Our Team
Deganit Ronen
Deganit Ronen, Head of School, has led WTA for nearly a decade and brings over 24 years of educational leadership experience, including 17 years at SAR Academy. A visionary educator, Deganit has guided WTA from a small start-up school to a thriving institution known for excellence, affordability, and inclusion.
Menahelet/Head of School
Rabbi Avi Hoffman
Rabbi Avi Hoffman has been a leader in Jewish education and community life in Greater Westchester for over fifteen years, teaching and inspiring through the Jewish Renaissance Experience (JRE). He joined WTA as Rav Beit HaSefer in 2018 and became Director of Jewish Life in 2025, overseeing the school’s hashkafa, limudei kodesh, and Jewish programming. Known for his thoughtful engagement and ability to meet students where they are, he fosters a joyful, questioning, and meaningful Torah culture.
Rav Beit HaSefer/Director of Jewish Life
Rachel Mendelson
Assistant PrincipalRachel Mendelson started at WTA in 2020 and has held several roles during her time here including School Social Worker and Middle School Dean of Students. She is a licensed social worker and has served as a national program director at Yachad, where she is still deeply involved. Her expertise ensures that WTA’s educational environment is full of ruach and is as compassionate as it is rigorous, prioritizing student wellbeing and inclusion.
Adi Rosenfeld has served as WTA’s Executive Director since July 2023. With years of managerial experience running franchise operations and seven years as the owner of a successful children’s enrichment center, Adi brings deep expertise in business planning, operations, and customer service to her role. At WTA, she oversees all financial operations, compliance with nonprofit and religious institutional standards, tuition planning and financial aid — balancing our mission of accessibility with strong fiscal stewardship.
Executive DirectorAdi Rosenfeld
Jordana Schneier
Director of Teaching & LearningJordana Schneier, Director of Teaching and Learning, a Bank Street–trained educator with expertise in both general and special education, ensures that WTA’s classrooms reflect the highest standards of instructional design and differentiated learning. Jordana was elevated to this role in 2025 after two years of teaching middle school math across all levels at WTA.
Rose Just-Michael
Director of Communications & DevelopmentRose Just-Michael joined WTA as the Director of Development and Communications, in January 2025, bringing over a decade of experience in Jewish communal service with deep expertise in institutional advancement, philanthropic strategy, and donor engagement. Prior to WTA, Rose served as Assistant Director of Foundation Relations at the Shalom Hartman Institute and held the role of Targeted Communications, Grant Writer, & Operations Executive in the Capital Gifts & Special Initiatives department at UJA-Federation of New York.
Jen Vegh
Director of Admissions & Interim Early Childhood DirectorJen Vegh holds a master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Davidson School at The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). After seven years running a large Hebrew School and Youth Department in New Rochelle, she became the Director of Community Engagement and Alumnae Relations at Maharat, organizing learning events, professional development for alumnae and individualized coaching. Following four years on the WTA Board of Trustees, she joined the WTA professional team as the Director of Admissions and ultimately as the Interim Early Childhood Director.
Board of Trustees
President
Michal Paley
Chairman of the Board
Jonathan Jacobs
Vice President
Shira Danzig
Secretary
Michelle Biller-Levy
Treasurer
Brian Moore
Board Members
Arthur Abelow
Lori Barnea
Dana Erdfarb
Marc Fruchter
Yossi Haroush
Michael Kalnicki
Dahlia Kalter
Bernard Michael
Nathaniel Polachek
Judith Soniker
Raquel Sosnick