Head of School Search Committee
Search Committee Chair
Norman Gras, alumnus (1968), parent of alumni Marla, Sam, and Ben, past president Board of Directors (2003-4).
The Silver Academy Parents
Mandy Cheskis, parent of alumnus Hallel (2014), and students Devorah (third grade) and Rina (second grade). Mandy has a dual career as a Speech Language Pathologist working in various skilled nursing facilities throughout Central Pennsylvania and as a Jewish Educator, most recently as the Director of Education for Chisuk Emuna Congregation for 13 years. She is a former Javitch Young Leader Award Winner, graduate and organizer of Limudim leadership program and has served on the Federation Board and Executive Board as well as the Board of Jewish Family Service, among many other community activities over her 17 years in Harrisburg.
Seena Chriti, proud parent of Silver Academy students Orit (fourth grade) and Meyer (first grade), and baby Atalya. Seena grew up in Mexico, where she attended Jewish day school and was actively involved in Jewish youth groups. During her college years she worked as a tennis specialist at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. Seena has a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, and a master’s degree in social science. Seena owned and operated an arts and crafts company in Miami, where she worked with schools, synagogues, and the Miami JCC.
Emily Halper, parent of Silver Academy student Jane (Kindergarten), and Henry (pre-Ganeinu). Emily is chief of staff for Blue Circle Leadership and serves on the Chisuk Emuna Board and is part of the JFGH's Leadership Cohort. She serves as a vice-president on The Silver Academy board of directors, and is co-chairing the Generations Campaign for The Silver Academy Foundation.
Lara Novak, parent of Silver Academy student Eli (Kindergarten), and Grace (pre-Ganeinu). Lara is the granddaughter of Regina Fields, daughter of Arthur and Debbie Kravitz, and wife of Kris Novak. In 1984 & 1985 Lara attended the Yeshiva Academy. Lara is a graduate of Central Dauphin High School, Penn State University, and Drexel University. Lara and her family returned to Harrisburg in early 2015 after 7 years in North Carolina. Lara works as a Physician Assistant & Mother.
Jaclyn Rubin has been the Director of Admissions at The Silver Academy for the past five years. Jackie is very passionate about Jewish day school, having attended it her entire life. She graduated high school from The Gann Academy in Waltham, MA and went on to study at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is married to Scott Rubin, a member of The Silver Academy class of 1998. Together they have three children- Noah, who is six years old and is in Kindergarten at The Silver Academy, Daniel, who is three years and will be in Ganeinu next year at The Silver Academy, and Samantha, who is five months old. Jackie is currently on maternity leave but is very excited to return to The Silver Academy in the fall to continue to help grow the school.
The Silver Academy Alumni
Emily Freeburn, board member and proud former silver academy student. Emily works as a Speech/Language Pathologist in an educational setting with preschoolers. Emily and her husband Gregg have a one year old daughter, a future Silver Academy student, Lillian.
Richard Weinstein, alumnus (1968), former Middletown Area School District Superintendent. Richard served 19 years with the district, beginning as coordinator of student services in 1993. In 2002, Richard became assistant superintendent, followed by his appointment as superintendent in 2007.
Arthur Hoffman, alumnus (1968), parent of alumni.
The Silver Academy Faculty
Mindy Lock, alumna (1968), spouse of alumnus Herschel Lock, parent of alumni Michael and Andy, former board member, has been teaching at The Silver Academy for over 10 years. She has a B.S. in elementary education, and a M.Ed. in special education. Before teaching at The Silver Academy, she taught in the Harrisburg School District for a number of years, specializing in the gifted/high achieving program.
Cheryl Sinoway, parent of alumni, has been teaching at The Silver Academy for over 20 years. She has a B.A. in elementary education from Goucher College and a M.A. in special education from Columbia University. Cheryl and her husband Larry moved to Harrisburg in 1984.
Jessica Wenzelburger, current 3rd, 4th, 5th grade General Studies teacher at The Silver Academy. Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Slippery Rock University in December of 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. Holds Pennsylvania Teaching Certifications including Elementary Education K-6 and Early Childhood Education N-3. This is her third year teaching at The Silver Academy. Mrs. Wenzelburger also coordinates The Silver Academy Student Council.
Community Representatives
Rabbi Eric Cytryn, Rabbi of Beth El Temple of Harrisburg, PA for the past fourteen years. Rabbi Cytryn is the parent of Jewish day school alumni Jacob and Sara who have careers in Jewish education and communal service. A graduate of the Joint Program of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University, Rabbi Cytryn holds Bachelor degrees in Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and a Master’s degree in Judaica. He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1981, and in 2007 received an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from the Seminary.
Yamit Remz Friedman, graduate of Jewish day schools in Boston, mother of future Silver Academy student Eden Friedman. Yamit specializes in elementary education and taught in New York City public schools for 4 years.
Norman Gras, alumnus (1968), parent of alumni Marla, Sam, and Ben, past president Board of Directors (2003-4).
The Silver Academy Parents
Mandy Cheskis, parent of alumnus Hallel (2014), and students Devorah (third grade) and Rina (second grade). Mandy has a dual career as a Speech Language Pathologist working in various skilled nursing facilities throughout Central Pennsylvania and as a Jewish Educator, most recently as the Director of Education for Chisuk Emuna Congregation for 13 years. She is a former Javitch Young Leader Award Winner, graduate and organizer of Limudim leadership program and has served on the Federation Board and Executive Board as well as the Board of Jewish Family Service, among many other community activities over her 17 years in Harrisburg.
Seena Chriti, proud parent of Silver Academy students Orit (fourth grade) and Meyer (first grade), and baby Atalya. Seena grew up in Mexico, where she attended Jewish day school and was actively involved in Jewish youth groups. During her college years she worked as a tennis specialist at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. Seena has a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, and a master’s degree in social science. Seena owned and operated an arts and crafts company in Miami, where she worked with schools, synagogues, and the Miami JCC.
Emily Halper, parent of Silver Academy student Jane (Kindergarten), and Henry (pre-Ganeinu). Emily is chief of staff for Blue Circle Leadership and serves on the Chisuk Emuna Board and is part of the JFGH's Leadership Cohort. She serves as a vice-president on The Silver Academy board of directors, and is co-chairing the Generations Campaign for The Silver Academy Foundation.
Lara Novak, parent of Silver Academy student Eli (Kindergarten), and Grace (pre-Ganeinu). Lara is the granddaughter of Regina Fields, daughter of Arthur and Debbie Kravitz, and wife of Kris Novak. In 1984 & 1985 Lara attended the Yeshiva Academy. Lara is a graduate of Central Dauphin High School, Penn State University, and Drexel University. Lara and her family returned to Harrisburg in early 2015 after 7 years in North Carolina. Lara works as a Physician Assistant & Mother.
Jaclyn Rubin has been the Director of Admissions at The Silver Academy for the past five years. Jackie is very passionate about Jewish day school, having attended it her entire life. She graduated high school from The Gann Academy in Waltham, MA and went on to study at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is married to Scott Rubin, a member of The Silver Academy class of 1998. Together they have three children- Noah, who is six years old and is in Kindergarten at The Silver Academy, Daniel, who is three years and will be in Ganeinu next year at The Silver Academy, and Samantha, who is five months old. Jackie is currently on maternity leave but is very excited to return to The Silver Academy in the fall to continue to help grow the school.
The Silver Academy Alumni
Emily Freeburn, board member and proud former silver academy student. Emily works as a Speech/Language Pathologist in an educational setting with preschoolers. Emily and her husband Gregg have a one year old daughter, a future Silver Academy student, Lillian.
Richard Weinstein, alumnus (1968), former Middletown Area School District Superintendent. Richard served 19 years with the district, beginning as coordinator of student services in 1993. In 2002, Richard became assistant superintendent, followed by his appointment as superintendent in 2007.
Arthur Hoffman, alumnus (1968), parent of alumni.
The Silver Academy Faculty
Mindy Lock, alumna (1968), spouse of alumnus Herschel Lock, parent of alumni Michael and Andy, former board member, has been teaching at The Silver Academy for over 10 years. She has a B.S. in elementary education, and a M.Ed. in special education. Before teaching at The Silver Academy, she taught in the Harrisburg School District for a number of years, specializing in the gifted/high achieving program.
Cheryl Sinoway, parent of alumni, has been teaching at The Silver Academy for over 20 years. She has a B.A. in elementary education from Goucher College and a M.A. in special education from Columbia University. Cheryl and her husband Larry moved to Harrisburg in 1984.
Jessica Wenzelburger, current 3rd, 4th, 5th grade General Studies teacher at The Silver Academy. Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Slippery Rock University in December of 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. Holds Pennsylvania Teaching Certifications including Elementary Education K-6 and Early Childhood Education N-3. This is her third year teaching at The Silver Academy. Mrs. Wenzelburger also coordinates The Silver Academy Student Council.
Community Representatives
Rabbi Eric Cytryn, Rabbi of Beth El Temple of Harrisburg, PA for the past fourteen years. Rabbi Cytryn is the parent of Jewish day school alumni Jacob and Sara who have careers in Jewish education and communal service. A graduate of the Joint Program of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University, Rabbi Cytryn holds Bachelor degrees in Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and a Master’s degree in Judaica. He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1981, and in 2007 received an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from the Seminary.
Yamit Remz Friedman, graduate of Jewish day schools in Boston, mother of future Silver Academy student Eden Friedman. Yamit specializes in elementary education and taught in New York City public schools for 4 years.
