Mrs. Chiena Lazaroff
Director and Principal of Judaic Studies
clazaroff@tdshouston.org
Mrs. Chiena Lazaroff was born in Tashkent, Russia. She lived in Paris, France before her family moved to America where they lived in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended The Hebrew Academy of Cleveland and graduated from Yavne High-School for girls.
She received her seminary teachers training at the Bais Yaakov Teachers Seminary in Brooklyn, New York. She has taught for forty-five plus years in New York, Detroit and Houston in Elementary Schools, High Schools and Adult Education classes. She obtained an Administrative License from the Department of Protective and Family Services, she is a member of the Professional Administrators National Credentialing, and attended the Principal’s Center at the Harvard Graduates School of Education.
Chiena Lazaroff has served on the board of the National Conference of the Central Organization for Jewish Education, spearheading the educational teacher training division. She lectures, nationally and internationally, on a broad range of subjects including the structure of the Hebrew Language.
She co-founded Chabad Lubavitch of Texas in Houston, Torah Day School of Houston and Camp Gan Israel of Houston. She has served as our Judaic Principal, curriculum developer and Judaic studies teacher since 1977.
Mrs. Chiena Lazaroff says “When we came to Houston people asked us what was our goal, our plan. We were there to create greater Jewish awareness and observances. How this was to be done, we had no idea. As needs arose, we rose to the occasion. It’s not the work of our hands, but the blessings of Hashem, conveyed to us through the Lubavitcher Rebbe and his love for each and every Jew. So many lives have been touched; it’s gratifying to see the second and third generation availing themselves of the Jewish education we provided and in turn, contributing to the community, as well. The Rebbe made us leaders, always urging us to greater heights. I feel privileged to have earned his confidence.”
Her children have graduated from Torah Day School and have gone on to become Rabbis, degreed professionals, project managers and one has served in the Elite Forces for the Israeli Defense Force. Several of her grandchildren are current students of TDS.
