Join us at the home of an MWJDS family in Newton to learn more about our school and hear from current parents
RSVP: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/459cg27
Judaics Teacher
Elementary Lead Teacher
Marisa is excited for her second year at MWJDS, which will also be her tenth year as a teacher! Marisa has a background in both general and special education and, prior to joining MWJDS, spent 6 years teaching in Revere, MA. She attended Tufts University, where she received a BA in Judaic Studies and Middle Eastern Studies with a minor in Child Development. She holds a Masters in Elementary Education from Boston University with dual licensure in Elementary Education and Moderate Disabilities. Marisa also earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Salem State University in Educational Leadership. Marisa has a deep dedication to individualized education and fostering a positive and engaging learning environment. She loves all things Disney and Broadway and is an avid reader and former costume designer and technician. Marisa lives with her husband and two dogs, Tatum and Oreo.
School Social Worker
Mike Schneider-Tran is a licensed independent clinical social worker with a Masters in Social Work from Smith College School for Social work. He has been working with children and families in various settings for over 15 years, and has been working as a social worker for over 10 years. During this time, he has worked in hospital, shelter, residential, school, and camp settings which included working with at risk youth, children and teenagers with challenging behaviors, and families from diverse backgrounds as well as held a caseload of clients in his outpatient practice.
Learning Specialist and Support Coordinator
Cathy grew up in Virginia but graduated high school from the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan where she majored in voice, concentrating on opera. She earned her B.A. in music from Smith College. She switched to Education after having a family and completed undergraduate work and her Masters in Education at Framingham State University. She holds professional level licenses in both Elementary Education and Moderate Disabilities. Before coming to MWJDS, she taught reading for 3 years, Special Education for 3 years, and taught Fifth grade for 5 years. She lives in Ashland with her scientist husband, two grown children and two exceptionally cute orange cats. She has a passion for helping students find the unique learning strategies that work best for them, and fiercely believes that with these strategies, all students can be successful and reach their potential.
Hebrew Teacher
Nissa Weiss-Diantina was born in Argentina and raised in Israel, and is a graduate of the Art school Talma Yalin, majoring in Theater. She later studied acting and teaching drama to grades K – 5, which she did for seven years in Tel Aviv, Nes Ziona and Holon. As part of a big bi-lingual community (Spanish-Hebrew), she taught Hebrew in Ulpan to South American immigrants. Nissa has four children, and resides in Framingham, where she worked for five years for the Jewish Family Services of MetroWest.
Hebrew & Art Teacher
Tzippy Sayag is originally from Israel and has lived in Massachusetts for over six years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Beit Berl College and has taught both Art and Hebrew in various programs. She managed the Israeli School of Brookline and also directed a Sunday School program through a major Israeli organization in the U.S., which combined Israeli culture with creative activities.
School Nurse
Hi! I’m Amanda Worcester. I’m a Licensed Practical Nurse. I live in Berlin, MA with my husband, three kids, and a mix of pets—two dogs, two rats, and a Bengal cat. Outside of school, I run a Reiki practice in Southborough, where I work as a master practitioner and instructor. I also partner with The Shelter Animal Reiki Association. I’m currently continuing my nursing education at Quinsigamond Community College and plan to graduate as a Registered Nurse in December 2027. I have an additional job caring for older adults in an assisted living community. When I’m not studying or working, I enjoy helping organize art, music, and charity events across New England.
Orna is currently the school director for the Jewish Learning Collaborative of Metrowest.
Orna’s dedication to designing meaningful yet fun experiences in the classroom and encouraging social and emotional growth—while nurturing the development of self and identity is at the core of all she does.
Atid Middle School Teacher
Mike Vogt returns for the fourth year to MWJDS and is excited to work with our Atid students. Mike graduated from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with a degree in mathematics and a minor in chemistry. He spent three years teaching high school math in western Massachusetts. After moving to the Boston area, he spent three years teaching 7th grade math. Mike is entering his fourth year at MWJDS and is the 7/8 grade math teacher, science teacher and Atid Specialist.
Atid Middle Lead Teacher, Atid Middle Coordinator
Avraham is the Atid Middle School Coordinator and Lead Teacher. Avraham has been one of the premier Individualized Education experts in Jewish Day school settings for over a decade. Avraham’s teaching practice centers on student-based inquiry, integrated skill and content curricula, and a personalized approach to each student’s learning. Avraham has helped transform the Atid program to focus on individual student skills, passions, and needs. He is a strong believer in letting student voices guide learning and creation of learning goals.
Avraham received his Masters in Education and Jewish learning from the DeLeT program at Brandeis University. He has previously worked at Kehillah Schechter Academy as a core teacher, creating an integrated and individualized curriculum for general and Judaics studies. He was a founding teacher and Head of Judaics at Ner Tamid Jewish Day School, where he helped design a fully integrated and personalized learning environment.
Avraham hails from upstate New York, and has been a Boston transplant for nearly two decades. He currently resides in Hopkinton with his wife Amanda, daughter Maya, and English Labrador, Nym.
School Nurse
Nurse Jill Magarro joins our team with a wealth of school nurse experience. Jill earned her BS in Nursing at Quinnipiac College. She has worked both in the public and private school setting, and recently earned professional licensure as a school nurse. She lives in Shrewsbury with her husband, three daughters and a very naughty puppy! In her free time she enjoys fitness, eating well and spending time in Maine.
Francine Rothkopf is our Director of Technology. She also teaches some Judaic studies classes and MakerSpace classes. She was a member of the school’s Founding Board of Directors, and has been an active volunteer at MWJDS for many years. Francine has a Master of Jewish Liberal Studies from Hebrew College, focusing on Biblical and Rabbinic text interpretation, concentrating on educating people with special needs. She has taught the Jewish Views on Disability course at Hebrew College in Newton. She has a BA in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University; prior careers include theater management and computer technical support. She was the Cantorial Soloist for the High Holidays at Congregation Sha’arei Shalom in Ashland for the synagogue’s first 15 years and is a tutor for b’nei mitzvah students. Francine guides unaffiliated families in observing meaningful life-cycle events, including baby namings, weddings, and b’nei mitzvah. She is also involved in the Massachusetts Down Syndrome community, serving as a First Call and Operation Housecall volunteer and local resource for other families. She was a member of the Zamir Chorale of Boston for ten years.
Francine was honored by MWJDS in 2014 at the MWJDS Winter Lights Gala for her tireless dedication to MWJDS and the Greater Boston Jewish Community, and was the 2021 recipient of the Dr. Barry Ruthfield Excellence in Teaching Award. She lives in Ashland with her husband, David Rothkopf, and their three children: former MWJDS student Sofia (now a high school senior), and MWJDS graduates Micah ’15 (Brandeis University ’23) and Samuel ’13 (University of Vermont ’21).
Lezlie has lead a preschool classroom for eight years and has passion for early education, child development and family services. Lezlie studied at Becker College and holds a BA in Psychology. In her free time, Lezlie enjoys nature walks with her pup, gardening and spending time with family and friends.
Head of School
Mr. Cohen comes to MWJDS with over 20 years of experience in the field of K-12 education, including 13 years of school administration and leadership. He began his career in the public schools of San Francisco and Oakland as a teacher and curriculum leader. Since his move to the Boston area in 2008, he has been a principal at Maimonides School and most recently New England Hebrew Academy. He brings experience mentoring teachers, developing curricula, managing school operations, and leading community partnerships.
“I’ve been passionate about individualized education, meeting the needs of diverse learners, and building inclusive Jewish communities throughout my career,” says Brian Cohen. “MetroWest Jewish Day School is a beacon on each of these fronts. I look forward to bringing a collaborative approach to leadership as we work to enhance and amplify the work already underway. Together, we will strengthen the school for generations of students to come.”
A graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, Brian earned his Master’s degree in School Leadership at Harvard University. Brian lives in Newton with his wife and two children, and serves as a board member of Congregation Shaarei Tefilah.