Faculty | Emet Classical Academy

James Karlin

Literature/History/Latin

James Karlin earned his BA in Classics from Kenyon College, with intensive coursework in Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit, and his MA in Eastern Classics from St. John’s College, where he studied the great books of India, China, and Japan, along with Classical Chinese. While his deepest academic passion lies in ancient texts and archeology, he practices in the liberal arts pedagogical ideal of cultivating wonder and excellence across many disciplines, and has taught sixth through twelfth grade language, literature, history, arts, and science classes at classical charter schools and Jewish day schools for nearly a decade. In addition to his academic work, Mr. Karlin competed in collegiate athletics and coached middle school and high school cross country and track and field. Mr. Karlin will be leading Emet’s Classical Languages department.
Dr. Zachary Levine

History & Bible

Dr. Zachary Levine is a scholar of ancient Jewish history, literature, and culture, with a special focus on biblical interpretation and the Dead Sea Scrolls. He holds a PhD in Hebrew and Judaic Studies from New York University and an MA in Adolescent Social Studies Education from Hunter College, and he is a New York State certified teacher of Adolescent Social Studies. At Emet, Dr. Levine teaches Judaic Studies and Humanities, pairing close reading of classical texts with rigorous historical inquiry and lively discussion. He has developed integrated Jewish History courses and electives on the Dead Sea Scrolls and Apocalypse, encouraging students to reflect on how ancient texts shape modern Jewish experience. Dr. Levine has also taught Global and U.S. History in Bronx public schools, Jewish day schools, and independent-school settings, and has served as an adjunct professor at New York University and Hunter College.
Rebecca Attar

Literature/History

With over a dozen years of experience teaching elementary and middle school students in the United Kingdom and the United States, Rebecca brings extensive knowledge of classroom practice to her work. She is committed to helping students build strong foundational skills to grow academically within a culture that promotes responsibility, excellence, and service. As a dedicated advocate for classical education in Jewish schools, she has contributed to curriculum development through Tikvah’s Lobel Press, editing teacher and student guides used at Emet, including Treasure Island, D’Aulaires’ Greek Myths, and the Famous Lives series.

Rebecca is currently pursuing an MA in Jewish Classical Education at the University of Dallas. She holds a BA in Philosophy and Russian Civilization from the University of Leeds and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education through a joint program of the University of Roehampton and the Jewish Teacher Training Partnership in London. Previously, as a Humanities teacher at Mazel Day School, Rebecca devised and taught an advanced English Language Arts curriculum and middle school social studies. She founded and directed the school’s first Middle School Student Newspaper. As a Humanities teacher at Emet, she draws on her expertise to guide students in close readings of classical texts and their enduring values.
Dr. Caroline Toumazatos

Literature and Humanities

After completing a DPhil in 18th-century English literature from the University of Oxford, Caroline Toumazatos taught humanities in the New York City Public School system. She then transitioned to the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, where she served as an instructional coach and faculty liaison, in addition to classroom teaching. She has presented papers on 18th-century women’s writing at the London Institute for Historical Research and the Modern Language Association Convention and has also mentored teachers nationwide in designing and implementing civics education initiatives through the Civic Spirit Teaching Fellows program. She is currently pursuing an MA in Humanities with a focus on Classical Education through the Lobel Center’s partnership with the University of Dallas. Her interests include the epistolary novel and Victorian literature.
Ted Goldstein

History and Humanities

Mr. Ted Goldstein is a writer and educator from Los Angeles, California. In 2020, after graduating from Princeton University with a degree in History, he co-founded Pando Tutors, dedicated to providing high-impact tutoring to low-income students. Since then, he has been teaching at IKAR Synagogue and Chofetz Chaim in Los Angeles across all fields of the humanities. Mr. Goldstein is part of the curriculum development team at the Lobel Center for Jewish Classical Education, where he focuses on history, literature, and Western civilization.

Dr. Gaby Platz

Biology

Dr. Gaby Platz is a native New Yorker and devoted mother to three beautiful children. She earned her undergraduate degree from Baruch College and went on to complete her doctorate in Molecular Genetics at Stony Brook University. Her research focused on vaccine development for Francisella tularensis, a Category A bioterrorist pathogen, and has been published in notable journals including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Infection and Immunity. Dr. Platz has been a professor of science at the New York Institute of Technology for the past fifteen years, where she has taught a wide range of courses including General Biology I and II, Microbiology, Comparative Anatomy, Gross Anatomy, Genetics, and Chemistry. Beyond the classroom, she is passionate about community service, cycling, hiking, music, and the arts.
Dr. Avital Shulman

Chemistry

Dr. Avital Shulman was born in Calgary and raised in Toronto and St. Louis. She earned her BA in Biochemistry from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women, where she also minored in music and physics and nurtured a love for teaching as a peer tutor, lab assistant, and a recitation instructor for general chemistry. Avital completed her PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences where she focused on the mitotic surveillance pathway. She also played the piccolo flute in the Music and Medicine Orchestra at Weill Cornell. Outside of academia, she continues her childhood passion for figure skating.
Paikea Colligan

Mathematics and Student Enrichment

Paikea Colligan joins Emet as a Mathematics teacher and student enrichment specialist. She graduated with dual bachelor’s degrees in economics and mathematics from the University of Florida, where she earned Dean’s List honors and recognition as a Rosenthal-Levy Scholar. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Ms. Colligan has distinguished herself through mentorship, student programming, research, and educational leadership, bringing both intellectual energy and a strong commitment to supporting the growth of young people. She was previously a Beren Fellow at Tikvah.

Rabbi Saul Zucker

Chair, Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language

Rabbi Zucker is a prominent Jewish educational leader, serving most recently as head of school for many years at Ben Porat Yosef in New Jersey. He previously served as principal of Magen David High School in Brooklyn from 2011–2017, where under his leadership the school was awarded two Young Pioneer prizes by the Jewish Educational Project and two Pomegranate Prizes from the Covenant Foundation. He has also held leadership positions as a Talmud instructor, associate principal, and principal at The Frisch School. Rabbi Zucker has extensive experience working in both Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities, a deep knowledge of Hebrew language instruction, and extensive experience working with Jews of all backgrounds. He is a sought-after public speaker and widely published on subjects related to Torah study and Jewish education. Rabbi Zucker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Queens College and a Master of Education degree in Educational Policy, Governance, and Administration from the University of Washington.
Inbal Gabay

Hebrew Language

Inbal Gabay is a Hebrew educator originally from Israel. After completing her military service where she taught Hebrew language to new immigrants, Ms. Gabay earned a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from David Yellin College and taught in Israeli public schools. Additionally, she has taught non-native Hebrew speakers in Israeli middle schools and has supported them throughout the year, helping them socially integrate into Israeli schools.
Benjamin Gottesman

Judaic Studies

Mr. Gottesman teaches Bible/Tanach and Jewish Civilization and serves as Emet’s Director of Jewish Life. He is also coach of Emet’s Debate Club. Mr. Gottesman graduated from Yeshiva University with Bachelor’s degrees in both Political Science and Jewish Studies. He has since served as Tikvah’s Associate Director of High School Fellowship and is currently the Dean of Students at the Tikvah Scholars Program. While at Yeshiva University, Mr. Gottesman studied under Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik as an undergraduate scholar at the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought. Mr. Gottesman is pursuing a MA in Humanities at the University of Dallas and Rabbinic Ordination at Machon Smicha.

Yishai Fisher

Choir / Music

Yishai Fisher is a music educator and a classical guitarist with extensive experience leading choirs and instrumental ensembles. He specializes in Hebrew choral music in the United States and founded an annual Hebrew choir festival. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Levinsky College of Education in Tel Aviv and a Master of Music in Classical Guitar from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.

Raz Chen

Physical Education/Self-Defense

Raz Chen is Emet’s Senior Martial Arts Coach. Mr. Chen trained under Master Gabi Noach and completed the Civilian Krav Maga instructor course at Wingate in Israel. He served as a Kfir Operations Combatant, and in counter-terrorism missions. He was a senior IDF Krav Maga instructor, having trained over 10,000 soldiers, including IDF Special Forces and U.S. Marines. He has been featured as a Krav Maga expert on CBS and the New York Times.
Carlos Guttierez

Carlos Guttierez brings over a decade of experience as a Krav Maga instructor. He began his martial arts journey at the age of 3 in Minnesota. Now based in New York City, he holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a brown belt in Karate. Carlos also possesses a background in various combat sports, including Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, and kickboxing. He specializes in integrating submission grappling and striking techniques, all while aligning them with Krav Maga’s rigorous standards. Beyond martial arts and self-defense training, he places a strong emphasis on implementing strength and conditioning for injury prevention, mobility, and recovery, integrating them to meet his students’ personal goals.

Eric Balck

Chess

Eric Balck is a lifelong chess enthusiast, National Master (NM) and professional chess instructor. His decade-long coaching experience ranges from one-one lessons to traveling chess teams. Schools he has worked with include Success Academy, the Dalton School, Trinity School, Epiphany School, British International School, Packard School, and many more. He is also an International Chess Federation (FIDE) national instructor and a United States Chess Federation (USCF) senior tournament director. He holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University.