Leadership Team

Shelly Gelfand 

Principal

Shelly serves as Principal of Calgary Jewish Academy, bringing more than 35 years of experience in public education. Her career with the Calgary Board of Education includes roles as both teacher and administrator, guided by compassion, integrity, and a strong commitment to doing what is best for students.

Shelly’s connection to CJA is both professional and personal. An alumna of the Calgary Hebrew School and the proud parent of two CJA graduates, she values the sense of community and connection that Jewish education fosters and sees these values reflected daily at CJA.

She is committed to fostering a positive, inclusive environment built on meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff. Shelly believes open communication, collaboration, and trust are essential to a thriving school and is dedicated to working alongside the CJA community to advance excellence in teaching and learning.

Jordan Balaban

Chief Executive Officer

Jordan leads Calgary Jewish Academy’s strategic planning, organizational development, and community partnerships, guiding the school’s long-term sustainability and growth. A graduate of CJA, Jordan remains deeply connected to Calgary’s Jewish community alongside his wife, who is also a CJA alumna.

Prior to joining CJA, Jordan co-founded and served as President of Greengate Power, where he helped advance major renewable energy projects that shaped Alberta’s clean-energy landscape and brought innovative ideas to large-scale development.

Jordan has held leadership roles across Calgary’s Jewish and civic communities, including with the Calgary Jewish Federation and the Calgary Public Library Foundation. He has been recognized as one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 for his professional and community leadership.

Avi Sherman

Head of Judaic Studies

Avi Sherman is the Head of Judaic Studies at the Calgary Jewish Academy, where her passion for Jewish education and her deep commitment to students shine through in everything she does.

For over 17 years, Avi has been a vital part of the CJA community, teaching across grades, holding a variety of leadership roles, leading with heart, and working tirelessly to make Jewish learning and experiences meaningful and joyful.

Avi holds a BA in Religious Studies and a BEd from York University, along with a Certificate in Jewish Education from the Board of Jewish Education in Toronto. She brings creativity, energy, and just one firm rule to school every day: no mismatched socks.

Colleen Bartlett

Early Years Coordinator

Colleen Bartlett has taught for nearly 20 years, encompassing every age level of early learning years from age two to six years old. She is a certified teacher who has always enjoyed working with children in their most formative years. She started her career in Chicago, Illinois and moved to New York City to follow her dreams and worked at a Jewish Nursery School. Before leaving New York City, she received her masters in Early Childhood Special Education to tailor her teaching to include the diverse needs of all learners. She has taught early childhood here in Calgary since 2018 and loves the warmth and friendliness of Canadian culture.

Alex Kouperman

Athletics/Student Voice Learning Leader

Mr. Kouperman has been a dedicated member of the Calgary Jewish Academy for 18 years. As our physical education teacher, he brings energy, passion, and expertise to every class, fostering a love of movement and teamwork in students of all ages.

Beyond the gym, Mr. Kouperman coaches a wide range of sports and plays a key role in developing our athletics program. He also leads our Student Council, encouraging student leadership and school spirit. His commitment to student well-being, both on and off the field, makes him an integral part of the CJA community.

Dana Silver

Director of Community & Advancement

Bringing experience from a career in independent schools, Dana is deeply committed to advancing the mission and future of CJA by strengthening the relationships that sustain the school and its community. She supports CJA’s growth and vitality through community engagement, fundraising, and strategic communications, working closely with families, donors, and community partners to foster trust and connection.

Dana helps connect people to the values, learning, and sense of belonging that define life at CJA. By stewarding relationships and community presence, she supports long-term engagement and shared responsibility for CJA’s continued impact.