Marilyn Stern, Director of Congregational Learning
Marilyn Stern (mstern@templeisaiah.net) is our Director of Congregational Learning. A Congregational Learning Model looks at every member as a potential learner, who should be assisted in his/her "Jewish Journey" by professional educators, clergy and lay leaders. To that end, Ms. Stern works in partnership with education staff, clergy, lay leaders and congregants to provide Jewish learning across for all ages and stages. Ms. Stern also oversees the religious school staff; develops and implements religious school policy in partnership with the lay leadership; and works with the education team to provide dynamic and meaningful Jewish learning experiences for our students and their families.
Prior to assuming the position of Director of Congregational Learning, Ms. Stern directed the Family Education program at Temple Isaiah for ten years. Previously, she served as Lower School Director and Family Educator at Congregation Eitz Chayim in Cambridge, MA.
Ms. Stern earned a Master’s degree in Jewish Education at Hebrew College, where she was the recipient of the Sara Feinsilver Award for Outstanding Female Graduating Student. She also received a B.A. from UCLA, and a certificate in Family Education from Hebrew College. Ms. Stern is the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Keter Torah award, given by Boston’s Bureau of Jewish Education, in recognition of outstanding contribution and dedication to Jewish education.
Emily Messinger, Director of Tichon Isaiah and Informal Education
Emily Gill Messinger (emessinger@templeisaiah.net) is responsible for formal and informal programming for students in grades 7-12. Emily is the grade coordinator for 7th grade, directs Tichon Isaiah, our high school religious program, and oversees LEFTY. Emily received her B.A. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Psychology and Judaic Studies Emily has continued to develop her professional skills with courses at the Brandeis Hornstein Program and Hebrew College. Emily is deeply committed to helping our youth create stronger bonds with each other and to provide them a safe and welcoming "home" at Temple isaiah.
Alicia Berger-Mcgee, Full Time Educator
Alicia Berger-McGee (amcgee@templeisaiah.net) is a full-time educator at Temple Isaiah, teaching multiple grades throughout the K-12 program. As advisor for the Temple Isaiah Youth Group (LEFTY) she serves as a guide and mentor to our temple teens. Alicia also is the B'mitzvotav Project Coordinator facilitating mitzvah projects for the 7th graders and their families.
Alicia graduated from Wheelock College with a Masters degree in Social Work in 2005, and obtained her certification in 2006. From 2005 to 2007, Alicia was employed at Girls Incorporated, in Lynn, Massachusetts, where she focused on helping teens with issues of prevention and awareness. Alicia also taught 5th grade Hebrew School at Temple Shir Tikvah in Wayland for three years.
Jodi Jarvis, Director of Early Childhood and Family Life
Jodi Jarvis (jjarvis@templeisaiah.net) is Temple Isaiah’s Director of Early Childhood and Family Life
Jodi has a BA in Mathematics and a Certificate in Jewish Early Childhood Education from Hebrew College. She has completed both the Me’ah and Ikkarim programs.
Jodi is a veteran Jewish educator. Prior to joining our full-time staff, she was a Jewish preschool teacher for eight years, including five years at the Billy Dalwin Preschool of Temple Emunah, in Lexington. Jodi has also been a GAN (Kindergarten) teacher at Temple Isaiah for the past six years. In addition, Jodi has served as Education Director at the Temple Tifereth Israel in Malden, Massachusetts, and has provided consultation and workshops to local Jewish preschools on curriculum, staff development and family education.
Jennie Goldfarb, Grade 4-6 Grade and Mitkadem Coordinator
Jennie Goldfarb (jgoldfarb@templeisaiah.net) has been working at Temple Isaiah since 1998. Currently, Jennie serves as Grade 4- 6 Coordinator, Mitkadem Hebrew Coordinator, and 6th grade teacher. Previously Jennie worked as Temple Isaiah’s B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator, curriculum developer and Renaissance Educator. Jennie has a degree in English and Elementary Education from Brandeis University.
Jessica Slavin, LICSW, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program Coordinator
Jessica Slavin (jslavin@templeisaiah.net) has worn many hats throughout her many years on the education team at Temple Isaiah. Currently, she oversees the Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutoring program and helps to guide families through the Bar/Bat Mitzvah process as a liaison between families, teachers, the education team and clergy. In addition, Jess leads the 5th and 6th Grade Retreats and supports other informal learning opportunities within the religious school; and coordinates the Telem Service Learning Program for 11th and 12th grade students in the Tichon Isaiah program.
Jess received a B.A. from Tufts University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Jess' passion is in Adventure Education. She believes in the value of experiential and informal learning experiences (such as Jewish Overnight Camp) and sees them as critical points of connection and learning for Jewish youth.
Karen Funkenstein, Religious School Administrative Assistant
Karen Funkenstein (kfunkenstein@templeisaiah.net), the school administrative assistant, graduated Northeastern University 1969 as a science major. She taught biology for 11 years at Medford High School, and then took some time off to raise her daughter Amy. After a few years, she began teaching Middle School Science at The Winsor for Girls in Boston and remained there for 16 years.
Upon leaving Winsor and taking time off to decompress from years of a rigorous schedule, she expanded her computer skills and as she tells it, “all the planets aligned” in life’s serendipitous way, to bring her to her own Temple Isaiah’s school office.