Cohort 3 (2014-2016)
Cohort 3 Members started their JECELI learning together at Orientation in May, 2014.
Amy Bolotin
Assistant Director
JCC Greater Boston, Godine Early Learning Center
Newton, MA
“Participating in the JECELI fellowship is the unique opportunity to bring together several passions of mine: deeper exploration of children’s growth and learning, diving deeper into Jewish text and life, and developing a community of peers to partner with on this journey.”
Rachel Cram
ECC Coordinator, Early Childhood Center
Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center
Denver, CO
“I am looking forward to learning more about how to incorporate Jewish learning into the daily lives of children.”
Jesse Feigenbaum-Tobin
Teacher
Temple Beth Shalom
Needham, MA
“I am thrilled to be part of JECELI. I look forward to collaborating and learning with other educators who are as passionate about early childhood and Jewish education as I am. I am eager to learn, grow, and develop as an educator in ways that will help me ignite in families a desire and commitment to Jewish learning and living.”
Rachel Fanyves
Teacher Leader
Temple Sinai Preschool
Oakland, CA
“I am looking forward to being in participating in JECELI because I believe it is the perfect next step for me on my professional path. I hope to continue to move towards more leadership positions in the future, and I think being a part of JECELI will help me towards my goal.”
Adele Fine
Early Childhood Director
Palm Beaches JCC
Boynton Beach, FL
“Being a part of a Jewish Community, and working for a JCC has allowed me to feel connected to my heritage. I am excited to embark on this opportunity with JECELI. I am committed to being a lifelong learner and to learn/share with other passionate people. I feel that this experience will help me grow personally and professionally, as well as be beneficial to the community where I live and work.”
Brenda Footer
Director
Har Shalom Early Childhood Center
Potomac, MD
“JECELI is an exciting opportunity to work with colleagues and instructors who are as passionate as I am about Jewish early childhood experiences. I look forward to developing my skills as a leader, and broadening my understanding of that work through a Jewish lens.”
Lianne Heller
Director
Young Israel Shomrei Emunah Nursery
Silver Spring, MD
“When the Jewish people were freed from slavery in Egypt they were instructed to teach their children the story of slavery to freedom, from generation to generation. From this we learn that we are a nation that values education, as it is essential to our continued existence. As Jewish educators we have an obligation to know and do what will best influence our youngest generation. I am profoundly grateful to participate in the JECELI program, which I know will advance my skills in Jewish education and leadership.”
Beth Hoch
Early Childhood Director
Bnai Shalom of Olney
Olney, MD
“I am inspired to be a part of the 3rd cohort of JECELI and look forward to broadening my experiences and knowledge all within the context of Jewish tradition, with the best emerging early childhood educators in the field, who are in the early stages of their own careers.”
Elizabeth Kessler
Assistant Director
The Community Synagogue
Port Washington, NY
“Through JECELI I hope to strengthen relationships among my staff, as well as develop leadership skills and bring Jewish perspectives on learning to benefit the program at The Community Synagogue. I look forward to connecting with professionals from all over the country.”
Adam Lowy
Teacher Leader
Congregation Emanu-El
San Francisco, CA
“I am thrilled to be a part of JECELI cohort 3! I look forward to developing great leadership skills, to sharing and learning with other passionate educators and opening my mind and vision to all the possibilities as a teacher, a partner, a father and a Jew.”
Judy Massarano
Judaic Studies Teacher
Oakland Hebrew Day School
Oakland, CA
“I am excited and honored to join a cohort of preschool educators who wish to enrich their expertise in such a directed, intentional way. I look forward to learning about best practices in Jewish Early Childhood Education, as part of my own journey of growth and joy as an educator.”
Sarah Meytin
Assistant Director
Adas Israel’s Gan HaYeled
Washington, DC
“I am excited to participate in the JECELI program, which combines my two passions – early childhood and Judaism. I look forward to integrating my learning and growing my skills in a setting which will incorporate cutting edge learning in both fields.”
Jessica Nanus
Director
Adath Emanu-El Early Childhood Center
Mt. Laurel, NJ
“I joined JECELI to be part of a supportive and professional community that enriches my experience as a Jewish professional. I know that this program will allow me to have a larger impact on our ECC and my own Jewish identity.”
Mary Passell
Director of Early Childhood
Temple Chai
Phoenix, Arizona
“I am so honored to be a part of the JECELI program. I am looking forward to the amazing learning opportunities and support that lies ahead, allowing me to grow as a Director and Jewish educator. I wanted to be a part of the leadership program for many reasons. Some of those reasons are to better myself as an administrator, to learn more about myself and most of all to be able to bring back my new found knowledge to the teachers of our ECC to better our school.”
Jodi Sadler
Director of Early Childhood Education
JEA Preschool Savannah
Savannah, GA
“I am excited to begin this journey as a JECELI participant. I am looking forward to building relationships with other Jewish professionals who share the same passion for children that I do. Learning new ideas and philosophies in a Jewish context to bring back to my school and community is important to me. I am grateful for this opportunity to grow as both an individual and an educator.”
Liat Salman
Director of Early Childhood
Palo Alto Jewish Community Center
Palo Alto, CA
“I am very excited to be part of the JECELI journey because I see it as an opportunity to grow in both my leadership and in my Jewish experience. My goal is to be able to pass on my experiences from this journey to the children, teachers, and families in my community.”