Welcome to אֶבֶן קְרִיאָה
אֶבֶן קְרִיאָה is the first-ever comprehensive, evidence-based Hebrew reading curriculum for second language learners. It combines the science of reading with unique linguistic structures and contexts of the Hebrew language.
Our goal: Help every student build belonging and identity within their Jewish learning.
Our Story
אֶבֶן קְרִיאָה started with a dream: To build confident, lifelong Jewish readers across the globe. To be like the סֻלָּם of יַעֲקֹב – transporting angels from the stones of the earth to the heights of achievement.
After bringing MaDYK to the field over a decade ago, Dr. Scott Goldberg and our team watched as less than 40% of students achieved reading fluency each year. We knew that this was more than just a reading instruction problem; this is a challenge that threatens students' emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing.
Hebrew reading is the foundation stone, the אֶבֶן, of students' Jewish identities. So, armed with the belief that Hebrew can and should be taught by teachers with pedagogical expertise informed by the science of reading, we got to work.
Today, אֶבֶן קְרִיאָה is revolutionizing the way Hebrew reading is taught. Our curriculum is meticulously designed to cater to second language learners, incorporating cutting-edge research in reading science and the intricacies of the Hebrew language. Our teacher support plan empowers teachers with the skills, confidence, and ease-of-use for their classrooms to shine with Hebrew reading.
This is the power of אֶבֶן קְרִיאָה: To help every child access Hebrew reading fluency, so their literacy can become the foundation stone – the אֶבֶן שְׁתִיָה – of their lifelong identity.
Our Team
Our Team
Dr. Scott Goldberg
Dr. Scott Goldberg has served on the faculty at Yeshiva University's Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education for close to two decades, was the founding director of the YU School Partnership (YUSP), and has consulted with countless Jewish Day Schools and Yeshivos in the United States and around the world.
Scott published the MaDYK Hebrew reading assessments suite over a decade ago, to support schools in meeting the pressing need for data-driven Hebrew instruction. Since then, MaDYK has become a leader in evidence-based Hebrew reading instruction worldwide. Scott serves as a guiding voice about multilingual literacy and assessment, differentiated instruction, and curriculum and intervention design.
Beyond his work in using data and the science of reading to improve Hebrew literacy instruction, Scott is is also a sought-after leadership coach for school administrators, employing a unique approach to coaching school leadership teams and boards to ensure a positive and productive school culture and healthy working relationships.
Dr. Jon Mitzmacher
Dr. Jon Mitzmacher is a Senior Director at Scott Goldberg Consulting, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across Jewish day schools, national networks, and innovation-driven educational initiatives. He is known for his deep understanding of school culture, instructional leadership, and Jewish mission alignment.
Jon has served as a head of school in multiple communities, including founding the Solomon Schechter Day School of Las Vegas, leading the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School in Jacksonville, and most recently heading the Ottawa Jewish Community School. He was the Executive Director of the Schechter Day School Network and played a key leadership role in the launch of Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools as Vice President of Innovation.
At SGC, Jon partners with school leaders and boards to support leadership coaching, strategic planning, school culture and climate initiatives, and the development of high-functioning teams. He is especially skilled at guiding schools through complex transitions with clarity, empathy, and vision.
Jon holds a doctorate in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary, as well as master’s degrees in education and business from the University of Judaism. He currently lives in Ottawa with his wife Jaimee and their two daughters.
Bayla Oster Kopel
Bayla is a certified literacy specialist with particular expertise in bridging the science of reading with the needs of students learning Hebrew as a second language. With an MSEd in Childhood Education and Teaching Literacy from Bank Street College for Education, she has spent years in elementary school classrooms teaching Hebrew reading and Judaic Studies. During her time at Tamim Academy NYC, Bayla was one of the first teachers to pilot Even Kriah, and became instrumental in developing our program from infancy to publication. Her coaching approach is informed by her own teaching experience, and prioritizes collaboration and inquiry when working with teachers.
Bayla specializes in multilingual literacy, curriculum design, literacy interventions, and differentiated instruction, and delivers professional development to support educators with these skills. Bayla is passionate about facilitating school change through developing teachers’ leadership skills and implementing research-based instruction.
Tzippy Warshaw
Tzippy Warshaw is a Coach at Scott Goldberg Consulting with extensive experience in literacy development, dyslexia, and language-based learning differences. An ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist and NJ Department of Education-certified clinician, she applies a structured literacy framework to deliver explicit, individualized interventions matched to each learner’s reading needs.
In addition to her work at SGC, Tzippy serves as Literacy Coordinator and Learning Specialist at Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy (JKHA), where she collaborates with educators to assess reading growth, implement evidence-based practices, and support students with language-based reading challenges. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Stern College for Women/Yeshiva University where she developed and teaches a senior level course on Science of Reading based approaches to literacy instruction in English and Hebrew.
With a strong foundation in both language development and literacy instruction, Tzippy creates programs that build phonological processing, decoding, fluency, and comprehension. Guided by research and a commitment to continual learning, she works to ensure every student and client reaches their full reading potential.
Sharone Cusid
Sharone Chusid is a Coach at Scott Goldberg Consulting and a bilingual (English/Hebrew) speech-language pathologist with over a decade of experience supporting children with language-based learning disabilities. She specializes in early literacy, reading intervention, and expressive and receptive language, and has worked extensively in school settings.
At SGC, Sharone partners with teachers and school teams to identify student needs and integrate strategies that drive learning and reading success. She brings a strong foundation in language development and the science of reading to her coaching, with particular expertise in supporting multilingual learners and students with complex learning profiles.
Sharone holds an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Brooklyn College, a master’s degree in TESOL from Tel Aviv University, and a B.S. from New York University. She is passionate about making Hebrew reading accessible to all students and empowering teachers to support diverse learners.
Dana Keil
Dana Keil is a Coach at Scott Goldberg Consulting with deep expertise in special education, inclusive practices, and Jewish studies. She has over two decades of experience in both general and Jewish educational settings, supporting students with diverse learning needs and guiding schools in building strong systems for student support.
Dana previously served as Director of Support Services and then Lower School Director at Luria Academy of Brooklyn, where she was recognized with the Ruderman Family Foundation prize for her leadership in inclusion. During her years in Israel, she completed advanced certifications in Tanakh, Talmud, and Halachic Studies through Matan, and taught graduate-level courses at Pardes’ Day School Educator Program. She began her career in public schools in Brookline, Massachusetts and New York City.
In addition to her work at SGC, Dana is the Communal Director of Teaching and Learning at the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland and an adjunct professor at American Jewish University. She holds a B.S. in Special Education from Boston University and an M.S. in Special Education with a focus on Behavior Disorders from Hunter College. Dana is a graduate of Prizmah’s YOULead and the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI). She lives in Beachwood, Ohio with her husband and their four children.
Sam Forman
Sam Forman is a Coach at Scott Goldberg Consulting who brings a rich blend of experience in special education, learning support, and Jewish educational settings. As Director of Learning Support at Pressman Academy in Los Angeles, Sam partners with teachers, administrators, and families to make sure each student receives the right balance of instruction, intervention, and enrichment.
Earlier in his career, Sam taught in Boston Public Schools and at a charter school in New Haven, Connecticut, building strong foundations in inclusive classroom practices and individualized learning. He also spent many years as a Jewish educator and musician in synagogues and summer camps, fueling his commitment to vibrant, accessible Jewish learning.
Sam earned a BA in Educational Studies and Jewish, Islamic, and Near Eastern Studies from Washington University in St. Louis, and an MA in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston through the Boston Teacher Residency program. He holds special education licensure from Boston Public Schools and is a Certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. Passionate about opening doors for neurodivergent learners, Sam focuses on expanding both the reach and quality of Jewish education.
We gratefully acknowledge the following scholars and educators, who offered their expert guidance in the development of Even Kriah, and continue to support our work in various ways.
Dr. Nina Goodman
Hebrew Literacy Expert Practitioner
Dr. Marcia Davidson
Leader in Literacy Development Worldwide
Dr. Stephanie Stollar
Renowned Consultant in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and the Science of Reading
Dr. Aaron Koller
Hebrew Language Expert
Dr. David Share
Acclaimed Researcher in Reading Development and the Structure of Hebrew
Linda Farrell, M.Ed
Renowned Author of Evidence-Based Reading Programs and Assessments, Consultant in the Science of Reading
Michael Hunter, M.Ed
Renowned Author of Evidence-Based Reading Programs and Assessments, Consultant in the Science of Reading