About Us
Our Mission
RPRY empowers thinkers and enriches souls.
A pillar of the Jewish community in Central New Jersey for 80 years, the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva instills in students a love of Torah, the Jewish people, and the Land and State of Israel. We value all wisdom as part of a Torah worldview and educate children to achieve their highest potential, develop self-reflective and creative minds, and embrace their diverse learning styles. As a warm community of learners, we cultivate students from early childhood through eighth grade who are independent and inclusive, caring and confident, engaged members of society and faithful servants of Hashem.
Administration
Rabbi Michael Ribalt
Head of School
Rabbi Ribalt is a graduate of Yeshiva University. He pursued advanced rabbinical studies at YU for three years and then earned semicha Yoreh Yoreh from Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam under Rabbi Faskowitz. He has an M.S. in Jewish education from the Azrieli Graduate School, a certificate in leadership and administration from YU, and a certificate in the art of leadership from Harvard University’s Principal Center.
Mr. Nesanel Baida
Director of Finance and Operations
Nesanel brings with him a strong professional background in accounting, finance, and operational leadership. He is a licensed CPA and currently serves as an Assurance Manager at Baker Tilly, where he has led complex audits, managed teams, overseen budgets, and partnered with senior leadership across a wide range of organizations. Previously, he worked for Ernst & Young for several years, serving major corporate clients, and also held a controller role focused on budgeting, cost management, and operational efficiency. In addition to his professional experience, Nesanel currently serves as a board member of his local shul, reflecting his commitment to communal responsibility and leadership.
Mrs. Chana Luchins
Principal of Elementary School and Learning
Mrs. Chana Luchins is the principal of General Studies at Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva. She is a New York and New Jersey certified teacher and a New Jersey certified supervisor who holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the Graduate School of Education at Touro College and a Supervisory Certificate from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. Mrs. Luchins has also completed the Hidden Sparks and YouLead leadership programs.
Mrs. Luchins has extensive expertise in many areas, including as a reading specialist, a constructivist and metacognitive math teacher, social emotional learning, as well as in the thoughtful incorporation of blended learning and STEM initiatives. She has provided professional development and mentoring in a variety of capacities.
Mrs. Luchins began teaching in 1995 and has worked with students from Early Childhood through Grade 12, including college-level coursework, in both General and Judaic Studies. Schools where Mrs. Luchins worked include Manhattan Day School, Magen David Yeshiva, and SAR Academy, where she taught for eight years prior to moving to Highland Park.
Mrs. Luchins joined the RPRY family in 2008 and is the proud parent of four RPRY graduates, and one current student. She is a passionate learner and consummate student who particularly enjoys delving into works of mussar, reading high quality literature, and writing, especially poetry.
Rabbi Eli Meir Kramer
Middle School Assistant Principal
Rabbi Kramer comes to RPRY with a wealth of expertise. He has served as the Dean at Shalom Torah Academy in Manalapan and as the Director of Student Services at the Middle School of Yeshiva of South Shore. Rabbi Kramer received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical Seminary of America in Queens, NY. During that time, he pursued his Bachelor of Science in accounting at Lander College for Men, where he was named to the Dean’s List. Most recently, he received a Certificate in Instructional Supervision from Torah Umesorah, further enhancing his leadership toolkit. Rabbi Kramer is eager to collaborate with our students, parents, and staff to promote growth in Torah, middot, and academic success.
Mrs. Elana Kurtz
Early Childhood Director
Mrs. Kurtz comes to this role with years of experience in education. Mrs. Kurtz has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Stern College and an M.S. in Literacy Education, from Hunter College. Before teaching in RPRY, Mrs. Kurtz taught early childhood at Yaldeinu preschool in Manhattan, and first, second, and fourth grades at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus, NJ. Mrs. Kurtz is a trained Peer Coach in Hidden Sparks, a program which highlights looking at children through a multi-lense approach. Mrs. Kurtz is a passionate educator who loves to keep growing and learning about innovation in education. Mrs. Kurtz is also a proud RPRY parent and alumna.
Mrs. Ilana Bohm
Director of Guidance
Mrs. Ilana Bohm has a masters degree in social work from YU Wurzweiler School of Social Work and is currently working toward a PhD in Social Welfare. Before joining the staff at RPRY, Mrs. Bohm was the guidance counselor at Solomon Schechter Day School for 5 years. She has also taught Beit Midrash at the Pre Collegiate Learning Center, coordinated the JTeam teen philanthropy program at Jewish Federation, & was a program facilitator for JFCS teen leadership program. Mrs. Bohm has been the guidance counselor at RPRY since 2013, where she meets with students individually and in groups to support their social emotional growth. Mrs. Bohm facilitates weekly Second Step lessons in grades K-4 and social skills groups in 2nd & 3rd grade. She also liaises between outside therapists and the school. Additionally, Mrs. Bohm is the advisor for the 8th grade yearbook and coordinates Shabbatonim and relationship building programs throughout the year.
Board of Governors
Executive Committee
President – Jordan Kaplan
Vice President – Masha Sherman
Vice President – Binyamin Cooper
Vice President – Ethan Wasserman
Vice President – Marninah Hersh
Vice President – Leslie Ostrin
Treasurer – Barry Levinson
Recording Secretary – Hannah Farkas
Immediate Past President – Tova Renna
Chair of RPRY Plus – Laura Weiss
Chair of Education Committee – Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg
Chair of Trustee Council – David Stern
Members-at-Large
Mark Abraham
Roz Beberman
Josh Goldstein
Tova Halpern
Levi Herman
Peri Horowitz
Ilan Levy
Avi Maza
Barry Schechter
Stacey Schwartz
Sara Welner