RS Faculty - Temple Sholom of West Essex

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/5th 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.

Matt Gonzalez

4th/5th Grade Hebrew &

5th Grade Jewish Studies

Matt Gonzalez teaches 4th, 5th, and 7th grades at multiple schools, relishing the chance to inspire the next generation of young leaders. He holds a degree in Music and Vocal/Choral Studies from Rowan University, which he weaves into his teaching approach. In his spare time, Mr. Gonzalez enjoys watching and playing sports, as well as exploring a variety of movies and TV shows.

Jessica Siegel

4th/5th Grade Hebrew &

5th Grade Jewish Studies

Jessica has been a member of reform, reconstructionist, and conservative synagogues, and has developed a deep understanding and appreciation of all Jewish denominations. She brings this depth of knowledge and love for Judaism to the classroom setting. She has taught Torah and Haftarah, guiding students to find personal connections and relevance to the parashot. Jessica has recited from these ancient texts on the bimah for congregations, and has delivered a Megillah reading on occasion, too! Jessica also knows a lot about animals because she was a TV Producer for the 'Nature' series for many years. She's especially fond of the Cardinel as a proud graduate of Wesleyan University. Jessica currently lives in Montclair with her teenage son, husband, and two cats, and all together they wait patiently for when the grown children come home to visit.

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.

Ari Finkelstein

7th & 8th Grade

Ari is a Professor of Ancient Jewish History at the University of Cincinnati, where he also regularly teaches about Israel. As Director of Mercaz, the Conservative Movement's Hebrew High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, he gained a lot of experience working with Jewish teens. He also has 30 years of experience teaching bar mitzvah lessons and Hebrew school. He originally hails from Toronto, Canada, but has lived in Montreal, where he attended McGill University (law degrees), Jerusalem, where he attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (MA), Cambridge, MA, where he attended Harvard University (PhD), and Cincinnati. Presently he lives in Montclair, NJ with his wife and two children. When he's not teaching he loves reading history, playing with his family and our dog, and reading and discussing politics.

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.

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.

Cara Moroze

Interim Religious School Director

Cara Moroze has served as TSWE's 5th Grade Teacher and B'nai Mitzvah prep tutor before taking on the role of Interim Religious School Director in 2024. During her 25-year career in Jewish education, Cara has taught students from all over the world including Illinois, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, and as far away as England, Brazil and Lithuania. She earned her Bachelor of Arts majoring in religion at Bowdoin College. If you want to strike up a lively discussion with Cara, then be sure to mention Mah Jong, recommended day-trip adventures away from her home in Montclair, or her family's adorable miniature golden doodle Bosworth, lovingly named for a beloved street in Chicago.