Our People
Our Board
President: Dr Tahlia Gordon
Treasurer: Tom Levi
Secretary: Leanne Moss
Members: David Balkin AM, Jill Shapiro & Paula Shakenovsky
Observer: Sophie Hauser
Our Staff
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
John Hamey BEd, MEdLead
John is a passionate educator with an extensive background in school leadership in both independent and Jewish day schools in Sydney. John worked at Moriah College for twelve years, serving as college principal for seven. During this time, John immersed himself in the Jewish life of the College, developing a love for Jewish culture, history, traditions, ethics, and Hebrew. John counts his many visits to Israel with young people as some of the most moving and transformative experiences of his life as both an educator and a person deeply committed to his own spiritual growth. John started his career as a teacher of history, religious education, and Studies of Religion in secondary schools, understanding the critical link between student well-being and spirituality.
John has spent the past few years specialising in inclusion and diversity within school contexts, fostering a strong sense of belonging for all. John is deeply committed to finding ways to link young people with their Jewish heritage and community.
John is responsible for leading BJE’s strategic priorities, overall management, and engagement with parents and the community.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS:
Lianne Cohen CA, H Dip Tax
Lianne is a chartered accountant with more than 25 years’ experience in senior financial and operations management roles with strong strategic capability and proven success managing, driving and adapting to change.
Lianne is committed to BJE’s mandate of ensuring that all Jewish children have the opportunity to connect with their Jewish heritage. Coming from a professional environment, Lianne expects high standards of quality and excellence in BJE dealings with all stakeholders, both internally and externally.
As Director of Operations, Lianne manages the day-to-day operations of BJE to ensure BJE organisational effectiveness and efficiency. She works closely with the executive team in developing new initiatives, business planning and operational efficiency and with the Board on BJE’s strategic direction.
Her role includes leading and directing the BJE’s overall commercial, financial and operations functions, financial and operational performance reporting, managing BJE’s compliance obligations, developing and maintaining BJE’s policies and managing contracts with third parties.
HEAD OF JEWISH LIFE:
Ronnen Grauman BA, Grad Dip Ed, MEdLead
Ronnen is very passionate about and committed to Jewish education. He recently joined BJE as the Head of Jewish Life and is very excited to be in this new role. Prior to BJE, Ronnen worked at Moriah College in a variety of roles. He was Head of Department (Jewish Studies) for 12 years and then became Director of Jewish Studies working with both Primary and High Schools. In 2018, Ronnen was appointed Head of Jewish Life and Learning where he worked with students and staff from the ELC’s through to Year 12. Throughout his 26 years at Moriah, Ronnen also taught Jewish Studies, Jewish History and Classical Hebrew as an HSC subject and has been involved in setting, marking and judging HSC examinations for many years. Ronnen has also accompanied students to Poland and Israel on numerous educational programs.
Ronnen is now responsible for the teaching and learning of Hebrew, SRE and the Extension program and works closely with the educators and curriculum developers. He will also be supporting the youth engagement team and broadening the parent engagement offerings.
Ronnen is married to Natalie and is the proud father of 3 children.
ADMINISTRATION & EDUCATION COORDINATOR:
Heidi Turner
Heidi has worked in admin for over 25 years, in areas such as marketing, advertising, finance and in the medical field. She has also worked in education for the past 14 years.
Heidi holds a degree in Business Administration and a diploma in Business Administration (Legal). On top of her busy schedule, she also is a mother of two young adults.
DATABASE & ENROLMENT OFFICER, ISRAEL PROGRAM ADMIN MANAGER:
Cyndi Taylor
Cyndi is a versatile professional with expertise in both business administration and education. Over the past decade, she has honed her skills across a range of nonprofit organisations, from small to large.
She has a genuine passion for developing relationships and supporting families to achieve the best outcomes for their children.
As BJE’s Enrolments and Database Officer, she leverages exceptional organisational ability and empathy to ensure a seamless enrolment process for families navigating our varied programs.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Cyndi is also a devoted mother of two university students.
SHINSHINIM:
Yahli Karsh
Yahli has spent some time growing up in Sydney and moved to Israel with her family, aged 14. She is the eldest of 4 siblings and is majoring in Theatre and Computer Science. Yahli has held leadership roles with ‘Tzofim’ (Israeli scouts) and has travelled the US as part of a delegation performing and teaching to schools across the country.
Yahli is passionate about acting and singing and loves reading as well. She is also a talented piano player. Yahli has such fond memories of Sydney and, like Yarden, cannot wait to get started.
Yarden Hermoni
Yarden is majoring in music and diplomacy in his final year at school. He is the eldest of 3 siblings and lives in Kibbutz Dan (North of Israel). Yarden served as a youth counsellor for younger children on his kibbutz and participated in the ‘Kav HaZinuk’ program, focused on leadership development, advocacy and promoting values. He was also selected for the ‘Unistream’ program, focusing on technological and business entrepreneurship, and plays guitar and drums, performing in bands and orchestras.
Yarden is very excited to come to Sydney. He has spent some time learning about the city and can’t wait to get started.
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS:
Roy Halberstadt (Israel Program Coordinator)
Roy is one of the Youth Engagement Officers at BJE. In his role this year, he runs SRE (Scripture) classes in multiple primary and high schools from the North to the East. He also organises events and camps for BJE High School students. Roy was the Rosh Tzevet for the Year 10 Nesiah Israel Program in 2022/23 and will continue to lead the Madrichim this year in the upcoming program. This role involves coordinating, managing and organising the wonderful team of Madrichim (youth leaders).
Roy was an avid BJE student, attending multiple High School camps and events, and is also a graduate of the 2018/19 BJE Israel Program.
Roy has been involved in HaTzofim Sydney since 2016 as a Madrich and is currently filling in as the Merakez (Head of Tzofim Sydney). Through this experience, Roy has developed skills in working with students of all ages, and coordinating major events in the Jewish Community. He is also studying a B. Laws & Commerce at Macquarie University.
Idan Alhassid
Idan is currently studying a B. Psychology and Cognitive & Brain Science at Macquarie University. Idan has been involved with HaTzofim Sydney since 2016, first as a chanich, then as a madrich. This enabled him to participate in a gap year program (Shnat Sheirut) in Israel where he volunteered in a youth detention facility prior to his degree.
He is passionate about leading and mentoring teenagers as well as helping them form deeper connections with themselves, their identity and the community. He loves helping to program and facilitate events, creating engaging experiences that bring people together.
Idan enjoys the company of his family and friends, going to the gym and playing the guitar.
Aaron is one of BJE’s Youth Engagement Officers, helping develop and run activities and programs to engage primary school students, build their connections with other Jewish students and the community, and help them explore what being Jewish means for them.
Aaron has 6 years experience working as a madrich at Hineni as well as holding the role of state president and federal treasurer. Aaron took part on the IBC Israel program in 2020. He is excited to inspire BJE students to develop their connections to Israel, judaism and the community.
Shanie Avrahami
Shanie grew up in Sydney’s North Shore and attended public school, where she was involved in BJE programs like SRE, HSC Hebrew and the Year 10 EMET (Nesiah) Israel trip. She later spent a gap year in Israel with Bnei Akiva and has been an active member of CSG for over three years.
Shanie holds a Bachelor of Media in PR & Advertising from UNSW and has experience in social media, project management, and digital marketing. She’s passionate about helping young Jews connect to their identity and is excited to be part of the BJE Youth Engagement team.
BJE HUB MANAGER:
Yulia Ilin
Yulia brings with her an extensive background in early childhood education and administration, with many years of experience supporting families and educators. She joined the BJE team in 2025 as Hub Coordinator, working across the Bondi and Randwick hubs to ensure programs run smoothly and deliver the best possible outcomes for students and families.
Passionate about creating positive and supportive learning environments, Yulia is committed to helping both educators and students thrive. She enjoys working closely with families, supporting the growth of BJE’s educational programs, and ensuring our hubs are warm, welcoming spaces where community can flourish.
MARKETING MANAGER:
Michelle Falk
Michelle is the Marketing Manager at BJE and comes with a wealth of knowledge in the digital and marketing sector with over 16 years of experience.
Michelle has had a vast amount of marketing experience specialising in the Non Profit Jewish Sector. Her clients have included JCA, The Choice Foundation, UIA, Shabbat Project Sydney, Youth 2 Israel, Together Never Apart, and Gen17 Survey, as well as providing Marketing, Social Media, Video Production & Event experience working for Believe Advertising, CanTeen, 1st Street Financial, Australian Banking Association, Wolper Hospital to mention a few.
Having had BJE through her high school years, Michelle is extremely passionate about providing students and families with a Jewish Education as well as a sense of community and belonging.
MARKETING COORDINATOR:
Prielle Betito
