Boys Administration

Rabbi Shimon Abramczik

Principal of Judaic Studies

This year, Rabbi Abramczik has assume the role of Principal of Judaic Studies. For the past 17 years, Rabbi Abramczik has inspired our students as a beloved 12th grade Rebbe and as the Rebbe of our prestigious Masmidim Program. Under his direction, YULA masmidim completed over 10 mesechtot and reviewed over 15,000 amudim of gemara collectively this past year. Rabbi Abramczik’s mandate is to work with all stakeholders to meet all of our student's spiritual, emotional, and academic needs. Rabbi Abramczik will also be our 9th grade Baum Family Advanced Gemara Track (AGT), teach in our Torah Studies department, and continue to lead our very successful Israel guidance program. Questions regarding student social and emotional growth and development, Judaic Studies academics, and Israel guidance should be directed to Rabbi Abramczik.

Ms. Yehudis Benhamou

Interim Principal of General Studies

Prior to YULA, Ms. Yehudis Benhamou served as the Social Studies and senior year Capstone Department Chair and Curriculum Coordinator at Scheck Hillel Community School in Miami for a decade. She created and developed Scheck Hillel’s Capstone College Readiness Week and created a Holocaust education trip to Auschwitz and Terezin. Ms. Benhamou earned her BA in History and Humanities at the Open University in Manchester, UK and her MA in European History from Florida International University.

Ms. Rachel Shandalov

Assistant Principal of General Studies

Ms. Shandalov earned her B.A. in Psychology and MSW from Yeshiva University. Prior to joining YULA Girls, Ms. Shandalov spent 5 years working as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at YU. She has worked with college guidance departments and university admissions offices around the country, strengthening her passion for the intricacies of the college admissions process. Ms. Shandalov is committed to helping each student realize her educational and professional goals and developing several different pathways to arrive at that ideal destination.

Mrs. Rochel Gargir

Chief Operating Officer

Mrs. Rochel Gargir joined the YULA team in July 2014 as the Boys School Administrator, and later the Director of Development and Operations, before moving on to her current role as YULA High School Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Rochel's primary focus is overseeing the development office and the cross functional collaboration of the girls and boys administrative and operational offices.  She is also responsible for coordinating our various fundraising events, and oversees our campus enhancement projects. Before assuming her current position, Rochel served as Administrator at Maimonides Academy for four years and at Shalhevet for six years.

Mr. Rick St. Laurent

Director of Operations, Facilities and Special Projects

Richard St. Laurent was born and raised in Berlin, New Hampshire, a small paper mill town in the White Mountains. Some of his fondest memories are of school days taught in both French and English, as the population was 80% French-Canadian heritage. Mr. St. Laurent attended an all-boys boarding high in Enfield, New Hampshire where he developed an appreciation for the outdoors and teaching. He earned his B.A. in French and psychology and later an M.S. Ed. in School Administration at Indiana University. Mr. St. Laurent began his teaching career in public high school and soon joined the faculty of the Canterbury School in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he taught French, religion and life skills. He was also named the school’s first Middle School Director. Mr. St. Laurent’s next stop was in the Bluegrass State as Middle School Director at the Sayre School in Lexington, Kentucky.

Mr. St. Laurent moved to southern California to become Assistant Head of School at Rolling Hills Prep where he developed the school’s outdoor education program. He later became head of school in Iowa and worked in independent school accreditation. Most recently, Mr. St. Laurent traveled to Shenyang, Liaoning, China to advise a group looking to establish an American high school for Chinese nationals. Mr. St. Laurent lives in Redondo Beach with his wife Marcia, who has worked in development and marketing in independent schools. They are blessed with two daughters, Sara, a learning specialist for an independent school in New Orleans and Kate, a manager and buyer for a women’s boutique in Manhattan Beach.

Mr. Sy Litwin

Director of Finance

With over 40 years of experience spanning both public and private sectors, Sy brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. He holds a CPA license and is a proud member of both the AICPA and the California Society of CPAs. Sy earned his BS in Business Administration – Accountancy from CSUN. A native Angeleno, Sy resides in the valley with his wife, Seryl, a proud New Yorker. They are the proud parents of four YULA graduates. Sy and Seryl have been enthusiastic supporters of YULA Panthers baseball, cheering on their sons. Sy is also an avid LA Kings hockey fan and a former collegiate ice hockey player at CSUN.

Mrs. Ziva Zeharya

Academic Registrar

Ziva Zeharya was born in Israel and raised in different countries around the world. As the daughter of a Head Consul of the Israeli Consulate, she lived in Iran as a baby and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 10. She attended Beverly Vista and Beverly High School. At 16, she moved back to Israel where she earned her high school diploma and proudly served in the IDF. After getting married, she returned to Los Angeles to pursue advanced degrees. She received a BA Degree from CSUN in Child Development and Jewish Education and a Masters Degree in Education and Administration from the University of Judaism where she graduated with excellence. Ziva's work experience includes 20 years of teaching Hebrew and directing many Jewish-education programs. Ziva was a Hebrew teacher at Milken, a Director of Temple B'nai Hayim Religious School, and a Director of Hebrew and Judaic at Heschel West Day School. She has 4 boys and is very excited to be a proud YULA parent this year.

Mr. Michael Burton

Director of Technology

Mr. Michael Burton was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Burbank, California. He comes with over 20 years of technology experience in a broad range of disciplines from music production to web application development. He has served as the Director of Information Technology for the LA Clippers where he introduced innovative athletic technology and managed all aspects of IT from networks to national TV broadcasts. He thrives on solving problems and is committed to fostering an innovative environment to promote engagement in STEAM learning at YULA. He is passionate about giving all children the opportunity to learn technology and has built four computer learning centers for children in underserved communities in Los Angeles. When he isn’t managing systems, you will find Michael DJing, building apps, playing basketball, and attending musicals, concerts, and festivals.

Rabbi Dov Rosenbluth

Director of Guidance

Rabbi Dov Rosenbluth, beginning his 10th year at YULA, has been a Rebbe in Los Angeles for over 20 years. He received rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim and Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim (MTJ). Additionally, Rabbi Rosenbluth earned his Masters in Special Education from Adelphi University and a Masters in Counseling from California State University, Northridge. Concurrently with being a popular 11th grade Rebbe, Rabbi Rosenbluth serves as the Director of Guidance. As a licensed therapist, his responsibilities include advising the students and staff alike and overseeing the programming addressing the social/emotional needs of the students.

Mr. Jesse Orenshein

Director of Admissions and Marketing

Jesse Orenshein was born and raised in Los Angeles and a proud graduate of Harkham Hillel. He attended YULA and is the son of YULA alum, Daphna Orenshein'86. Jesse is a personable, engaging, and dynamic individual who values Jewish education and is committed to living a life consistent with YULA’s mission and hashkafah. Jesse inspires all ages of the Jewish world on a personal level, as well as on a communal level. Jesse currently and will continue to serve as the Director of Youth at Young Israel Century City. During the week, Jesse has spent the last two years teaching English Language Arts at Cheder Menachem, and publishing children’s books inspired by Jewish values, under his publishing brand, Grandpa Herbie’s Stories. Jesse graduated from California State University Northridge, where he received a bachelors degree in Cinema and Television Arts. His first feature film is in post production, starring Maggie Grace and Paul Raci. In his free time, Jesse is learning to become a Sofer STaM and training to win the America’s Ninja Warrior. Jesse and his wife, Eliza, and his daughter, Ayellete, are looking forward to being an integral part of the YULA community.

Dr. Martin Jauregui

Director of Academic Support

Dr. Martin Jauregui is a familiar presence at YULA as one of YULA’s learning specialists. Prior to that, Dr. Jauregui’s career in education has included teaching, administration, student learning support in the athletic department at USC and most recently as Associate Director of Academic Services at the University of Georgia. Dr. Jauregui is a USC lifer where he earned his B.A., M.Ed., and his Ed.D, a Trojan through and through; and as a YULA Panther, he has come home. We are excited to welcome Dr. Jauregui as the new Director of our Academic Student Support Service Department.