Debbie Ann Weiner
K/1st Grade, 4th Grade
Debbie has been actively involved in the Jewish community since she was a teenager volunteering in her synagogue’s Religious School. Always active in her synagogue, she has served as newsletter editor, public relations specialist, and library coordinator. During her many years of teaching Religious School at Reform synagogues, she has taught first, fourth, sixth and seventh grades. She spent many summers as an Arts and Crafts specialist at day camp and brings those creative abilities to her classroom. A graduate of Rutgers University, she taught English and Special Education in several middle and high schools. Debbie lives in Clifton with her husband Clifford and 2 Siamese cats, Jasmine and Sesame.
Alex Solomon
2nd Grade
Alex grew up in Montclair, NJ. He has worked with children of all ages ever since he was 13 years old when working at day camps as well as a Jewish sleep away camp, Cedar Lake. Alex was Bar Mitzvah'd at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, NJ, where he was instilled with Jewish values. He has a Bachelors Degree in Health and Exercise Science from Montclair State University, but his passion for children has brought him to work for the Montclair School District at Hillside Elementary school for 9 years. He loves sports (whether playing or watching), enjoys working out at gym, traveling and spending time with family.
Gabi Levin
3rd Grade Hebrew
6th Grade PREP Online
Youth Group Advisor for TaSTYKef! (Fun!) for Kgn-5th Grade
Fun fact! The first subject Gabi ever taught was science. She taught other subjects before making her way to TSWE in 2016 to teach Hebrew. She has an extensive Jewish education background and is a Jewish day school graduate. She grew up in Baltimore and moved to the New York/New Jersey area to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. She has performed with the Zamir Chorale Foundation since 10th grade, first in Hazamir and now in the young adult choir Zamir Noded. Gabi also choreographs Purim spiels annually. She is a proud cat mom, loves playing her ukulele, doing aerial fitness, traveling and skiing. She graduated from Rider University with a BFA in performing arts.
Boaz Kimelman
4th Grade Hebrew
Boaz was born in Jerusalem and grew up outside of Tel Aviv. After serving in the Israeli air force for 4 years, Boaz relocated to the United States to study art and graphic design in Boston and New York. During the past 30 years, Boaz has lived in both Israel and the U.S. He has taught and tutored in two Reform congregations in New Jersey. In describing his art Boaz explains, "Although I have lived in the United States for many years, I have remained passionate and connected to Israel in a deep and profound way. I have brought out my “artistic voice” by creating artwork that uses Hebrew letters and words.” He loves bringing his art into the 4th grade classroom. Boaz lives in Millburn with his wife and two sons.
Cara Moroze
5th Grade Hebrew & Jewish Studies
Perhaps it was all those years from Kindergarten through 12th grade at Temple Israel in Boston that shaped Cara’s love for Jewish education. Or her studies and extracurricular experiences at Bowdoin College that led her on this path. Or maybe it was the twelve years she served on faculty as a 4th-grade teacher and B'Mitzvah tutor at Chicago Sinai Congregation. Or the last ten years she has continued to tutor b’nai mitzvah from New Jersey. Indeed, it was the culmination of all those experiences that led Cara to become a 5th-grade Hebrew teacher at TSWE! She enjoys being part of the TSWE community and inspiring the youngest members of our congregation to connect to Judaism in fun, creative and meaningful ways.
Juliet Barr
6th Grade Hebrew & Jewish Studies
Advisor for Club 678
6th Grade PREP Online
Juliet Barr joined the Temple Sholom team in September 2020, and comes with vast experience in Jewish Education. She has taught in Westchester, Rockland, Passaic, and Bergen Counties, and even as far away as Vancouver, Washington. Previously she co-founded Kadima, a multi-congregation Jewish High School program, and for many years, ran the Bergen Academy of Reform Judaism. Jewish Education is her passion and she loves to create lessons that are meaningful, fun and engaging. During her years of work with tween, teens and young adults she has created exciting programming for both in and out of the classroom. Juliet describes her style as experiential education: accessible, current, and tailored to her learners. During the pandemic she broadened her skills to include teaching online, gardening on her deck and playing guitar, all with varying degrees of success. Juliet lives in Ramsey with her husband Michael and makes frequent visits to Boston to visit her new grandchildren.
Meryle Handler
7th Grade
Meryle was born and bred in Brooklyn, NY and still retains her accent. She has been in education since 1971 teaching in public schools, private schools and religious schools in NY and NJ. She holds three degrees in Education including a Master’s in Special Education and has Teacher of the Handicap license. She’s the grandma of 7 grandchildren who are her pride and joy. She currently lives in Pine Brook.
Jacob Savitt
7th & 8th Grade
Jacob has worked in various Religious Schools since 2017. He has recently earned his master’s in social work from Kean University. Jacob’s talents and loves beyond teaching comprise of a vast array of items; anything from skydiving to cooking to auditioning for Survivor. A writer, orator, and an up-and-coming clinician, Jacob thrives on being with others and deepening connections with both peers and strangers alike. Jacob has spent time living in Israel, learning about, and touring the land, and has studied in both the Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth, as well as in the Lander College for Men in Queens. Judaism, family, a zest for life, learning, and new frontiers are among what makes Jacob a renaissance man who reflects his ideals and values in his teaching and his other work ventures. He is married and lives in Elizabeth.
Jillian Reich, Volunteer Inclusion Coordinator
Jillian Reich is a TSWE member who volunteers her time to partner with parents and teachers to help our students with educational and behavioral challenges thrive in Religious School. Jillian is an educational consultant and adjunct professor of education at Montclair State University where she teaches classes on inclusive education centered around the principles of Universal for Learning and Differentiation and student engagement. Teaching graduate and undergraduate classes, Jillian serves teacher interns who are in the midst of their student teaching. In her partnership with numerous NJ school districts, Jillian has facilitated various programs that led to success for diverse learners in classrooms. Prior to her work in New Jersey schools and MSU, Jillian spent 10 years classroom teaching and instructional coaching in New York City. She currently lives in Montclair with her husband Andrew and children Lila and Sam.
Tue, September 26 2023 11 Tishrei 5784
