New principal for Moriah College
Moriah College has announced the appointment of Mrs Mira (Miriam) Hasofer as College Principal, commencing January 2024.
Mira Hasofer
In a letter to the Moriah Family, College President Stephen Jankelowitz said: “Mira’s appointment comes after a rigorous 12-month global recruitment search supported by external experts that drew the attention of high-calibre applicants from a diverse range of public and independent school settings in Australia and overseas.”
“At her core, Mira is a proud Moriah alumnus and her historic appointment as both the first graduate and first woman to hold the position of College Principal is an exciting step as we celebrate 80 years of being a cornerstone of Jewish education in Sydney.”
“An exceptional, inspirational educator and motivational leader, Mira deeply values the pillars and ethos upon which Moriah College stands. She prides herself as a listener, collaborator and creative thinker who has a gift for bringing people together, achieving goals and establishing an environment in which the people around her flourish.”
As announced in March 2022, Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler will remain as Moriah College Principal until the end of the 2023 academic year with the full support and confidence of the Moriah College Board of Directors, ahead of making aliyah and joining his family in Israel.
Rabbi Smukler has endorsed Mira Hasofer’s appointment wholeheartedly saying “Mira epitomises so many of the characteristics of a successful Principal for the College. She is articulate in her vision for education and for the College, yet she is humble. The entire College community will benefit from the deep collaboration, trust and relationships that she will build with key stakeholders right across the College including staff members, parents and importantly, our students.”
Commenting on her appointment, Mira Hasofer shared “In accepting this role, I am privileged to have the opportunity to serve Moriah College, the school I graduated from and that my peers and I called home for many years.”
“Following in the footsteps of the inspirational leaders of Moriah College during my time as a student, I am passionate about fostering within students a desire to achieve their personal best, a commitment to act with kindness, celebrate learning and to take responsibility for shaping a Jewish Sydney future that we can all be proud of.”
“In this new role for 2024, my priorities will include a focus on academic excellence through exceptional secular and Jewish education and attracting and retaining the most outstanding educators and support staff.
After graduating from Moriah, Mrs Hasofer served as a Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher at the College, as well as a madricha for the Year 10 IST program. In 2001, she moved to Hong Kong where she spent two decades working in Jewish education, including 11 years as the Head of Hong Kong’s Carmel Elementary School. Since returning to Sydney with her family in 2021, Mira has held the position of College Principal and Head of the Junior School at Masada College.
“It is my honour to lead Masada College through to the end of 2023 and to play a role in helping shape its future success and sustainability,” she said. “I am proud of the achievements of every student and member of staff at Masada College.”
Mira has recently been appointed as the Chair of the NSW Heads of Jewish Day Schools. In this capacity, she says she “hopes to enhance how the schools in our Jewish community work together through real collaboration and with the continued support of Jewish institutions and organisations to build a better future for our children.’’
