Faculty and Staff Information
Jennifer Baudy, MSW, LSW Counselor
Jennifer Baudy is excited to join the NOJDS team as the school’s new Guidance Counselor. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of History degree from Washington University and has received a Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University. Jennifer’s work experience is marked with dedication to children and their families. She worked in Head Start classrooms promoting the State of Ohio’s educational standards for high-risk students. Most recently, Jennifer served as school-based therapist and provided support for a diverse student body. In that position, she conducted mental health assessments, provided ongoing individual counseling, coordinated services with community partners, and facilitated mediation groups. jbaudy@nojds.com
Bob Berk, Ph.D. Head of School
Dr. Bob Berk is currently the Head of School at New Orleans Jewish Day School. Bob received his BS from the University of California at San Diego, his M.Ed. in Secondary School Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati and his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University. After receiving his doctorate, Bob served as Head of School at Akiva Community Day School in Nashville for five years. He has also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt. In his work, Dr. Berk has focused on the quality of instructional programs, as well as on creating a vibrant Jewish community in the school for students, teachers, parents and Board members alike. In addition, he is passionate about creating programs in social action and continuing education for both parents and alumni. Before beginning his career in educational leadership, Bob taught for 4 years in both private schools and public schools in the Cincinnati area. During his last year of teaching his students were honored as “Hometown Heroes” by Fox News for their ongoing work in social action. Dr. Berk just completed a two-year term as Vice President for Finance on the executive committee of RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network. bberk@nojds.com
Judy Fried, B.A. Kindergarten Teacher
Judy Fried currently teaches Kindergarten at NOJDS. Judy’s history at NOJDS dates back to its beginning years teaching Kindergarten for two years before she started her family, as well as first grade teacher and second grade assistant for the last two years. Prior to her connection to the New Orleans Day School, she taught Kindergarten for twelve years at Akiba Academy, a Day School in Dallas, which won a Presidential award for “Excellence in Teaching”. Upon her arrival in New Orleans in 1994, she held a dual role as Pre-K teacher and Director of Temple Sinai Pre-School. Judy has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a Kindergarten Endorsement and a Concentration in Reading from the University of Texas at Austin. She is especially proud to be a parent of a NOJDS graduate and present fourth grader at NOJDS. jfried@nojds.com
Lauren Gisclair, M.A. Music Teacher, Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Lauren Mouney Gisclair, Music Instructor and Kindergarten Teaching Assistant, is excited to return to NOJDS for her second year. Ms Lauren holds a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University and a Master of Music from Penn State University where she taught voice lessons both privately and in the classroom. In 2004, she taught on the faculty at Mount Carmel Academy and returned this past summer to direct their theatre camp. In addition to teaching, Ms Lauren performs with New Orleans Opera Education as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. She also maintains a busy schedule as a voice and piano teacher in the New Orleans area. lgisclair@nojds.com
Frieda Lor Judaic Studies
Deb Marsh Director of Admissions and Development
Deb Marsh is a local professional, born and raised in Greater New Orleans. She loves this city and the people in the community. Deb has held the position of Director of Admissions and Development since August 1, 2005. She is proud to count herself as one of two current employees from before the storm who continued through the devastation to rebuild NOJDS. Deb was educated in the public school system and attended UNO. Deb has worked in independent schools for over a decade and has enjoyed her career in the private school sector. Before coming to NOJDS, she spent six years as a development associate at Isidore Newman School and also was the Assistant Director of Summer Programs at Newman. She is proud of her career in education and adores children. Deb Marsh is married and has two grown children. dmarsh@nojds.com
Anna Salomon, MAT General Studies, 2nd and 3rd grade
Anna Salomon has a BA in early childhood studies, an MA in Jewish studies with a certificate in Jewish non-profit management from Gratz College, and an MAT from the DeLeT program at Brandeis. She has previous experience teaching, as well as working with kids of all ages in informal education and programming. Anna and her husband Peter have three beautiful sons, Adin (2.5), Josh (6), and Andy (10). asalomon@nojds.com
Debbie Schlackman, MLS Library-Media Specialist
Debbie Schlackman has a Bachelor of Music degree from Jacksonville University and a Master of Library Science degree from Florida State University. She is beginning her 14th year as the librarian for the Day School. Debbie is also the technology coordinator and teaches computer skills classes. She is active with Gates of Prayer Sisterhood and Women of Reform Judaism. She is an executive board member for the JCC and is a dedicated member of the Metairie JCC workout facilities. She is married to Jonathan and has two children, Lisa Podolsky (28) married to Paul and living in Chicago, and Mark (25) a second year law student at Tulane University. dschlackman@nojds.com
Batel Sharon, B.Ed. Judaic Studies
Batel Sharon trained as a special education and Israeli culture teacher. She received her B.Ed. at the Kibbutzim College of Education in Tel Aviv, Israel. In June 2009, Batel finished the coursework for her M.A. in Educational Management at Tel Aviv University in Israel. She will finish her thesis after completing her shlichut in the United States.
Batel worked as a special education teacher from 2006-2009 at "VENEZUELA", a school for students with cerebral palsy and mental retardation. She worked as an educator with children in 6th and 9th grades. In addition, Batel taught and coordinated a group of students with learning disabilities and ADHD.
During her military service in the Israeli Defence Forces she instructed both children and adults how to respond in the event of a terrorist or military attack.
Batel joined NOJDS for the 2009 - 2010 school year as part of the Judaic Studies faculty. She is proud to be part of the 2009 delegation from the Jewish Agency. bsharon@nojds.com
Dalia Topolosky, Psy.D. Jewish Music
Dr. Topolosky has always loved music and has extensive experience teaching jewish music in schools, camps, and other community events and programs. She started and ran a mommy and me music/movement program in New York teaching both israeli and jewish soul music to children 0-6. Her cd Kol Nearim/Voice of Children came out in 2007 and is used in camps, schools, and synagogues, in both America and Israel. Dahlia is also a licensed psychologist and works with children, adolescents, and families in her private practice in Metairie. Dahlia's interests include singing, playing guitar and hand drums, and spending time with her husband Uri, who is the rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel, and her children Elyon, Itai, and Adi.
Heidi Vizelberg, B.S. General Studies, Pre-K
Mrs. Heidi Vizelberg is the current Pre Kindergarten teacher of the New Orleans Jewish Day School. After earning a Bachelor of the Sciences in Elementary Education from Indiana University in 1981, Heidi started her teaching career. A former Kindergarten teacher at the New Orleans Free School, she was honored as Teacher of the Year and Ranking Teacher. Since 1981, she has taught Pre Kindergarten through Second grades in several New Orleans area schools, including Aurora Gardens Academy, Metairie Park Country Day, Gates of Prayer Nursery School, and now New Orleans Jewish Day School. Heidi also worked for a local tutoring company and continues to tutor privately in her home. hvizelberg@nojds.com
