Debbie Ann Weiner
K/1st 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 a Siamese cat named Jasmine.
Allison Devine
2nd Grade
Allison began her journey in Jewish education as a madricha while in high school, and has taught at various synagogues throughout northern NJ over the last 10 years. After her first few years in religious school classrooms, Allison was inspired to leave her career in graphic design to pursue a master's degree in elementary education. She currently works as a 4th grade teacher in Livingston. Allison loves to use her arts background to bring creativity into her teaching. She values creating a warm and inclusive learning environment that helps all students get excited to explore and learn together. Allison lives in Springfield with her husband. When she is not working, you can find her reading a good book, watching Friends, or daydreaming about her next beach vacation.
Rachel Calman
3rd Grade Jewish Studies
Rachel’s foundational connection to Judaism began during childhood at URJ Camp Harlam, participating in her Temple’s youth group and being an active member in NFTY-GER (North American Temple Youth). The next step on Rachel’s Jewish journey was in Israel where she studied Jewish history and Hebrew for 6 months through the NFTY-EIE (now called Heller High). She holds a BFA in Photography from the Hartford Art School. After graduating, Rachel spent the first 10 years of her professional career working in marketing for Jewish non-profits and is now spending time on her other passion, art. She has taught art. Rachel is a Jersey native who grew up in central NJ, now she lives in West Orange with her husband and their rescue cat.
Gabi Levin
3rd Grade Hebrew
6th Grade PREP Online
Gabi has been teaching at TSWE since 2016. She has an extensive Jewish education 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 entertainment. She currently lives in Little Falls and enjoys playing her ukulele, aerial fitness and recreation softball. She graduated from Rider University with a BFA in performing arts. During her college years she taught science, dance and singing.
Boaz Kimelman
4th Grade Hebrew
4th Grade Jewish Studies
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
Youth Group Advisor for TaSTYKef! (Fun!) for Kgn-5th Grade
Perhaps it was all those years from Kindergarten through 12th grade at Temple Israel in Boston that shaped Cara’s love for Jewish education and youth organizations. 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'nai mitzvah tutor at Chicago Sinai Congregation. Or the last five years she has continued to tutor b’nai mitzvah here in New Jersey and NYC. Indeed, it was the culmination of all those experiences that led Cara to become a 5th grade Hebrew teacher and K-5 Youth Group Advisor for TaSTYKef! at Temple Sholom. Cara lives in Montclair with her husband Adam, and teenage sons Daniel and Charlie. 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.
Michelle Nadel
5th Grade Jewish Studies
Michelle hails from Brooklyn and made her way to New Jersey in the 80s. She joined the TSWE faculty in 2017 and has been teaching Jewish Preschool and Religious School for over 20 years. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, rock and roll music, curling up with a good book and spending time with her family. Michelle loves sharing her passion for Judaism with her students. She lives in Montville with her husband, Craig.
Juliet Barr
6th Grade Hebrew
6th Gr PREP Online
Advisor for Club 678
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.
Meryle Handler
6th Grade Jewish Studies
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.
Serena Solomon
7th Grade & HTM
Serena hails from Brooklyn, NY and Rockland County, NY and now resides in Livingston, NJ with her husband, 5 children, a dog (Shepsel) and a cat (Ketzel). Though Serena is a licensed tax attorney who worked in corporate settings, her heart has always been in Jewish education. Serena has been teaching in Religious Schools across the tri-state area since she was 17 years old. In addition to teaching Judaics and Hebrew, Serena also teaches Bar and Bat Mitzvah students to read from the Torah. Serena's love of Jewish education follows through to adults as well. She lectures to adults on topics of Medieval Jewish History and the Renaissance. Her love and enthusiasm for all things Jewish as well as her depth of knowledge gives her a certain edge when teaching. In her spare time, Serena is the owner of Cinco Da Mama - a personalization business. When she isn't in New Jersey working on her garden, you'll find her on a plane to Europe researching or visiting Israel.
Jacob Savitt
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.
Wed, March 22 2023 29 Adar 5783
