Harari named director of Jewish day school

Brenda Harari, the Agoura Hills resident who, with her husband Itamar, opened an alternative elementary school in the Las Virgenes Unified School District, has been appointed education director at the Conejo Jewish Day School.

Harari will start her new position next year, Harari told The Acorn.

Rabbi Robbie Tombosky, head of school since 2004, said the school conducted a national search for the director's post, and Harari fit the bill.

"We are so excited to have found someone with Dr. Harari's experience and expertise right in our own backyard," Tombosky said.

The Hararis run a local educational research and consulting firm called HEART in Education, and spearheaded the development of a charter elementary school became the Mariposa School of Global Education in the Las Virgenes district.

Prior to her work in the Las Virgenes district, Harari taught in the department of education at the University of California and developed and administered childcare programs. She also worked with the California State Department of Education developing student assessment tools curriculum and conducting professional training throughout the state.

Conejo Jewish Day School is an independent school for kindergarten through eighth grade that offers a dual curriculum in general and Judaic studies for Jewish students in all levels of devotion.

In addition to a curriculum aligned with other private and public schools, the students learn to study the Torah, read and write in Hebrew, and incorporate Jewish values in daily life.

"We are educating students to be the best people they can be," said Rabbi Eli Broner, the school Rabbi and director of Judaic studies. "Our goal is that all our students grow up to be proud Jews who value their Judaism as a relevant compass to guide them in making meaningful contributions to society."

Harari wants to build upon the foundation already established at the school.

"I am really looking forward to lending my vision and leadership at the CJDS to propel the school towards even higher levels of excellence in education, and to strengthening and expanding the tremendous sense of community that already exists there," she said. "At a time when enrollment in many independent schools is dwindling, CJDS is growing.

"This school is a community in every sense of the word," Harari said. The students in every classroom are happy and eager to learn."

The Conejo Jewish Day School serves students from throughout Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, the Malibu area, West San Fernando and Conejo Valleys.

—Stephanie Bertholdo