About MDS

Leadership

Dr. Pesha Kletenik

Head of School

Dr. Pesha Kletenik is the head of school of Manhattan Day School. Prior to MDS, she served two decades in Jewish education, fifteen in school leadership, at Yeshiva Har Torah and Bnos Malka Academy. Dr. Kletenik received her Doctorate in Education from the Learning and Teaching Program at Hofstra University, with a specialization in Human Development and Educational Psychology and a Master’s of Science in School Psychology from the Touro Graduate School of Education and Psychology. She graduated from the Emil Fish Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Yeshiva University with a MA in Holocaust Studies and is an adjunct professor in Touro University’s Graduate Program for Holocaust, Genocide and Tolerance Education. Dr. Kletenik has been an Avi Chai Fellow and a scholar in residence for the Orthodox Union Women’s Initiative as well as a guest lecturer at Hofstra University's Graduate School of Education. She is certified in the Responsive Classroom approach, Holocaust instruction from Yad Vashem, school leadership from the Harvard Principals’ Center, Accountability and Management from Diana Bloom and is training to become a Reggio Emilio instructor. Dr. Kletenik has written about parenting, Jewish education and Jewish ideas in the Lookstein Jewish Educational Leadership Journal, Prism and the Panim Journal. She lives in West Hempstead with her husband and three children.

Educational Leadership

Rabbi Ariel Cohen
Rav Beit Sefer, Principal, Judaic Studies
Rabbi Ariel Cohen embodies the warmth, care, and generosity of spirit that are the trademarks of MDS. He is an excellent educator who is both admired and loved by his students.

Rabbi Cohen studied at Yeshivat Hakotel and received semicha (rabbinic ordination) from Yeshivat Ohr Hachaim. Rabbi Cohen made aliyah in 2006 and taught at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh, before he and his family returned to the States. He began his career at Manhattan Day School in 2010.

At MDS, Rabbi Cohen has taught Judaic Studies and served as Mashgiach Ruchani and Dean of Students. He is currently the Rav Beit Sefer and Judaic Studies Principal.

Rabbi Cohen received a Master’s in Educational Leadership, is a certified Positive Discipline Teacher, and is a Fellow of the Legacy YU Teach Cohort.
Ms. Ashley Finkel
Director of Early Childhood
Morah Ashley began at Manhattan Day School in 2018 as a kindergarten teacher. More recently, she served as the Curriculum Coordinator for Early Childhood and First & Second Grade Literacy, spearheading curriculum development. Within this role, she spent time aligning the teaching and learning with developmental milestones, helped create a deeper understanding of how children learn at each age, and how to assess and instruct at the different grade levels. She is a passionate advocate for fostering young minds, and is a lifelong learner in the field of early childhood education. With degrees in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Literacy Education, she brings a multifaceted approach to nurturing young learners. A commitment to continuous learning fuels her passion. She has actively participated in professional development opportunities, including a variety of Orton-Gillingham trainings, leadership programs through Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and Singapore Math training. This dedication allows her to tailor her approach to meet the unique needs and diverse learning styles of each student.
Mrs. Dolly Masri
Principal, General Studies
Mrs. Dolly Masri joins MDS after 12 years in lower school education at Barkei Yeshivah, most recently as the Director of Teaching and Learning. Mrs. Masri institutes and oversees current best educational practices and teachers in our General Studies department, ensuring that our faculty meet the individual needs of every student.
Dr. Pinchus Feintuch
Director of Psychological Services
Dr. Pinny Feintuch supervises our mental health team, collaborating with the administration and faculty to support the mental health of all MDS students
Ilana Talitian
Director of Student Services