Our Team
Rabbi Jonathan Rietti, MSED Co-Founder, Trustee & Curriculum Director
Dr. Julianne Costa OTR/L, PT, DPT Child Development Director
Morah Shaindy Kempler Co-Head Teacher, Gan Aliya
Morah Nancy Mendelsohn Co-Head Teacher, Gan Aliya
Morah Amy Hope Friedman Head Teacher, Bnos Aliya Elementary
Morah Daphna Schmidt Teacher
Morah Natasha Neubauer, LMSW Teacher
Dini Neidich Administrator
ADvisory Board
DR. Lynn J Burkes, MD, child and adolescent psychiatrist
Dr. Nava Silton, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology-Advisory Board of Gan aliya
Rabbi Jonathan Rietti, msed; Trustee & Educational director
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Rabbi Jonathan Rietti - a descendant of the Sephardic leader the Ben Ish Chai and son of the famous British actor Robert Rietti, known as ‘The Man of a Thousand Voices' and ‘King of the Dubbers' - received his rabbinical ordination from Gateshead Talmudical College, England, after which he helped establish the now flourishing Kollel in Gibraltar. Having received a Master's of Science in Education (MSEd), he practiced for twenty-eight years as an educational consultant to parents of gifted children and those with ADD.
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Rabbi Rietti has developed an “Al Pi Darko” curriculum that dovetails a Torah education with Montessori methodology. The method uses multiple intelligence modalities to reach different children in their area of strength. Rabbi Rietti directs an “Al Pi Darko” teacher-training program sponsored by Mishkan Yecheskel in Brooklyn, New York utilizing his model classroom with hundreds of innovative educational materials. Rabbi Rietti consults for numerous schools across the nation and helps direct Gan Aliya’s sister “Al Pi Darko” programs at the Beth Jacob of Boro Park, Yeshivas Darchei Aliya, and Yeshivas Bnei Torah in Brooklyn.
Rabbi Rietti leads Gan Aliya in his capacities as Trustee and Educational Advisor. He has worked with Gan Aliya from its inception, assisting in the training and hiring of teachers who model the Al Pi Darko method. He currently focuses on advising and following the progress of the teachers in delivering Al Pi Darko methods to the Gan Aliya children.
Rabbi Rietti leads Gan Aliya in his capacities as Trustee and Educational Advisor. He has worked with Gan Aliya from its inception, assisting in the training and hiring of teachers who model the Al Pi Darko method. He currently focuses on advising and following the progress of the teachers in delivering Al Pi Darko methods to the Gan Aliya children.
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Dr. Julianne Costa, OTR/L, PT, DPT; CHILD DEVELOPMENT director
Julianne is a registered, licensed occupational and physical therapist with over 25 years of experience specializing in pediatrics whose doctorate explored infant and child development from a neuroscience perspective. Julianne holds additional certifications in Sensory Integration and Neurodevelopmental Treatment. Julianne received her BS in Occupational Therapy, her MS in Physical Therapy from Boston University Sargent College, and her Doctor of Science (ScD) in Neuroscience with a concentration in Motor Control from Harvard University. She works directly with children as an independent contractor as well as in several neonatal and pediatric intensive care units in Manhattan. She is a clinical supervisor for Early Intervention and has taught pediatric-focused courses at Columbia University, New York University and several other universities as well as numerous continuing education seminars. She has consulted for a number of preschools in NYC for the past 10 years collaborating with teachers and administrators to develop successful child-centered, developmentally appropriate programs.
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Morah Shaindy Kempler; Co-Head Teacher, gan aliya
Prior to joining Gan Aliya, Morah Shaindy was the beloved head teacher of the 3-6 year old class at Reishis Chochma Montessori of Toronto, the same school where Morah Temmy began teaching Montessori 13 years ago and where Morah Temmy previously acted as head teacher. Morah Shaindy has acquired eight years of Montessori teaching experience and a Montessori teaching diploma for which she was tested by Rabbi Jonathan Rietti. Morah Shaindy also obtained a teaching certification in Hebrew reading (kriah) from Rabbi Yaakov HaShalem and has completed the kriah teacher’s workshop by Rabbi Meir Zev Blau, author of Kriah Neima. Morah Shaindy has become a Montessori instructor for training other teachers.
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Morah NANCY MENDELSOHN; Co-Head Teacher, gan aliya
Nancy Mendelsohn’s Montessori teaching career spans 23 years. Between 1993 and 2005, she served as head teacher for ages 3-6 at several Montessori schools in Connecticut and New York, including the Hudson Country Montessori School in Danbury, CT and ThistleWaithe Learning Center in South Salem, NY. From 2005-2013, Nancy founded, owned and operated The Homeroom, an academic Montessori–based kindergarten enrichment program in Katonah, NY. During those years, Nancy dedicated many volunteer hours as an ESL tutor and director of an after-school homework help program serving children and adults from Central America in Bedford, NY. Nancy has lived in Manhattan since May 2015. Prior to joining Gan Aliya, Nancy held the position of head teacher at Montessori Kids of Long Island City, where she was responsible for overseeing the toddler and pre-k education in five classrooms.
Nancy obtained her BA in Public Affairs and Government from Mount Vernon College in Washington, DC. Her Montessori Certification is from The Montessori St. Nicholas Centre in London. Nancy completed training in Preventing Academic Failure, a comprehensive program for teaching reading, writing, and spelling in the primary grades using multisensory techniques, at the Windward School Teacher Training Institute in White Plains, NY.
Nancy obtained her BA in Public Affairs and Government from Mount Vernon College in Washington, DC. Her Montessori Certification is from The Montessori St. Nicholas Centre in London. Nancy completed training in Preventing Academic Failure, a comprehensive program for teaching reading, writing, and spelling in the primary grades using multisensory techniques, at the Windward School Teacher Training Institute in White Plains, NY.
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Morah AMY Hope Friedman; Head Teacher, bnos aliya elementary
Morah Amy graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a degree in Economics and History. She earned her Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees at New York University, where she also served as an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Economics. After law school she joined Cravath, Swaine & Moore in the Corporate Department.
Morah Amy discovered Montessori when her eldest child was about to enter nursery school. For many years, while practicing law and raising her four children, she remained a fan of all things Montessori. Last year she decided to pay attention to her heart’s desire and enrolled full-time in the nine-month certification program offered by the renowned Association Montessori International at the Montessori Training Center Northeast. This summer she will pursue her lower elementary Montessori certification at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. She will also be obtaining limudei kodesh training from our own Rabbi Jonathan Rietti.
Morah Amy studied Hebrew alongside her children at Ulpan Akiva in Netanya, Israel. She brings her love of Torah, Hebrew, and Israel to us. She is thrilled to be part of the ambitious vision that is Bnos Aliya.
Morah Amy discovered Montessori when her eldest child was about to enter nursery school. For many years, while practicing law and raising her four children, she remained a fan of all things Montessori. Last year she decided to pay attention to her heart’s desire and enrolled full-time in the nine-month certification program offered by the renowned Association Montessori International at the Montessori Training Center Northeast. This summer she will pursue her lower elementary Montessori certification at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. She will also be obtaining limudei kodesh training from our own Rabbi Jonathan Rietti.
Morah Amy studied Hebrew alongside her children at Ulpan Akiva in Netanya, Israel. She brings her love of Torah, Hebrew, and Israel to us. She is thrilled to be part of the ambitious vision that is Bnos Aliya.
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Morah daphne Schmidt; Teacher
Daphna Schmidt loves working with young children. She recently completed her fifth year as the assistant teacher in Jewish and secular subjects at the Robert J. Wilf Preschool and Kindergarten at the Kaiserman (Philadelphia) JCC in Pennsylvania. Daphna also served as a substitute teacher at the prestigious The Philadelphia School, and other schools in the Lower Merion District. Daphna has completed her coursework and expects to receive her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and her Music Education Certification from Immaculata University in December 2016. Growing up with Israeli parents, Daphna is fluent in Hebrew and will also offer Hebrew circles at Gan Aliya.
For the past decade, Daphna taught orchestra, band, trumpet, jazz band, and also worked as a Zumba instructor. Daphna has performed and taught trumpet since high school. She was selected as a member of the renowned Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) and became the lead trumpet in the Symphony and the Advanced Jazz Band at the New England Music Camp. Daphna won the Concerto Competition at Susquehanna University, which led to her solo performance with the university’s symphony orchestra. Daphna has performed with the Temple University Night Owls Orchestra, the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, the Delaware Spartan Jazz Band, EBE Entertainment Group, the Ottone Brass Trio and at the Philadelphia jazz venue, The Clef Club
For the past decade, Daphna taught orchestra, band, trumpet, jazz band, and also worked as a Zumba instructor. Daphna has performed and taught trumpet since high school. She was selected as a member of the renowned Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) and became the lead trumpet in the Symphony and the Advanced Jazz Band at the New England Music Camp. Daphna won the Concerto Competition at Susquehanna University, which led to her solo performance with the university’s symphony orchestra. Daphna has performed with the Temple University Night Owls Orchestra, the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, the Delaware Spartan Jazz Band, EBE Entertainment Group, the Ottone Brass Trio and at the Philadelphia jazz venue, The Clef Club
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Morah Natasha Neubauer, LMSW;Teacher
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Morah Natasha graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Community Action and Social Change. She obtained her Masters in Social Work from Columbia University, where she specialized in Children, Youth and Families, with a focus on Play Therapy. Morah Natasha's academic and leadership achievements have been honored by Phi Beta Kappa, University Honors, The Golden Key International Honors Society, and The National Society of Leadership and Success.
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Morah Natasha fell in love with teaching during her second year graduate internship. She currently teaches in the nursery of the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood. This Summer, she plans to obtain her Montessori teaching certification from The Montessori Training Center Northeast, and to train in Jewish Montessori from our very own Morah Shaindy.
Natasha learned full time in seminary in Eretz Yisroel at Midreshet Rachel V’Chaya. She currently lives right in our neighborhood on the Upper West Side with her husband, Matthew Neubauer. Morah Natasha is delighted to join our team and is looking forward to bringing her love of learning, children, and yiddishkeit to the Gan Aliya!
Natasha learned full time in seminary in Eretz Yisroel at Midreshet Rachel V’Chaya. She currently lives right in our neighborhood on the Upper West Side with her husband, Matthew Neubauer. Morah Natasha is delighted to join our team and is looking forward to bringing her love of learning, children, and yiddishkeit to the Gan Aliya!
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Dini Neidich; Administrator and teacher's assistant
Dini grew up in New Jersey and attended Bruriah High School. After graduating, she spent a year studying in Israel at Midreshet Tehillah. She attended Touro College located right here on the Upper West Side and was a proud member of the Judaic Studies Honors program. In school, she loved learning Torah while simultaneously obtaining a BA in Psychology. She has previous experience working in a Montessori early childhood program located in Rockaway, N.J. and is enthusiastic about its ideals and goals. Throughout High School and College, Dini taught Hebrew school for children of all ages.
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Dr. Lynn J Burkes, MD, Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
—Advisory Board of Gan Aliya
—Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center
—She has won a number of awards, including Top 10 Doctors and Castle Connolly Top Doctors: New York Metro Area.
—Board Certifications:
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Child & Adolescent Psychiatry), 1978
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology-Psychiatry, 1977
—Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Medical Center
—She has won a number of awards, including Top 10 Doctors and Castle Connolly Top Doctors: New York Metro Area.
—Board Certifications:
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Child & Adolescent Psychiatry), 1978
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology-Psychiatry, 1977
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Dr. Nava Silton, PH.D., ssociate Professor of Psychology-Advisory Board of Gan Aliya
Silton, a Developmental Psychologist, received her B.S. from Cornell University in 2002 and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Fordham University in 2009. Silton has worked at Nickelodeon, Sesame Street Workshop, and Mediakidz. She has taught undergraduate and graduate psychology courses at Fordham University, Hunter College, Touro College and is now an Associate Professor of Psychology at Marymount Manhattan College. She served as a Postdoctoral Templeton Fellow at the Spears Research Institute from 2009-2010, and has recently consulted on projects conducted by the Autism Seaver Center, Sesame Street Workshop and Netflix.
Silton’s primary research interests include determining how to: (1) Enhance typical children’s sensitivity to children with disabilities, (2) Teach social-emotional and cognitive skills to children with disabilities, how to (3) Harness Assistive Technology to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and (4) Explore the interface between religion and health.
Silton has published over a dozen articles in the area of religion and health and has published her most recent peer-reviewed journal articles and edited books in the areas of disabilities, media and creativity. Nava published her first book, Innovative Technologies to Benefit Children with Autism, in March 2014; her second edited book, Recent Advances in Assistive Technologies to Support Children with Developmental Disorders, in June 2015; her third edited book, Exploring the Benefits of Creativity in Education, Media and the Arts, in June 2016; and her fourth, Family Dynamics and Romantic Relationships in a Changing Society, in June 2017.
She is currently testing her children’s television show, Addy & Uno and her graphic novel series, Realabilities, in dozens of schools across the country. Addy & Uno and Realabilities celebrate the wondrous abilities within disability and showcase five characters with disabilities (Autism, ADHD, Physical Disability, Visual Impairment and Hearing Impairment), who harness their special strengths to solve exciting mysteries and unite to rehabilitate bullies in their school. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of favorable coverage of disabilities in children’s media and literature. Addy & Uno and Realabilities intend to fill this significant void in children's media and literature so that individuals with disabilities can see themselves represented positively on-screen, and typical children and adults can become increasingly knowledgeable, sensitive and interested in their peers with disabilities. Therefore, much of Silton’s work focuses on disability awareness via programming and on promoting a stop bullying platform in schools.
Additionally, Nava is a Psychology point person for Fox 5 News and NBC News. Silton is also a weekly coach for Special Olympics Gymnastics, helps run weekly Jewish learning and visiting the sick programs, and chairs a variety of fundraising initiatives in Manhattan. Nava is married to Dr. Ariel Brandwein, a Pediatric ICU fellow at LIJ Medical Center, and is the proud mother of three wonderful little guys, Judah, Jonah and Jacob Brandwein.
Silton’s primary research interests include determining how to: (1) Enhance typical children’s sensitivity to children with disabilities, (2) Teach social-emotional and cognitive skills to children with disabilities, how to (3) Harness Assistive Technology to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and (4) Explore the interface between religion and health.
Silton has published over a dozen articles in the area of religion and health and has published her most recent peer-reviewed journal articles and edited books in the areas of disabilities, media and creativity. Nava published her first book, Innovative Technologies to Benefit Children with Autism, in March 2014; her second edited book, Recent Advances in Assistive Technologies to Support Children with Developmental Disorders, in June 2015; her third edited book, Exploring the Benefits of Creativity in Education, Media and the Arts, in June 2016; and her fourth, Family Dynamics and Romantic Relationships in a Changing Society, in June 2017.
She is currently testing her children’s television show, Addy & Uno and her graphic novel series, Realabilities, in dozens of schools across the country. Addy & Uno and Realabilities celebrate the wondrous abilities within disability and showcase five characters with disabilities (Autism, ADHD, Physical Disability, Visual Impairment and Hearing Impairment), who harness their special strengths to solve exciting mysteries and unite to rehabilitate bullies in their school. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of favorable coverage of disabilities in children’s media and literature. Addy & Uno and Realabilities intend to fill this significant void in children's media and literature so that individuals with disabilities can see themselves represented positively on-screen, and typical children and adults can become increasingly knowledgeable, sensitive and interested in their peers with disabilities. Therefore, much of Silton’s work focuses on disability awareness via programming and on promoting a stop bullying platform in schools.
Additionally, Nava is a Psychology point person for Fox 5 News and NBC News. Silton is also a weekly coach for Special Olympics Gymnastics, helps run weekly Jewish learning and visiting the sick programs, and chairs a variety of fundraising initiatives in Manhattan. Nava is married to Dr. Ariel Brandwein, a Pediatric ICU fellow at LIJ Medical Center, and is the proud mother of three wonderful little guys, Judah, Jonah and Jacob Brandwein.