New faces at Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh

Educator Raiza Malka Hartz this summer traded in the bustling day-to-day life of Manhattan’s Washington Heights for Squirrel Hill — and she’s not looking back.

“We were looking to leave New York in general — for more space for our family, for a more family-friendly environment,” said Hartz, who grew up in a Massachusetts suburb about 20 miles southwest of Boston, and also lived previously in Chicago.

“I am very much enjoying how much more relaxed it is,” Hartz laughed. “It is stressful just waking up and walking around New York. Everyone is so nice here; we’ve been so warmly welcomed.”

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Hartz arrived in Pittsburgh in July and serves as the new head of Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh’s Early Learning Center. Her husband, Rabbi Herschel Hartz, is joining Yeshiva’s staff as a teacher of Judaics in the boys school. They recently moved to southwestern Pennsylvania with their five children, ages 3 months to 8 years.

Hartz did not grow up in an observant family but embraced Orthodox Judaism after meeting a rebbitzin while studying at the Art Institute of Chicago. She studied in Israel after graduating from college, then moved to Crown Heights, where she attended seminary for two years at Machon L’Yahadus.

She worked in a Jewish preschool in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and fell in love with the children there, ages 18 months to 5 years. She was there for two years. After marrying Herschel Hartz and starting a family, the two ran a Chabad house for about six years.

After moving to Washington Heights, Hartz taught preschool at Yeshiva Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, leaving after nearly three years — for Pittsburgh — as the program’s director.

“What I’m excited about with the Hartzes is that they both have had rich experiences in education and in the community,” said Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum, Yeshiva Schools’ CEO and head of school. “Already in her first three, four weeks of work here, she’s developed a terrific relationship with the other staff.”

Yeshiva School’s Early Learning Center, based at its Forbes Avenue building, serves about 130 children — from those just weeks old to those in pre-kindergarten.

Hartz said when she visited Pittsburgh for an interview, Yeshiva Schools’ programs quickly made an impression.

“Their philosophy really resonates with mine … to center on the child, to make it about their interests and meet them where they’re at,” Hartz said. “We match.”

The Hartzes are living temporarily in Squirrel Hill but plan to move to Greenfield this month. They worship at Kether Torah.

“I think they bring a lot of experiences, a lot of energy,” said Rosenblum. “The Hartzes moved here for this — we expect this to be a longtime relationship.” PJC

Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.