ADMINISTRATION
Rabbi Shlomo Goldberg
Head of School/Menahel
rsg@yayoe.org
Rabbi Shlomo Goldberg has served for the last twenty-eight years as Dean of Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov/Ohr Eliyahu, a leading and innovative Yeshiva Elementary and Junior High School in the Los Angeles area. He received Rabbinic Ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and is a Phi Betta Kappa graduate of Austin College with a degree in Political Science. He previously served as the Rabbi of the congregations, and head of the Jewish Day Schools, in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Venice, California.
In addition to his education, administrative, and rabbinic activities, Rabbi Goldberg lectures world-wide on the topics of education, leadership, personal growth, marriage enrichment, and parenting. He is a facilitator for the “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” program, attended the Harvard University Summer Leadership Institute, completed a three-year fellowship as a Senior Leadership Fellow for the Yesud Maalah Program of Torah Umesorah, the National Council for Jewish Day Schools, (a program for which he is now a senior lecturer), was a winner of the 2003 Distinguished Educator Award given by the Milken Family Foundation, and winner of the 2005 Outstanding Educator Award from Torah Umesorah.
In addition, Rabbi Goldberg authors a weekly article on education and leadership, and his writings have appeared in the Klal Perspective Journal and the “Jewish Action,” “Jewish Observer,” “Bina,” Jewish Life and “Homodia” magazines. His book, “Al Pi Darko: On His Path,” was published by Feldheim Publishing Company in 2017 and is in its second printing.
Rabbi Eliezer Eidlitz
Executive Administrator
eeidlitz@yayoe.org
Rabbi Eidlitz is a native of Los Angeles and a student of Reb Simcha Wasserman, ztz”l. He resided in Bnei Brak, Israel for a number of years where he was a Talmid of Rav Shteinman, ztz”l in the Ponevezh Yeshiva.
Rabbi Eidlitz received smicha from Rabbi Ruderman at Ner Israel in Baltimore, Maryland where he was a Rebbe at the Ner Israel Yeshiva High School for 5 years. Since 1976 Rabbi Eidlitz has served as a school administrator and educator in California.
In addition Rabbi Eidlitz is the Rov of Bais Medrash Mordechai Yaakov; he is the author of “Is It Kosher?” and the founder of the Kosher Information Bureau a national clearing house and web site for all things kosher in the United States. Rabbi Eidlitz receives tens of thousands of emails from around the world inquiring about the verification of kashrus symbols and products.
Rabbi Eidlitz and his wife Debbie are the parents of 5 married children, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Malca Schwarzmer
Torah Studies Principal
mschwarzmer@yayoe.org
Mrs. Schwarzmer has been serving in the role of Limudei Kodesh Principal at Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov Ohr Eliyahu for over 30 years. Now principal of the Girls Division, she enjoys the success of her capable and talented staff under the leadership of Rabbi Goldberg.
Mrs. Schwarzmer received her B.A. from Queens College, where she majored in Political Science and Communications, and received her M.A. from Columbia University in International Affairs, specializing in policy analysis with a focus on the Middle East. She attended Teachers’ Institute for Women for six years, and studied at Machon Gold and Michlala College for Women as well.
In Los Angeles, Mrs. Schwarzmer taught at YULA Girls, where Rabbi Naftali Hexter was Principal, before joining YAYOE.
Mrs. Schwarzmer was a winner of the 1999 Distinguished Educator Award given by the Milken Family Foundation, and continues to teach Torah to all ages. She facilitates learning, and appreciates the zechus to have warm relationships with teachers, students, their children, and their children’s children.
Rabbi and Mrs. Schwarzmer have children and grandchildren who have attended or are attending YAYOE. Their son, Rabbi Tuvia Schwarzmer, is presently the Yeshiva’s Third Grade Rebbe.
Rabbi Yosef Bondi
Segan Menahel/Assistant Principal Boys’ Torah Studies
ybondi@yayoe.org
Rabbi Bondi originates from Kew Gardens, New York. He received Semicha – Yoreh Yoreh/Yadin Yadin from Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens NY, where he learnt for 14 years. While in Yeshiva, Rabbi Bondi was the personal secretary of the Rosh Hayeshiva, Rabbi Akiva Grunblatt Shlit”a. Rabbi Bondi also holds a masters’ degree from Trident University in Educational Leadership.
Prior to joining the YAYOE administration this past year, Rabbi Bondi was our 7th grade Rebbe. Rabbi Bondi served as well as an administrator in Boca Raton, Florida. Rabbi Bondi brings to YAYOE his educational and administrative talents and experience, coupled with his special and genuine warmth and care for each and every student. Besides being our Segan Menahel, Rabbi Bondi gives a weekly in depth Gemora shiur to YAYOE fathers.
Rabbi and Mrs Bondi (our 8th grade mechaneches) live in the Hancock Park area with their 4 children.
Rabbi Yaakov Jacknis
Assistant Principal Boys’ Limudei Kodesh Grades 5-8
rabbijacknis@yayoe.org
Rabbi Yaakov Jacknis, our 8th grade Rebbi, joined our Yeshiva 17 years ago. He originates from Monsey, New York. He went to Yeshiva Sha’ar Hatorah in Queens NY for high school and Bais Medrash. He then went on to learn in Yeshiva Mir Yerushalayim as a talmid muvhak of Rav Yosef Elefant shlit”a. Rabbi Jacknis is a graduate of the Ner Lelef chinuch training program as well as a graduate of the Torah Umesorah mashgiach training program. During the summer, Rabbi Jacknis runs Camp Yedid Nefesh, a boys day camp for 5th-8th graders.
At the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, Rabbi Jacknis added a new responsibility as a Segan Menahel, Assistant Principal for Boys Kodesh 5-8. Rabbi Jacknis is looking forward to many years of working with the children, parents, staff, and administration of YAYOE.
Rabbi and Mrs. Jacknis live in the Hancock Park area with their 6 children who are alumni and talmidim and talmidos of YAYOE.
Mrs. Shifra Mandel
Director of Graff-Rand Early Childhood Center
smandel@yayoe.org
Morah Mandel is the current Director of the YAYOE Graff Rand Early-Childhood Center. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Touro College and a Master’s in Early-Childhood Special Education from Daemen College and has trained under some of New York City’s premier Early-Childhood educators. Mrs. Mandel has been working in the field of education for about 18 years. Her experience includes teaching students in Preschool through high school and directing a Head Start Preschool Program. Mrs. Mandel is grateful for the opportunity to continue the legacy of excellence in Early Childhood Torah Education which has been established in Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov Ohr Eliyahu.
Mrs. Marty Fox
Director of Music and Fine Arts
mfox@yayoe.org
Mrs. Marty Fox is the Music and Enrichment Director at YAYOE. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice and Music Education and is Orff Shulwerk Level III certified. She is also completed a 3 year program in Jewish Music from where? She has coached voice for Kol Neshama Girls’ Performing Arts Conservatory, Ohel Chana High School and taught music for Crossroads Community Foundation (currently PS Arts). In partnership with the Milwaukee based Ruach Foundation she recently wrote RECORDERS PLAY JEWISH MUSIC, a teaching manual based on her experience teaching recorder at YAYOE.
Mrs. Fox has been teaching music, producing and directing plays, and developing special arts programs for YAYOE for 21 years.
Mrs. Gita Hirsch
Director of General Studies
ghirsch@yayoe.org
Mrs. Hirsch has been in the field of education for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Special Education from California State University, Northridge. The combination of her education and professional experience has allowed Mrs. Hirsch to develop and hone the use of many educational tools and strategies to promote engaged student learning.
Mrs. Hirsch’s greatest strengths include collaborative leadership and strategic planning which she has applied while evaluating, updating, and creating curriculums across all general studies content areas. Through teacher mentoring and curriculum development, she has helped promote rich, integrated, activity based classroom instruction to meet the needs of a diverse learning population.
Mrs. Hirsch truly enjoys the challenges of education, working with teachers, parents, and students, and the opportunities to help each child meet his or her learning potential. She feels privileged to be a member of the YAYOE administrative team. Mrs. Hirsch is very excited about her new position, and together with Mrs. Ashley Scotti, they will continue to create, develop and inspire administrators, staff, students and parents of YAYOE for many years to come.
Mrs. Hirsch and her husband Haim have six children, present and former students of YAYOE.
Mrs. Ashley Scotti
Administrative Assistant and WASC Coordinator
ascotti@yayoe.org
Ashley Scotti attended San Francisco State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She has been working at Ohr Eliyahu since 2010, serving as a lead general studies teacher in the elementary school for 11 years and on the administrative team for 9 years.
Currently, as an Administrative Assistant and WASC Coordinator, Mrs. Scotti is committed to supporting Ohr Eliyahu in the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement. Her responsibilities include overseeing administrative tasks, such as scheduling, record-keeping, and correspondence, to ensure that the educational institution functions smoothly. Simultaneously, she plays a crucial role in guiding the institution through the WASC accreditation process, from initial self-assessment to the final accreditation visit. Her work involves collaborating with staff and faculty to develop a culture of self-assessment, reflection, and improvement that aligns with WASC requirements. With a background in education and administrative functions and a deep understanding of the school, she is passionate about contributing to the growth and success of this very special Yeshiva.
Mrs. Scotti genuinely believes that every student deserves access to high-quality educational experiences. She is committed to fostering a positive and productive learning environment by supporting the school’s administrative needs and guiding the institution toward WASC accreditation, which, in turn, reflects the institution’s commitment to its students.
Mrs. Robin Goldberg
Director of Learning Potential Program
rgoldberg@yayoe.org
Mrs. Leora Ganchrow
Director of Student Development
lganchrow@yayoe.org