CJDS Senior Leadership Team
Rabbi A. – Transitional Head of School
Rabbi A. served as the first Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation from August of 1986 until January 2019 when he retired. During that time, Beth Jacob became a nationally recognized congregational community. He is a passionate voice for pluralistic Jewish life and a strong supporter of ensuring the health and welfare of the Jewish people in all of its manifestations. During his tenure as a congregational rabbi, Rabbi A. was a strong advocate for Day School education and worked tirelessly to ensure that no student was denied access as a result of financial considerations. Upon retirement from the pulpit, Rabbi A. became the first Conservative Rabbi to serve on a United States Congressional staff. He was the Senior Community Liaison for Rep. Angie Craig (MN02), responsible for a wide variety of policy concerns and constituent services. His wife, Dr. Phyllis G., retired as a pediatrician last April after a wonderful 36-year career. They are proud parents and grandparents. Only CJDS and Columbus would draw them out of retirement!!
Sheri G. – Director of Recruitment and Dean of Academics
Sheri has taught children ages Pre-K through 6th grade over the last three decades. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and was fortunate to be named Educator of the Year by the Columbus Council of Parent-Teacher Associations. Sheri has taught at The Columbus Academy, Wellington School, Columbus Public Schools, and served as the Director of the JCC New Albany Preschool for six years (2012-2018). She has enjoyed leading seminars and supervising student teachers for The Ohio State University. Sheri has proudly spent the last 10 years of her journey as a teacher leader in a Jewish setting. Committed to both progressive education and progressive Judaism, she is thrilled to get to apply her hands-on, project based learning, integrated curricular approach at CJDS. In her life outside of school, Sheri enjoys spending time with her family. She also loves cooking, interior design, playing the piano, participating in various volunteer organizations and walking on the beach.
Jenny G. – Senior Consultant
Ms. Jenny G. has been affiliated with CJDS for more than two decades and brings tremendous professional talent and passion to this school that she loves so dearly. An alumna of Columbus College of Art and Design, she brings her imagination, expertise, and endless energy to CJDS. Jenny has dedicated many years to building and enriching CJDS and, since 2016, has been engaged in growing the school through strategic planning, visioning, communications, and so much more as its Director of Institutional Advancement. A lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio, Jenny has long been committed to strengthening her community, as an active communal leader and as a Wexner Heritage Alumna (member of Columbus 11 cohort). Her volunteer leadership initiatives include 24 years of service to her synagogue, Temple Israel. Jenny’s commitment to and deep belief in the power of an immersive Jewish education to help young Jews build their identities in meaningful and anchored ways has led to her involvement with Columbus Jewish Day School since 2000: as a parent (2001-2012), as a Board member (2001-2007), and as Board President (2010-2012). Off campus, you will find Jenny enjoying her many interests and hobbies, including painting, sculpting, reading, watching movies, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Kristy K. – Business Manager
Kristy has spent nearly 20 years working in Early Childhood Education, running childcare centers and leading teams of dedicated childcare workers. Kristy graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Kristy also received her MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. Outside of work, Kristy enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Eran R. – Director of Jewish Life and Learning
Eran serves as Director of Jewish Life and Learning, the chair of the Judaic Studies department and teaches Hebrew language and Jewish Studies, grades 4 and 5. Born and raised in Israel, Eran began his professional career as an organizational and occupational psychologist evaluating educational systems and instruction, both in Israel and abroad. A former tank commander in the IDF, Eran is now passionate about being a Jewish Educator in Columbus, and promotes the love of learning with all his soul and all his might. Eran devotes countless hours to offering every one of his students a fully experiential, personally relevant, and intellectually rigorous Jewish education. He has developed numerous creative pedagogical and curricular resources, many of which have been featured in workshops in Columbus and beyond. Eran regularly incorporates creative play into his teaching methods and, accordingly has amassed an impressive collection of masks and costumes to engage his learners in new and exciting ways all the time. He was awarded the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education and the Lasday Jewish Educator of the Year Award (2010) and was the recipient of the CJDS Hokhmah award (2023), as the school celebrated its 25th anniversary. Eran is a founding member of the National Association of Teachers of Hebrew and is involved with developing and sharing educational materials across the field of North American Jewish day schooling. Eran is also active in the Jewish life of Columbus, serving on the steering committee of the Partnership Together Program (a program connecting Kfar Saba, Israel, and the Columbus Jewish communities), offering B’nai Mitzvah instruction, chanting Torah at a variety of synagogues, conducting children’s programs, serving and leading on community holiday planning committees, and acting in local community theater. Eran especially enjoys hosting friends in his home for meaningful Shabbat and holiday meals.