Professional Leadership

Aviva Walls
Head of School

Aviva Walls believes deeply in the transformative nature of Jewish day school education and in the communities they create. After attending day schools in Seattle, she received her Bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and her Masters in Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business with a concentration in Leadership and Change Management. Her diverse background ensured a commitment to Jewish pluralism and professionally, she has worked with a wide variety of Jewish communities. She was drawn to Gesher for the warmth of the community and the commitment to service seen throughout our families and faculty.

Before joining Gesher as Head of School, she served as Dean of Academic Affairs at Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles, California. In that role, she helped the school transition toward faculty-driven independent advanced curricula and away from an AP-based curriculum all while maintaining a reputation for student agency and academic excellence.

Aviva believes that the goal of education is to fan the sparks of divinity that live in every human being and help our children recognize those sparks in others. She believes that experience and reflective practice are the keys to learning and growth. As a life-longer herself, she is a current Wexner Field Fellow and has received certificates in Jewish Educational Leadershipfrom YULEAD and the Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI). In her spare time, Aviva loves to travel, cook and listen to podcasts. She is the proud aunt to seven nieces and nephews.

Molly Bernfeld
Asso. Director of Admissions and Advancement

Molly Bernfeld brings over a decade of experience supporting senior leadership across diverse sectors, from higher education to architecture. She began her career as Executive Assistant at George Mason University’s School of Music, where she was recognized as Employee of the Month out of more than 5,000 staff members. She later joined Rockwell Group, an award-winning architecture and design firm in Manhattan, where she worked in operations. Molly holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington and a master’s in Arts Management from George Mason University. After four years as Gesher’s Front Office Coordinator, she was recently promoted to Associate Director of Admissions and Advancement, where she partners with faculty to strengthen enrollment, advancement, and school-wide community engagement. Outside of Gesher, she coaches the Robinson Secondary School Dance Team and performs with AVA Dance Company.

Leah Blasko
Communications Manager

Leah joined Gesher in the fall of 2020 after a decade working in the sports industry including four years in social media at the Little League International. You’ll see her taking names at dismissal illustrating her passion for genuine connection and commitment to having room at the table for everyone.

She spends most of her time at Gesher using her B.A. in Public Relations from Penn State creating emails, posting on social media, and doing graphic design. “Ms. Leah” is our Yearbook adviser and has a passion for working with our older students. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, watching Pittsburgh sports, Kpop, reading, and spending time with her cat, Sullie.

Yoni Bronstein
Associate Director of Development

Yoni Bronstein the Gesher community in 2025. He previously worked for the American Jewish Committee’s Department of Regional Offices, providing support for regional advocacy efforts across the country. Yoni also has an extensive background in the arts, receiving a Master’s in Fine Arts in acting from Columbia University.

He is an active lay leader at Congregation Olam Tikvah, serving on their board of directors. Yoni is a music lover and avid baseball fan. He lives in Fairfax with his wife Megan, two-year-old daughter Reina, and cat Gracie.

Brendan Dowd
Director of Facilities and Operations

Brendan Dowd brings 8 years of facilities management experience at an urban public boarding school to Gesher. He has dedicated his career continuing to build and improve the school environment for the scholars that he has had the honor of serving. Educated at Bowie State University, he prides himself on diversity and believes that communities thrive through the exchange of ideas and culture. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities with his spouse and friends

Melanie Eisen
Principal for Teaching & Learning

Morah Melanie began her career in Jewish education at Gesher where she taught Hebrew and Judaics in our elementary school for 22 years.
She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Jewish Studies and an MA in Rabbinic Literature from McGill University (Canada), as well as an MA in Education and Human Development from GW University.

Melanie has spent the past four years working at Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy. Prior to that, she spent six years coaching teachers and working with schools as the Director of Educational Innovation at Prizmah and with Yeshiva University School Partnerships. Melanie lives in Northern, VA with her husband, two sons (both Gesher alums), and her dog, Bacus.

Zoë Goldberg
Coordinator of Jewish Life

Zoë Goldberg is an enthusiastic Jewish Educator whose journey is fueled by curiosity and a deep love for learning. Originally from Cleveland, OH, Zoë has made the DMV area her home and has loved becoming a part of the Jewish community here. She comes from a background of Jewish non-profit work and spent the last eight years working for organizations such as BBYO, Union for Reform Judaism, and Jewish National Fund. In addition to her professional work, she operates a Judaic Art Studio creating custom life cycle pieces and decor, blending her passion for Art and Judaism. Zoë earned her Masters in Jewish Experiential Education from George Washington University in 2022 and holds a B.A. in Art History from The Ohio State University. She lives in Centreville with her husband and their two cats.

Sarah Golden
MS Humanities & MS Grade 8 Dean

Sarah Golden has been teaching for more than 15 years in a wide variety of school settings. She holds a M.S. from American University in Health Promotions Management with a concentration in Community Education and a B.A. in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies from Kent State University. Sarah is an active member of the Virginia Association of Teachers of English, iCivics Educator’s Network, and is a master educator with The National WWII Museum.

Sarah is passionate about building empathy in students through studying social studies through multiple perspectives and Tikkun Olam. She fervently believes in providing students with tools for critical thinking and self-advocacy. Sarah loves reading with students, encouraging middle schoolers to be civically engaged, and is an Oxford comma enthusiast. When she is not kvelling over her students, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, their daughters (both Gesher students), and their dog Norman.

Jonnel Hector
Director of Guidance

Jonnel Hector has a M.A. from the University of Maryland in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a B.A. in Counseling Psychology from Washington Adventist University. Since 2014, Jonnel has been a member of the diverse team at Gunzburg and Associates in Bethesda as a mental health therapist. He specializes in working with adolescents and their families as well as with couples and families. In his free time, Jonnel enjoys playing and watching sports, traveling, photography and finding new bugs with his daughter Savannah.

Jodi Hirsch Rein
Principal for Culture & Student Success

Jodi Hirsch Rein joined the Gesher faculty in 2014 and has been an educator for more than 20 years. Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Jodi is proud to serve the community that shaped her and is deeply committed to educating the next generation of Jewish leaders. She has devoted her career to Jewish day school education, serving as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, teacher mentor, and school leader.

Jodi is excited to step into the role of Head of School for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, building on Gesher’s strong foundation while leading the school into its next chapter.

She earned her BA in Psychology from Columbia University and a BA in Talmud and Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary through List College. Jodi is a DeLeT Fellow and holds a Master’s in Jewish Education from Brandeis University. She is also a certified Reading Specialist and most recently completed a certificate in school leadership and management through Harvard’s education and business programs.

Outside of school, Jodi loves art, swimming, cooking, games, and travel. She is married to Rabbi Steven Rein and is the proud parent of two Gesher graduates from the Classes of 2024 and 2026.

Nicole Holzman
Director of Student Support

Originally from Puerto Rico, Nicole went on to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis with a BA in History and German. She later earned an MA from American University in Special Education. Nicole has been an educator for 23 years, both in private and public schools, in the United States and abroad. She has worked as a Reading Specialist, Learning Specialist, Special Educator, and an ESOL teacher. She has received a certification of mentorship from the Jewish New Teacher Project. Nicole joined the Gesher faculty in 2016 and has been committed to creating passionate readers in her students. She loves teaching students to capitalize on their strengths and challenges in order to advocate and be the most successful versions of themselves. Outside of Gesher, Nicole enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and hiking. You can often find Nicole spending time with her husband, two children(one a Gesher graduate), and their dog Rosie.

Bev Kramer
Accounts Manager

Since joining Gesher’s administrative team in 1997, Bev Kramer has maintained senior oversight of the school’s daily financial operations in concert with the school’s Finance and Development Directors. Bev brings years of knowledge of Gesher’s history and inner workings, having served under four of Gesher’s Heads of School, having close communications with its founders and supporters since its near beginnings and as a proud parent of two Gesher alumni.

Extremely detail- oriented and a known multi-tasker, Bev’s abilities were born out of her early professional experiences as an education researcher for the Organization of American States, as a proofreader for Northrop Grumman and from having served 12 years as a senior paralegal for the Federal Election Commission.

Bev was born in Chicago, Illinois and resides with her husband, Neal (former Gesher VP of Fundraising), in Alexandria, Virginia. She is a graduate of Beloit College and holds multiple certificates in legal research and writing.

Nick May
Tefilah Coordinator

Nick May has been part of the Gesher mishpacha since 2019, serving as Music and Tefilah Coordinator. Prior to joining Gesher, Nick worked for the Jewish community of Baton Rouge, Louisiana as cantorial soloist and program coordinator. Nick graduated from Louisiana State University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in Jewish Studies, Religious Studies, and Sociology and earned a Master’s of Education from Gratz College in 2021. When Nick isn’t singing in the classroom or at all school events like Kabbalat Shabbat, you can find him spreading the joy of Gesher across the Northern Virginia Jewish community. Nick lives in Herndon, with his wife Taylor, their son and their cat Lola.

Colleen Richardson
Director of Finance & HR

Colleen Richardson has over 16 years of experience in finance and operations management in the education sector, and joined Gesher JDS in June 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus.
Throughout her career, Colleen has worked in both public charter schools and independent schools in the DMV area, where she has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the school environment for the students she serves. She has a proven track record of success in managing various programs and initiatives, ensuring the satisfaction of stakeholders including students, parents, and faculty.
Outside of work, Colleen enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones. She cherishes moments with her husband, children, beloved cat and dog, and tending to her flock of backyard chickens.

Maddie Rosenwald
MS Leadership team; Science Teacher

Mrs. Rosenwald has been at Gesher for 9 years. She has a masters in Education from Marymount University and has completed an Advanced Graduate Program in Educational Leadership from Brandeis University.
Her goal is to give students the ability to understand the complexities that surround everyday science. As a teacher, she feels as though it is imperative that young individuals are given the tools and resources to think critically and to see that science, although maybe unfamiliar, can be exciting and fun.

Sharon Sherry
Senior Director of Outreach and Engagement

Sharon Sherry is a seasoned Jewish communal leader with over three decades of experience in Jewish education, outreach, and engagement. As Senior Director of Community Outreach & Education at The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, she has advanced regional strategy in Northern Virginia and stewarded initiatives for Families with Young Children. Sharon previously directed Olam Tikvah Preschool and held leadership roles in day schools, synagogues, and federations nationwide. A graduate of Brandeis University’s Hornstein Program, she is recognized for her excellence in communication, collaborative leadership, and vision-driven strategy, dedicated to building inclusive Jewish communities rooted in lifelong learning and values.

Originally from New Orleans, Sharon and her husband, Lance, have been active members in the Northern Virginia Jewish community for over 26 years and their three daughters are proud Gesher alums.