Lifelong Learning at Every Level
At Magen David Yeshivah High School, education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Our faculty members are lifelong learners, continuing their studies, publishing, and presenting, proving that learning is a lifelong commitment, not confined to a school building or a grade level.
Rabbi Eli Mansour, our renowned rabbinical leader, speaker, and author, teaches a daily Gemara class to our freshmen and inspires the entire school each Friday with his Shabbat siha. Dr. Daniel Vitow, Head of School, is teaching an engaging elective titled Foundations of Education, modeling the very principles he teaches.
From pursuing advanced degrees and publishing research to presenting at conferences and authoring books, our educators exemplify what it means to be lifelong learners, setting an inspiring example for our students every day.
Associate Principal Mrs. Audrey Abade is pursuing her doctorate through the Fanya Gottesfeld Heller Doctoral Program at Yeshiva University. This prestigious program offers an Executive EdD in Jewish Educational Leadership & Innovation, designed for professionals ready to lead in Jewish education. Coursework covers leadership across curriculum, administration, governance, student support, social-emotional learning, and community building. Students culminate their experience with a scholarly dissertation.
This year, Director of the Scholars Program Dr. Stephen Hequembourg will present at two major academic conferences: the British Milton Symposium in October and the Renaissance Society of America’s annual conference in San Francisco this February. In addition, Dr. Hequembourg has been invited to speak at Harvard University on November 10th, sharing his groundbreaking research on Galileo, Dante, and John Milton. Several of Dr. Hequembourg’s scholarly articles are also slated for publication in academic journals next year, further contributing to the field.
Over the summer, Mrs. Stephanie Shamah, Mrs. Helene Dwek, Mrs. Katie Btesh, and Mrs. Kimberly Djouejati proudly completed their M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership: School Building and School District Leader at Brooklyn College. Over the course of this rigorous two-year program, they developed essential skills to strengthen their impact as leaders. In addition to six semesters of coursework, ranging from School-Community Relations and Education Law and Ethics to Management of Resources, they engaged in meaningful fieldwork, designing curriculum, leading professional development, and spearheading leadership initiatives across a variety of areas. Their colleague Ms. Susan Cohen is currently enrolled in the same program.
Mr. Mauricio Tawil is pursuing his B.A. in Psychology, Health Science Track, at Sara Schenirer in an accelerated, online undergraduate program offered through the University of Mount Saint Vincent.
Mrs. Maryana Sigalova is advancing her expertise by pursuing a Doctor of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Education. Her studies focus on Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in Learning Design and Leadership, equipping her with the skills to bring innovative approaches to teaching and leadership into our school community.
Ms. Stacey Wagoner is pursuing an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with an Advanced Certificate in STEM Education and Emerging Technologies, focusing on artificial intelligence in education. This summer, Ms. Wagoner completed two intensive AI courses through ISTE & ASCD, AI Exploration and Next-Level Skills, gaining cutting-edge knowledge of AI tools and teaching methods. With technology evolving rapidly, Ms. Wagoner is committed to preparing students to navigate AI responsibly and effectively, equipping them with the skills they’ll need to succeed in a workforce where AI literacy is essential. By exploring both the practical applications and ethical considerations of AI, Ms. Wagoner is helping students learn not just to use AI, but to think critically about when and how to use it wisely.
Our faculty are also published authors! Mr. Matthew Di Paoli, is the author of two acclaimed novels: Killstanbul and Holliday, both published by Sunbury Press, and Rabbi Moshe Baredes’s book, Unveiling the Dynamics Behind the Holocaust in Hungary: A New Perspective on Unfolding Events and Enduring Debates, was released on August 4 by De Gruyter. It has also been selected as one of ten Open Access history titles for 2025.
At Magen David Yeshivah High School, our faculty’s commitment to continued learning is more than personal achievement, it is a living lesson for our students. By modeling curiosity, discipline, and growth at every stage of their own careers, our educators show that learning is truly a lifelong journey. Their accomplishments not only enrich our school community today, but also inspire the next generation to pursue knowledge with passion, purpose, and perseverance.
