The people who know your child

Experienced, caring educators — in Torah and General Studies — who bring out the best in every student, every day.

A PHA teacher with students on the playground

Leadership

School leadership

Mrs. Alyssa Zupnick

Head Principal

Mrs. Zupnick has been part of the PHA family for 14 years. A University of Arizona graduate in Elementary Education with a minor in Judaic Studies, she taught in Tucson before coming to Phoenix. Her favorite part of the job is time with PHA's youngest students — “their hugs and seemingly endless amounts of unconditional love.”

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Mr. Sam Zaila

Executive Director

Before leading PHA's operations, Mr. Zaila served as Co-President of the school's Board of Directors. He holds degrees in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from Florida State University, spent a decade as an engineer on projects from the F-35 to consumer electronics, and later built and managed several companies.

Rabbi Ari Bleeman

Judaic Studies Principal

A beloved member of the PHA faculty for more than 13 years, Rabbi Bleeman trained in chinuch at the Ner Le'Alef Institute in Israel. Originally from Toronto, he is known for his warmth, his enthusiasm and his gift for bringing Torah learning to life.

Dr. Malka Ungar

General Studies Principal

Dr. Ungar holds a PhD in Literacy with a concentration in Leadership from St. John's University. She has served as Director of Education at Torah Academy for Girls Junior High School in Far Rockaway and at Torah Day School of Phoenix, and teaches future educators as an adjunct professor.

Mrs. Gaby Jimenez

Acting Preschool Co-Director

Morah Gaby is in her 10th year at PHA and her second in preschool leadership. With years of early childhood experience, an Associate's degree and two certificates in Early Childhood Education, she supports the growth and quality of PHA's preschool.

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Faculty & staff

Our dedicated educators

30 people

Rabbi Yisroel Lewkowicz

Director of Jewish Life & Ivrit

Mrs. Heather Elias

Director of Financial Aid

Ms. Colleen Thompson

Preschool Teacher

Mrs. Robin Samuel

Preschool Teacher

Morah Shani Kripor

Preschool 4s Teacher

Mrs. Deanna Musaev

Preschool Teacher

Mrs. Yona Weitzner

Preschool Hebrew Specialist

Mrs. Natalie Friedhman-Hashash

Preschool Assistant

Ms. Rosely Hielo

Preschool Assistant

Mrs. Malkah Kholdorova

Preschool Assistant

Ms. Amanda Gondos

Preschool Assistant

Ms. Jordan Velasquez

Preschool Assistant

Mrs. Chanie Shamis

Judaic Studies Teacher

Rabbi Akiva Fishfeld

Judaic Studies Teacher

Mrs. Sara Natanov

Judaic Studies Teacher

Ms. Temmy Barth

Judaic Studies Teacher

Rabbi Nachman Goldenberg

Judaic Studies Teacher

Rabbi Mendy Barth

Judaic Studies Teacher

Morah Shavy Fekete

Kriah Specialist

Ms. Ahuva Barth

1st & 2nd Grade Teacher's Assistant

Ms. Egypt Straughter

Science Teacher

Mr. Surjit Nanda

General Studies Teacher

Mrs. Alyssa Daskal

Humanities Enrichment Teacher

Mrs. Brooke Foster

Art Teacher

Mrs. Sarah Lawson

Music Specialist

Coach Philip Ortez

Athletic Director

Mrs. Vanessa McGann

Office Manager

Mr. Tom McGann

Support Staff

Mr. Jose Robles

Maintenance

Mr. Fernando Cota

Maintenance

Review note: Staff list, titles and photos are pulled from the current Wix team collection. Ms. Temmy Barth and Ms. Ahuva Barth need headshots, and please confirm the spelling 'Friedhman-Hashash' and any 2026–27 title changes. In Wix this stays a CMS collection, so the office can update it without touching the design.

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Working at PHA is an incredible experience. We're always glad to meet dedicated educators who want to make a difference.

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A PHA preschool teacher leads young children in a bright classroom

The people who know your child

School leadership

Mrs. Alyssa Zupnick

Mr. Sam Zaila

Rabbi Ari Bleeman

Dr. Malka Ungar

Mrs. Gaby Jimenez

Our dedicated educators

Rabbi Yisroel Lewkowicz

Mrs. Heather Elias

Ms. Colleen Thompson

Mrs. Robin Samuel

Morah Shani Kripor

Mrs. Deanna Musaev

Mrs. Yona Weitzner

Mrs. Natalie Friedhman-Hashash

Ms. Rosely Hielo

Mrs. Malkah Kholdorova

Ms. Amanda Gondos

Ms. Jordan Velasquez

Mrs. Chanie Shamis

Rabbi Akiva Fishfeld

Mrs. Sara Natanov

Ms. Temmy Barth

Rabbi Nachman Goldenberg

Rabbi Mendy Barth

Morah Shavy Fekete

Ms. Ahuva Barth

Ms. Egypt Straughter

Mr. Surjit Nanda

Mrs. Alyssa Daskal

Mrs. Brooke Foster

Mrs. Sarah Lawson

Coach Philip Ortez

Mrs. Vanessa McGann

Mr. Tom McGann

Mr. Jose Robles

Mr. Fernando Cota

Passionate about Jewish education?

Come see the PHAmily in action.