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    About Teach New Jersey

    All children deserve access to a secure and quality general education funded by the state. This state funding will help alleviate the out-of-pocket costs of parents facing the burden of paying tuition and taxes. By voting, mobilizing a network of hundreds of schools, engaging with elected officials, and mobilizing students, parents and community members to speak up in Trenton, Teach NJ is able to fight for fair government funding for our Jewish day schools and yeshivot.

    This model has led to expanded funding for special services, school nurses, classroom technology, kosher meals, transportation, and more vital services. In addition to these vital programs, Teach NJ has successfully championed groundbreaking new initiatives, including the adoption of the first program in the country to bring general studies STEM public school teachers into nonpublic schools, completely paid for by the state.

     

    In 2023, over $152 million in state government funding is currently invested in nonpublic school students, a 63% increase in annual funding since Teach NJ was established in 2015.

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    Our Team

    Dan Mitzner

    COO & Director of Government Affairs, Teach Coalition

    Katie Katz

    Executive Director, Teach NJ

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    Katie Katz

    Executive Director, Teach NJ

    As Teach NJ’s executive director, Katz oversees Teach NJ’s annual campaign, community engagement and mobilization efforts across the state. She joined Teach NJ from the Englewood Health Foundation where, as a major gifts officer, she managed a portfolio of major donors and cultivated philanthropic partnerships between donors, physicians, and Englewood Health. Prior to her time at Englewood Health, Katz worked at The New Jewish Home in Manhattan as associate director of capital campaigns. A third-generation New Jersey resident and Jewish day school alumna, Katz holds an MBA from Brandeis University in nonprofit management as well as a master’s degree in Jewish professional leadership. She lives in Teaneck with her husband Ezra and their three children.
    Ariana Dalezman

    Event Manager, Teach Coalition

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    Ariana Dalezman

    Event Manager, Teach Coalition

    Ariana Dalezman serves as Teach Coalition’s Event Manager. Prior to joining the Teach Coalition team, Ariana served as the Director of Operations and Events at one of Bergen County's largest orthodox synagogues. Ariana is a life-long resident of Bergen County, and currently resides in Teaneck, NJ with her husband and three children. Ariana graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Communication, when she is not planning events, Ariana enjoys traveling with her family and baking.
    Adam Katz

    Associate Director of Government Programs, Teach Coalition

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    Adam Katz

    Associate Director of Government Programs, Teach Coalition

    Adam Katz serves as the Associate Director of Government Programs for Teach Coalition. Working with schools throughout the country, he helps them navigate government programs and ensure they take maximum advantage of all available funding sources. Adam brings a wide range of skills and experience to the organization. He has worked at the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center Think Tank for Urban and Regional Policy as well as the US Navy, started his own real estate advisory firm, served on the board of directors of a nonprofit, and is an author. Adam earned a master's degree in Public Policy from Northeastern University and a bachelors degree in Economics from University of Massachusetts Amherst. Adam lives in Passaic with his wife and three children.
    Ronit Mershon

    STEM Associate, Teach Coalition

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    Ronit Mershon

    STEM Associate, Teach Coalition

    Originally born in Chicago, Ronit grew up in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley and attended YULA. After graduating from Brandeis University, she went on to become a television producer at the CourtTV Network in New York City. These days, in addition to her role at Teach Coalition, she’s also a Staff Writer for The Jewish Link of New Jersey. as well as a substitute teacher at Yavneh Academy. She lives with her husband (Stuart) and three children in Teaneck.
    Benjamin Hutt

    Regional Field Director, Teach NJ

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    Benjamin Hutt

    Regional Field Director, Teach NJ

    Benjamin Hutt joined Teach NJ in February 2020 and serves as regional field director, leading New Jersey’s voting efforts and focusing grassroots efforts primarily on portions of Bergen County. Prior to regional field director, Benjamin served as campaign manager, successfully increasing Jewish voter turnout in general and municipal elections across Teach Coalition states. Benjamin joined the Teach team from New Jersey Yachad. Benjamin graduated cum laude from Rutgers University in 2016 where he received his BS in Evolutionary Anthropology. Benjamin lives in Teaneck with his wife and two sons and in his free time tends to his beehives, volunteers with the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and plays tennis.
    Maya Joyandeh

    Regional Field Director, Teach NJ

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    Maya Joyandeh

    Regional Field Director, Teach NJ

    Maya Joyandeh serves as Regional Field Director, having joined Teach Coalition in July 2021. For the last 10 years, Maya has worked as a Medical Social Worker, providing counseling and services to those suffering from life-limiting illnesses in NY and NJ. Maya has a passion for serving her community, specifically recruiting and assisting new families in the Welcoming Committee, chairing the annual dinner, and serving as the Events and Programming Committee Director at her shul. Maya also kickstarted and moderates the "Neighborhood" groups on Facebook, which assists residents of Bergen County (and nearby communities) in locating household items, food and clothing for free from other families that no longer need it.

    Maya received her undergraduate degree from Stern College for Women in 2006, and a Masters in Social Work at NYU. Maya lives in Teaneck with her husband and three children. In her free time, Maya enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and hiking with her family.