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Staff

Adult & Youth Jewish Living & Learning

Contact Alison
781.997.4213

Alison Kur

Executive Director, Jewish Living & Learning

Alison Kur, Temple Beth Elohim’s Executive Director, Jewish Living & Learning, oversees Jewish programming at TBE that connects members of all ages — children, youth and adults — to Jewish history, traditions and values.

In 2014, Alison received the prestigious Covenant Foundation Award for excellence and innovation in Jewish education. Before coming to TBE in 2003, Alison worked at Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Boston’s federation, where she helped launch the Leadership Development Institute, designed to train teams of professional and volunteer leaders from Boston-area congregations. Alison is a past president of the Rashi School Board of Directors and currently holds an honorary board position at the school.

Prior to becoming a Jewish educator, Alison was chosen to participate in the Wexner Heritage Leadership program, a two-year initiative designed to strengthen Jewish volunteer leaders by engaging them in comprehensive Jewish learning with outstanding faculty. After a career as an attorney and child advocate in the public sector, Alison obtained a Master’s degree from the Hornstein Program at Brandeis University and made the career change to Jewish education. Alison has three adult children, Abi, Jem, and Zach, and she lives in Newton with her dog, Yofi.

Rabbi Vanessa Harper
Senior Director, Adult Jewish Living
781.997.4212

Hannah Richman Kearney
Director, The Well
781.997.4216

Cantor Josh Rosenberg
Director of Youth and Family Learning
781.997.4217

Eliana Stein
Assistant Director of K-5 Learning Programs
781.997.4215​

Alison Klein
Assistant Director of Havayah
781.997.4207

Lynn Burke Harrell
Executive Assistant & Adult Learning Coordinator
781.997.4211

Erika Lilienfeld

Erika Lilienfeld
Youth Engagement Specialist
781.997.4219​

Jess Friedman
Tikkun Olam Community Organizer & Engagement Coordinator
781.997.4208

Aiden O’Neal
Youth Learning Support Specialist

Gan Elohim Early Learning Center

Contact Lisa
781.997.4231

Lisa Scott

Director, Gan Elohim Early Learning Center

Lisa Scott was Assistant Director of Early Childhood at Gan Elohim for four years prior to becoming our Director. Lisa has made her career working in Jewish education. After teaching kindergarten for 14 years at the Maimonides School in Brookline, Lisa pursued a Master’s Degree in Special Education at Framingham State University and taught 1st through 3rd grade in that field. Lisa then moved to administration, first as an Assistant Principal, and then as Secular Studies Principal and Student Support Services Coordinator. In 2011, Lisa’s passion for early childhood education brought her to the FJECC at Temple Israel in Boston, where she was the Assistant Director and the Director of Admissions for seven years before joining the Gan Elohim community.

Wendy

Wendy Wilensky
Assistant Director

Francesca Castillo
Administrative Assistant, Gan Elohim
Bluebird Room Teacher

Leslie Mukherjee
Orange Room Teacher

Susan MacEwen
Orange Room Teacher

Mary Lynn Zupan
Puppy Room Teacher

Rachel Flynn
Tadpole Teacher

Megan Gilmartin
Tadpole Teacher

Rachel Foley
Duckling Teacher

Lisa Hurwitz
Duckling Room Teacher

Lois Madeson
Duckling Room Teacher

Beth Mintz
Bluebird Teacher

Ania Riahi
Red Room Teacher

Sarah Miller
Red Room Teacher

Mary Delorey
Yellow Room Teacher

Doreen McGaff
Yellow Room Teacher

Jackie Goose
Blue Room Teacher

Stephanie Strachman
Blue Room Teacher

 

Felicia Dell
Green Room Teacher

Tina Moskow
Float Teacher

Carolyn Drucker
Float Teacher

Liz Shron
Float Teacher

Sara Wantman
Float Teacher

Caring Connections

Susan Karon
Associate Director, Caring Connections
781.997.4243

Development

Contact Melanie
781.997.4246

Melanie Gerard

Director, Development

Melanie Gerard joined TBE in February of 2023 to oversee the organization’s fundraising operations. Previous to TBE, Melanie was the Director of Advancement at UMass Hillel at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In this role, she managed the advancement portfolio, including all fundraising efforts, records and gift processing, university collaboration, and parent/alumni engagement. Melanie began her fundraising career at Camp Yavneh in 2013 and has served as a lay leader in local organizations including Hadassah Boston, Solomon Schechter Day School, and the City of Newton Creative Arts Council.

Melanie holds an MBA from Bentley University. Prior to becoming a fundraiser, she worked in the private sector for 15 years in business development and market research for high-tech and financial service firms. She lives in Newton with her husband Michael and three kids.

Gloria Kuris
Development Associate
781.997.4255

Administration

Contact Stephen
781.997.4241

Stephen Ashkinos

Executive Director, Administration & Operations

Stephen joins TBE as Executive Director of Administration and Operations following his years as the Regional Development Agent for Brooklyn Water Bagels. Previously, Stephen was the COO of a New York-based creative solutions company where he managed operations as well as expanded their business model to include an inhouse advertising agency. Stephen also founded and served as CEO of an award-winning portfolio of companies in New York City that included a live action production company, design and visual effects company, and editorial facility.

Stephen lives in Sudbury with his wife Jennifer and two daughters, Jamie and Sydney.

Sue Braverman
Bookkeeper
781.997.4240

Lynda Daub
Executive Assistant to Rabbi Sisenwine
781.997.4206

Chris Doty
Communications Manager
781.997.4204

Jenna Gouthro
Member Services Associate
781.997.4210

 

Monica Henry

Monica Henry
Salesforce Administrator & Business Analyst
781.997.4202

 

Danielle Jeuneux
Office Manager
781.235.8419

Emily Kosinski
Director of Operations
781.997.4249

Peter Less

Peter Less
IT & AV Support Specialist

Elise Lublin
Director of Communications
781.997.4244

Jeff Nielsen
Director of Finance
781.997.4247

Kristine Potter
B’Mitzvah Coordinator, Executive Assistant to Rabbi Saphire and Cantor Zell.
781.997.4245

Maintenance

Michael DoCanto
Custodian
781.997.4250

Manny Faria
Custodian
781.997.4250

Olavo Gomes
Custodian
781.997.4250

Chirlcy Joachim
Custodian
781.997.4250

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