Wilshire Boulevard Temple has appointed Brandon Cohen as the new head of school at Brawerman Elementary following the retirement in June of Nadine Breuer, Brawerman’s founding head of school. Cohen, an expert on curriculum and teaching methods, joined Brawerman in 2013 as director of teaching and learning at the reform Jewish day school’s two campuses in West Los Angeles and Mid-Wilshire/Koreatown.

“I cannot imagine a better successor to Nadine Breuer than Brandon to chart Brawerman’s future,” said Richard Pachulski, former Brawerman Elementary School Advisory Board president, former Wilshire Boulevard Temple Board President and a Brawerman school parent. “We are just so fortunate to have Brandon lead Brawerman in the coming years, particularly in light of his deep appreciation of the personal and educational challenges and opportunities our children will experience in the 21st century.”

Prior to Brawerman, Cohen spent 13 years as a teacher and school administrator, including as principal of the LAUSD Downtown Magnets High School. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from the Principal Leadership Institute at UCLA.

“Blessed to be a member of the Brawerman community for the last three years, I embrace the soul, spirit and scholarship that define our school,” Cohen said. “I look forward to leading Brawerman into its next phase, aiming for excellence while maintaining its unique essence.”

Brawerman East’s playground is an inviting space for kids. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Founded 17 years ago, Brawerman Elementary School ranks among the leading independent elementary schools in Los Angeles. The school provides a nurturing community, state-of-the-art facilities, dynamic curriculum and an integrated approach to Jewish and secular studies, with unique opportunities to participate in the arts and athletics. Brawerman has campuses at 3663 Wilshire Blvd. and 11661 W. Olympic Blvd. For information, visit www.brawerman.org.