Mrs. Ellen Koppel has over 20 years of experience working in private and public charter schools, ensuring a socially and emotionally safe school environment for all members of the school’s community. Expert at providing meaningful learning opportunities, Mrs. Koppel helps students become more emotionally and socially flexible, competent, sensitive, and aware.
Rabbi Isaac Melnick was educator-turned-director of the highly successful Torah 4 Everyone (T4E) afterschool program at Ben Gamla Charter School for 12 years. With his combination of strong leadership skills and financial accountability, the T4E program gained an outstanding reputation and grew to an enrollment of close to 250 students. Most recently, he was the Dean of the Brauser Maimonides Academy Middle School, where he supported teachers and helped create a more positive school culture. Highly skilled in creating firm but positive relationships with his students, Rabbi Melnick encourages his students to be their best.
Rabbi Dr. Gur Berman has a 20+ year career in education and over ten years of experience as a school leader in both private and public charter schools. Most prominently, he was the principal of the Kendall and Plantation Ben Gamla Charter Schools. Currently, he serves as the Director of General Studies at Yeshiva Toras Chaim Toras Emes, overseeing the general studies education of over 1,000 students.
Rabbi Dr. Berman is particularly adept at assembling, supporting, and retaining motivated, loyal, and highly effective faculty and staff and working with that team to exceed the expectations of all school stakeholders. He adheres scrupulously to the concept that “authentic leadership begins at the top,” which requires personal values and integrity to inform all professional decision making. Focusing on building and maintaining relationships with staff, students, and parents, he follows a philosophy of respect and collaboration to achieve mutual goals.
Morah Adi Cohen has over 20 years experience in teaching Israel and Hebrew studies in private and charter schools. Highly skilled in connecting to students with diverse backgrounds and temperaments, Morah Adi excels in delivering engaging and impactful lessons. Known for her creative educational experiences, she helps students gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the modern State of Israel.
Morah Miriam Melnick was a teacher and Assistant Director at the Torah 4 Everyone Afterschool Program at Ben Gamla Charter School for 12 years. Every year, she captivated her students with warmth and creativity. Morah Miriam used her experience as Co-Director of Camp Coolanu to create dynamic and innovative Torah lessons that helped her students learn in a fun and entertaining environment. Her warmth and genuine love for her students helps create a school that children feel happy and safe attending.
During the 2022-2023 school year, Rabbi Isaac Melnick, co-founder and executive director of Shorashim Academy, was selected as one of four fellows for the Drexel Fund Founders Program, out of over 60 applicants nationwide. The Drexel Fund Founders Program is a one-year paid fellowship specifically designed to support visionary educational entrepreneurs. Its goal is to assist fellows in turning their dream of establishing a new, sustainable, and high-performing private school into a reality.
In addition to the valuable support provided through the Founders Program, Shorashim Academy received a significant three-year start-up grant from the Drexel Fund. This grant comes with certain milestones outlined in the agreement, and the school is committed to achieving them. Furthermore, Shorashim Academy will continue to receive financial support from the Drexel Fund until the 2025-2026 school year.
The Oorah organization believes that a Jewish education imparts Jewish values and ideals and gives children a solid grounding in Hebrew and Jewish traditions. Oorah’s Tuition Assistance Program provides financial aid for students with limited Jewish educational background. We are honored that Oorah has chosen to partner with Shorashim Academy and provide tuition assistance to our families.
Chinuch Yehudi is an organization dedicated to Jewish continuity through Jewish education. Chinuch Yehudi provides financial support to Israelis living in the United States who want their children to attend a Jewish school. We are honored that Chinuch Yehudi has chosen to partner with Shorashim Academy and provide tuition assistance to our families.