Faculty
Mrs. Frada Ben-Pazi
Mrs. Frada Ben-Pazi was born in New York, and at the age of eighteen came to study for one year at Michlala – Jerusalem College for Women. She has been in Jerusalem ever since. She has a B.Ed. in mathematics and computer science from Michlala, a M.Sc. in science education from Hebrew University, and has many years of experience teaching in high schools in Jerusalem.
Elisheva Cohen
Elisheva Cohen has taught and prepared students for their Bagrut exams in History and Civics for 16 years. She earned a BA in History of International Relations at University of Toronto and a Teacher’s Certificate at Bar Ilan University.
Prior to teaching at YTA,
Elisheva taught at Djinogly High School,
Evilina De-Rothschild and Or
Torah-Stone, all in Jerusalem.
Yoav Cohen
Yoav Cohen has a BA in Hebrew and Middle Eastern Studies from Hebrew University, as well as an MA in Hebrew Language from Hebrew University.
Yoav prepared native Israeli students for their Bagrut (Matriculation) Exams in the “Gymnasia – Jerusalem” and through the Kidum Company. He has taught Hebrew as a second language at the Rothberg School for Overseas Students at Hebrew University. He also served as a Shaliach of the Jewish Agency in Memphis, TN, USA and taught Hebrew at the Solomon Shechter School.
Yoav’s experience also includes serving as a principal at an Ulpan of the Jewish Agency and preparing Israeli students and Ethiopian Olim for Bagrut Exams in Hebrew at Netiv Meir.
Rabbi Jeremy Spierer
Rabbi Jeremy Spierer has been with YTA since 2012 as the Ram for the 11th or 12th grade. In addition to teaching limudei kodesh, Rav Jeremy directs the efforts guiding our students in their post high school options – Yeshivot, Mechinot, etc. Before making aliyah with his family in 2011, Rav Jeremy taught at Yeshivah of Flatbush High School and at SAR High School in Riverdale, NY. Rav Jeremy studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and at Yeshiva University where he earned a B.A. in Math, an M.A. in Bible, an M.S in Education, and Semicha. He is currently completing his doctorate in education, researching the impact of the first year of college on students’ beliefs. Rav Jeremy lives with his family in Neve Daniel, Gush Etzion.
Nesanel Fishman
Nesanel Fishman is the Head of Informal Education at YTA. During the summertime, Nesanel has worked in Camp Moshava in numerous roles including Division Head (Rosh Eidah) for three summers, and now in his current role as “Rallash”, Director of Campus Operations. Recently, he completed his Master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School. Additionally, this past year he had the privilege of being in the Tzavah, Israeli Army, where he coordinated educational programs for chayalim.
Rabbi Joel Cohn
Rabbi Joel Cohn earned a BA and Semichah from Yeshiva University. He studied with Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik for five years. His professional career began at the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School and continued at SAR Academy. At SAR, Rabbi Cohn served as Assistant Principal and then as Principal for 22 years. Since making Aliyah, Rabbi Cohen taught at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh and Yeshivat Mevaseret Yerushalayim. He teaches Gemara, Tanach and Machshevet Yisrael.
David Kantor
Mr. David Kantor grew up in Minnesota. He studied mathematics and has a Master’s degree in Mathematics education. David made aliyah in 2008 and has been teaching at YTA since 2011. When not teaching or spending time with family, David can be found running or biking the streets of Jerusalem or the surrounding mountain trails. He also runs a running Chug at YTA that helps prepare the boys for the Jerusalem Marathon.
Rabbi Jay Weinstein
Rabbi Jay Weinstein recently joined YTA as its Dean of Students. He made Aliyah three years ago from New Jersey to Maaleh Adumim, together with his wife and four children. He currently works at the Jewish Agency for Israel as the director of G2: Global Intergenerational Initiative. Prior to making Aliyah, Rabbi Jay served as the Rabbi at Young Israel of East Brunswick and prior to that as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Shaare Tefilla in Dallas. He holds Semichah from Yeshiva University, a Masters Degree in Special Education from Columbia University's Teachers College and a B.A. in Accounting from Yeshiva University Sy Syms School of Business.
