Meet our Team
Associated Talmud Torahs Professional Staff
Rabbi Phil Karesh, Chief Executive Officer
Rabbi Phil Karesh, a proud graduate and parent in Chicago’s day school system, brings a steadfast commitment to excellence in Jewish education and professionalism as he leads ATT’s highly capable and experienced team.
After graduating from Hillel Torah and Fasman Yeshiva High School, Rabbi Karesh continued his learning at Yeshivat Sha’alvim for two years. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Yeshiva University, Semicha from Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan, and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Loyola University. Together with his wife, Mrs. Rachie Karesh, a community leader and Executive Director of Upward Community, they are the proud parents of six children.
Before joining ATT in January 2025, Rabbi Karesh served as Executive Director of Community Projects & Partnerships for the Orthodox Union, where he led the innovative GenAleph Parenting Initiative. His previous roles include Director of Education for Midwest NCSY and Rebbe at Hillel Torah. Rabbi Karesh is also a Daf Yomi Maggid Shiur at Beis Medrash Mikor HaChaim and a respected community Mohel.
Rabbi Avrohom Moller, Superintendent of Education
Rabbi Moller has led the ATT’s education and professional development initiatives for over a decade. He has been an educator in Chicago for 30 years, teaching elementary, secondary grades and college. He also served in school administration for six years. He received his rabbinic ordination from Mesivta Tiferes Jerusalem and a master’s degree in educational administration from Loyola University. Rabbi Moller believes passionately that Jewish education is the guarantor of our future as a people and that our schools deserve all the support we can provide them. He is fascinated by the science of learning and the systems that make schools succeed as institutions and as community assets. Rabbi Moller has written and lectured on these topics extensively.
Rabbi Moller lives in Chicago with his wife Devorah and family, and his children have all been recipients of a quality education in Chicago’s Jewish day schools.
Judy Biber, Office Manager
Arielle Blivaiss, Marketing Manager
Arielle brings over a decade of corporate marketing experience to her role as Marketing Manager at ATT. She holds degrees in marketing and psychology from the University of Maryland.
Throughout her career, Arielle has worked across a variety of industries, developing expertise in marketing strategy, brand communications, digital marketing, event planning, and project management. Her experience includes managing integrated marketing campaigns and developing initiatives to strengthen brand awareness and engagement.
At ATT, Arielle oversees the organization’s marketing and communications efforts, with a focus on raising awareness of ATT and the resources and services it provides to Chicago’s Jewish day school community. She manages digital and print communications, supports fundraising campaigns and organizational events, and works with ATT’s professional team to promote its programs and share its impact.
Sandy Cohen, Administrative Assistant
Jessica Elzinga, Literacy Coordinator
Chani Friedman, Government Programs Liaison
Over the course of Chani’s tenure at the ATT, she has served in many roles. Currently, she is the government programs liaison for the ATT/Jewish schools to Chicago Public Schools and Chicago suburban districts, coordinating local, state and federal resources for Jewish schools. She also served as director of ATT’s Arthur H. & Alice Barbakoff Department of Teacher Education & Development, organizing professional development opportunities for the 500 ATT teachers and coordinated the programming for the Rabbi Isaac Mayefsky Memorial Lecture.
Chani has a Bachelor of Science in medical technology from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in educational administration from Loyola University Chicago. She is a veteran teacher, having taught at Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov in the Jewish history and science departments for 30 years, at Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov as a guest lecturer teaching Holocaust education, adult classes in the Chicago community and the ATT’s professional development classes.
Chani is passionate about education and helping our community’s schools receive the resources they need so all children can succeed.
Elise Glatz, Director of Professional Development
Rabbi Yoni Gold, Director of Data Strategy & Instructional Excellence
Malkie Goldberg, Administrative Assistant
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Malkie attended Springfield Hebrew Day School (now Heritage Academy) and the Hebrew Institute of Long Island. She continued her education at several institutions, including Stern College for Women, Hebrew University, and Northeastern University, before earning her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Roosevelt University.
Before joining ATT, she worked as a substitute teacher at Hillel Torah, teaching English, Hebrew, and physical education. She has also been actively involved in Jewish communal organizations, serving as Midwest Council President of AMIT, chapter president of AMIT and Hapoel HaMizrachi, and on various boards.
A longtime advocate for Jewish education, Malkie has strong ties to Chicago’s Jewish day school community. Her three sons attended Hillel Torah and Ida Crown Jewish Academy, and her family now includes 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with multiple generations attending ATT-affiliated schools.
Outside of her professional and communal involvement, she has taught simcha dancing for many years and currently enjoys Jazzercise.
Shayna Rosenberg, Marketing & Project Manager
Sabrina Schapira, Director of Human Resources
Sabrina Schapira serves as the Director of Human Resources at ATT, bringing experience in human resources, employee relations, and organizational operations. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and is dedicated to supporting employees and fostering a positive, collaborative work environment.
Sabrina enjoys building meaningful relationships, finding creative solutions, and helping ATT operate effectively. She is passionate about creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported, allowing them to succeed in their roles and contribute to ATT’s mission.
Sharon Schwartz, Director of Strategic Planning & Government Programs
Elissa Staiman, Executive Assistant to the CEO and Bookkeeper
With over 15 years of experience in financial leadership, Elissa brings extensive expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial operations, and performance reporting for service-based organizations. She holds an MBA in Financial Analysis from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Loyola University.
As Executive Assistant to the CEO and Bookkeeper at ATT, she is committed to supporting the missions of ATT and REACH. She believes in the importance of providing teachers and students with the resources they need to address each child’s unique social, emotional, and academic needs.
Outside of work, she enjoys long-distance running, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family.