I am delighted to join B’nai Tikvah as Religious School Director. I recently directed the religious school of another Bay Area Reform synagogue for nine years. I began my career in Jewish education as a teacher in 1977 . I earned my BA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University in 1976. I have continued my Jewish studies throughout my career via conferences, intensive and on-line classes, local classes and Torah study. I studied elementary school education at Cal State Hayward. I have been an active member and am past president of the Bay Area Principals’ Council of Jewish Federation.

I began my career teaching students of University of Rhode Island faculty in an integrated Hebrew-religious school program. The school served children of all denominations – Orthodox to Reform. This setting was marvelous training for teaching in a diverse setting. I have been fascinated by the changes in Jewish families over the years.

Family education is crucial for many families today. When I was growing up in Massachusetts, I lived in a Jewish neighborhood, attended the neighborhood synagogue and was surrounded by Jewish relatives. I didn’t need an institution to create a Jewish environment or community for me. The environment was all around me. Today, we live in multicultural environments including many of our homes. The Jewish environment needs to be, to some extent, created – and certainly purposely supported. I am excited by the opportunity to work in such a meaningful area and look forward to hearing your ideas.

I have always worked in small congregations and schools in which the curriculum was driven in part by the physical limitations of the school building. I congratulate B’nai Tikvah on the beauty and practicality of its new building. I can’t wait to explore the possibilities for programming.

Branching out from my own synagogue of 18 years, I have so much to learn. I have been accustomed to knowing every member, not only by name but also in detail. I knew who was proud of their latkes, who had art talent, who would take on leadership with encouragement. B’nai Tikvah is a whole new world for me. I want to get to know each of you. I calculated that I have more than 700 new people to meet! Please be patient with me. If I greet you without saying your name, please introduce yourself again – and again!

If you are thinking of enrolling your children in religious school at B’nai Tikvah, don’t hesitate to call or set up an appointment. If you have interest in teaching at B’nai Tikvah, please contact me by phone or e-mail. Resumes are welcome. I will be happy to inform you of openings. I can be reached at the synagogue office (925 933-5397) or by email at schooldirector@tikvah.org.