Leadership

Rabbi Shlomo Uzhansky

Founder

Rabbi Uzhansky was born in Kiev, Ukraine, and raised in Philadelphia. Prior to receiving his rabbinical ordination from Lakewood’s Beth Medresh Gvoah, he studied in Yeshivot both in Israel and the U.S. Rabbi U, as he is most commonly known as, spent much time developing culturally sensitive programming for Russian-speaking Jews across the United States. His great passion is creating opportunities for Jewish people of all backgrounds to meaningfully connect to their heritage. Having come from a background identical to that of the vast majority of the schools parent body, Rabbi Uzhansky is able to relate to these families and put their minds at ease with commiting their children to Jewish education.

Dr. Chana Uzhansky

Head of School

Dr. Uzhansky (aka- Morah Chana) was born in Philadelphia, PA to a family of former refuseniks, Barry and Elena Iann. After graduating from Bruriah High School, Dr. Uzhansky went on to study in Israel at B’not Torah Institute. Following her year abroad she began to pursue a career in education at Touro College and was awarded with an academic scholarship to participate in their accelerated Educators Honor’s Program. Dr. Uzhansky graduated in 2003 with a Masters in Education and Special Education certified to teach students from kindergarten through twelfth grade in all subject areas specializing in Special Education and mathematics. Since graduating, she has taught in elementary, middle, and high school general and special education classrooms as well as worked with students with disabilities as an Early Intervention specialist with A.B.A experience and training. With more than a decade of experience in Leadership Administration, Dr. Uzhansky is a certified Educational Supervisor and an expert in educational evaluations and Singapore Math with a Doctorate in Exceptional Childhood Education conferred to her from Northcentral University. Morah Chana’s greatest passion is to learn and inspire her student to love the actual quest of knowledge. “Ain Simcha K’Hateres Sfekos”, there is no joy like the resolution of doubt, is her everyday motto.

Mrs. Ilanit Dinar

Business Manager

Ilanit Dinar is the daughter of a Jewish Ukrainian born mother who immigrated to Israel and instilled in her children the importance of Jewish heritage. Being born in the US, Ilanit went to yeshiva her entire academic career and she graduated from Flatbush High School. Together with her husband, she continues with sending their own children to Yeshiva as preserving Jewish heritage is something they value immensely. Ilanit graduated from Briarcliff College with an Associate’s Degree in Business. She obtained Series 7 and 63 License and worked in Bear Sterns as a registered sales assistant. With her financial background she helps run SIHA’s administration efficiently. She is extremely dedicated to SIHA as she strongly believes in its mission of a great academic education while teaching the students to have a love and appreciation for their Jewish roots.

Mrs. Rosskamm

Judaic Studies Curriculum Coordinator

Jewish History Teacher

Mrs. Chaya Rosskamm joined our administrative staff as Judaics Curriculum Coordinator this year. With her strong Jewish background, she brings generations of Jewish observance with her. Both her parents were Judaics Teachers at different times. She grew up in Brooklyn, NY and attended Yeshiva of Brooklyn High School. In Yeshiva of Brooklyn High School, she took an intensive course in Judaics Studies for 4 hours a day covering Chumash, Navi, Megillah, Ketuvim, the Weekly Torah Portion, Jewish Holidays, Jewish Law, Jewish Ethics, Jewish Writings, Yahadut-Jewish Thought and other topics. She also covered the full Regents Curriculum graduating with an Advanced Regents Diploma including Regents in Math A, Math B, Living Environment, Earth Science, Chemistry, Global History, American History, ELA, and Hebrew Language. She also took courses in Health, Nutrition, Physical Fitness, Art and Music. She then attended Lakewood Teachers Seminary for a year which covered an extensive course specifically geared to teaching Judaic Subjects. She continued her education with a Masters in Childhood Education and Special Education Summa Cum Laude from the Institute for Special Education. She has developed curriculum for American History, Current Events, Jewish History, Chumash for Upper Elementary, Jewish Holidays for Upper Elementary and for teaching Yahadut-Jewish thought on a High School Level. She carries her extensive background, education, and experience with her to her work at SIHA.

Mrs. Cynthia Adams

Elementary School Supervisor

1st Grade Teacher

Mrs. Adams had taught in both public and private schools in New York City for over 20 years. She has a Master of Science Degree in Education and has taught in grades Pre-K through 8. As a seasoned teacher, her primary goal is to create a classroom environment that is conducive to helping students learn and develop their skills in a variety of ways.

Teaching them to be independent, respectful, and responsible are her goals for her first graders since such characteristics are stepping stones to a healthy self-esteem and a lifetime of success.

As the Elementary School Supervisor, Mrs. Adams is dedicated to supporting the elementary school teachers and staff in ensuring that each child’s academic story is a successful one.

Mrs. Suncica Hazen

Assistant Principal

ELA and Social Studies teacher, grade 8

Mrs. Hazen joined SIHA as Ms. Tatic in 2016, and from the first day was impressed by both the level of care and attention shown by all the staff in regards to the students, and by the brightness and inventiveness of her students.
She is a graduate of Youngstown State University and hold a B.A. in Professional Writing and Editing, as well as a B.S. in Integrated Language Arts Education. She holds a NYS Teacher’s certification in ELA for grades 7-12.
Although she started as a high school teacher, making the change to middle school school has been exciting and truly enjoyable. Mrs. Hazen sincerely looks forward to seeing her students shine in learning every day!

As the Assistant Principal, Mrs. Hazen works diligently to support other secular teachers in making every student a success at SIHA.