named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Chug/Enrichment
Supplemental activity groups offering enrichment and therapeutic support in areas such as social skills, occupational therapy, cooking, Lego, dance, and yoga.
Judaic Studies
Integrated Jewish learning through prayer, Torah study, holidays, Israel education, and Jewish history, taught primarily in English with differentiated Hebrew instruction.
Language Arts Program
Structured, multisensory reading and writing instruction using the PAF Reading Program and The Hochman Method, delivered in small homogeneous groups to target individual skill levels.
Mathematics Program
Daily math instruction using Orton-Gillingham multisensory strategies, focusing on conceptual understanding, problem solving, and the language of math, taught in skill-based groups.
Middle School Program
Program for grades 6–7 emphasizing independent learning, advisory groups, research skills, electives, and leadership opportunities including student government and community service.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Structured Literacy Instruction and Dyslexia Support 1 activity
- Deliver comprehensive academic and therapeutic curriculumThe school provides evidence-based, multisensory instruction in reading, writing, and math using programs such as PAF, The Hochman Method, and Multisensory Math, delivered in small, skill-homogeneous groups. Embedded speech-language and occupational therapy services are integrated into the classroom, and students receive daily instruction in reading (80 minutes) and math (45 minutes), along with social studies, science, and writing.
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Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
- Establish and develop new kindergarten programShefa School is establishing a new kindergarten program led by a founding teacher, with collaborative development of programmatic and curricular frameworks to ensure alignment with the school’s educational model.
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Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
- Offer enrichment, arts, and extracurricular programsStudents participate in visual and performing arts, music, physical education, science, and enrichment activities through weekly specials and chug blocks. Programs include a school chorus, annual Spring arts exhibition (Shefa Showcase), Maker Program, Math Team, and student-run committees in journalism, arts, chesed, and environmentalism.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Operate Jewish community day school for students with language-based learning disabilitiesShefa School operates a K–8 Jewish community day school in Manhattan exclusively serving students with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, who have average to above-average intelligence but have not reached their potential in traditional classrooms. The school provides a nurturing, inclusive environment with a 3:1 teacher-student ratio and small-group, research-based instruction in core academic areas.
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Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Operate Shefa Center for educator and leader supportThe Shefa Center provides capacity-building support to educators and leaders in Jewish day schools to improve practices in educating diverse learners, offering workshops and resources to strengthen inclusive education across the Jewish school network.
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Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- Operate rooftop garden and community service initiativesStudents engage in a rooftop garden program that supports interdisciplinary learning in Science and Judaic Studies, and participate in tikkun olam (repairing the world) activities, including running a student-led food pantry in partnership with Met Council at the school’s Chesed Center.
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Structured Jewish Text Study Programs 1 activity
- Provide Judaic and Jewish communal educationStudents receive Judaic studies instruction 4–5 times per week, covering Torah, Jewish history, traditions, and Israel. Weekly school-wide Shabbat celebrations and a middle school Israel education seminar for 8th graders reinforce Jewish identity and communal values.
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Interscholastic and Inclusive School Sports Programs 1 activity
- Run interscholastic athletics and physical educationThe school offers interscholastic sports including boys’ and girls’ basketball and soccer teams, with home games held at the school. Daily recess and physical education classes twice weekly support physical development and well-being for Lower School students.
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Family-School Engagement Programs 1 activity
- Support family and community engagementThe school fosters family-school partnerships through monthly breakfasts with the Head of School and offers parent workshops on various topics to support student success and family involvement.
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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 1 activity
- Support social-emotional learning and student well-beingThe school implements a daily social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, including Morning Meeting and small advisory groups in Middle School, to build self-esteem, relationships, decision-making, and organizational skills. SEL topics include internet safety and bullying prevention.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$29.38M
Contributions & grants$9.34M32%
Program service revenue$19.91M68%
Investment income$364K1%
Other revenue$-235K
expenses
Total expenses$30.22M
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$13.85M
Grants paid out$1.62M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$268.37M
Cash$7.13M
Investments$1.49M
Liabilities$248.15M
Net assets$20.22M
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +25.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ILANA RUSKAY-KIDD | HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $626K |
| AVI-YONAH SCHWAB | ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $325K |
| DOUGLAS LEREA | HEAD OF JUDIAC STUDIES | 40 | $309K |
| JAMES HALLIDAY | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $296K |
| REBECCA RITTER | HEAD OF TEACHING & LEARNING | 40 | $203K |
| IAN COHEN | HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL | 40 | $181K |
| CLINTON LOWRY | DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY | 40 | $178K |
board members · 18
- ARIELA DUBLER — TRUSTEE
- AVNER MENDELSON — TRUSTEE
- CLAIRE SHAMAH — TRUSTEE
- DANA RAUCHER — VICE PRESIDENT
- DAVID GOMBERG — TRUSTEE
- IVAN LEHON — TRUSTEE
- JEFF FEIG — TRUSTEE
- JONATHAN ADELSBERG — TRUSTEE
- JONATHAN SLONIM — TREASURER
- JOSHUA KAZAM — TRUSTEE
- JOSHUA SCHWALBE — TRUSTEE
- JOY LEVITT — TRUSTEE
- JUDITH ROSENBERG — VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY
- JUSTIN ZISES — TRUSTEE
- RAY LINDENBAUM — TRUSTEE
- ROBERT BERNSTEIN — TRUSTEE
- ROBERT FROST — PRESIDENT
- SIMON SHEMIA — TRUSTEE
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- FACTS Partner — Administers the online application for tuition support.
- FACTS Partner — Third-party service used to process financial aid and extended payment plan applications.
- Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York Network — Member of ISAAGNY, participating in shared admissions practices and professional development for independent schools in greater New York.
- Met Council Partner — Collaborates with Shefa School on a student-run food pantry program at the school's Chesed Center.
- PAF (Phono-Graphix/Orton-Gillingham reading program) Partner — Implements the PAF reading program as part of its evidence-based multisensory instruction.
- Parents Association Partner — Co-sponsors events and meetings to support family engagement at the school.
- Shefa Center Partner — Division of The Shefa School that serves as a resource for educators and leaders in Jewish day schools.
- The Hochman Method Partner — Uses The Hochman Method, a writing program designed for students with learning disabilities, in its curriculum.
- local artists Partner — Collaborates with local artists to enhance the arts curriculum.
- tri-state area families Partner — Families in the tri-state area are served as part of the school's student population and community.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Integrated Jewish Education Modelmethodology: integrated_jewish_educationBy integrating Jewish communal life, culture, and values into academic instruction, the school supports both student identity development and academic growth for students with learning differences, because cultural belonging enhances engagement and self-worth.
- Leadership Development Through Program Buildingmethodology: leadership_development_through_program_buildingBy involving founding teachers in curricular and program development, the school builds instructional ownership and leadership capacity, because early investment in educator voice strengthens program coherence and sustainability.
- Strengths-Based, Individualized Instructionmethodology: strengths_based_individualized_instructionBy designing instruction around each student's strengths and learning profile, the school improves academic and socio-emotional outcomes for students with language-based learning disabilities, because leveraging strengths increases confidence and neural engagement in skill development.