. She will continue to teach in cycle three as she assumes her responsibilities as English Language Coordinator for grades four to six. Mrs. Feldman can be contacted at dfeldman@solomonschechter.ca

Student Services Coordinator - Dara Lang Darra Lang began working at Solomon Schechter Academy in 1990 as a teacher's assistant. She has taught Math and English Language Arts in the junior grades. Darra is a graduate of McGill University where she completed a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, A Diploma in Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology. Darra currently teaches in cycle one and is the coordinator of Student Services. Darra can be contacted by e-mail at dlang@solomonschechter.ca

Math Coordinator English section - Sectione Francaise - Judith Dahan Judith Dahan holds a Baccalauréat en sciences de l'éducation from University of Montreal and is presently completing a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from McGill University. She began her career at Solomon Schechter Academy in September 1998 as a French and math teacher in the Section Francaise. Judith has always been very passionate about math and is thrilled to be the Math coordinator at Solomon Schechter Academy. Judith can be reached at jdahan@solomonschechter.ca

Bnot Sherut Program Coordinator - Chani Cohen Chani Cohen is the coordinator of the Bnot Sherut program at the Academy. She has been with the Academy since 1992. Chani holds a B.A. from the Open University in Israel and a Master of Science degree from the Azrieli School of Education and Administration of Yeshiva University. Bnot Sherut are Israeli female high school graduates who choose community service in lieu of their military service. In the past decade, the State of Israel has sent some of these young women to do their community service in schools abroad. Solomon Schechter Academy has two bnot sherut among its staff. Mrs. Cohen may be contacted by e-mail at: ccohen@solomonschechter.ca

Early Childhood Director - Randy Bass Mendel Randy Bass Mendel is the Director of our Early Childhood Department. Randy is a graduate of McGill University where she received her undergraduate degree in Education and is currently working towards a degree in Educational Leadership at McGill.She began her career at Solomon Schechter Academy, first as a student teacher, then as assistant, and subsequently as an English teacher for kindergarten, grade one, and grade three. After starting her family, she began teaching Pre-k at the Snowdon YMHA where she has been for the last eight years. Her approach to Early Childhood Education is well respected throughout our community by parents and professionals alike. Randy can be contacted at: rmendel@solomonschechter.ca

Principal Emeritus - Rosa Finestone Rosa was the principal of Solomon Schechter Academy until her retirement in 1992. Mrs. Finestone holds a B.A. from McGill University and has been a driving force in Jewish education in Montreal.

Executive Director - Jonathan Kuczer Jonathan Kuczer has an extensive background in the Montreal Jewish community. He taught mathematics at Bialik High School. He also worked for many years as a Program Director at the Y Country Camp gaining insight to both managing facilities and working with staff. In addition to his experience in the community, Jonathan has an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems as well as an MBA in Strategic Management. Through his studies he has had the opportunity to work on various consulting projects including those of non-profit organizations throughout Montreal. jkuczer@solomonschechter.ca

Director of Development and Admissions Coordinator - Naomi Blumer Naomi Blumer received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from McGill University in 1983. She began her teaching career in 1984 as an elementary school teacher. She has been associated with the Academy since 1990 when she became involved in the Home and School Association and the Board of Directors. She has acted as a consultant to schools in the Montreal area and has been active supporter of Jewish education within the community. She was President of the Board of Directors of Bialik High school for two years after which she returned to the Academy in the position of Director of Development and Admissions Coordinator. nblumer@solomonschechter.ca

Our Nursing Staff
The Academy has daily nursing services. Shelli Schneider, Marcy Seidman, and Debbie Goldstein function under the auspices of our Medical Advisory Committee. In addition to the routine daily cuts and bruises, the nurses also provide medical consultation and guidance.

Student Services
Our Student Services team is committed to the advancement of all students. We employ a full complement of professionals including a psychologist, guidance counselor and social worker. They help us learn about each student to better enable us to meet his/her individual needs. The team consists of Hailey Baboushkin, Jillian Shein, Dora Korzinstone, Catherine Meloche and Raquelle Brody.

Our team can be contacted at 514-485-0866.

• hbaboushkin@solomonschechter.ca
• jshein@solomonschechter.ca
• dkorzinstone@solomonschechter.ca
• cmeloche@solomonschechter.ca
• rbrody@solomonschechter.ca

HEAD OF SCHOOL - shamerman@solomonschechter.ca
PRINCIPAL - sbutman@solomonschechter.ca

English Faculty

French Faculty

Hebrew Faculty