Interim Principal – Debora S. Cole-Duffy
Ms. Cole-Duffy began her career as a teacher with a dual degree in Elementary and Special Education. As she particularly appreciated working with students affected by psychosocial, mental health and neuropsychological difficulties, she then obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work at SUNY Albany. A licensed educator and clinical social worker, Ms. Cole-Duffy spent much of her career working as a clinician, consultant, instructor and program director in child and family services before returning to school- based work. With her clinical, administrative and educational background, Ms. Cole-Duffy decided to expand her career in school administration. Subsequently, Ms. Cole-Duffy embarked on a Graduate Educational Administration program and became licensed as an elementary and middle school principal.
“I am delighted to be on board to support the efforts of this school as the Interim Principal for Sinai Academy. In addition to my professional background, as Co-President of Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield and as an active member of the Jewish community, I am mindful about Jewish values, principles and community needs. I love that the small class sizes not only permit for best teaching and instructional practices, but also for true opportunities for the students to engage in socially mindful experiences. In addition, this faculty is very talented; and I am thrilled to facilitate and support their best ideas and practices!”
Teaching and support Staff (in alphabetic order)
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.
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.
Katharine Allentuck, General Studies Teacher
Katharine Allentuck has been a teacher in elementary and middle schools in Berkshire County since 1997. She attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass. and completed her undergraduate work at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont. She has a Masters Degree in Deaf Education from Smith College/ Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, Mass. Katharine taught fourth grade at Berkshire Country Day School in Lenox, Mass. from 1997-2001 and has been a resident of Berkshire County for more than thirty years. She is the mother of two grown children.
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.
