Meet the two newest OTS principals: Michal Grouchko Taitel has been promoted to principal of the Jennie Sapirstein High School for Girls in Ramot, Jerusalem, filling in for Chana Assis, who is on sabbatical; while Matan Rivkin has take the reins from Derech Avot Junior High School principal Yisrael Avital, who is also on sabbatical this year.
Michal Grouchko Taitel
Matan Rivkin
Born in 1978
From Jerusalem and lives in Jerusalem to this day
Married to Michael, a doctor of Chemistry
Parents to 6 children – “the oldest is a senior at Ohr Torah in Ramot”
Born in 1980
From Rishon LeZion; Lives in Rosh Tzurim
Married to Talia, an ulpana teacher, for 13 years
Parents to 5 children
Educator within the OTS network for 15 years, teaching classes 8-12, serving as educational coordinator and more. Alumnas of women’s batei midrash at Migdal Oz and Midreshet Lindenbaum. Holds a MA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem: “I am an eternal student.”
Educator at OTS Derech Avot Junior High for 12 years, involved in teacher training. Served as the deputy principal of the Junior High for the past eight years, “so it feels natural to step into the administrative shoes of the school.”
“I believe very much in people, and I believe that one should always look at the cup as three-quarters full I am full of gratitude to God for being born in a generation that merits to fulfill the great dreams of our nation to return and live in Eretz Yisrael, and in a generation in which women are partners in all aspects of life, they learn and teach Torah, serve as leaders and strive to effect goodness in the world.”
“I believe in education that is rooted in love and is accompanied by an illuminating smile and much happiness, yet without compromising on boundaries. I want to cultivate each student from the place that he is in, to encourage him to meet himself, his family and his community.”