CJDS Senior Leadership Team
Susan Siegel – Head of School
Susan has over 25 years of experience as an educator, including more than 23 years in Jewish Day School education and administration. She served at Gross Schechter Day School in Cleveland, Ohio, from 2001-2013, eventually becoming the Interim Head of School. In 2013, she became the Head of School at B’nai Shalom Day School in Greensboro, North Carolina. Susan has developed curricula, managed staffing, and provided visionary leadership. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Indiana University, a Master’s in Education from Notre Dame University, and is a graduate of the Day School Leadership Institute at the Jewish Theological Seminary. She also attended the Harvard Principal’s Program and completed fellowships focused on Jewish Experiential Learning and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In her free time, Susan enjoys spending time with her family, walking with her husband and dog, practicing yoga and Pilates, reading, and cooking.
Kristy Kushmaul – Business Manager
Kristy Kushmaul brings over two decades of experience in the early education field and is passionate about fostering meaningful learning experiences. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. Kristy loves witnessing those "aha" moments that make education so rewarding. She is proud to be part of the CJDS community, a school that provides both a nurturing environment and strong academic foundation for its students. Outside of school, Kristy enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, gathering with friends, and cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Reds.
Julie Mikalov – Director of Admissions and 2nd Grade Teacher
Julie is a graduate of the Teaching All Learners program at Indiana University, where she honed her skills in implementing effective strategies for diverse classrooms with students of varying abilities. She holds dual credentials in elementary and special education. With over 10 years of teaching experience at CJDS, Julie thrives in the collaborative environment that defines the school. From the start, she was drawn to the supportive and welcoming faculty and staff. Outside of the classroom, Julie enjoys traveling, volunteering, rooting for her favorite Ohio sports teams, and spending quality time with her husband and son.
Eran Rosenberg – Director of Jewish Life and Learning
Eran serves as Director of Jewish Life and Learning, the chair of the Judaic Studies department and teaches Hebrew language and Jewish Studies, grades 4 and 5. Born and raised in Israel, Eran began his professional career as an organizational and occupational psychologist evaluating educational systems and instruction, both in Israel and abroad. A former tank commander in the IDF, Eran is now passionate about being a Jewish Educator in Columbus, and promotes the love of learning with all his soul and all his might. Eran devotes countless hours to offering every one of his students a fully experiential, personally relevant, and intellectually rigorous Jewish education. He has developed numerous creative pedagogical and curricular resources, many of which have been featured in workshops in Columbus and beyond. Eran regularly incorporates creative play into his teaching methods and, accordingly, has amassed an impressive collection of masks and costumes to engage his learners in new and exciting ways all the time.
He was awarded the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education and the Lasday Jewish Educator of the Year Award (2010) and was the recipient of the CJDS Hokhmah award (2023), as the school celebrated its 25th anniversary. Eran is a founding member of the National Association of Teachers of Hebrew and is involved with developing and sharing educational materials across the field of North American Jewish day schooling. Eran is also active in the Jewish life of Columbus, serving on the steering committee of the Partnership Together Program (a program connecting Kfar Saba, Israel, and the Columbus Jewish communities), offering B’nai Mitzvah instruction, chanting Torah at a variety of synagogues, conducting children’s programs, serving and leading on community holiday planning committees, and acting in local community theater. Eran especially enjoys hosting friends in his home for meaningful Shabbat and holiday meals.
Amanda Chernyak – Director of Operations
Amanda brings a wealth of experience to her role, with over 15 years of administrative expertise in both medical and educational settings. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University and is a passionate advocate for the power and importance of education and student safety. Dedicated and committed, Amanda consistently goes above and beyond for students, families, and staff at CJDS. Outside of her professional life, Amanda cherishes time spent with her family and friends. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and takes great joy in seeing her children thrive in their various activities. Amanda's well-rounded approach to life and work makes her a valuable member of our community.
Columbus Jewish Day School Board
Our Board of Trustees is comprised of current parents, grandparents, and community members who are extremely dedicated and generous with their time and resources.
Board Responsibilities Include:
Creating and maintaining the mission and vision of the school
Establishing policies for the school to ensure that the mission of the institution is pursued and upheld
Developing and implementing a strategic plan
Financial oversight of the school, including budget and fundraising efforts.
Creating and maintaining the mission and vision of the school
CJDS Board President, Ken Gold
Ken is a founding CJDS Board member, parent and current CJDS grandparent. Recognized as an innovative leader in business real estate development, Ken is the former CEO, and current Chief Growth Officer, at Skilken Gold Real Estate Development.
Other Community roles Ken has held include Executive Board Member of Columbus Jewish Federation, Chair of the Israel Department, Hillel Board Member, Congregation Tifereth Israel Board Member and Director of the Real Estate Center at Fisher College of Business.
Members at Large: 2025-2026
Stephanie Wapner, First Vice President - A Senior Lecturer and Program Director at OSU’s Fisher College of Business, Stephanie rejoins the Board as First Vice President. Stephanie is mom to 2024 CJDS graduate David and rising fifth grader Leo.
Josh Feinberg, Immediate Past President - The proud parent of a CJDS alumnus, Josh has served on the board since 2020. CJDS has been an important part of the Feinberg/Zelkind family since they moved from Brooklyn to Bexley in 2016, and Josh is passionate about making a CJDS education available to even more families across Central Ohio. In his non-CJDS time, Josh works as a writer and content developer for museums, arts institutions, and historic sites around the country.
Katie Rotenberg, Secretary - Bio Coming Soon!
Paul Lamb, Treasurer - Bio Coming Soon!
Avi Allen - Director of Operations at the Wexner Foundation. Originally from St. Paul, MN, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brandeis University with a double major in Near Eastern Judaic Studies and History, later earning a JD from Washington University School of Law. Avi practiced employment law for nearly a decade before transitioning to mission-driven work as Executive Director at Congregation Agudas Achim in Columbus, Ohio. An active Jewish community leader, he has served roles at his synagogue and Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. Avi enjoys outdoor adventures with his wife Sarah and their children and playing recreational sports.
Jane Bodner - Bio Coming Soon!
Marlene Brisk - A councilwoman for the city of New Albany and is a member of several city panels and boards. She works in the field of commercial real estate management as Senior Vice-President and Counsel at Schottenstein Property Group. She earned a BS degree with a finance major from The Ohio State University Fisher Business School and a Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law. She and her late husband were founders of CJDS, and their oldest daughter was in the very first kindergarten class. Her three adult daughters and her son-in-law are her pride and joy!
Rivka Cohen - After living in New York for some time, Rivka returned to her Ohio roots with her husband and two children (future CJDS students!) a few years ago. She is an independently licensed social worker at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Rivka participated in the 4th Leadership JewishColumbus cohort and was a member of the CJDS Head of School Search Committee In 2023-2024 prior to joining the board.
Rabbi Hillel Skolnik, Chair Committee on Trustees - CJDS Parent, Rabbi S., was ordained at Jewish Theological Seminary of America in May, 2011. After serving as the rabbi of the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation for seven years, Rabbi Hillel and his family moved to Columbus in the summer of 2018 where he now serves as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Tifereth Israel.
Sue Kagen Podell - From the Washington, D.C. area, Sue holds degrees in Clinical Nutrition and Nutrition Communications from the University of Maryland and Boston University. A Registered and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), she founded SKP Inc., a private practice focused on diabetes and eating disorders. Sue has served in leadership roles within Jewish communities in Chicago and Columbus, including as a trustee for JewishColumbus and Columbus Jewish Day School. She lives in Gahanna, OH, with her husband Michael and their yellow lab, Beanie Baby.
Dr. Jeffrey Tilson - Returning to Columbus 48 years ago after serving two years in the U.S. Navy as a dentist provided Jeffrey with the opportunity to build both a dental practice and a family. Together with Bethanne, he raised three daughters—Julie, Jamie, and Katie. Julie, along with her three sons, all of whom attended CJDS, now works at Jewish Columbus. Jeffrey has served on numerous boards within the community and has led two missions to Israel. Most importantly, he takes great pride in serving the growing Jewish community and remains committed to continuing this work.
Ofra Greenshtein - Born and raised in Israel and South America, speaks fluent English, Spanish, and Hebrew. She moved to the U.S. in 2008 to work with L Brands and has 27 years of experience as a global supply chain executive. After serving in the Israeli Air Force, she built expertise in strategic planning, contract negotiations, and organizational change.
Married with three children, Ofra remains deeply connected to Israel, volunteering with the Jewish community and co-founding Bracelets for Israel to support Kfar Aza. Now a consultant for overseas vendors and U.S. brand founders, she frequently travels to Israel to assist her mother.
Tobi Gold, Lifetime Non-Voting Board Member