About Us

Dr. Diona Lewis joined JCFS Chicago to serve as the new Knapp School & Yeshiva principal. Dr. Lewis comes with deep administrative and principal experience, and a passion for empowering students. Dr. Lewis has been a special education teacher, assistant principal, director of special education and principal. She holds an EdD in Educational Leadership Curriculum and Instruction, an M.A. in Special Education, an administrative endorsement and a B.S. in Secondary Education. She well understands the needs of our students and is a great choice to lead the Knapp School into the future. Dr. Lewis brings new perspectives and initiatives for our students’ education and overall experience, paving the way for a bright and successful future.

Indira joined JCFS Chicago in March of 2017. She holds a Masters Degree in Special Education and Educational Leadership with undergraduate studies in Speech Pathology and Special Education. Before joining JCFS Chicago, Indira worked at Anixter Center for many years where she held a variety of direct service and administrative positions. In addition, she volunteered on the Local School Council for a public neighborhood school for six years. The experiences gained from filling so many different roles over the years in both a professional and personal capacity allow her the ability to see any given issue with different perspectives. “My motivation for learning is helping others that may be less fortunate while helping them become independent and productive citizens. My philosophy is that everyone is capable of learning; everyone learns at a different pace, with different success levels and using different modalities.”

Allison Stevens has worked at the Knapp School & Yeshiva since 2002. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Allison's specializations include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and collaborative problem solving. Previously, she worked with youth in residential, school and community mental health settings. These experiences have contributed to Allison’s dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive educational environment for students and educators by focusing on strong curricular instruction, social emotional learning and appropriate differentiation to meet diverse student needs. Allison holds a master’s degree in social work from University of Illinois Chicago and a master’s degree in educational leadership from American College of Education.

Lisa Haber, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has worked at the Knapp School & Yeshiva since 2003, serving as a school social worker, Clinical Coordinator and currently as a Clinical Supervisor. Lisa is a trainer for JCFS and has been teaching Clinical Treatment of Trauma to clinicians for more than 10 years. She has completed extensive training in complex trauma and PTSD with specialties in the areas of sexual and physical abuse as well as neglect and neurodevelopmental responses to childhood trauma. Lisa previously worked at Response for Teens, Niles West High School and taught at Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois. She earned her master's degree in social work from The Crown School of Social Work at the University of Chicago.

Rabbi David Rosenberg is the Director of Jewish Educational Studies at Knapp School & Yeshiva. Previously, David was rabbi of Congregation Beth Tefilah in London, Ontario, and executive director of the Newberger Hillel Center at the University of Chicago. David received his rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He also received a Master of Arts degree in Bible from Yeshiva University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian and East European studies from Yale College.

Marlon Tobin began his career in social work/education more than 30 years ago in Chicago, serving as a dean, athletic director and  ssistant principal over the years He has been a strong advocate for greater access and opportunities in school choice. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, consistently conceptualizing and implementing school programs designed to offer great access to education/economic opportunities for underserved communities. Marlon holds a bachelor's degree in counseling psychology from North Park University in Chicago.
 

Armon Beladi collaborates with teachers to develop curriculum and instructional strategies that foster dynamic learning environments. Armon also coordinates state testing for the school. His background includes extensive experience as a co-teacher in public school classrooms and as an educator in specialized settings supporting diverse learners. He also brings experience as a corporate trainer, having worked as a training manager with Walgreens Corporate Headquarters. Armon earned a Master of Arts in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University. He is dedicated to advancing instructional practices and fostering collaboration to support growth and lifelong learning for students and educators.