Head of School

Dr. Rachel Harari serves as Head of School at The Stanley I. Chera SAM School, where she leads the school’s growth, strategic direction, and educational vision across all divisions. She works closely with the leadership team, faculty, board, and parent body to ensure SAM delivers a meaningful, high-quality education rooted in academic excellence and Torah.

Rachel holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, as well as a Master’s in Special Education and a Bachelor’s in English Education from New York University. She has worked in Jewish day schools for over 15 years and is a 2016 recipient of The Covenant Foundation’s Pomegranate Prize, awarded to emerging leaders in Jewish education.

Throughout her career, Rachel has focused on mentoring and developing both educators and parents. She has facilitated professional learning through the Jewish New Teacher Project (JNTP) and served as an Associate Lecturer at Columbia University, where she worked with educational leaders from around the world.

Michelle Dayan serves as Executive Director of The Stanley I. Chera SAM School, overseeing operations across the Early Childhood and Elementary divisions. She works closely with the board, accounting team, and school leadership to ensure the thoughtful allocation of resources, while also managing tuition, faculty contracting, employee benefits, and facility maintenance.

Michelle holds a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Spanish and Urban Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned an MSEd in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street College, as well as an MSW from Columbia University. She is a certified teacher and a licensed Social Worker. A founding board member of SAM, Michelle transitioned into the Executive Director role in 2014. She brings both professional expertise and deep personal commitment to the school’s continued growth and success.

Early Childhood Director 

Chary is the founding director of our early childhood program and oversees all educational aspects of the preschool. She is responsible for ensuring the social, emotional, and academic growth of our young students. Chary serves as a brilliant resource for children, teachers and parents, infusing our program with her signature warmth, boundless creativity, and infinite wisdom.

Chary has been an early childhood educator for over 35 years and a preschool director for 29 of those years. She started a number of impressive programs including Lubavitch in the Palisades and Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, NJ. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Outcome Assessment from Aspen University. Chary served as an educational consultant for Jewish schools worldwide including Israel, Canada, Chile, Florida, New York and New Jersey. In this capacity Chary helped launch new schools, mentor directors and teachers, and develop curriculum.

Judaic Studies Director K-8

Tammy Masar serves as Director of Judaic Studies at The Stanley I. Chera SAM School. With over 25 years of experience in Jewish education, Tammy brings deep expertise in classroom teaching, curriculum design, faculty mentorship, and school leadership. She has held roles at Ramaz, Magen David Yeshivah, and North Shore Hebrew Academy, and was part of the founding team of a Jewish day school in Santiago, Chile.

In addition to her school-based work, Tammy consults nationally on Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language programs and contributes to curriculum development for the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools (CoJDS) and the JSAT exams. She holds degrees in Tanach, English Literature, and Jewish History, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Work. A native Israeli fluent in Hebrew, English, and Spanish, Tammy brings a global perspective and deep commitment to student and teacher growth.

Humanities Director 5-8

Yafit Fishbach serves as Director of Humanities at the SAM Middle School. A passionate educator and emerging leader, Yafit is reimagining an integrated Judaic and secular curriculum that fosters deep thinking, personal connection, and a love of learning. Her approach centers on small-group instruction, allowing students to engage meaningfully with content while growing into thoughtful, committed Jews and well-rounded citizens.

Yafit has taught English and History to grades 6–12 in New York City and Memphis, and has volunteered in Israeli classrooms during summer breaks. She is a graduate of Prizmah’s YouLead program and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Jewish Education and Leadership at Yeshiva University. She also holds a bachelor’s in English Literature from Brooklyn College and a master’s in Secondary English Education from NYU.

Known for creating dynamic experiential learning opportunities, Yafit has led initiatives such as student newspapers, Model UN teams, and immersive field trips that bring classroom learning to life.

Psychologist

Dr. Eli Kraiem serves as the School Psychologist at SAM Elementary and Middle School. In this role, he oversees the academic, social, and emotional needs of students, providing guidance and support to ensure every child is set up for success. Dr. Kraiem works closely with faculty and families to address student behaviors, coordinate support services, and develop strategies that foster resilience, growth, and well-being. His warm and thoughtful approach helps create a safe, nurturing environment where students can thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Curriculum Director for Elementary School

With over two decades of experience in education, Susie Sutton brings deep expertise and passion to her role as Director of Curriculum for SAM’s Kindergarten through 4th Grade. She guides the development of rigorous, meaningful learning experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence in every student. Susie is especially dedicated to fostering a love of reading and math, ensuring that students gain not only content knowledge but also the critical skills that form the foundation for lifelong learning. Her commitment to skills-based instruction and thoughtful curriculum design empowers both teachers and students to achieve their fullest potential.