Mira Hasofer named Moriah College’s new principal
Educator is both the first Moriah College graduate and first woman to hold the position of College Principal
Moriah College has announced the appointment of Mrs Mira Hasofer as College Principal, commencing in January 2024.
The appointment of Hasofer, who is currently serving as principal of Masada College, comes after “a rigorous 12-month global recruitment search supported by external experts”, Moriah College president Stephen Jankelowitz said.
“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,” Jankelowitz said in an email to parents.
“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.”
Current principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler, who will remain in the role until the end of the 2023 academic year before making aliyah and joining his family in Israel, said, “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, 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.”
She said her 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”.
“The role aligns itself with my personal values of chesed, tzedek and derech eretz and an education that draws on the potential of every student and speaks to their core being,” she added.
After graduating from Moriah, 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.
Mira was also recently appointed chair of the NSW Heads of Jewish Day Schools. In this capacity, she said 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.’’
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