Board
The ARJE is governed by a dedicated and passionate group of Reform educational leaders who work in a variety of Jewish education settings. The ARJE Board engages in the work of visioning, identifying trends and challenges in the world that affect Jewish education and Jewish educators and strategically addressing them.
Va'ad
Rabbi Joe Eiduson, RJE (He/Him/His)
President
Temple Educator, Congregation B’nai Shalom (Boston, Massachusetts)
Rabbi Joe Eiduson, RJE, has been the Rabbi-Educator at Congregation B’nai Shalom since 2007. Before 2007, he served as Head of School for two Jewish day schools. Joe grew up in Buffalo and is a graduate of The University of Michigan; he holds a Master of Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College and a Master in Educational Administration from Xavier University. He is pursuing a Master of Science in Mental Health Counselling at Bay Path University. Joe, an alumnus of the URJ Joseph Eisner and Goldman Union Camps, attributes much of his Jewish identity and rabbinic calling to his summers at Reform Jewish summer camps. Joe has worked in Jewish education for over thirty years, has served on the boards of PARDES, RAVSAK, Planned Parenthood, and Big Brothers, and has taught numerous workshops in Jewish education. Joe is currently a fire chaplain, call firefighter, and EMT with his local fire department and serves as treasurer of the Mass Corps of Fire Chaplains. He and his wife, Rabbi Lisa Eiduson, have found their greatest joy and fulfillment in raising their two children, Rosie and Carly, and their labrador retriever, Bailey.
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
“It is all about honoring the process”
Stacy Rosenthal, RJE
First Vice-President
Stacy Rosenthal, RJE, has served as the Religious School Director at Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, Arizona since 2007. She grew up in Tucson, Arizona and is a graduate of the University of Arizona. In 2013, she earned her Master in Religious Education from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, where she was part of the inaugural Cohort of the Executive Masters’ program. At CBI, Stacy launched Ma’ayan, a weekly program for high school students designed to engage them in meaningful Jewish learning and Simchat Shabbat, a monthly Shabbat service for adults with special needs. Stacy and her husband, Greg, are proud parents of Alex, Benjamin and Annie.
Missy Bell, RJE
Vice-President for Finance
Marisa Kaiser, RJE
Immediate Past President
Marisa Kaiser, RJE, has served as the Director of Temple Sinai’s Center for Learning & Engagement in Sandy Springs, Georgia since 2014. In this role, Marisa has led the education team in the Preschool, youth and teen education programs, and adult education through a strategic visioning and change process to engage families and learners of all ages in meaningful learning experiences. She has a Master’s in Jewish Education from the University of Judaism and a Bachelor’s from the Ohio State University. Previously, she was the Alpert-Waldman Family Director of Education Chair at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot in Irvine, California and Religious School Principal at Temple Judea in Tarzana, California. Marisa is proud to serve as faculty at URJ Camp Coleman, serve as a member of the Education Director’s Council of Atlanta and on the advisory board of Jumpspark, Atlanta’s Jewish teen initiative. She is married to Michael, and they have three sons, Ryan, Benjamin and Nathan.
Board of Trustees
Shari Isserles, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Congregational Education, The Community Synagogue (Port Washington, New York)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love that I get to dress up in fun costumes, and not just for Purim!
Rabbi Carrie Vogel, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Undergraduate Initiatives, American Jewish University (Los Angeles, CA)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love Jewish education because there is such a wide range of what we do (how and who we educate) and yet we all feel deeply connected to each other because of our shared goal.
Hannah Rubin-Schlansky, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Director, Washington University Hillel (St. Louis, Missouri)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
My favorite thing about Jewish education is wandering the aisles of Costco!
Caryn Roman, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Director, Teaching Impact Fellowship at HUC-JIR (New York, NY), Independent Educator (Brooklyn, NY)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
That it offers us a lens through which to make meaning of our world and tools to make an impact on everything we see.
Saul Kaiserman, RJE (He/Him/His)
Doctoral Candidate, Davidson School of Education, Jewish Theological Seminary of America (New York, New York)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
Please don’t tell 12-year-old me that this is what I do for a living.
Laura Siegel Perpinyal, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Congregational Learning, Temple Chai (Long Grove, Illinois)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
Being a Jewish Educator is not only what I do, but also who I am. I am grateful that I found a calling where I can nurture a love of Jewish learning among all those in my world!
Rabbi Amy Rossel, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Senior Director of Education & Engagement, Temple Emanu-El (Dallas, TX)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
What I love the most about Jewish education is the way it provides context both for ancient ritual and practice and modern, everyday life. Judaism is a lens through which to view life and Jewish education gives learners the tools to make choices through that lens.
David M. Scott, RJE, MARE (He/Him/His)
Director of Lifelong Learning & Engagement, Congregation Beth Israel (Houston, Texas)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love being able to live life through a Jewish lens and to appreciate how Jewish living and learning elevates my experience each and every day.
Stefani Carlson (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Congregational Learning, Congregation Emanu El (Houston, Texas)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love helping people make connections: with each other individually, with the community, and with their Judaism!
Ellie Tepper Schulman (She/Her/Hers)
Associate Director, URJ Camp Harlam (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
At camp, I get to dance around in a tutu, help a camper through a moment of sadness, play a game of Gaga, make my body into a map of Israel, and eat a s’more, while infusing Judaism into each moment, all in ONE DAY!
Jamie Mafdali (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Youth Engagement, Communications and Program Facilitator, Temple Dor Dorim (Weston, Florida)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love having a part in helping young people connect to themselves, their Judaism, and our community.
Barb Shimansky, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Director of the School for Living Judaism, Temple Beth Sholom (Miami Beach, Florida)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love being part of “the village” teaching traditions and values that help raise an ethical generation of Jewish people!
Melissa Pescatore (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Religious Education, Temple Shaari Emeth (Manalapan, New Jersey)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
What's not to love about Jewish Educators?!? Jewish Educators are endlessly creative, incredible innovators, the best problem-solvers, constantly envisioning a better future, and the most supportive colleagues whenever you need them.
Rabbi Julia Weisz (She/Her/Hers)
Rabbi and Educator, Congregation Or Ami (Agoura Hills, California)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
Creating safe and brave spaces for all ages to experiment and build Jewish identities.
Alison Weikel, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Education, Temple Shir Tikva (Wayland, MA)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
We have the opportunity to be caring, loving adults in our learners’ lives and to help them figure out who they are and what it means to be Jewish.
Rabbi Jessica Locketz, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Community Rabbi and Educator, Rodef Shalom Congregation (Pittsburgh, PA)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love having the opportunity to share what is so meaningful to me - Jewish learning and living! It is an honor to teach and create connections. It is a privilege to learn and gain wisdom from my colleagues and students.
Vicki Weber, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Partner, Behrman House (Millburn, NJ and New York, NY)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I stand in awe of the great heart, unmatched energy, deep commitment, creative thinking, and extensive practical expertise of my Jewish educator colleagues. They help me stay in learning mode.
Robin Eisenberg, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Jewish Learning and Living Emerita, Temple Beth El (Boca Raton, FL)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love being a part of creating Jewish memories for students and their families. It is a source of pride to see those who were students now take leadership positions in the Jewish community.
Beth Ellen Young, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Freelance Consultant (St. Paul, MN)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love being able to use ancient teachings and traditions to help learners of all ages find meaning and purpose in their lives today.
Honorary Members of the Board
Lisa Langer, RJE (She/Her/Hers)
Associate Director, Congregational Innovation & Education, Union for Reform Judaism (Menlo Park, California)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love working with smart, creative, dedicated, passionate Jewish educational leaders.
Miriam Heller Stern, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Vice Provost for Educational Strategy; Director, School of Education; Associate Professor, HUC-JIR
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
I love designing Jewish education as a tool for building a creative society and fostering creative thinking.