Staff

Founder

Dr. Yosef WalderDr. Yosef Walder, M.D., Ph.D. Northwestern University, and CEO of Integrated DNA Technologies. The DEEP Collaborative is one of his latest and most innovative initiatives for our community's educational institutions. Dr. Walder is also the founder of the Kehillah Fund, Yeshivas Netzach Eliyahu, the Walder Education Pavilion, the Walder Science Center, the Holocaust Education Program, and much more. His tireless charitable efforts continue to impact every level of our community.

Consultant

Rabbi Heschel WeinerRabbi Heschel Weiner holds a Masters in Education (Educational Psychology) from Loyola University and Rabbinic Ordination from the Hebrew Theological College. He has been involved in education for our community for almost forty years, teaching at Hillel Torah Day School, Ida Crown Jewish Academy, Fasman Yeshiva High School, Hebrew Theological College and the Blitstein Institute. He current directs the Walder Science Center, and lives with his wife, Sarelle in Israel, commuting to Chicago frequently to be fully involved with both the Chicago and Israel based Walder Science Center.

Director

Daniel AlkhovskyDaniel Alkhovsky has a B.A. from University of Wisconsin Madison in Secondary Education and Mathematics and is Illinois State Board Certified to teach Mathematics for grades 6–12. He is in the process of a Masters in Educational Leadership, and has taught high school mathematics for 10 years, currently teaching at Yeshivas Meor HaTorah High School.

Teachers

Esther OlevitchEsther Olevitch grew up in Chicago and currently resides there with her family.  She graduated with a B.A. in Mathematics and Education from Northeastern Illinois University.  Esther is Illinois State Board Certified to teach Mathematics for grades 6-12.  She completed her Master's Degree in Math Education from University of Illinois at Chicago.  She teaches various math courses at Bais Yaakov High School and Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov.

Amanda SmithAmanda Smith has a B.A. in Mathematics and Education from Northeastern Illinois University and is Illinois State Board Certified to teach Mathematics for grades 6–12. She lives in West Rogers Park with her family. This year, Mrs. Smith will be teaching at Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov. She loves math and really enjoys sharing that love with her students.