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Hannah (Richman) Kearney, Director of Havayah
Hannah is thrilled to be starting her 10th year at TBE! Hannah is originally from Western Pennsylvania, where she was an active member of her youth group and where she participated in NFTY-NEL. After high school, Hannah spent a year volunteering and studying in Jerusalem Israel followed by four years at Brandeis University where she studied Studio Art and Sociology. Today, Hannah enjoys living in Somerville, cooking, watching Steelers games and playing fantasy football, running, yoga, and painting. Hannah has worked to help design and lead gender-based programming at TBE, including our 7th grade Kesher groups and Havayah "It's a Girl Thing," groups. Hannah also works closely with Havayah Manhigut (teen leadership), and creates curriculum and arts based programming for our youth and adult communities at TBE.
Leah Finkelman, Senior Youth Engagement Specialist
Manhigut, Challah Back Girls, NFTY Liason
Leah Finkelman was raised outside Columbus, OH, where she lived until attending Brandeis University. She graduated in 2013 with a major in American Studies and four minors, including Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. Leah spent 12 summers at URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute, in Zionsville, IN, including two years as a counselor and two years as the musical director, and was an active member of NFTY-OV. She currently lives in Brighton, and enjoys crafting, cooking, and watching movies her roommates. Prior to joining the youth team in August of 2015, she was TBE's Administrative Assistant to the Clergy. Leah coordinates our Jewish Camping Intiative, as well as teaching in B'Yachad and Havayah.
Devon Barker, Youth Engagement Specialist
Jew Man Group, Tastes of Judaism, Text Messages, NFTY CO-Advisor
Devon Barker grew up in Boulder, Colorado, where he went to the University of Northern Colorado and majored in Education. Back in Boulder, Devon was a middle school math teacher. Since 2016, Devon has been a full-time member of the Ed Team. At TBE, his portfolio covers most students from 4th grade through 12th. He is the Lead Teacher for Tagliyot, our 4th & 5th-grade science program, 7th grade Boy's Kesher teacher, & Behirot Teacher. In Havayah, he is the Lead Taste of Judaism Teacher, runs most of our Jew Man Groups, one of our NFTY Advisors, along with many of our other programs. When Devon is not at TBE, he enjoys camping, working with robotics teams, and cooking. During the summers, he is the Senior Lead Instructor at The URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy. Devon is currently getting his Master's in STEAM Education.
Lilah Doris, Youth Engagement Specialist
Tikkun Olam Team
Lilah Doris grew up in Northport, NY where she enjoyed life with her family and her pugs. She graduated from Brandeis in 2017 with majors in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. Lilah spent 10 summers at URJ Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, MA and considers her experience there the foundation of her Jewish identity. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, ancient history, yoga, thinking critically about contemporary art, and talking about her semester at agriculture school in Dublin, Ireland. At TBE, Lilah is involved in Tikkun Olam in the youth community, including coordinating Ma'asim Tovim.
Leah Sherin, Youth Engagement Specialist
Music Madrichim, Challah Back Girls
Leah Sherin joined the full time team at TBE this fall as a Youth Engagement Specialist and Songleader. She grew up in the Chicago area and graduated from Brandeis University in 2019, where she studied Sociology and Jewish Studies. Leah has spent 12 summers at URJ OSRUI as a camper, counselor, and songleader, and she loves Jewish camp and Jewish music! Leah is so happy to be joining the warm and welcoming community here at TBE this year!
Abi Oshins
Jewish Actors Workshop
Abi Oshins is beyond excited to be back for her third year working with the Jewish Actors Workshop at TBE. Over the past two years with JAWs she has directed Legally Blonde and The Drowsy Chaperone in addition to a cabaret performance and a short collection of one act plays. Abi graduated from Boston University with a degree in English Education and a minor in Theater. She now works full time for Temple Beth Shalom in Needham as a teen educator. Outside ofJAWs, Abi spends her time talking about the URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy, befriending any dog who wants to play, and drinking lots of iced coffee.
Josh Mocle
Jew Man Group
Josh could not be more excited to be returning for his fourth year on the Havayah Faculty! Josh spent five years on faculty at Gann Academy (also his alma mater) and seven summers as a member of the Brandeis University High School Programs team, including two years as the Assistant Director of the office. Josh received his Master of Arts in Teaching at Simmons College in 2017.
Josh currently teaches Middle School Humanities and Social Studies at the Jewish Community Day School of Greater Boston and is also a co-lead teacher of the 7th grade Holocaust Curriculum right here at TBE. He can often be found listening to (loud) music exclusively on vinyl, expounding upon the intellectual significance of the X-Men and working tirelessly to ensure his son’s first words are “Let’s Go Red Sox” (much to the chagrin of his wife).
Josh currently teaches Middle School Humanities and Social Studies at the Jewish Community Day School of Greater Boston and is also a co-lead teacher of the 7th grade Holocaust Curriculum right here at TBE. He can often be found listening to (loud) music exclusively on vinyl, expounding upon the intellectual significance of the X-Men and working tirelessly to ensure his son’s first words are “Let’s Go Red Sox” (much to the chagrin of his wife).
Samantha Mocle
Jewish Actors Workshop
This is Samantha's eighth year working with the Jewish Actors Workshop at Temple Beth Elohim. She has previously choreographed Legally Blonde, The Drowsy Chaperone, Hello Dolly, Seussical, The Producers, 13, and Fiddler on the Roof for JAWs in addition to several cabaret performances. In June 2018, she choreographed an entirely new production - her son, Oliver Henry! Samantha graduated with a BFA in creative writing from Emerson College and is the Editor-in-Chief of Leaves magazine at Lasell College. She spends her spare time quietly convincing her son to become a Yankees fan in Red Sox Nation.
Jem Oshins
Jewish Actors Workshop
My name is Jem Oshins. I’m currently an artist based in the Boston area and a recent graduate of Boston University’s School of Theatre. As a teenager I was extremely involved at TBE in BM3T (now known as B'Yachad) and multiple Havayah programs. Judaism, theatre and education have continued to play an important part in my life. I’m incredibly excited to further follow these passions in my return to TBE as part of the JAWs team.
Cantor Shanna Zell
T'fillah Band, Songleading
Shanna Zell is a singer/songwriter turned cantor who believes in creating a warm, uplifting community of song open to all seekers and lovers of Judaism. She received her BA in both European Cultural Studies and English & American Literature from Brandeis University (Waltham, MA). Post graduating Brandeis, Shanna worked for the Makor/Steinhardt Center of the 92Y where she assisted in programming for multi-denominational Jewish 20/30s and received an award for her "lasting contribution" to the institution. Before embarking on her cantorial journey, Shanna performed live shows with her band - Shanna & the Zellots - a powerful pop-rock ensemble. She released one full length album (2005) and one EP (2011), both comprised of original music. Blending her experience as a songwriter and passion for Jewish music, Shanna often finds herself bringing driving rock rhythms into the synagogue. Since Fall 2013, she served as cantorial intern for Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope, Brooklyn where she was a prayer leader, b'nai mitzvah tutor, Rosh Hodesh girls' group organizer and co-facilitator of the 20s/30s "Brooklyn Jews" community. In February 2016, she co-organized an Indigo Girls Tribute Concert to raise funds and awareness for Planned Parenthood NYC. In December 2016, Shanna presented a senior recital entitled, "Sacred Brooklyn," an exploration of the sounds of liberal Jewish Brooklyn, which was also the topic of her masters thesis. Shanna has returned to MA and is enjoying her new home in Brookline. She loves keeping her finger on the pulse of the underground music scene, exploring new neighborhoods and eating sushi. She believes it was b’shert to move from Congregation Beth Elohim (Brooklyn, NY) to Temple Beth Elohim (Wellesley, MA) where she proudly serves as the new Assistant Cantor.
Rabbi Rachel Saphire
Rabbi Rachel Saphire is TBE’s Associate Rabbi. As a teenager, she founded her small temple’s youth group and became very active in NFTY Ohio Valley. Rabbi Saphire served NFTY-OV as the Regional President and was introduced to Reform Jewish camping at the Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) in Zionsville, Indiana. She enjoys playing and watching sports, cooking, eating, and visiting with friends. Rabbi Saphire is very excited to spend time with TBE’s teens and families. Her door is always open, so feel free to stop by and schmooze when you are at TBE.
Rabbi Philip Sherman
Rabbi Philip Sherman grew up in Minneapolis and considers himself a true mid-westerner at heart. Active in Jewish life since early childhood, Rabbi Sherman attended Camp Ramah in Wisconsin for many years as both a camper and staff member and was active in USY with a position as Emtza Region president during high school. Rabbi Sherman attended Indiana University, where he graduated with honors in 2006 with a degree in Judaic studies. While at IU Rabbi Sherman was involved with Jewish life on campus, taking on leadership roles at Hillel and in the Jewish Studies Student Association. After college he worked as a Hillel Jewish Campus Service Corps fellow at Emory University. Rabbi Sherman completed his rabbinic training at the Hebrew College Rabbinical School in Newton Centre, a pioneering pluralistic rabbinical education program. He has held positions as educator, b’nai mitzvah tutor, youth group advisor and rabbinic intern at several Boston-area synagogues, including Temple Beth Zion, Temple Emanuel, Temple Reyim and Congregation Kehillath Israel. Most recently, he served as campus Jewish educator at MIT Hillel and rabbinic intern and spiritual leader of the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe in Vermont. He received his rabbinic ordination in June 2013, along with a master’s degree in Jewish education. His master’s thesis exploring the idea of teaching compassion to adolescents was passed with distinction. Outside of Jewish learning, Rabbi Sherman’s passions include cycling and being in nature, exploring new places, following Indiana Hoosiers basketball and experimenting with his CSA harvest. He and his wife, Leah, live in Newton and are thrilled to be joining the TBE community.
Rabbi Joel Sisenwine
J-Connect
Rabbi Sisenwine has been the Rabbi of Temple Beth Elohim since the year 2000, a period of great growth and energy in the life of our community. A native of Philadelphia, Rabbi Sisenwine graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. There, Rabbi Sisenwine received the prestigious Wexner Foundation Fellowship for Jewish Leadership, as well as the nationally recognized Truman Foundation Fellowship for public service. Following studies at various institutions of higher learning, including Tel Aviv University and the Jewish Theological Seminary, he was ordained a rabbi from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1995. Rabbi Sisenwine has distinguished himself as a leading voice in the local and national Jewish community. He is currently the rabbinic chair of the Reform movement's Commission on Worship and Religious Living, and also serves on the President's Rabbinic Council of the Hebrew Union College. He was also as a founding member of the region's Reform Beit Din, and has served on several local and national leadership boards, including the Jewish Community Center, the Rashi School, and the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis. Rabbi Sisenwine is the author of various articles and publications. He shares life with his wife Heidi, a teacher at the Rashi School, and his three daughters. He can occasionally be seen on the basketball courts of the JCC, the bleachers at Fenway Park, or enjoying time with his family.
Rabbi Alan Ullman
Text Messages
Rabbi Alan Ullman travels the globe teaching Torah. He teaches at temples, synagogues, churches, businesses, private study groups, and retreats to people who share in the desire to study Torah as a way to guide and inform the spiritual journey that is our lives today. Through the wisdom of Torah, Alan helps people see the sacred aspects of our daily lives and how to unite the breath of life that resides within each of us with the wind-spirit of God that moves through all of creation. He also leads adult hiking/study trips to Israel, the Alps, the Canadian Rockies, the Grand Canyon, Sedona and St. John.
Alan was ordained by the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati in 1985 and served as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Worcester, Massachusetts for three years. In 1988, he founded the School for Jewish Studies, dedicated to teaching Torah to adults, which served as the foundation for his current work. His wife, Melanie, is a librarian. They have two children, Lara, age 31 and Noah, age 27.
Alan was ordained by the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati in 1985 and served as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Worcester, Massachusetts for three years. In 1988, he founded the School for Jewish Studies, dedicated to teaching Torah to adults, which served as the foundation for his current work. His wife, Melanie, is a librarian. They have two children, Lara, age 31 and Noah, age 27.
