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I grew up in Hauppauge NY (Long Island). Cindy and Mel, my parents, were very active in our synagogue in Smithtown. As founding members of the conservative temple, they were very serious about ensuring that my 2 older brothers and I had a strong Jewish education. I went to Hebrew school three days per week, had a Bat Mitzvah, went to confirmation class, and Hebrew High School. My parents and my grandparents instilled in me a love of Jewish traditions and taught me the importance of ensuring the continuity of the Jewish people. 

I knew I wanted to be a teacher from a very young age, so there was no doubt that I would go to school for Education. One might say I took my time achieving my goal, as I started out earning an AS degree in Early Childhood Special Education at SUNY Farmingdale, before moving on to Old Dominion University, in Virginia, earning a dual Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education.

Although over the years, I have worked with children from birth through high school, I spent most of my 25-year teaching career with the preschool population, teaching in the public, private, and government sectors.

In 2011, I was working for Head Start of Belknap-Merrimack County when I ended up on the wrong end of federal government budget cuts and the program had to shut down my classroom. When I realized that I was turning down every attempt they made to find me another classroom, I knew it was time for a new career.

I began working as an Instructional Designer creating training courses for the Sales Community within Hewlett Packard. It was new and exciting and still sort of in the field of education. In the past 14 years, I have worked in this field with various companies. The best part is having the opportunity to work from home. As a contractor I am able to set my own hours, and sitting in front of a computer (a tool I was once, admittedly, terrified of) all day throughout these years has helped me to build technology skills that have proven to be so valuable in both my professional and personal life. I’m no expert, but certainly pretty good for a “Boomer”.

I became the President of TBJ in 2019 and the vast majority of my term was during the pandemic shut down. I was grateful for the technology skills I had as it helped me support efforts to bring TBJ programming online.

Around the same time my term ended in 2021, I began to realize how much I missed being in the classroom. It was perfect timing as the TBJ K-1 Judaica teacher had stepped down during COVID, and I was able to step in just as the religious school returned to in-person classes.

Once again, those technology skills coupled with a passion for organization, came in handy as it led me to become the Kadimah Administrative Assistant when Principal Noreen needed some support in those areas. This position is what led to the wonderful opportunity to become TBJ’s Kadimah Principal in 2024.

My parents modeled for me the significance of being involved. If something is important to you, then become part of it. Like Cindy and Mel, the synagogue became that place for me. My husband, Shaun, and I have been members of TBJ for almost 30 years. Shaun also served as president, both of us have been members of many committees, and we both have held chair positions on several of them. Our three children, Sarah, Cameron, and Ariel, grew up within TBJ’s walls; went to Religious School, became B’nai Mitzvah, were Madrichimot, members of CONTY, and were confirmed here. Rabbi Robin co-officiated at Sarah’s wedding to our son in-law, Andrew.

Holding the position of Principal of this organization and playing a role in bringing our families together as a community is so meaningful to me. Together we can continue to foster a vibrant and supportive environment where all our children can learn and grow. I look forward to continuing this vital work for you, and with you.