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RTMA names first woman principal

By Sarah Morrison

August 15, 2008

After 12 years of serving as the general studies principal at the Jewish Educational Center's boys' high school, Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy, Elizabeth, Chanie Moskowitz was approached by a group of rebbeim and asked to become full-time principal of the institution.

For Moskowitz, this was an opportunity she couldn't refuse. Taking over for Rabbi Elchanan Weinbach as principal would give her the opportunity to continue teaching. It also presented a first for the high school; starting September, she will be the first woman principal of the Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy in the nearly 75 years that the school has been operating.

"A group of rebbeim recommended to ask me to be the new principal," Moskowitz told The Jewish State. "It (the opportunity to become principal) came to me. I wasn't looking for it, but it's an opportunity to keep doing what I'm doing."

Moskowitz holds a masters degree in English Literature from Brooklyn College as well as a bachelor's degree in Religious Education and Hebrew Literature from Yeshiva University. Her love of teaching combined with her love of learning gave her the motivation to create new programs, such as a lesson plan that integrated world history and Jewish history that she implemented at Hillel Torah Day School, Skokie, Ill. The program is still used by the Chicago Board of Jewish Education.

After working in Skokie, Ill., Moskowitz began working with the Rabbi Jacob Joseph Boys School, Staten Island. She was a member of its Va'ad Hachinuch (Board of Education) and worked as the junior high school's English teacher and later as its coordinator of curriculum. For her work in integrating technology into her curriculum, she received a Microsoft Technology in Teaching grant. She also won a grant to implement "Books Across America," a reading incentive program, in RJJ.

Moskowitz returned to college and earned her masters in Administration and Supervision from St. John's University, N.Y.C. At the same time, she attended Torah U'Mesorah summer institutes for principals. Afterwards, she became the assistant principal and later became the general studies principal of RJJ.

After her time at RJJ, Moskowitz joined the administration at RTMA and has served as its general studies principal for 12 years.

"This (becoming principal) is a natural transition because I was here already," Moskowitz said. "My co-workers have known my work ethic for 13 years. They know what I present personally, professionally, and hashkafically (philosophically)."

Moskowitz's hashkafa aligns with RTMA's commitment to Torah u'madda, Torah commitment with secular knowledge and education.

"The mission of JEC is to produce modern Torah Jews," Moskowitz said. "We're imbued Torah Jews, dedicated to the observance of Torah, to their responsibility to the Jewish nation and Israel, while educating in the world at large. We don't shun secular but we understand the primacy of Torah."

Educationally, Moskowitz wants every student to be the best that he can be.

"Education has been a very important part of my life from childhood on," Moskowitz said. "My family was always imbued with the value of education. If I can transmit that to my students as well, that would be wonderful. I'm a lifelong learner and I share that with faculty and my kids. There is always something to learn and there is always room to grow. I would like to see that excitement communicated as well."

Personally, Moskowitz wants RTMA to remain the home away from home for the 200-strong student body.

"My goal is to maintain RTMA as a warm, caring environment," Moskowitz said. "It is essential for kids to know that they have somewhere to turn in school. Part of the growth and maturation process is growing from their parents, but they need responsible adults to help them that they can be comfortable talking to. Every kid should feel like he has a home at the JEC."

Moskowitz continued to say that her "main goal is to maintain the excellence hat we've achieved and to continue growing in every aspect." The proof is in the numbers; RTMA graduated its 50th high school class in 2008.

"I'm very honored to be selected to fill this position and to have the confidence of a remarkable faculty," Moskowitz said. "The strength of any school is contingent on the strength and commitment of any teachers. To that end, we're blessed to have an incomparable faculty."

Moskowitz is looking forward to new initiatives for RTMA and to maintain the school's reputation for a warm environment and excellent education.