Chris Barash,
Head of School
Chris Barash joined the
staff when the school opened its doors in 1995, coming
from Sarasota, Florida where she taught kindergarten
and first grade for 13 years at Temple Emanuel.
Mrs. Barash received a Bachelor of Arts in Russian History and Literature from Eckerd College in St. Peterburg, Florida, and later took graduate courses in education. At Sinai, Mrs. Barash has taught first, fourth, and fifth grades, and she acted as administrator during several of Sinai’s “early years.” In July, 2005, Mrs. Barash took her present position as Head of School. Her comments can be found on the page entitled “Message From the Head of School.”
Teaching and support Staff (in alphabetic order)
Susan Blackman, General Studies Teacher
Susan Blackman joined Sinai Academy in 2006 and holds both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Vermont and a Masters of Science Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education. She is also trained in Responsive Classroom.
Susan taught third and fourth grades in New York City, Rhode Island and Florida before moving to the Berkshires. She spent several years teaching preschool in Lenox before coming to Sinai to teach third grade.
Jack Curletti, General Studies Teacher
Jack Curletti graduated from Curry College in 1998,
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood
education. He became the Director / Teacher at the
Crosby partnership preschool in Pittsfield. After
four years at Crosby, he came to Sinai Academy in
2003 to teach kindergarten.
Jack’s transitional kindergarten classroom is a fun, safe,
happy and playful place. His curriculum focuses
on language development, math and science, with the
goal of accomplishing learning through fun and play.
Liat Lazarovich, Hebrew and Judaic Studies Teacher Coodinator
Liat Lazarovich has taught Hebrew
and Judaic Studies since 2000 at Sinai Academy.
She holds a Bachelors in Education and Hebrew Literature
from “Seminar H Kibbutzim” in Tel Aviv,
Israel.
Before coming to the United States, Mrs. Lazarovich
taught Bible and Hebrew Literature at the high school
level. In addition to her work at Sinai Academy she currently teaches
Hebrew and Judaic studies at Congregation Knesset
Israel in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Mrs. Lazarovich brings to her teaching the ability to make Bible come alive and is known for her creative teaching approach through games and special projects.
Kaya Stern-Kaufman, Judaic Studies Teacher
Kaya Stern-Kaufman joined the staff of Sinai Academy as a Judaic Studies teacher in September, 2005. She holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work, having focused her work on families and children. Kaya is devoted to Jewish education and has made this her sole pursuit. Kaya also teaches adult classes in Torah and Jewish mysticism. Her classes are highly engaging, fun and interesting for students of all ages.
Ruth Cohen, Judaic Studies Teacher
Ruth Cohen is in her second year at Sinai Academy. She will be working part time in the preschool and transitional kindergarten as a Judaic Studies teacher. She also teaches in the Knesset Israel Preschool and its religious school, teaching a class on Tikkun Olam and coordinating the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program.Ruth graduated Union College with a Bachelor's of History and received her Master of Arts in Teaching from Tufts Unviersity. Before coming to Sinai, Ruth spent many years in the Boston area working with children and adults with special needs.
Dr. Jilly Lederman, General Studies Teacher
Jilly Lederman began her journey with Sinai Academy in 2006 as a substitute teacher, and is delighted to be part of the Sinai family as the fourth/fifth grade general studies teacher. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in 1997, and also studied extensively in Moscow and London. With her background in linguistics and pedagogy, Jilly brings to the classroom a passion for language and learning. In her leisure time, Jilly is actively involved in the Jewish community, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Due to privacy concerns, many of our faculty and staff prefer not to have their names on-line. If you have any questions regarding faculty and staff at Sinai Academy, please do not hesitate to call the Head of School, Chris Barash, at (413) 499-4167.
