apply now
Online Open Day

Our People

Shana Kerlander website 2020
MS SHANA KERLANDER
BEd (University of Sydney), CELTA (Cambridge English)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND MASTER

Shana was appointed CEO at Mandelbaum House in May 2005. Her long association with Mandelbaum House began a year before the College’s opening in 1995 via her position as AUJS president at the University of Sydney. Shana has held many leadership positions including Hillel Director of Student Services at Shalom College, UNSW. She is a qualified teacher and has worked in the field of education and in business development. She has also worked as a tour leader in Sydney, Israel and in 11 countries/35 cities across Europe and worked on cruise-ships in the South Pacific. Shana was awarded the NSW JBD President's Award in 2020 for outstanding contribution towards promoting a safe, inclusive and cohesive community in NSW.

Naomi Winton website 2020
MRS NAOMI WINTON

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, MANDELBAUM TRUST

Naomi hails from New Zealand and has worked at Mandelbaum House since 2002 in a variety of management roles, including Acting CEO. As well as her position with the Mandelbaum Trust she is the Harassment and Discrimination Officer at the college.

Dimitrios website 2020
MR DIMITRIOS KEIMANIS

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Dimitrios is originally from Greece. He holds an Associate degree in Hospitality Administration and Management. Previously, he worked in hospitality industry. He moved to Sydney in 2016 and joined Mandelbaum team in 2019. Outside of work, he enjoys reading science fiction novels, netflix binging, and traveling.

Chef Adam Bibb-square
MR ADAM BIBB

CHEF MANAGER

Adam was born in Australia and joined Mandelbaum in 2021. He enjoys gardening and cycling.

people-Levitt
MS ZELDA AND MR MO LEVITT

LIBRARIANS

Zelda and Mo are the honorary librarians at Mandelbaum House. Zelda is a qualified librarian and worked at WITS University in South Africa.

people-Manjula
MS MANJULA NARAYAN

HOUSEKEEPER

Manjula is our longest serving staff member. Having started at Mandelbaum House 20+ years ago she is a familiar face around the college. She takes great pride in her work and keeps our college sparkling clean.

ron
MR RON OZEN

MAINTENANCE OFFICER

Ron is from South Africa and has been living in Australia for nearly 20 years. He has over 30 years experience in building maintenance and readily takes on all the odd jobs around the college.

Resident Assistants

The Resident Assistants (RA) provide on-call after business hours assistance to residents and visitors of Mandelbaum House.

ZoeHeadshot
ZOE

Zoë is from Newcastle and is in her second year of studying a double degree of Civil Engineering with Architecture at the University of Sydney. She enjoys exploring Sydney, spending time with friends, and relaxing with a good book and a cup of tea.

LachlanHeadshot (002)
LACHLAN 

Lachlan is an architecture student who recently completed his bachelor’s degree and is now beginning his Masters of Architecture at the University of Sydney. He is from Canberra but has also lived in Wellington, New Zealand and Montreal.  He enjoys learning about the world with a good book, video or podcast.

Kacy-Photo (002)
  KACY 

Kacy is a New Zealander from Auckland in her fourth year of studying a double degree in Electrical Engineering and Science (Physics) at the University of Sydney. She loves playing co-op video games, eating good snacks, and playing Chopin waltzes on the piano.

College Board

The Board of Mandelbaum House oversees the management of the college and is comprised of respected university academics and prominent community figures.

  • Associate Professor Avril Alba (Trustee)
  • Mr Paul Baram (Chairperson)
  • Ms Vikki Biggs
  • Emeritus Professor Bettina Cass (Vice-chairperson)
  • Mr Jonathan Caplan
  • Rabbi Benjamin Elton
  • Rabbi David Freedman (Trustee)
  • Mrs Gael Hammer
  • Dr Susan Hertzberg
  • Ms Shana Kerlander (CEO)
  • Mr Robert Klein
  • Ms Sophia Kwiet
  • Hon Associate Professor David Levy (Trustee)
  • Mrs Naomi Winton (Honorary Secretary)
  • Mr Sam Zweig (Honorary Treasurer)

Academic Advisory Committee

The Academic Advisory Committee was set up when Mandelbaum House was established, as the committee responsible for bringing outstanding Judaic scholarship to the Sydney Jewish community that has a broad and deep impact.  It works closely with the University of Sydney's Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies and the Sydney Jewish Museum.

  • Associate Professor Avril Alba (Chair of committee)
  • Rabbi Benjamin Elton
  • Mrs Gael Hammer
  • Dr Simon Holloway
  • Rabbi David Freedman
  • Ms Shana Kerlander (CEO)
  • Mrs Claire May
  • Associate Professor Eric Sowey
  • Mrs Naomi Winton (Honarary Secretary)
  • Associate Professor Ian Young

A welcoming and warm place immersed in cultural diversity,
great memories and friends for life!

Audrey, New Caledonia

It is wonderful to have a spacious and fully furnished bedroom
to which I can retreat to after a busy day of classes!

Julio, Colombia

I love that I always have a healthy option
at every meal that is also delicious!

Rebecca, USA

When you go to uni with 60,000 people,
it’s nice to come back to a family of 40 at the end of the day.

Michael, Australia

Mandelbaum House has been the most diverse,
welcoming, active society I have ever been involved in.

Alex, USA