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
Missy Bell, RJE, is the Director of Education at B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim in Deerfield, IL. She has a Master of the Arts in Jewish Education and a Master of the Arts in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. She did her undergraduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies. Missy grew up in Carmel, Indiana spending summers at Goldman Union Camp Institute.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Missy loves football, traveling, cupcakes, and spending time with her really cute nephews, Joey and Danny.
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 (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.
Brad Cohen, RJE (He/Him/His)
Director of Youth and Family Learning, Temple Emanuel (Denver, Colorado)
What do you love about Jewish Education/Educators?
Jewish Education provides a vehicle to make a deep impact on families, students and adults as the navigate their Jewish journey!
Lisa Frankel, RJE
Lisa B. Frankel, RJE, is the Director of Educational Outreach & Administration at The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives (AJA) – a division of Hebrew Union College‐Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC‐JIR). Lisa began her career at HUC‐JIR in 1986 where she served as the Administrative Director of the National Office of Admissions and Recruitment until her transfer to the AJA in 2000. She received her M.A. in Religious Education in 2014 from HUC‐JIR’s EMA Program. In her current position, Lisa strives to serve the field of Jewish Education by providing educational resources to educational leaders and students alike.
Lisa and her husband Steven reside in Blue Ash, Ohio and are the proud parents of Ellyn & Micah who both live in Denver, CO with their significant others.
Saul Kaiserman (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.
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.
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!
Yanira Quinones
Yanira Quinones is the Educational Director at Temple Beth Abraham in Tarry town, NY. She graduated from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America with a Masters in Jewish Education with a concentration on Congregational Leadership. Yanira completed her Certificate in Israel Education from George Washington University and iCenter in Chicago. Yanira was awarded her bachelor’s degree from Fordham University in Human Development.
Yanira has worked in a variety of educational facilities during her career, including Jewish Camp during the summers and religious school. She also teaches Intro to Judaism at the Union for Reform Judaism
Rabbi Amy Rossel, RJE
Rabbi Amy Rossel, RJE, serves as the Senior Director of Education and Engagement at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, Texas. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University, a Master of Education from Xavier University, and Rabbinic Ordination at the Cincinnati campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Rabbi Rossel has been involved in Reform Jewish education since her first year teaching at Temple Emanu-El’s Religious School when she was 16 years old. She also spent 15 incredible and formative summers as a camper and staff member at the URJ Greene Family Camp in Bruceville, Texas. Rabbi Rossel has two daughters, Leona and Briana, and is excited to be returning to the board for another term. Rabbi Rossel is also proud to be a second-generation ARJE/NATE board member.
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.