Head of School Search

After seven years of dedicated leadership as Head of School at SDJA and nearly 50 years in Jewish education, Zvi Weiss has shared his decision to retire at the end of the 2026–2027 school year.

The Board of Trustees has the ultimate responsibility for selecting the next Head of School, based on the recommendation of the Head of School Search Committee. This is one of the Board's most significant responsibilities and is critical to the long-term success of San Diego Jewish Academy.

A Head of School search committee has been assembled that includes lower, middle, and high school parents, school leaders, and respected members of our faculty to bring a broad range of perspectives to the search process. The search committee will work closely with our Board of Trustees and will guide and steward this process on behalf of the SDJA community led by two co-chairs.

• Meredith Smiedt (Co-Chair) – Meredith is a parent of students in 2nd, 4th, and 9th grades and is an active member of the Board of Trustees, including as a member of the Finance Committee and Executive Committee. Meredith chaired the ECC Lions Parent Association and currently serves on the middle school LPA.
• Sonia Mandelbaum (Co-Chair) – Sonia is a parent of two SDJA alums and has a child in 10th grade. Sonia was a member of the Board of Trustees, was a co-chair of the “Our Family is One” campaign, and served on the previous Head of School search committee.

Initially, the Search Committee is responsible for gathering input from multiple constituents and defining the qualities and qualifications desired in the next Head of School. As the search progresses, the committee will review candidate materials, interview the most qualified candidates, conduct comprehensive reference checks, and ultimately make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

Throughout the process, both the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee are committed to keeping the SDJA community informed and appropriately engaged as the search unfolds.

Search Committee members share a deep appreciation for SDJA’s mission and core values. They include individuals who offer a diverse set of experiences and points of view as well as a strong degree of commitment to and involvement in the school community.

The Search Committee will provide regular updates throughout the search process. While much of the candidate recruitment and evaluation process must remain confidential to protect the privacy of applicants and the integrity of the search, we are committed to keeping the SDJA community informed about key milestones and progress. All parent communications and search updates will also be posted on the Head of School Search webpage for easy reference.

Email search@sdja.com

SDJA has partnered with RG175, a nationally recognized executive search firm specializing in independent school leadership searches. Our search is being led by two consultants, Jerry Katz from Boston and Steve Morris from the Bay Area. Both are former Heads of School with extensive experience in independent schools and a deep understanding of the Jewish day school community.

Working closely with the Search Committee, RG175 will help guide a thoughtful, transparent, and inclusive search process. The firm provides expertise on search strategy, candidate recruitment, evaluation, logistics, interview processes, and best practices, while supporting the committee at every stage of the search.

Although RG175 advises and facilitates the process, the Search Committee is responsible for evaluating candidates and making a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, which has the final responsibility for selecting the next Head of School.

The SDJA Board of Trustees, the Head of School Search Committee, and our search consultants are committed to a transparent search process and value the perspectives of our faculty and staff. Faculty and staff were given the opportunity to provide input by participating in a survey in Spring 2026.

Parents and guardians will have meaningful opportunities to provide input throughout the search process.

Many of you have already shared your thoughts by participating in the community survey. Your feedback will help shape the leadership profile and identify the qualities and priorities that are most important in our next Head of School. Parents will also have the opportunity to meet with RG175 when they are here in August.

As finalist candidates are identified, opportunities will be provided for faculty and parents to meet the candidates and share feedback with the Search Committee. Broad community participation is an important part of ensuring a successful leadership transition.

You can also support the process by referring any questions, rumors, or speculation directly to the Search Committee rather than relying on unofficial sources. This helps ensure that accurate information is shared with our community. We also encourage you to read the periodic search updates that will be distributed throughout the process.

Thank you for your engagement, input, and support as we undertake this important search together.

See our timeline published to this web page.

Community members will be able to identify candidates for the position through the community survey that will go out in early fall, and interested candidates can apply through the RG175 website.

Your child's day-to-day experience including their teachers, classrooms, programs, and the strong sense of community at SDJA will remain consistent throughout the search process. Zvi will continue to serve as Head of School through the end of the 2026–2027 school year, ensuring a smooth and thoughtful leadership transition.

Zvi Weiss will continue to serve as Head of School throughout the 2026–2027 school year, ensuring continuity in leadership and a thoughtful transition. During this time, SDJA's experienced leadership team will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school, working closely with Zvi and supported by the Board of Trustees.

This collaborative leadership structure, combined with a carefully planned transition process, will ensure that our students, faculty, and families continue to experience the strong leadership, exceptional programs, and vibrant community that define SDJA. The newly appointed Head of School will begin on July 1, 2027, allowing for a seamless transition into the 2027–2028 school year.

No. While faculty and administrators will have opportunities to provide input throughout the search process, their participation has been carefully planned to minimize any disruption to teaching, student learning, or the day-to-day operations of the school. Our students and families can expect the same high level of attention, support, and educational excellence throughout the search.

Qualified candidates are invited to review the position description and application instructions by visiting the Head of School opportunity page. All applications and inquiries will be handled confidentially by our executive search firm, RG175.

The position description and application link will be posted shortly.