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Our People

We're committed to the values of professionalism, lifelong learning & nurturing community

Senior Administration

Headshot of Head of School Eric Petersiel
Eric Petersiel

Head of School

Headshot of Michael Bien, Director of Development.
Michael Bien

Director of Development

Headshot of Director of Operations Claire Flotner.
Claire Dalby

Director of Operations

Headshot of Principal Adina Lubek.
Adina Lubek

Principal

Janice Prazoff

Director of Admissions

Headshot of Lisa Richler, the Little Leos head teacher.
Lisa Richler

Interim Director of Communications

Academic Administration

Headshot of Danielle Applebaum, Dean of Student Academics.
Danielle Applebaum

Dean of Student Services

Headshot of Sheryl Faith, Dean of Academic Development & IB Coordinator
Sheryl Faith

Dean of Academic Development & IB Coordinator

Andrew Howard

VICE PRINCIPAL, Grades 5-8

Headshot of Rabbi Noam Katz, Dean of Jewish Living
Rabbi Noam Katz

Dean of Jewish Living

Jenna Sobel

VICE PRINCIPAL, JK - Grade 4

Headshot of Ayelet Bercovich, Senior Development Officer
Ayelet Bercovich

Senior Development Officer

Headshot of Graeme Casson
Graeme Casson

IT Manager

Emma Cohen

Registered Social Worker

Headshot of Sandra Cohn
Sandra Cohn

Finance Administrator

Headshot of Cheryl Greenburg
Cheryl Greenberg

Operations Administrator

Headshot of Melanie Kohn
Melanie Kohn

Operations Assistant

Lauren Meisels

Registered Social Worker

Jayme Ozier

Registered Social Worker

Headshot of Kim Pasternak
Kim Pasternak

Administrative Assistant

Headshot of Kenny Sanmugathan
Kenny Sanmugathan

Facilities & Custodial Care

Janis Seftel

Communications Specialist

Leanne Slattery

Admission Coordinator

Dayna White

Manager of Student Academics

Ricki Wortzman

Faculty Coach

Headshot of Daniel Abramson, Director of the Tikkun Project.
Daniel Abramson

Director of Tikkun Project

Headshot of Jenna Adler Gordon
Jenna Adler-Gordon

PYP Teacher & Technology Integration Specialist

Jillian Altman

PYP Teacher

Headshot of Risa Amar
Risa Amar

PYP Teacher

Marni Appel

PYP Teacher

Headshot of Jenna Arenson
Jenna Arenson

PYP Teacher

Lawrence Axmith

PYP & MYP Teacher

Headshot of Magi Binjamini
Magi Binyamini

MYP Teacher

Headshot of Nicole Black
Nicole Black

Student Services

Headshot of Lisa Bonen.
Lisa Bonen

PYP Teacher

Headshot of Lindsay Budd
Lindsay Budd

MYP Teacher

Rochelle Chester

School Librarian

Headshot of Karen Cohen
Karen Cohen

PYP Hebrew & Judaics Teacher

Sharon Cohen

MYP Teacher

Ilana Cyna

MYP Teacher & MYP Advisor

Sam Fruitman

PYP Teacher

Suzanna Elster

PYP Hebrew & Judaics Teacher

Roni Fishman

PYP Hebrew & Judaics Teacher

Headshot of Ashley Gordon, PYP Teacher
Ashley Gordon

PYP Teacher

Kayla Goren

Music instructor

Amy Green

PYP Teacher

Bonnie Gremont

PYP Teacher

Erin Hafner

Student Services

Headshot of Margaux Janks
Margaux Janks

PYP Teacher

Michelle Kaplan

MYP Teacher

Avital Katz

PYP Hebrew & Judaics Teacher

Kathy Klar

Preschool Assistant

Shelley Klugman

PYP Teacher

Kim Kozloff

PYP Teacher

Danielle Lapedus

PYP Teacher

Headshot of Melissa Levin
Melissa Levin

Student Services

Alexa Lewis

PYP Teacher

Eva MacCharles

MYP French Teacher

Headshot of Leah Mamalider
Leah Mamalider

PYP Hebrew & Judaics Teacher

David Martosh
David Martosh

MYP Teacher

Michelle Masters

PYP Teacher

Moshe Micha

Hebrew Teacher

Leanda Miller

PYP Teacher

Souad Mrabit

PYP Teacher

Headshot of David Nepon, Physical Education
David Nepon

MYP Teacher

Cindy Opler

MYP Teacher

Headshot of Carolyn Polster, Student Services.
Carolyn Polster

Student Services

Alexandra Robins

MYP Teacher

Katie Roche

PYP Teacher

Joanne Roitman

MYP Teacher

Irith Rosen

MYP Teacher & Hebrew Coordinator

Ashleigh Rosenthal

PYP Teacher

Joanna Sadowski

PYP/MYP Teacher

Headshot of Karen Salom
Karen Salom

Preschool Assistant

Jordana Silver

Preschool Assistant

Randi Solomon

Technology Integration Specialist & PYP Advisor

Vered Solomon

Preschool Assistant

Latoya Sousa

Preschool Assistant

June Starkey

MYP TEACHER

Julia Starr

MYP Teacher

Lauren Sversky

PYP Teacher

Headshot of Alina Tabak
Alina Tabak

MYP Teacher

Headshot of Tovah Tabacznik
Tovah Tabacznik

Student Services

Gene Teeger

MYP Teacher

Headshot of Miriam Toste
Miriam Toste

PYP Teacher

Naomi Vidal

MYP Teacher

Ilana Walderman

Preschool Advisor

Hannah Walsh

PYP Teacher

Mika Weiner

PYP Teacher

Leah Witz

PYP Teacher

A headshot of Joey Yancovitch.
Joey Yancovitch

Preschool Assistant

Headshot of Shari Zacks
Shari Zacks

Student Services

Headshot of Sara Zatzman
Sara Zatzman

PYP Teacher

Message from Board President

Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.

I have been a member of the LBDS board since 2017, serving most recently as the Vice President and Treasurer. It has been a pleasure working with the talented professionals on the board and the school’s staff. Together we have a shared passion for bringing out the best in LBDS’s students and supporting them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

The past two school years were a significant challenge for our community. I couldn’t be more proud of how our board and staff came together to deliver a safe school environment. It is this dedication and resiliency that has always defined Leo Baeck. I look forward to welcoming our students back to a more typical LBDS experience that includes Jewish traditions with family, carnivals, athletics, and other extra-curricular activities.

Last year we launched our new Mission and Vision, which serves as our north star. This year we also shared our new strategic plan, which will guide our growth and development over the next five years.

On a personal note, my wife Samantha and I are strong advocates of the school, with three children that are current or graduated students of Leo Baeck. You can find more information about my background below.

I look forward to representing Leo Baeck in the coming year and welcome any questions or comments you may have. I can be reached at president@leobaeck.ca

Sincerely,
Mitchell Glickman
President, Board of Directors

Mitch Glickman
Shayna Galante headshot
Shayna Galante

President
Mitch Glickman

Past President
Headshot of Robbie Bossin
Robbie Bossin

Vice President
Headshot of Rabbi Bielfeld
Rabbi Arthur Bielfeld

Honourary Chair
Headshot of David Poster
David Poster

Treasurer
Michelle Gordon

Secretary
Jordan Antflick
Len Bates
Jeff Bernstein
Sheldon Diamond
Headshot of Erez Eizenman
Erez Eizenman
Headshot of Joshua Freeman
Joshua Freeman
Marcia Gilbert
Rebecca Jerusalim smiling and looking directly at camera.
Dr. Rebecca Slan Jerusalim
Headshot of Greg Joffe
Greg Joffe
Jesse Otto
Eric Riz
Message from Board President

Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.

I have been a member of the LBDS board since 2017, serving most recently as the Vice President and Treasurer. It has been a pleasure working with the talented professionals on the board and the school’s staff. Together we have a shared passion for bringing out the best in LBDS’s students and supporting them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

The past two school years were a significant challenge for our community. I couldn’t be more proud of how our board and staff came together to deliver a safe school environment. It is this dedication and resiliency that has always defined Leo Baeck. I look forward to welcoming our students back to a more typical LBDS experience that includes Jewish traditions with family, carnivals, athletics, and other extra-curricular activities.

Last year we launched our new Mission and Vision, which serves as our north star. This year we also shared our new strategic plan, which will guide our growth and development over the next five years.

On a personal note, my wife Samantha and I are strong advocates of the school, with three children that are current or graduated students of Leo Baeck. You can find more information about my background below.

I look forward to representing Leo Baeck in the coming year and welcome any questions or comments you may have. I can be reached at president@leobaeck.ca

Sincerely,
Mitchell Glickman
President, Board of Directors

Mitch Glickman

Our Board Of Directors

Mitch Glickman

President
Headshot of Rabbi Bielfeld
Rabbi Arthur Bielfeld

Honourary Chair
Headshot of Cheryl Silver Posner
Cheryl Posner

Vice President

Headshot of David Poster
David Poster

Treasurer

Michelle Gordon

Secretary

Headshot of Marc Bissell
Marc Bissell
Headshot of Robbie Bossin
Robbie Bossin
Headshot of Leanne Campbell
Leanne Campbell
Headshot of Erez Eizenman
Erez Eizenman
Headshot of Joshua Freeman
Joshua Freeman
Shayna Galante headshot
Shayna Galante
Rebecca Jerusalim smiling and looking directly at camera.
Dr. Rebecca Slan Jerusalim
Headshot of Greg Joffe
Greg Joffe
Eric Riz portrait photo.
Eric Riz
Headshot of Pekka Sinervo
Pekka Sinervo

Have a question about attending Leo Baeck?

Admission Information

Shayna Galante

Shayna Galante is Senior Counsel for CANNEX Financial Exchanges Limited where she provides legal support on a range of corporate and regulatory matters. Prior to this role, she worked at Dentons Canada LLP for over 13 years as a lawyer in the litigation department and then moved to the firm’s internal risk management department where she worked as part of a global team advising lawyers and staff on a variety of risk, conflicts and compliance issues. Shayna obtained her B. Comm, with Distinction from the University of Alberta and her J.D. from the University of Toronto and is called to the Bar in both Alberta (2007) and Ontario (2013). Shayna has been on the Leo Baeck Board since 2020 and prior to that co-chaired the Leo Baeck Parents’ Association and has enjoyed many years volunteering in the school and community. Shayna and her husband Sean attended Jewish Day School in Alberta, where they grew up. They are proud parents of a recent Leo Baeck graduate and of two children attending Leo Baeck. Test gjgfyj

Mitchell Glickman

Mitchell Glickman is a finance and strategy executive, most recently serving as the Chief Financial Officer at Banyan Software, a business that acquires and grows enterprise software businesses. He was previously the Vice President of Corporate Development at Livingston International, where he led a team responsible for strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and major corporate initiatives. 

 

Earlier in his career, he held positions in strategy, financial planning and analysis, investment banking, and private equity. Mitch’s private sector work has typically involved partnering with senior executives and board members to drive strategic value. His non-profit experience includes Out of the Cold, UJA’s Bay Street Cabinet, and various leadership roles at Chicago Cares, a Chicago-based community volunteer organization. 

 

He has served on the Leo Baeck Board for eight years, most recently as President from 2022 to 2024, and Co-Presdient last year. Mitch earned an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario, and the ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Mitch and his wife Samantha have three children, all of whom are current or graduated students of Leo Baeck.

 

Robbie Bossin

Robbie Bossin leads the Finance and IT functions at Riverside Natural Foods, a fast-growing Canadian manufacturer of healthy snacks, including the MadeGood, GoodTo Go and Cookie Pal brands. Robbie received his BA in economics from York University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator.

Robbie is a strong supporter and fundraiser for the Parkinson Society of Canada, particularly as a participant and fundraiser in the Pedaling for Parkinson’s bike ride in memory of his dad, Larry. Robbie is passionate about sports and enjoys staying active with his kids through baseball, biking, skating and football.

Robbie and his wife Rebecca are the proud parents of two Leo Baeck students.

Rabbi Bielfeld

Rabbi Bielfeld retired in June 2001 after serving as the spiritual leader of Temple Emanu-El for 33 years. During his long history with the Congregation, Rabbi Bielfeld was an inspiration and the catalyst for innovative programming and social action endeavours. 

A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Rabbi Bielfeld graduated Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1964. 

Rabbi Bielfeld is the founding Rabbi and serves as the Honorary Chairperson of the Board of Directors of The Leo Baeck Day School, and has an extensive background in working with Jewish organizations focused on social justice initiatives to address hunger and poverty, among many others. Through his leadership and generous donation to the Tikkun Fund, The Leo Baeck Day School has established the Tikkun Project, which seeks to integrate Jewish values with social justice learning. 

On July 1, 2012 Rabbi Bielfeld was awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to Toronto’s Jewish community and his social justice work.

David Poster

David Poster is a strategic finance executive with over 20 years of experience in the wealth and asset management industry, currently working as Chief Financial Officer for Nicola Wealth, which serves the complex needs of high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice-President of Finance at a large publicly traded wealth management company, where he was also the CFO of its investment fund subsidiary, and sat on multiple Boards of Directors of wealth and asset management firms in Canada and the United States. His expertise includes work in strategic planning and budgeting, mergers and acquisitions, capital allocation, and financial reporting. David holds a B.Sc. from McGill University, as well as JD and MBA degrees from the University of Toronto and is a CFA Charterholder. David and his wife, Rebecca Cooper, are proud parents of two Leo Baeck students.

Michelle Gordon

Michelle Gordon is a privacy lawyer and consultant who specializes in the health care, education, and technology sectors. Prior to starting her own practice, Michelle worked in the Risk Advisory practice at Deloitte LLP and at a boutique privacy consulting firm. She has a passion for children’s privacy and for finding practical solutions that balance a complex legislative environment with the digital age. She previously served as a legal member on the Research Ethics Board at a Toronto hospital, and is a frequent speaker and writer on privacy law topics. Michelle has served on the Leo Baeck Board since September 2018, including on the Governance and Strategy Committees and as Secretary of the Board. Michelle received her Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa, and Master of Laws from the University of Toronto. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2006. Michelle and her husband, Josh Koziebrocki, are graduates of Toronto Jewish day schools and CHAT, and are the proud parents of one Leo Baeck graduate and two current students.

Len Bates

Union for Reform Judaism 

Len Bates is a seasoned Human Resources leader. He has spent over 25 years in various industries, including a five-year tenure at Upper Canada College. Currently, he is the head of his own successful HR consulting business. His academic background includes a BAA from Toronto Metropolitan University. Len is guided by a deep belief in the power of community—the idea that connection not only lifts the spirit but also builds resilience and belonging. He sits on the Union for Reform Judaism’s Executive Board and is a vice president at Temple Har Zion. In June, he will have concluded his term as president of the Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC). Additionally, he is a past chair of URJ Camp George’s Camp Council. Len lives in Newmarket with his wife, Sara. They are the proud parents of two adult children and share their home—and hearts—with two lively Airedale Terriers.

 

Jeff Bernstein

Jeff Bernstein is a third-generation insurance-focused estate planner, and the owner and managing partner of Seligman Insurance. He educates his clients and their professional advisors about philanthropic and insurance-based financial planning strategies.

Jeff earned a Masters degree in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School at Carleton University, with past professional experience encompassing collaborating on international human rights cases for a high-profile Canadian senator, guiding a team of engineers to build and ship software, and keeping the streets of East Africa and Southeast Asia safe from fake medicines (for real). Jeff has held board and committee leadership roles with Autism Ontario, UJA, and has fundraised for Baycrest and causes spanning mental wellbeing to social inclusion. An avid runner and outdoors enthusiast, Jeff and his wife, Dani, attended CHAT, and are proud to send their three children to Leo Baeck.

Sheldon Diamond

Sheldon Diamond is a retired educator with over 38 years of experience as a teacher, elementary school principal and curriculum consultant with the Toronto District School Board. He completed his Masters degree at the University of Western Ontario, and also worked as a history high school teacher in London, Ontario. He was a consultant on two history textbooks used across Canadian schools and spent a brief time as an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education at York University. After retiring from the Toronto Board, Sheldon worked for 6 years as the General Studies Principal at Associated Hebrew Schools (Danilack Campus). He was also hired to assist a Toronto Jewish High School to redefine their General Studies program. Sheldon and his wife Carol have three grandchildren at Leo Baeck and were members of Temple Har Zion in Thornhill for almost 30 years. He is an active member of the Grandparent Committee at Leo Baeck and a supporter of Jewish education and Reform Judaism.

Erez Eizenman

Erez Eizenman is a Senior Partner with McKinsey & Company and the Managing Partner of McKinsey’s office in Toronto. Erez has extensive experience serving financial, public sector, high tech, and telecom institutions with a focus on digitization, agile, technology transformation, and technology enablement to drive efficiency and effectiveness in enterprise environments. He also leads McKinsey’s global citizen experience service line.

Erez is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where he obtained an Engineering degree, and the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, where he finished first in his MBA class.

Erez grew up in Toronto, where he attended Jewish day school. Erez and his wife, Meg, have 2 children at Leo Baeck.

Joshua Freeman

Joshua Freeman is a litigation and dispute resolution lawyer at Freeman Legal, where he is dedicated to providing a bespoke and client-centric approach to the delivery of legal services. Josh has a broad and diverse legal practice, with a focus on contract, debtor-creditor, real estate and shareholder disputes. He holds an undergraduate degree (B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science and Philosophy from Huron University, University of Western Ontario, and a law degree (LL.B.) from the Faculty of Law, Queen’s University. Josh is a proud alumnus of Leo Baeck and CHAT. 

Josh and his wife Kelly are committed to upholding the strong devotion to Jewish education and community instilled in them by their families. They have two young children at Leo Baeck and are members of Holy Blossom Temple.

Rebecca Slan Jerusalim

Rebecca Slan Jerusalim is an Organizational Psychologist and Executive Director at Russell Reynolds. She serves as a senior advisor to executives, helping leaders to optimize talent. Her areas of specialty include assessments for selection and development, succession planning and advisory, executive coaching, top team effectiveness and competency modelling. She works across industries. Rebecca has been in the consulting industry since the early 2000s. Previously, she spent 11 years at another large global consultancy as a Senior Principal in the firm’s Leadership Advisory practice. A licensed psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, Rebecca earned her B.A. from McGill University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Guelph. She is published in peer-reviewed journals and business reports, and has been invited to speak at conferences. Rebecca and her husband, Craig, have three daughters at Leo Baeck, with one graduating June 2025. She has been a member of The Leo Baeck Day School Board for 8 years.

Gregory Joffe

Gregory Joffe is General Counsel for Instar Asset Management, a private equity firm focused on the North American middle market. He is a recognized industry leader, receiving the Canadian General Counsel Award for Mid-Market Excellence (2019), being named on The Legal 500’s Canadian GC Powerlist (2020), and making Lexpert’s list of Canada’s leading lawyers under 40 (2021). Gregory holds a Master of Business Administration degree, specializing in real estate and infrastructure, from the Schulich School of Business and a Juris Doctor degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and currently serves on the board and executive committee of the Israel Cancer Research Fund. Prioritizing knowledge-sharing and collaboration, Gregory serves as a sessional instructor in the Master of Real Estate and Infrastructure Program at the Schulich School of Business. Gregory and his wife Robin have three children at Leo Baeck with a fourth joining them in September 2025.

Jesse Otto

Jesse Otto is the Vice President of Treasury for AGI, a global manufacturing company serving the food and agriculture industries.  He has spent the past 10+ years working in corporate treasury after starting his career at Ernst & Young LLP and BMO Capital Markets. He has extensive experience in cash management, debt capital markets and financial planning and analysis.

Jesse received his Honours BBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Chartered Business Valuator (CBV).

Jesse and his wife Ashley Steinhauer grew up in Toronto and are the proud parents of two Leo Baeck students.

 

Eric Riz

Eric Riz is a technology entrepreneur and CEO with over 20 years of experience building and scaling innovative businesses at the intersection of data, productivity, and digital transformation. He is the Founder and CEO of eMark Consulting, a Microsoft-focused technology services firm specializing in Microsoft 365, enterprise strategy, governance, and AI adoption for public and private sector organizations. He is also the Founder of VERIFIED, a resume and profile verification service designed to bring trust and transparency to hiring. A four-time entrepreneur, Eric is a recognized leader in artificial intelligence strategy and enterprise AI integration. He advises executives on responsible AI implementation, data governance, and the operationalization of generative AI technologies. Eric has developed enterprise AI readiness frameworks, designed governance models to support AI-driven decision-making, and helped Fortune 500 companies deploy Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI, and large language model solutions aligned with compliance and security requirements. Eric is a six-time Microsoft MVP and a member of the Microsoft AI Advisory Board. His thought leadership in AI, digital debt, and data strategy has been featured in The Globe and Mail, Fox Business, Entrepreneur Magazine, and The Huffington Post. He regularly speaks at global conferences on the future of AI in business and is the author of the forthcoming book Digital Debt, which explores the growing divide between digital tools and organizational productivity. His philanthropic work includes The Gift of Life Foundation, Futurepreneur Canada and Princess Margaret Hospital 

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