Skip to Content

About Us

Our Vision and Mission

We want Jewish day school students to be actively engaged in their learning, to find it personally meaningful and applicable to all areas of their lives. We want students connected deeply to their Judaism, to Jews around the world and to the people and land of Israel. Finally, we want students excited and empowered to lead their communities in the future. 

Strong students need strong schools. And strong schools need strong teachers.


That’s why Kadima focuses on providing high-quality professional development for Jewish day schools. Our mission is to help educational leaders and teachers apply student-centered learning in ways that best match their school cultures and academic programs.


Our executive team brings decades of experience in Jewish day schools and in teacher training and mentoring to Kadima, and our 30 coaches, “a pedagogical dream team,” have expertise in areas that span Judaic and General Studies, filling all of your coaching needs.


Contact us to learn more about bringing our talented team to your school. 


Meet Our Executive Team

Tikvah Wiener

Founder & CEO

Smadar Goldstein
Director of Global Partnerships

Rabbi Yaakov Shafferman
Director of Education, Europe

Jeff Liberty

Chief Strategy Advisor

Meet Our Executive Team

Tikvah Wiener

Founder & CEO

Smadar Goldstein
Director of Global Partnerships

Rabbi Yaakov Shafferman
Director of Education, Europe

Jeff Liberty

Chief Strategy Advisor

Joan Vander Walde

Director of Curriculum

Rabbi Dr. David Saltzman
Academic Officer

Shir Twerski
Director of Ivrit and Israel Education

Nathan Fein

Director of 
School Twinning/Data Analyst

Joan Vander Walde

Director of Curriculum

Rabbi Dr. David Saltzman
Academic Officer

Shir Twerski
Director of Ivrit and Israel Education

Nathan Fein

Director of School Twinning/Data Analyst