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
Galim Curriculum Director
Pronouns: She/Her
I am very excited for my seventh year in Galim as a Jewish Learning Guide and a Curriculum Director! I am a Needham local and had the pleasure of growing up at Temple Beth Shalom. I started as a Madricha and went on to be BESTY President and even worked at TBS during my school breaks when I went to off to college. I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Education. During this time, I was lucky to spend my summers at 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 saw the magic of informal Jewish Education and it inspired me to return to Temple Beth Shalom as a Jewish Learning Guide. Galim, then Mayim Tamid reminded me so much of the magic of summer camp. Being in this ecosystem of informal Jewish learning and joy has been such a gift. I always encourage my learners to think outside the box, form their own opinions, and question everything! I can't wait for another amazing year in Galim!
Yaara Beck
Pronouns: She/Her
Hello! I’m thrilled to continue my journey at TBS. I relocated to the US from Israel almost 5 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. 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!
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 for my third year at TBS! 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 on 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, the head of Jewish Life and Learning, and Program Director; and I am beyond grateful to include Jewish Educator to that growing list! I can’t wait for an amazing year in Galim and to see what Second Grade can bring!
Laya Fridman
Pronouns: She/Her
I am so excited to continue my journey at TBS as I enter my fifth year here! I will be teaching 3rd grade this year along with Hebrew and B Mitzvah tutoring.
I graduated from Brandeis University with a Bachelors in Psychology and Theater and am currently entering my second year of Rabbinical school at Hebrew College. As a future Rabbi, Judaism is incredibly central in my life and I believe it is a huge responsibility to educate the next generation of Jewish children. Engraining a sense of Jewish joy, curiosity, and agency is of utmost importance and I am very excited be a part of that journey for my students.
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 more capable than they often get credit for, 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 6th year on my TBS journey as a Shorashim Jewish Learning Guide for Shorashim. 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 CIT and Junior Counselor programs.
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.
Evan Jaffe
Pronouns: He/Him
Hello! I'm Evan, and I'm super excited to be joining the TBS community as a Mayim educator for first and second grades! I graduated from Dartmouth College in the spring, where I studied Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies, played ultimate frisbee, sang in an a cappella group, spent lots and lots of time outdoors, and tutored b mitzvah students. I grew up in Sharon at Temple Sinai and have enjoyed immersing myself into various Jewish communities, including NFTY, Diller, Hillel, and URJ Crane Lake Camp, where I was a camper, counselor, and most recently unit head. As a Nachshon Project undergraduate fellow this past spring, I connected with other aspiring Jewish professionals, deepened my Jewish textual literacy, and engaged with Israel. Drawing on these Jewish, and secular, experiences, I am thrilled to build educational environments for students, families, other staff members, and myself to grow and have fun individually and collectively.
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 Galim 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 fifth year at TBS and to continue with the 2nd Grade Mayim team. I'll also be a floating educator and Hebrew educator and tutor. 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 all my many communities, I bring my passion for inclusion and for the sacred riches of our diverse and shared stories. My husband and I have five grown children and two cats, and my children have cats, a dog, and a horse. 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 fifth year as a Jewish Learning Guide in Galim. 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 Day Camp of Greater Boston.
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 (most people call me Emi!) and I am so excited to begin my fifth year as part of the wonderful TBS team and community! After teaching Kindergarten, First Grade, and Fifth Grade in Mayim/Shorashim in the past few years at TBS, I am so excited to be continuing my work as a Jewish Learning Guide in Galim with Kindergarten. 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 had the wonderful opportunity to grow up at URJ Eisner Camp as a camper and spend summers there as a counselor and 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 work to have a similar impact on the children that I teach. I strive to make all children feel embraced, seen, and valued while learning about being Jewish and being proud of it! I believe that all children have the ability to thrive and that it is crucial to meet children where they are and create rich, hands on, accessible learning environments. I am looking forward to a fabulous year!
Erika Liliendfeld
Pronouns: She/Her
I am so excited to be returning to Temple Beth Shalom for my second year as a Jewish Learning Guide! I believe that the most meaningful Jewish learning happens through relationships, experiences, and opportunities for kids to discover how Judaism connects to their own lives. One of my greatest blessings is getting to extend those relationships beyond the school year, with more than 40 (!!) TBS kids each summer at Camp Tevya. At Tevya, I lead teen leadership development, mentoring first year teens on staff and oversee the counselors-in-training program as both cohorts transition from campers into counselors. I also work in Jewish Life, creating meaningful Shabbat, holiday, and ritual experiences for the broader camp community including Tisha B’av and Tu B’av. Across both spaces, I always strive to meet each learner where they are and create spaces where kids feel known, valued, and excited to participate in Jewish life. I believe Jewish education should be joyful and experiential while giving kids the confidence to ask questions, take ownership, and develop their own meaningful connections to Judaism. I feel incredibly lucky to learn and grow alongside TBS students throughout the year and am so excited to discover what this year will bring!
Ali New
Pronouns: She/They
Hi! My name is Ali New and I am thrilled to be joining the TBS community as a sixth grade educator! I am originally from Marblehead, MA and was fortunate to grow up in a thriving reform community. I was a madricha at my synagogue for 5 years, and spent seven years as a camp counselor and after school counselor at my local JCC. I graduated in 2022 from Wheaton College MA with a degree in Chemistry, after which I moved out to Madison, Wisconsin to work as an analytical chemist, and taught second grade religious school at the local reform synagogue. I am so excited to be pursuing Jewish education full time at TBS, as I believe it is critically important to provide students with a community where they can be proudly Jewish, experience Jewish joy, and have fun along the way!
Sadie O'Neill
Pronouns: She/Her
I am so excited to be returning to TBS for my 6th year as a Shorashim and Etzim educator. I graduated from Lesley University, where I earned a degree in Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy. I have spent the past 18 summers at URJ Crane Lake Camp as a camper, counselor, and most recently, the Performing Arts Director.
My experiences at both TBS and Jewish summer camp have inspired a love of Jewish learning, and a passion for creating spaces where learners feel comfortable asking questions, making creative choices, and growing with confidence and excitement. I look forward to another wonderful year in such an incredible community!
Mia Riess
Pronouns: She/Her
Shalom! I am so excited to start my third year as the Galim educator for Tzabim. 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, learning, and play. I so look forward to another year of first grade learning and fun!
Izzy sanfilippo
Pronouns: They/Them
Izzy Sanfilippo is thrilled to return for their second year at TBS, teaching 4th and 5th grade.They have worked as an adjunct professor, theater teacher, and summer camp instructor, and Jewish education is their new home. Izzy is a member of Temple Habonim. They love learning, history, and traveling.
Rabbi Josh Shapiro
Pronouns: He/Him
I am overjoyed to be joining TBS’s educational team as a Jewish Learning Guide this year. I grew up at TBS and am now returning home to give back to this incredible community. I received my rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College in 2025. I have worked in synagogue and camp settings. As an educator and rabbi, I share my love of Judaism and help learners discover their own Jewish joy. At all ages and stages, our tradition offers a multitude of ways that make the good times even better and the hard times less hard. I strive to create experiences for my learners that enable them to uncover this truth on their own terms in the classroom and beyond. I cannot wait to begin my next chapter at TBS with this special community!
Lilah Silverman
Pronouns: She/Her
Hello Everyone! I’m so excited to continue my journey with TBS as the Jewish Learning Guide for Galim Gimel!
I grew up just outside Washington, D.C., where I attended the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in my early years and spent summers at Jewish camp. My connection to Jewish life deepened during my time at Tufts University, where I pursued a dual degree—a B.S. in Psychology and a B.F.A. in Studio Arts. At Tufts, I taught art classes, ran a summer art camp for elementary-aged children, and assisted in psychophysiological behavioral research. I also explored Judaica art and took courses in Jewish film, which helped reignite my passion for Jewish education.
Since graduating in 2024, I’ve worked as both a classroom teacher and an ABA technician supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. These experiences have shaped my teaching philosophy: I believe in creating spaces where students feel empowered to engage with the world through empathy, creativity, and curiosity. Above all, I hope to guide my students in embracing the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam—working together to repair and improve our world.
Lydia Watkins
Pronouns: They/Them
Shalom! I am so excited for my third 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.
Zoe Wertlieb
Pronouns: She/Her
Hi! I am super excited to join the TBS community as a 3rd-grade Jewish Learning Guide! My Jewish education journey began in kindergarten at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (Rockville, MD), from where I ultimately graduated in 2022. As per JDS tradition, I spent three months in Israel with 74 of my classmates, where I had the unique opportunity to explore my Jewish identity in a way that led me to declare a major in Religious Studies at Bryn Mawr and Haverford colleges. The past four years with the Religion Department at Haverford have been some of the most influential, eye-opening, and heart-opening in my life. Somewhat surprisingly, my studies deepened my connection with Judaism in a way that has simultaneously strengthened my connection with the Jewish community and the global, human community. But the two years I spent working with 3rd and 4th graders at the Main Line Reform Temple (Wynnewood, PA) were what truly sparked my revelations. The values and lessons from the Pirkei Avot and weekly parashot that we discussed each Sunday were the same as what I was learning about the foundational teachings of so many of the world's religious and spiritual traditions -- just in different wording. I have always been extremely passionate about making the world a better place. I didn't always know I wanted to be a teacher, but I used to always say that "whatever I do, I need to be working with people directly and trying to help them in any way that I can, so that I can hopefully inspire them to pass it along." I enjoyed teaching dance lessons to my peers throughout high school and college, then after being a Teacher's Assistant for the Bryn Mawr Spanish Department, I decided to try teaching Hebrew...and the rest was history. My goal here at TBS is to continue working towards inspiring people to help make the world a better place (tikkun olam!!) by rooting ourselves in the values of compassion, courage, and empathy, which we will see in the stories of our forefathers and foremothers. I am so excited to take this next step in my journey with Jewish education, and I can't wait to work with everyone!
Rachel Wolfeiler
Galim Curriculum Director
Pronouns: She/Her
I am so thrilled to continue my work at TBS this year as a Jewish Learning Guide, Curriculum Leader, and Galim 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!