Erica Schwartz ‘93 has spent much of her life connected to Ramaz, first as a student, then a parent, a Charter Trustee, and most recently, as First Vice Chair of the Board. Now, as she begins her term as the school’s new Board Chair, Schwartz is bringing that deep connection with her while looking ahead to how Ramaz can continue to grow.
“I like to say that I have Ramaz in my blood literally and figuratively,” Schwartz says. The great-granddaughter of Ramaz Founder Rabbi Joseph Lookstein and grand niece of Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, she grew up in Westchester and attended the Ramaz Upper School. All six children have attended Ramaz; three of her daughters have graduated, and her twins are entering the Upper School this year. Schwartz says she can envision having grandchildren at Ramaz as well.
This multigenerational connection is now informing her approach as she takes on another new role: helping shape the future of an institution that continues to be a significant part of her and her family’s life.
Before becoming Board Chair, Schwartz served for five years as First Vice Chair of the Board, where she played a key role in bringing Dr. Noam Wasserman to Ramaz as Head of School, and in the school’s recent strategic refresh. As chair of the strategic refresh task force, Schwartz worked closely with Dr. Wasserman, the school’s senior management, and other community members to identify the school’s most important priorities and areas for growth.
With the first stage of the “refresh” process complete, the strategic goals emerging from the process will be implemented by up to five committees, including a “Mission” committee, a committee focused on admissions, and a committee focused on learning support. Schwartz commented that the strategic refresh process reaffirmed that Ramaz is committed both to “excellence” and to “excellent support” for students with diverse learning needs.
In May 2026, Schwartz was elected to be the next Chair of the Ramaz board, succeeding Jimmy Haber, and started her term July 1.
Beyond the strategic refresh, Schwartz has other goals and ideas for the school as she begins her tenure as Chair. For the high school specifically, Schwartz said that she wants to work with the professional leadership to rethink the academic calendar and in particular the January finals period. Having seen her own children go through the Ramaz midterms, Schwartz “would love to consider whether January finals are the best use of time, and whether they can be incorporated into the semester. Perhaps innovative courses and field work could take place between semesters instead.”
Schwartz also wants to work with professional leaders to consider the best options for the second half of senior year. When Schwartz attended Ramaz, students were able to spend the second half of senior year interning in different fields. She believes the school should consider a similar program today to expose students to career options.
“The most enjoyable aspect of [my] board role is the opportunity to partner with professional leadership in pursuing the mission of the school,” Schwartz commented. She believes the role of the board Chair and the board help ensure that the professional leadership has the support and resources necessary to achieve the school’s goals and priorities.
Schwartz’s fellow board members have also expressed enthusiasm for her appointment as Chair. When asked about Schwartz’s leadership, Adam Kaplan, the Second Vice Chair of the board, commented that “Erica is sort of like Pat Riley or Jim Harbaugh, two great coaches who can be a little scary but are 100% devoted to their team and players”
Over the summer, in addition to beginning her work as Chair, Schwartz was busy with a different project as well: she created a new dating app, called “The Well.” The Well targets Jewish day school graduates in their 20s and 30s who are looking to meet people with similar backgrounds.. Schwartz believes that helping day school graduates meet one another is another way to “invest in the future of day schools.”
With Schwartz taking over as Chair of the school’s board, and Dr. Wasserman one year into his term as Head of School, Ramaz appears to be headed for a period of continuity and change at the same time. On the one hand, Schwartz has been deeply involved in the school and board leadership for many years. At the same time, she clearly does not want to stand still, as shown by the strategic planning initiatives and her ideas for the high school and beyond.
