Meet the staff

Elise Hahn-Felix, LCSW, Director
516-729-0066
C.W. Post College
1W1 Post Hall
Brookville, NY 11548

Ms. Hahn-Felix is an experienced clinical social worker with over 25 years experience in the field of working with people with disabilities. She has worked in Jewish Communal Services at various JCC s as well as being the Principal of a reform congregation, for 5 years, where she established a resource room and services for children with learning disabilities. She also has worked in the field of addiction and substance abuse for over 17 years. For the last 15 years she has worked for Jewish Child Care Association as Director of the Compass Project, giving direction to Jewish teens with learning disabilities and who are on the Autistic spectrum and PDD, who are facing high school and college transitions. The Compass Project provides counseling, independent living skills, career assessment and guidance, and socialization. There are also opportunities for internships. The program offers families information, advocacy assistance and college planning. Ms. Hahn-Felix works with special programs on several college campuses in Long Island and Queens. There are monthly regional programs and opportunities for socialization. She has been in private practice for the past 17 years, in Huntington, Long Island.

Mitch Nagler, M.A.
Masters in Psychology, Mental Health Counseling
Adelphi University 2006
Coordinator, Bridges Program

Mitch began working with the JCCA's Compass Program in 2005, and has been working with the Bridges Program since January 2007. In addition to support, socialization and cultural programs that were already in place at CW Post, NYIT, Dowling, and Queensboro Community College, which will continue; Mitch has arranged new contracted relationships between the JCCA and Adelphi University, and Nassau Community College for Bridges to provide on-campus counseling and support services for their Autism/Asperger's spectrum and non-verbal learning disabled students.

At Adelphi, Mitch is also a member of the Committee for Individuals With Disabilities. As well, he provides in-service trainings on what to expect from, and how to deal with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome students, for Student-Peer Counselors program, and faculty members. At Nassau Community College, Mitch is a member of the interdisciplinary team that manages the "Achilles Program", which is a program for spectrum and non-verbal learning disordered students.

Mitch also leads Parent Support groups for the parents of college aged spectrum students in Rockville Centre and Oceanside, NY.

Mitch is married to Dr. Kathi Nagler, a clinical psychologist practicing in Merrick, NY. They have three daughters and a granddaughter.

Office Hours - Tuesdays and Thursdays 8AM-11AM & 1PM-5PM
Group Socialization - Last Thursday of every month 5PM-7PM

Evan Oppenheimer, M.A.
Masters in Psychology, Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
New York University, 2008
Mental Health Counselor, Compass Project

Evan is available to conduct individual counseling sessions, career testing, workshops and group programs. Evan is available to meet with individuals and their families at the Mid-Island Y JCC, located at 45 Manetto Hill Road in Plainview. He can be reached at 516-822-3535, ext. 355.

Lisa Korman, Psychologist

Lisa is a school psychologist who has been practicing since 1991. She has been working with families in the modern orthodox community for nearly ten years, primarily focusing on the evaluation and provision of services to high school aged students. Lisa is available by appointment to provide Psychological testing services.

Elizabeth Gelfand, Club Compass Leader