Hello! My name is Allison Tankel and I am proud to be be a part of the Congregation Ohr Shalom community as  Director of the Early Childhood Program now entering my eighth year.

 I currently live in Warren with my husband and have three sons .Josh who attends Texas Tech Dental School in El Paso, Matt, a senior at The University of Wisconsin ( ON WISCONSIN) and Ben a Freshman at The University of Michigan ( GO BLUE). and my daughter, our golden retriever Scarlet Knight.

Sometimes as children we dream and hope to grow up to be a particular profession. For me, my dreams aspired to reality. At a ripe old age of eleven I began my career working as a babysitter and then a summer camp counselor. After graduating college, my original plan was to go into advertising, but my heart pulled me right back to developing youth. I returned to the classroom to get my Masters in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and later my Teacher of the Handicapped Certificate.

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I began my teaching career as a Kindergarten teacher working in New York. Once I began raising my three boys as a stay at home mom I continued to teach religious school and early intervention. I spent many summers as a Division Head in the youngest division at a local day camp.

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 In my spare time I  enjoy exercising( love my Peloton)  reading, reality TV , travelling and cooking! I have also taken up a new sport; Pickleball! Your children are "our" children and I look forward to watching them grow, smile, laugh and learn. Nothing is better than a hug or high five from a happy student! I love receiving tons of them!

Hi!  I'm Amy Weinstock. I love being part of the Congregation Ohr Shalom Family and the many hats I wear as Assistant Director of the ELC, Summer Fun Director and as part of the JLC administrative team.

Believe it or not, I started my professional life in pharmaceutical marketing and realized after a few years that I should be doing what I love, working with children.  I returned to grad school and received my Masters Degree from Bank Street College of Education and learned that Early Childhood was my calling and the Jewish sector was where I was meant to be.

I have taught 2 year olds, 3's, Mommy and Me, Tot Shabbat and Kindergarten Enrichment.  I have simultaneously taught religious school and been an assistant to the director of a preschool. I was also Assistant Director at Gesher Summer Camp for 11 years until it closed. 

I live in Randolph with my husband Eric, daughter Beryn (Senior at the University of Michigan, GO BLUE!) and our Havanese, Gracie. My family means the world to me! In my spare time I am the Co-President of my synagogue. I love spending time with my family and friends, traveling, movies, binge watching tv shows, reading and being creative.  

"By doing what you love, you inspire and awaken the hearts of others."  I am fortunate to do so every day.  I look forward to inspiring your children and seeing their excitement as they learn something for the first time.

Hi. I’m Naomi and I am so excited to be teaching the 2’s .Although I am new to teaching in the ELC, I taught Art Appreciation and After School Enrichment art and craft classes at an elementary school for many years.

My husband Sam and I have triplets who’ve grown and flown and a younger daughter who’s a sophomore at the University of Maryland. We have a fluffy dog named Lucy and a black cat named Midnight. When I’m not working or spending time with my family, I love to write books for children, make bowls on a pottery wheel, knit scarves, and bake desserts. I can’t wait to get to know all of your children!

My name is Nina Cymbol and I am proud to join the ELC faculty. I have always loved children and have been working with with preschool age d groups for over 15 years. My family moved a year ago from NY, so now I am a Jersey girl. I am married with 2 children and now have three pandemic pets. Lots of changes! I cannot tell you how 

excited I am to work at the JCC and to meet your little ones! Looking forward to a wonderful school year.

 Hi, I’m Amy. Although this is my first year teaching at the ELC, I have long been involved here — I actually attended the ELC when I was younger!  I have had many years of childcare experience in multiple settings, including being a counselor at summer camps, teaching at Congregation Ohr Shalom’s Religious School, and volunteering at the Friendship Circle.  When I’m not at the ELC I love to explore Manhattan with my friends, sing in my car, and weight lift. I live at home with my parents and two dog-sisters, labradoodles Riley and Roxie. I have an older brother who lives in Washington D.C. with his wife and son. I can’t wait to get to know your children and have an awesome school year!

 Hi, my name is Daniela Neves and I am so thrilled to begin my first year here at JCC. I’m a junior at Kean University studying Early Child Education and History. I was a substitute teacher at school this past year, and worked at camp this summer and loved getting to meet everyone! Looking forward to a great year!

Hello, I'm Dawn Wasserman, a lead teacher in the Seedlings. I have been teaching preschool for nineteen years and this will be my seventh year here at the ELC.  Although born and raised in Philadelphia, my husband and I lived in Phoenix, AZ for eighteen years.  We missed the seasons and extended family and moved to NJ in 2014.  Our children had never experienced the colors of fall or winter snow!  Seeing their reaction to these new experiences parallels why I love teaching young children.  It's a joy to be a part of their growth and development as they participate in these new experiences.  The ELC is a warm and welcoming place for our families and staff.

Hi! My name is Marci Charm and I am so excited to welcome your children to the Summit JCC ELC family! I live in Randolph with my husband, Joshua, and our two children, Ari, age 10, and Ellie, age 6. We also recently welcomed a four legged member into our home, a puppy named Maizey Bleu! 

I am so happy to return for my second year in the Seedlings. I have also taught the Wee Ones class at both the ELC and my home synagogue. 

I spend my time volunteering for my children’s school, being involved in my Synogogue’s various committees and being the happiest chauffeur to all of Ari and Ellie’s various activities every afternoon. I also love drinking coffee, reading a good book, traveling, crafting and cooking!

Children have been my passion since a very young age.  I have fond memories of babysitting my neighbors’ kids, being a mothers’ helper during the summer and working in preschools both during high school summer breaks, college and again once my own children went to school. I look forward to being with your precious children and helping them learn, grow and have fun! Thank you for sharing them with us!

My name is Robin Pack and this is my first year at the Summit JCC. 

Previously I worked professionally for a decade in fund raising for a local non profit. And I most recently spent a wonderful and fulfilling past 7 years volunteering during both my two daughter’s time in pre-school, working side by side with the Staff, Administration as well as leading the Executive Parent Committee.

While this is my first time  in an ELC  classroom setting I am no stranger to the pre-school academic environment. 

I am very excited to watch these children learn, grow, thrive, have fun and to be a part of such a wonderful community. 

In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling and spending time with my family. My husband Andrew and I have two amazing daughters Dylan (4th grade) and Farrah (1st grade). 

My passion is working with children and I am excited to be starting my third year at the Summit JCC. My husband Ken and I have two wonderful children. Sam graduated in 2020 from Miami University Farmer School of Business and is now an Auditing Accountant with BDO. 

Louis will starting his senior year at Brandeis University, majoring in chemical biology and biology. In my free time, I love cooking, baking, watching reality tv, traveling, sports, and going to the movies.

After graduating from college, I worked in advertising and public relations at the St. Louis
Jewish Light Newspaper. Feel free anytime to ask me about my hometown, St. Louis… the home of the 2019 Stanley Cup champions Blues and St. Louis Cardinals baseball.  For eight summers, I worked at B’nai B’rith Perlman Camp, where, I coordinated administration of the main office, managed the canteen, and coordinated the visiting day scholarship auction.

I know it’s going to be another great year and I look forward to being on this journey with your children each day

Hi! My name is Randi Dorman and I am so excited to begin my third year at the ELC. I have always loved working with children of all ages and have been since I started babysitting at 12. Aside from babysitting, I have enjoyed being a group leader at a local day camp for many summers and working for a children’s party planner.  I graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 with a degree in Human Development and Family science, and a concentration in Early Child Development. During my time student teaching, I quickly learned that I loved working with the little ones best and being able to aide in their growth and development. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, going to the beach, shopping, and traveling. I am looking forward to another amazing school year and watching your children learn and grow! 

Hello, my name is Irene Rubinshtein and I am so excited to be teaching the 3’s this year. Every day brings unexpected learning experiences and I love to see children grow socially, cognitively and emotionally. I was a pre-k teacher as well as a 4th grade religious school teacher. I am married and have four children, two boys and two girls. In my spare time I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my family. I look forward to sharing my adventure with your child and hearing about all of theirs!

Hi!  My name is Jennifer Tamres and I am so thrilled to be teaching the  
3s at the Summit JCC.  I have spent a lifetime surrounding myself with children, and can’t wait to make your children part of our JCC family.   

I am from California and met my husband, David while I was getting my Masters in Social Work at Columbia University. We moved from New York City to Randolph in 2000, to raise our three beautiful children. Brandon is entering his senior year at the University of Maryland, Hailey will be a sophomore at the University of Michigan, and Jason is going into his senior year at Randolph High School. We have a 5 pound Morkie and a 150 pound Saint Bernard puppy.    

I began working with children at twelve years old as a babysitter and haven’t stopped working with kids since.  I spent summers working as a counselor at a sleep away camp, I worked with disadvantaged youth in Manhattan, and was a therapist for deaf students.   I also taught Hebrew school and most recently have been working as substitute teacher in the Randolph elementary schools. Regardless of title or position, the common thread is I love to work with children.  

In my free time I love to watch any of the sports my kids are playing, hang out with my family, travel, watch reality tv, try new restaurants and exercise.  I can’t wait to get to know your children and make this one of the best years ever!   

Hi, I’m Hannah. This is my second year at the ELC and I’m excited to be moving up to Pre-k after a fabulous first year with the Doodles and Seedlings classes. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know many of your children while working our early care program and subbing in afternoon classes. My favorite part about teaching is seeing children grow and develop as individuals. I also have a degree as an Esthetician and perform waxing services in the evenings and on weekends. In my free time, I enjoy coffee on a lazy Sunday and exploring new places with friends. I look forward to a great school year!

Hello! My name is Stacy Schapiro. I am so excited to be joining the Summit JCC Family in the 3’s class and get back to teaching! 

I’ve always loved working with children since a very young age. I began as a camp counselor from the age of 13 until college. After that I spent my summers babysitting for a family who till this day are still a part of my life! I graduated from Syracuse University ‘s Business School and quickly realized my passion in life was to work with children.  I went on to graduate from Boston University with a Masters in Elementary Education. I taught in Boston for a few years but soon moved home to be closer to my family. I then was hired as a first grade teacher in the Livingston School District where I taught for many years. I stopped teaching to raise my three wonderful children, Sydnee, Jake and Josh! Once they became grown, I went back part time to substitute teach in the Bernards Township School District and also at the Summit JCC which lead me here to becoming a 3’s teacher!

I am married to my wonderful husband Eric and we have enjoyed raising our three children, Sydnee and Jake who are both in college, and Josh who will be a freshman in high school so we are not empty nesters quite yet!! In my free time I enjoy long walks, shopping, gardening, walking my furry baby Cocoa and spending quality time with my family (when I can get all the kids together at one time!!)  However, most of my time these last few years have been spent on the bleachers cheering on my boys as they play in their basketball games year round! 

I understand first hand the impact a teacher can have on the lives of their students. I look forward to watching your children grow and flourish and knowing that I am helping them along the way will be very special. It’s going to be a fabulous year!

Hi! My name is Miss Debi and I am thrilled to be back for my third year at the Summit JCC. Three years ago I had the privilege of working one day a week in each of the grade level classes at the ELC.  That was when I realized how special the ELC is. Prior to coming to the ELC I spent the last 10 summers working with children at a sleep away camp in Upstate New York.  I enjoy the warm weather, going to the beach, reading, shopping and spending time with my family. My husband Bryan and I have four wonderful children.  I have triplet daughters (Jamie, Lauren & Emily) who are juniors in college and a son (Jake) who is a junior in High School.  I look forward watching your child grow and flourish this year.  Thank you for sharing your precious little ones with us!!!

I love being a teacher.  My students are an important part of my life.  I aim to provide a warm and enriching environment for each child.  

My formal education is in Elementary Education with a concentration in Language Arts.  I am also a certified Teacher of the Handicapped.  I have attended multiple workshops in Early Childhood Education and I am trained in CPR and First Aid.

On a personal note, I am married with two grown daughters with families of their own.  As a parent, I was very involved with my children's lives and education.  I now love spending time with my six grandchildren.  I have always taken pride in being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher.

Hello - I'm Miss Rachel and this is my sixth year at the ELC!  I'm so excited to be back in preschool...  It's such a magical place!  I love laughing, reading stories, using my imagination and working hard to learn new things.  I also enjoy traveling and exploring new places with my family.   I am married to a great guy and we have 14 year old miracle triplets that keep us very busy, (along with 2 dogs and a dozen chickens).  I look forward to a fabulous fun and safe school year together!

Hi!  I’m Miss Nancy and I’m so excited to be teaching Pre-K !  I have been teaching and substitute teaching at the Early Learning Center for several years.  Last year, I mostly subbed in the Three’s, so I had the opportunity to get to know many of your kids.

I graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education and taught Special Needs Pre-K age students at a school in New Providence before I took a break from teaching, when my kids were born, to be a stay at home mom.

I love exercising and walking, going to the beach in New Jersey and Martha’s Vineyard, and spending time with my husband, our 23 and 20 year old sons, and our orange tabby, Nittany.

I love working with pre-school kids and I look forward to a great year together as they mature and grow!

Hi! My name is Miss Allison and I am excited to begin the next chapter of my teaching career at the Summit JCC this fall! My love of teaching began at the age of 10 with a chalkboard and my father as my first student. I am a seasoned and caring early childhood educator with 25 years of experience in Pre-K and Kindergarten. I believe that the early school years have the most marvel and magic for children.

My husband and I have a son who is a junior in college and is studying chemistry and physics. I enjoy spending my free time with family, reading and reviewing children’s books, meditating and my 3 adorable shih tzu rescues.

I know this is going to be a great year for all of us to grow and learn together. I am so excited to meet your children and make our class a family!

Hello - I'm Miss Rhoda and this is my 32nd year teaching at the ELC! I love teaching science to your children.  They are curious and love to explore the world around them. I have two children and six grandchildren and a cock-a-poo named Missy!  I look forward to a great year.