Interim Head of School Appointed as Halzel Works Remotely

Jason Snyder was named Acting Head of School at Denver Jewish Day School after Head of School and CEO Avi Halzel began working remotely due to health-related circumstances. 

On Oct. 17, 2025, Board Chair Lisa Engbar announced that Halzel would be working remotely for the time being to focus on “a serious health condition.”

“He has remained engaged and in touch with faculty, staff, and administration, but he was not able to be present in the building,” Engbar said. “That was a loss for everyone.” 

Shortly after the announcement, Snyder, a former upper-division principal, was appointed Acting Head of School to oversee the school’s day-to-day, on-site operations. Halzel continues to focus on broader leadership responsibilities while working remotely. 

Prior to this arrangement, Halzel had already announced plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2026-2027 school year. By the end of his tenure, he will have served 20 years as Head of School, becoming only the second person to hold the position after Phil Kalin, who served from 2000 to 2007. 

One of the most visible milestones during Halzel’s tenure occurred in 2010, when the school underwent a major rebrand, changing its name from the Denver Campus for Jewish Education to Denver Jewish Day School. 

Recognizing the need for continuity in day-to-day operations, the Board and Halzel engaged in a series of meetings with the executive committee and asked Snyder to assume the role of Acting Head of School. 

Snyder said he was initially “really flattered” by the request, but wanted to clarify about the responsibilities and duration of the position. He is contracted through the remainder of Halzel’s term on June 30, 2027, and has stated that he does not wish to extend the term or become a candidate for the permanent Head of School and CEO position. “I have no desire to extend it past that. I’ve told the board, I don’t want to be a candidate [for next head of school],” he said.

Engbar noted that Snyder’s agreement to serve in this capacity allowed the school to stay on track with its planned timeline for hiring someone to fill the position permanently. 

Snyder’s familiarity with DJDS helped make the transition smooth. Hired in 2007 as a history teacher, before serving as dean and later as principal for seven years, “I could come in and hit the ground running,” he said. “I didn’t need a lot of training.” 

While Snyder was experienced in the academic and student-life aspects of the school, he notes that the business and operations side was relatively new to him. “Some of it has been a bit of a learning curve, especially on the business end. That was an area of the school that I did not interact with a lot,” he said. 

Halzel and Snyder continue to work collaboratively, checking in regularly as responsibilities are shared. As Snyder has taken on more of the daily operation leadership, Halzel has focused more of his time on long-term priorities, including strategic planning, fundraising, and budget development. 

One of the goals of the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan was to “ensure a smooth head of school/CEO transition.” The current leadership structure aligns with that goal and has not altered the previously established timeline. 

In preparation for Halzels already announced retirement, the Board’s Head of School Search committee, led by Carly Brooks and working alongside Engbar and the executive committee, has begun the formal search process on its original schedule. 

The committee has decided to work with a search consulting firm and is currently in the process of finalizing that hire. According to Engbar, finalists are expected to be selected during the 2026-2027 school year, with opportunities for community members to meet candidates and provide feedback. The Board’s choice for the next Head of School is expected to be announced near the conclusion of the search.