Deena Zlotnick
Judaic Studies Educator
Morah Deena Zlotnick was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, with her parents and three siblings. Growing up, she watched her father put his heart and soul into teaching and chinuch, sparking her own interest in education and her love of working with children.
After moving to New York to finish school, Deena worked for an artist in New York City and for the Nefesh B’Nefesh organization. Shortly after marrying her husband, Rafi, she began working at Westchester Summer Day. It was during that first summer at WSD that she found her place. What began as a camp job soon led Deena into the classroom. She started as a first-grade assistant teacher, spending her first 10 years learning and growing alongside her students before becoming the second-grade Judaic Studies teacher. Today, in her 16th year at WDS, she teaches third-grade Judaic Studies and second-grade Chumash.
WSD and WDS have truly become a second home to Deena. She has had the privilege of teaching her three children, Kira ('26), Ellie, and Jonathan, and considers this one of the most special parts of being part of the WDS community. Over the years, she has built lasting relationships with students, families, and colleagues, and has found a place where her love of children and passion for Torah can come together every day.
Deena brings her deep love for Torah learning to the classroom every day. She has a gift for bringing Chumash and Parshat HaShavua to life with clarity, creativity, warmth, and energy, making her students feel as though the stories of Torah are unfolding right in front of them. Her students hold onto every word, leave her classes eager to learn more, and develop the skills and confidence to build their own connection with the text.
For Deena, teaching is about much more than transmitting knowledge. She believes one of the most important parts of her job is helping children love who they are and develop a love for where they came from. She strives to model a life of Torah values in and out of the classroom, inspiring her students not only through what she teaches, but through who she is.
Deena feels fortunate to have a career that allows her to share her passion for Torah, Judaism, and children every day. After 16 years at WDS, she continues to feel grateful for the students, families, and faculty who have made the school such a meaningful part of her life - and WDS is truly so fortunate to have her.
After moving to New York to finish school, Deena worked for an artist in New York City and for the Nefesh B’Nefesh organization. Shortly after marrying her husband, Rafi, she began working at Westchester Summer Day. It was during that first summer at WSD that she found her place. What began as a camp job soon led Deena into the classroom. She started as a first-grade assistant teacher, spending her first 10 years learning and growing alongside her students before becoming the second-grade Judaic Studies teacher. Today, in her 16th year at WDS, she teaches third-grade Judaic Studies and second-grade Chumash.
WSD and WDS have truly become a second home to Deena. She has had the privilege of teaching her three children, Kira ('26), Ellie, and Jonathan, and considers this one of the most special parts of being part of the WDS community. Over the years, she has built lasting relationships with students, families, and colleagues, and has found a place where her love of children and passion for Torah can come together every day.
Deena brings her deep love for Torah learning to the classroom every day. She has a gift for bringing Chumash and Parshat HaShavua to life with clarity, creativity, warmth, and energy, making her students feel as though the stories of Torah are unfolding right in front of them. Her students hold onto every word, leave her classes eager to learn more, and develop the skills and confidence to build their own connection with the text.
For Deena, teaching is about much more than transmitting knowledge. She believes one of the most important parts of her job is helping children love who they are and develop a love for where they came from. She strives to model a life of Torah values in and out of the classroom, inspiring her students not only through what she teaches, but through who she is.
Deena feels fortunate to have a career that allows her to share her passion for Torah, Judaism, and children every day. After 16 years at WDS, she continues to feel grateful for the students, families, and faculty who have made the school such a meaningful part of her life - and WDS is truly so fortunate to have her.