Rabbi Jay Perlman
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Rabbi Jay Perlman is a Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom. Since his arrival in Needham in the summer of 2003, Rabbi Perlman has been dedicated to nurturing a warm, vibrant, spiritually meaningful community. He is proud to share in this sacred service with many outstanding clergy, professional, and lay leaders.
Rabbi Perlman is active in both the Needham and the Greater Boston Jewish community. He is an active member of the Needham Clergy Association, including having recently served as president. He currently serves on the New England Regional Board of the Anti-Defamation League. He frequently dedicates two weeks during summer to serve on the faculty at the Union for Reform Judaism’s Camp Eisner. Rabbi Perlman has served as a rabbinic mentor for both the Hebrew College Rabbinic Program and the rabbinical school at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He is a regular teacher for the URJ’s “Taste of Judaism” and “Introduction to Judaism” programs and is a member of the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention.
Before coming to the Boston area, Rabbi Perlman served at Congregation Shaare Emeth in St. Louis, MO. While there, he was awarded UJA Federation’s Rabbinic Award for outstanding community leadership. Rabbi Perlman was active in the development of innovative worship experiences, creative youth programming, and in working with the St. Louis Jewish deaf community. In addition, Rabbi Perlman was the founding Rabbinic Director of the Fleischer Jewish Healing Center of St. Louis.
Rabbi Perlman was ordained from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1996. While at HUC, he was the recipient of a number of academic awards, including his selection as a Steinhardt Scholar for his work in informal education.
Rabbi Perlman is originally from the Boston area. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Brandeis University, where he received his B.A. in both History and Near East and Judaic Studies. Rabbi Perlman has participated in numerous study opportunities in Israel, including programs at the Hartman Institute, the Conservative Yeshiva, the Pardes Institute, Hebrew University, and through the World Zionist Organization.
Rabbi Perlman has a passion for teaching, learning, building bridges, and sharing the beauty of our Jewish tradition. He joyfully shares his life with his wife, Emily, and their children Liana and Jonah.
K-12 Learning At Temple Beth Shalom
Jewish Learning Guides (Educators)
Sammy Altman
Mayim Tamid Curriculum Director
Pronouns: She/Her
I am very excited for my fourth year in Mayim Tamid! I am a Needham local and had the fortune of growing up at TBS. I started as a Madricha and went on to be BESTY President and now I am a Jewish Learning Guide. I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Education. I have always seen myself working in some capacity as a Jewish Educator and it only feels right to be beginning my career here.
I believe the way I interact with students was very much influenced by URJ Eisner Camp. After spending over 14 years as a camper, then staff member, and eventually a Unit Head; I had the opportunity to learn so many valuable lessons outside of a traditional educational setting. I always encourage my students to be creative and ability to think outside the box. I want my students to question everything and to form their own opinions. I am so excited for this upcoming year at TBS and to be back with N'Miyot!
Yaara Beck
Pronouns: She/Her
Hello! I’m thrilled to continue my journey at TBS, now as a 2nd-grade Educator at Mayim Tamid. I relocated to the US from Israel almost 4 years ago and I bring with me over 7 years of experience in various educational programs, working with children, teens and young adults. I also have extensive knowledge and experience in group facilitation, and a unique, creative and empowering approach to education. Last year, I served as an assistant Educator working with 2nd grade children at Mayim Tamid. I am passionate about creating an environment where awareness and empathy leads how we interact with children. My goal is to help each child discover their innate potential, develop new skills, and express their creativity, all while enjoying the learning process and having fun!
Rachel Bienstock
Pronouns: She/Her
I am so excited for my first year at TBS as a Shorashim Jewish Learning Guide for 5th grade. I am originally from Montreal, Canada and I moved to Miami Beach, Florida in 2008. I've spent the past four years at the University of Denver in Colorado as well. Throughout my life I have been engaged in the Jewish comunity through advocacy and volunterring at BBYO, Hillel, Chabad, Federation, and more. I’ve worked in a variety of educational and Jewish settings helping learners connect with Jewish tradition in ways that feel personal and meaningful. I believe that 5th grade is such an exciting time in a child’s Jewish journey, just before the bnei mitzvah years when curiosity and independence really grow. My goal is to foster that growth by blending Jewish learning with critical thinking and a sense of belonging. I can’t wait to build a warm, joyful classroom community together this year!
Patrick Cahn
Pronouns: He/Him
I have been teaching in some capacity for most of the past four decades. Over the last eight years at TBS, I have taught every age from one-year-olds through fifth graders. Currently, I’m an Assistant Teacher for kindergarten and first grade in Mayim Tamid, as well as a pre-k educator and whole-school teacher in the Children’s Center. In addition, I’m the supervising adult on one of the buses that brings children to TBS from the Needham Public Schools. Because of the many hats I wear, I get to build strong relationships with children and their families that last throughout their development at TBS.
Throughout my teaching career, I have found ways to integrate my love of storytelling and folklore in my pedagogy. In the classroom, this has included exploring Jewish versions of well-known story types (such as Cinderella stories) as well as sharing bits of midrash and Jewish lore, as they relate to both our curriculum and to the children’s self-guided play. I have also had the amazing opportunity to share stories as part of our Friday afternoon tefilah for Mayim and Mayim Tamid.
In every classroom I join, I strive to share my own love of crafts and other creative outlets. This includes guiding children as they work on curriculum-based projects; sitting and creating alongside them as they paint, draw, and build mixed-media creations; and sharing some of my favorite Jewish stories.
Ian Doniger
Pronouns: She/They
I am honored and excited to be a Jewish Learning Guide this year in Mayim Tamid Kindergarten. My mission is to inspire the next generation of future Jewish Leaders. I aim for my classroom to be a creative and comfortable environment for all who enter. I look forward to learning with the children and developing a different understanding of myself in Judaism. My background is largely focused in activity based learning with a Degree in Parks and Recreation Management, with a focus in organized camping, from Western Carolina University. Since 2019, I have worked with children through many different summer camps across the country, before finding my home at Camp Tel Noar. Throughout my career I have served as: a Day Camp Counselor, an Overnight Counselor, a high ropes instructor, an outdoor adventure instructor, an assistant programs director and the head of Jewish Life and Learning; and I am beyond grateful to include Jewish Educator to that growing list! I can’t wait for an amazing year in Mayim Tamid. Just keep swimming!
Laya Fridman
Pronouns: She/Her
I am so excited to continue my journey at TBS with my third year of teaching here! I have been
working with children for around 10 years working in daycares, religious schools, and home
environments as a nanny. In Jewish environments, I have served in other roles such as a song
leader, madricha, cantorial soloist, and Hebrew school music teacher.
I am currently in my Senior year at Brandeis University double majoring in Theater and
Psychology and minoring in Near Eastern Judaic Studies. My passions for both of these
subjects influence my teaching style immensely, as I value the importance of art and creativity
for children, along with emotional awareness and appreciation for children’s developmental
states. I plan to apply to Rabbinic School this year and will hopefully begin that journey in the near future. As a mentor to children in any capacity, I strive to create strong relationships, grounded in support and mutual respect. I believe that children are capable humans deserving of the same treatment we expect from them and can reach the greatest success when they are in a
compassionate, encouraging, and safe environment.
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Rachel Frish
Pronouns: She/Her
Shalom! My name is Rachel Frish – most people just call me “Frish” because there are lots of other Rachels. I'm so excited for my 5th year on my TBS journey as a Shorashim Jewish Learning Guide for grades 6-7. I’m originally from Dallas, Texas and grew up in a very active Reform community — spending my summers at both JCC day camp and URJ Greene family camp, and participating in various Jewish youth programs up through high school, before joining Hillel in college. Professionally, I spent my first five years in New Jersey, serving three years as a synagogue Director of Youth Engagement and two years as the Assistant Director for the URJ’s Six Points Sci-Tech Academy. Nowadays, I spent my summers at Camp Tel Near as the head of their Kadima (CIT) program.
I believe that Judaism can be a lens through which we explore our relationship with those around us and the world we live in. Providing children and teens a safe space where they are proud to be Jewish and can interact with our stories, learn our heritage, ask questions, and make new discoveries is vital to building an engaged Jewish community.
Jess Green
Pronouns: They/Them and She/Her
A big reason why I teach is to lift up how many ways there are to both be Jewish and to find a personal connection to Judaism. I strive for children to feel seen as individuals whose interests, qualities, and dreams have a valued place in our community that can become portals into their own Jewish engagement. All kinds of art, games, drama, building, partner work, and tactile activities will be featured in lessons, with opportunities for learners to choose familiar modalities or try something new. Relationship building and inclusion among everyone in the classroom is vital to me and I'm excited to foster this through our curriculum and group activities. I relish both the wild joy and special opportunities in spontaneity and the security and independence created by a familiar routine, weaving both into the fabric of my teaching with joint focuses on deep community building and personal enjoyment and learning.
For my 12th year at TBS, I am thrilled to be a 3rd and 4th grade Mayim JLG, Hebrew educator and part of the family programs team. I bring an additional ten years of experience in camps and schools, including a focus on inclusion work and outdoor education and I hold a Master's in Jewish Education with a concentration in Special Education from Hebrew College. I have lived in Boston for twenty years and am deeply connected to my Jewish communities and chosen family here. My favorite Hebrew word is emet (truth), my favorite holiday is Rosh Hashanah, and I love to swim, take circus classes, and read about food and cooking.
Emma Greenberg
Pronouns: She/Her
I’m thrilled to be joining the K-12 team for my third year and returning to teach third grade and Hebrew. I graduated from American University with a Degree in Strategic Communications and Marketing. This year, I am starting to pursue my Master's in Social Work in Boston. I am so excited to continue being a part of the Jewish Community that TBS fosters.
Carly Husick
Pronouns: She/Her
I am so excited to be teaching Mayim Tamid first grade. I strive for my classroom to be a place of accessibility, open communication, and learning through play. Some of my favorite lessons to teach include Torah Godly Play and doing science experiments that relate to the curriculum and the Torah to help instill a deeper understanding of what it means to be Jewish in my students. My background is largely in writing education. I hold a Masters of Philosophy in creative writing from Trinity College, Dublin and a Masters of Fine Arts in fiction writing from the University of New Hampshire. I have been teaching in one capacity or another since the age of twelve, when I started assisting in dance classes. Throughout my teaching career I have served as a dance teacher, a madrich, a middle school debate coach, a Jewish Educator, and a college writing lecturer. I have always found myself returning to Jewish Education and this year I cannot wait to dig deeper and find more exciting ways to connect your children to their Judaism.
Andrea Kamens
Pronouns: She/Her
I'm excited to return for my fourth year at TBS and to continue with the 2nd Grade Mayim team and join the 3rd Grade Mayim team. I'm a storyteller, teaching artist, and Jewish and secular educator with over 25 years of experience in camps, playgroups, synagogues, boardrooms, and classrooms. In 2020, I founded Youth Standing Strong Camp, an online storytelling camp that matches mentors with youth from around the world, sharing the power of young voices across geography, culture, race, religion, and experiences. My classrooms are filled with the sacred riches of our diverse and shared stories. I graduated from Boston University and spent a year at Seminary in Jerusalem. My husband and I have five children, some of whom are still at home in Brighton, (and, over the years, a few cats, gerbils, mice, a hamster, and a crested gecko). I love meeting every child where they are, as who they are, and I can't wait to meet yours!
Emily Kestenbaum
Pronouns: She/Her
I came to work at TBS knowing what a special community it is. I love that each day I can be a part of not only fostering Jewish learning but also fostering relationships and community, especially as our middle schoolers are beginning to see how they can be a part of the larger community after they become B. Mitzvah. I am committed to lifelong learning and hope that the connections that our learners make with one another will allow them to continue to learn and grow within our community.
I joined the Mayim family in September 2016, and am thrilled to continue learning from this amazing group of educators and professionals everyday. I am originally from Stony Brook, NY and come with experiences as a full-time public school teacher, Hebrew school teacher, and youth group director. I also spent five summers working as the Waterfront Director at Eisner Camp. My husband and I live in Northborough with our two children.
Lila Klaus
Pronouns: She/They
Shalom! I am thrilled to continue my work as a Jewish Learning Guide in Mayim. I have been an educator with Temple Beth Shalom since fall of 2018, where I have taught a variety of age groups. I am a graduate of Bard College, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a minor in Theology. Prior to joining TBS, I have spent my time as a madricha for Kindergarten through third graders, as well as working at a URJ summer camp as both a counselor and a unit head. I also have served as the Dance Arts Mentor at the URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy. I love to bring into my classroom all of the ways in which the creative movement process can be applied to the teaching of Jewish values. With both my educational and artistic backgrounds, I strive to bring to TBS a classroom environment where creativity and curiosity are encouraged, and to instill a love of learning about Jewish ideas.
Kelly Kossar
Pronouns: She/Her
I am thrilled to be returning for my fourth year as a Jewish Learning Guide in Mayim Tamid. I grew up attending a Reform supplementary Religious School from K-12 where I was a Madricha, and active in both NFTY and my local youth group. I’ve been teaching Religious School for the last 10+ years. As a lifelong learner, I have a Certificate in Jewish Education specializing in Adolescents & Emerging Adults from HUC-JIR, Master’s Degrees in Jewish Education from JTS (Israel Education) and Hebrew College (Special Education) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Judaic Studies from Binghamton University. I am currently virtually working towards my Doctorate in Early Childhood Education from the American Jewish University. My love for Jewish education has brought me to work at various schools and camps. During the summer I am the Rosh Tikvah (Head of Inclusion) at Ramah Boston Day Camp.
I am a passionate Jewish Educator dedicated to guiding my learners toward a meaningful Jewish life. At the heart of my teaching are relationships with people, God, text study and community. By building these relationships through music, prayer and engaging experiences I build Jewish identity and creatively engage the next generation. I hope to inspire Jewish youth to embrace their Judaism and pass it from generation to generation.
Emily Kraus
Pronouns: She/Her
I’m Emily Kraus and I am so excited to be a Jewish Learning Guide in Kindergarten Mayim and to be part of the wonderful TBS team! I graduated from Colgate University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. I am from Port Washington, New York and am new to the Boston area. I have had the wonderful opportunity to grow up at URJ Eisner Camp and continue spending summers there as a counselor and most recently Unit Head. Camp has played a significant role in making me the person who I am today and has helped me build my Jewish identity. After having incredible role models at camp and in my life overall, I feel lucky to have the opportunity to pay it forward and hopefully have a similar impact on the children that I teach. I strive to make all children feel included, seen, and valued while learning about being Jewish and being proud of it!
Erika Liliendfeld
Pronouns: She/Her
My name is Erika Lilienfeld and I am thrilled to be joining the TBS team! I have always believed that Jewish learning should be meaningful, joyful, and deeply personal. With experience in Jewish education, curriculum development, and youth engagement, I am passionate about creating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and excited to grow.
My philosophy is to meet each learner where they are and invite them into experiences that connect them to their Jewish identity in authentic and fun ways. Whether it’s developing creative curricula, fostering leadership, or building community, I see education as a partnership that nurtures confidence, belonging, and pride in being part of the Jewish people and our story.
Sadie O'Neill
Pronouns: She/Her
I am thrilled to be returning to TBS this year as a Shorashim educator. I recently graduated from Lesley University, where I earned a degree in Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy. I have spent the past 15 summers at URJ Crane Lake Camp as a camper, counselor, and most recently, the Performing Arts Director. My time at summer camp has sparked my love for Jewish learning and I am so excited to use my creativity, joy, curiosity, and passion to continue to nurture that spark within the TBS community.
Mia Riess
Pronouns: She/Her
Shalom! I am so excited to start my second year as a Mayim Tamid educator. I’ve been very lucky to work at TBS for several years, in the Children's Center, Mayim Outdoors program, being a Madricha (teen helper) in Mayim, and as a Mayim and Shorashim educator. While in highschool, I was also a part of Etzim, the TBS teen program, where I learned the joy and importance of being a part of a Jewish community. As an educator, I strive to encourage all children to follow their creative instincts and am determined to help them in finding learning strategies that will guide them throughout their Jewish education. I am so excited to learn the interests of the children in Tzabim and involve their passions in our learning. My goal is for Mayim Tamid to be a safe and exciting place full of questions, conversations, and creative learning. I so look forward to another year of first grade learning and fun!
Jake Rosenberg
Pronouns: He/Him
As a learning guide in Jewish education, I gear my students not just towards connecting with the material, but also towards fostering a bond with the community that they are a part of. I try to emphasize the idea that they are not just learning facts or some interesting stories. But instead, they are learning their own stories; they are learning who they are as a people.
I grew up Northern New Jersey, which is where I first became an involved in the Jewish community. I then went on to Wesleyan University, where I studied both English and Jewish History. Since then, I’ve spent the past three years in the field of education helping students achieve their academic goals. I now live in Waltham with my wife and our cat, Itty Bitty.
Danielle sanfilippo
Pronouns: They/Them
Greetings! I am honored to be joining TBS as a Jewish Learning Guide for Mayim and Shorashim 4th and 5th grade. I converted to Judaism last year and I am so happy to be sharing my new knowledge and happiness with students. I’m a member of Temple Habonim in Barrington RI and chanting prayers is one of my favorite things. I’ve worked with students from elementary through college, and I’m excited to work with 4th and 5th grade again. I love the imagination and wonder that students bring to the classroom. Most of all, I love finding the quiet moments in life, whether I’m in temple or at the beach or just sitting with loved ones.
Lydia Watkins
Pronouns: They/Them
Shalom! I am so excited for my second year as a Mayim Jewish Learning Guide at TBS. This year, I am teaching 3rd and 4th grade Mayim. I came to the Boston area after graduating from Skidmore College with a Bachelor of Arts in Math & Music. I have been immersed in Jewish communities all my life, having grown up in a Reform synagogue and being very active in its youth group and NFTY through high school. I have six years of experience as a Jewish Educator and 11 years of working with children in various experiential education capacities, including summer camp and after-school outdoor learning. I aim for my classroom to be a space where curiosity and excitement for learning are always encouraged, and every child feels safe to discover who they are and who they can become.
Rachel Wolfeiler
Mayim Tamid Curriculum Director
Pronouns: She/Her
I am so thrilled to continue my work at TBS this year as a Jewish Learning Guide, Curriculum Coach, and Mayim Tamid Curriculum Director! I have been involved in Jewish Education for as long as I can remember, as a teacher, learner, tutor and mentor. I grew up at URJ Eisner camp, and continued working there for many years. I taught Hebrew school at the synagogue I grew up attending, and tutored many B'nei Mitzvah students. My love for Jewish Education set the foundation for me to pursue my studies in education and teaching certifications, and brought me to TBS.
I believe that all children, no matter their age, thrive best in a space where they feel safe to explore, communicate, contribute, reflect, and build. I especially love learning and growing with upper elementary aged children. I am truly honored to be a part of the TBS team!