Administration

Rabbi N. W. Dessler, Dean of the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, has provided education and inspiration for three generations of Greater Cleveland’s Jewish community.  Born in Kelm, Lithuania, Rabbi Dessler is the scion of generations of illustrious Rabbinic scholars. He is the son of the late Rabbi Eliyohu E. Dessler, Author of Michtav M’Eliyahu (5 volumes). In 1943, Rabbi Dessler introduced the then foreign concept of a Jewish day school to Cleveland’s Jewish community. Under his leadership, the Academy has emerged as a leading innovator in the field of Jewish education and continuity.  With courageous vision and sagacious guidance, Rabbi Dessler has acted as a pioneer and chief architect in Jewish education, earning a reputation as the educator’s educator. Rabbi Dessler is recognized as a national role model for his enormous contributions to the world of Jewish education. Rabbi Dessler is also the author of “Ilana D’Chaye”.

Rabbi Simcha Dessler is Educational Director of the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland and directs its multi-faceted programs.  A graduate of Yeshivat Mir Jerusalem and Beth Medrash Govoha, Rabbi Dessler also holds a Master’s Degree in Education.  He is an alumnus of Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Principal Center.  A prolific writer, he co-authored  “Perspectives on the Haggadah” and his articles have appeared in various communal forums.  A member of the National Council of Yeshiva Principals, Rabbi Dessler serves on the special needs committee of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland; on a task force committee of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland; and on the editorial board of Aspen Publisher’s Guide for Private School Administrators.

Mrs. Shoshana Hefter serves as Principal of the Girls Elementary Division. Mrs. Hefter is a graduate of Beth Jacob Jerusalem Seminary and John Carroll University with a Master’s Degree in Education and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Mrs. Hefter is involved in a host of community activities including Bikur Cholim and Aish HaTorah’s Partners in Learning. Prior to becoming Principal, Mrs. Hefter was a veteran Limudai Kodesh teacher in our girls’ elementary division, facilitated the girls’ enrichment center, developed several curricula  for special programs, and coordinated teacher training for Yavne Seminary, as well as serving as PTA President. As Principal, she has utilized her training in psychology and education to continue the exemplary programming that makes the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland a leader in its field.

Rabbi Yitzchak Kasnett is Principal of General Studies. Rabbi Kasnett received his semichah from Rabbi Sroy Deblitsky, Rosh Kollel Chazon Ish, Bnei Braq, Israel.  He has a Master’s Degree in Special Education and post Masters licensing in Educational Administration and Supervision.  He is the author of “The World That Was” series, volumes I-III, Lithuania, Poland, Romania/Hungary.  Prior to his appointment at the Academy, he held positions as Principal and Director of Education in several special education programs for yeshiva students.  He has also lectured extensively for Torah U’mesorah.  

Mrs. Lois Mager Assistant Principal, General Studies, of the Beatrice Stone Yavne High School, has been associated with the Hebrew Academy as a parent, teacher, and administrator for the past twenty-three years. For over fifteen years she has taught Biology, Health and Life Science in Yavne. Her training includes a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology, Master's Degree in Education, and Ohio certification as a school guidance counselor. Getting to know the Yavne students and watching them grow from early adolescence into adulthood is an exciting experience that Ms. Mager finds both challenging and rewarding.

Mrs. Neche Moerman, Principal of the Beatrice Stone Yavne High School, received her teacher's license from B. Y. Teachers Seminary of N.Y. and from Torah U'mesorah. She began her teaching career in B. Y. High School N.Y. and B. Y. Brighton Beach. She went on to teach in B. Y. of Baltimore, Maryland before coming to Cleveland. In 1968 she began teaching in Yavne High School and in 1995 assumed the position of Principal of Yavne. She is active in numerous communal activities including Matan B’sayser and Mikveh Association. Rabbi and Mrs. Moerman are the proud parents of 5 HAC alumni.

Rabbi Asher Newman is Principal of the Academy’s Yeshiva Ketana division.  An alumnus of Telshe Yeshiva and Yeshiva Brisk in Yerushalayim, he holds a Master’s Degree in Education.  He is a member of the National Conference of Yeshiva Principals.  He is currently involved in developing an innovative curriculum in the area of Jewish Law and Ethics.  As Learning Director at Camp Agudah-Midwest , Rabbi Newman continues to inspire students all year long. 

Rabbi A. Leib Scheinbaum is a versatile, veteran educator who has worked in all areas of the Academy’s educational spectrum.  Currently serving as Director of Special Projects, he oversees various educational endeavors.  Founding Director of the Academy’s Camp STEP, he has guided the program to become the premier day camp in the Midwest. As National Director of the Academy’s Living Memorial Project, he has overseen the publication of a national Holocaust curriculum on “The World That Was”.  A musmach of Telshe Yeshiva, he is a dynamic writer whose Peninim Al HaTorah inspires thousands world-wide.          

Mrs. Carol Schottenstein is the Administrator of the Academy’s Early Childhood division. .She received a Bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Cleveland State University. She has twenty-eight years of teaching experience  and has taught in day schools, Talmud Torahs, and public schools.  More recently she has presented many workshops for the JECC to teachers of the Hebrew Academy as well as other community schools. Mrs. Schottenstein is also a recipient of the JECC’s prestigious Libbie Braverman Award for excellence in teaching.

Mrs. Sherrie Sperling, Assistant Principal of General Studies, earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Degree from  Ohio State University. Her degree was put to use in many different educational environments. She has taught Early Childhood classes at the JCC, week-end religious school, parenting classes, substituted in a myriad of buildings, taught 15 years of 5th grade at the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland, 5 years of ESL classes with children from the former Soviet Union, and presently is an evening instructor at the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland as well as a mentor.