AJ Preschool and Infant Center Staff

			Miri Arania is an Assistant Teacher in our Infant Room. Originally from Israel, Miri lives in Huntingdon Valley. Miri is married and has three children: two sons, Yarin and Renan, and one daughter, Milan. Although Miri has an accounting background, she has a true love for working with infants. She is currently studying to receive her Child Development Associate (CDA).
			Michelle Bernstein is the Early Childhood Director of AJ Preschool and Infant Center. While she has been working in this role since 2007, she also was a Pre-K teacher for three years as well. Michelle lives in Elkins Park with her husband, David, their son, Seth, and their daughter, Gwendolyn. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Michelle received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and her Master’s Degree in Education, specializing in Children’s Literature from Arcadia University. Michelle truly enjoys her leadership role at AJ, as she enjoys not only helping create the friendly and nurturing community in the Preschool and Infant Center, but feels part of a larger “family” in the synagogue as a whole. In Michelle's "spare" time, she enjoys cooking, snuggling with her children, and playing violin, which includes being one of the members of AJ's Rockin' Band which performs a few times a year for Havdallah and Shabbat.
			Cheryl Berson is one of our lead toddler, or “Kahol” teachers. She has been working at AJ since 2006. Cheryl is married to Alan and has four children – Ben, Jessica, Eliana, and Risa. Cheryl has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. “I chose to teach because I am outgoing and dramatic and I love to speak in front of people and to sing. I have a strong Jewish background, which I love to incorporate into my teaching. I find teaching preschoolers very rewarding!”
			Gili Bitan is one of our Kahol (two year old) Assistant Teachers and has been working at AJ since 2007. She lives in Horsham with her husband, Richard and has two daughters, Terra and Aria. Gili has a Bachelor’s Degree in Archeology. She loves working in the field – during the day, night and in cold or hot weather. Many times you will see a crowd of children gathered around Gili as she and the children dig for worms and other “goodies” in the playground!
			Louise Bodack is an Assistant Teacher at the Preschool and Infant Center and has been working here since 1996. Louise resides in Elkins Park. She is married to Jeffrey and has four children – Rachel, Dan, Susan and Jonathan. They also have a dog, Rusty. Louise has a Bachelor’s Degree and her Child Development Certificate (CDA). Louise chose to work with young children because she enjoyed raising her own children so much!
			Carol Boring is one of our Pre-K, or “Adom” Lead Teachers. Her family includes her son, David, and her daughter, Sarah. Carol resides in Glenside, PA. Carol has a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Private Academic Certification in Nursery/Pre-K, and is currently working toward her PA Certification in Early Childhood at Arcadia University. Carol chose to work in the field of education because “I like learning and it’s fun to learn along side of my students. I love children’s books, art, music...It’s a fun job and never boring! There is always more to learn about development, being a better teacher, and about the subjects and content and concepts I teach or help students to discover. I love to see and share in the creativity of the students and the other teachers.”
			Debbie Caine is the Financial Manager for the Preschool and Infant Center. Debbie lives in Rydal, PA with her husband, Steven, her son, Brandon and her two dogs, Duke and Gizmo. Debbie has her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and is a Certified Patient Account Manager. Not only has Debbie been working here at AJ since 2002 but she is a congregant of the synagogue…and she attended the preschool as a child!
			Margaret (Peggy) Cohen is our lead infant teacher. Peggy lives in Roslyn with her husband Stephen. They have three grown kids: Heather, David and Alex. Peggy has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood from West Chester University and a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts from Tyler School of Art. Peggy has a wealth of professional experience, including being the director of a camp for the mentally handicapped, an art teacher for children in preschool all the way through high school, an assistant early childhood director and the director of another early childhood program. Peggy loves watching the growth and development of young children and likes to be the “positive force that aids in their progression.” Peggy’s favorite hobbies include reading and scuba diving!
			Barbara Cooperman resides in Jenkintown and has been working at AJ since 1992. She currently works with our Adom (Pre-K) children in the morning and our Lavan (Preschool) children in the afternoon. Barbara has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and “100 years of experience working with children!” If she were stranded on a desert island, Barbara would make sure to bring her family, coffee, and a few good books! Barbara’s family includes her husband, four amazing children and four beautiful grandchildren!
			Suzanne Garofalo lives in Northeast Philadelphia with her husband, Ralph. Suzanne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from East Stroudsberg University and has been working at AJ since 2006. Suzanne chose to work with children because they “are an inspiration to me and their resiliency is amazing.” She has over 15 years of experience working with young children.
			Danielle Gleason is one of our Lavan (three-year-old) lead teachers. Danielle lives in Chestnut Hill with her husband, Ted. Danielle graduated from Cheltenham High School in 2004 and from Muhlenberg College in 2008, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and an Elementary Education teaching certification. Danielle worked as a substitute teacher in the Cheltenham School District and was also a Lead Toddler Teacher at the Malvern School of Upper Gwynedd. Danielle also works at the Southampton Day Camp in the summer. Danielle adores children, especially young children. She likes watching them learn and discover their environment.
			Barbara Greenberg resides in Elkins Park and has been working at AJ since 1995. Barbara leads our SINAI Class and is our Special Education Coordinator. Barbara’s family includes her husband, Rich, and three daughters, Lisa, Naomi, and Julie. Barbara has a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Syracuse University and a Masters Degree in Special Education from Columbia University. Barbara’s favorite season is “Fall - because the air is crisp, the leaves are pretty and it’s the start of the school year.”
			Donna Greaves is one of our Assistant Teachers in our Lavan (3 year old) Class. Donna has been working at AJ since 2000. She is married to her husband, Bob and has three grown children – Lynn, Chris and Tim. Donna truly enjoys working with young children and has been an integral part of our AJ family!
			Marilyn Hankin, our Infant Center Coordinator, has been working at AJ since 1998. Marilyn was here at the beginning of the Infant Center and continues to work with the babies. Marilyn has her Child Development Associate (CDA) and several years of Early Childhood coursework from the Community College of Philadelphia. Marilyn loves learning about the development of young children.
			Joy Hershman lives in Elkins Park. Her family consists of her husband Eric, her son Alex and her daughter Samantha. Joy has been working at since 1998. Joy is one of our Lead Teachers for the Adom (Pre-K) classes. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Individual and Family Studies and a Master’s Degree in Education. Joy chose to work in Education because she loves watching the children grow emotionally, socially, academically and physically and enjoys making a positive difference in their lives.
			Leslie Kraemer is our Music Teacher and lives in Elkins Park. Her family includes her husband, Lance, her sons Adam and Brett, daughter-in-law, Aimee and granddaughter, Alexandra. Leslie has two Bachelor Degrees and has a professional background specializing in Linguistics, Music, and Education. Leslie chose the field of education because of “the thrill and satisfaction of seeing the love of music and the light of understanding in the children’s eyes.”
			Beverly Landau is one of our Assistant Infant Teachers. She has been working at AJ since 2001 when our Infant Center Coordinator asked her to work in the Infant Room – and she never looked back!
			Kerrie Mayo works with our babies in the Infant Center. Kerrie has been working at AJ since 2008. Kerrie's daughter, Kaylani, also attends the Preschool. Kerrie truly enjoys working with infants, watching them grow into toddlers and mature into "big kids!"
			Jill Moran works in our Infant Center and as a Late Care teacher. Jill lives in Cheltenham Village and has been working at AJ since 2008. Jill graduated from Cheltenham High School and attended Philadelphia University and Montgomery County Community College. You can always find Jill working and playing with the children….with a smile!
			Shani Petersen works with our Young Toddler, “Yarok,” children. She has been working at AJ since 2008. Shani lives in Huntingdon Valley with her mother, Eti, her father, Avi, and her younger brother, Ori. She also has an older brother Yossi. Originally from Israel, Shani graduated high school there and is currently working on her Child Development Associate (CDA). Shani has a natural ability to connect with young children, for them to feel safe, secure and happy. Shani’s favorite season is winter – she loves building snowmen and she loves the smell of winter!
			Sue Pomerantz works with our some of our Late Care children and also works part time in the Preschool. Sue has been working at AJ since 2005 and has been a congregant of Adath Jeshurun for many, many years. She resides in Elkins Park and has a beautiful family that includes her husband Jerry, her son, Peter, her daughter Melanie and son-in-law Brem, her daughter Debbie and son-in-law Jason, her daughter Michelle and son-in-law Yoni…and many, many grandchildren! Sue has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Temple University and has take courses in Interior Design, Ceramics, and Painting.
			Michelle Ravitch is our Lavan (three year old) Lead Teacher and has been working at AJ since 1989. She is married to her husband, Joel, and has two daughters, Rachel and Sara. Michelle holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State in Individual and Family Studies and a Hebrew teaching certificate from Gratz College. Michelle says that “teaching young children is fun and challenging – I enjoy watching them change and grow.”
			Kandy Robkin is one of our Kahol (two year old) teachers and has been working at AJ since 1990. Kandy has been married for over 33 years and has two children, Noah and Carly. She also has a dog, Yogi. Kandy is one of our teachers who help beautify and maintain our beautiful sensory garden for the children. Kandy quotes, “Working with children truly inspires me to be the best I can be!”
			Rosalie Siegal is an Assistant Teacher AJ for one of our two-year-old “Kahol” groups. Rosalie has been working at AJ since 2004. She lives with her husband in Northeast Philadelphia. She has four sons and many, many grandchildren! Including her high school diploma, Rosalie has taken courses at Temple University and is currently working on her Child Development Associate. She has also had many years of “life experience!” She worked for three years at Beth Jacob and 17 years running a Tru Value Hardware Store
			Jill Slobotkin is our Camp Kitov Summer Camp Director and our Creative Movement Teacher. She resides in Meadowbrook, PA, with her husband Jon and has two sons, Lee and Neal. Jill graduated from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences in 1985. She has been teaching creative movement and dance for over 17 years, including at AJ since 2007. She is currently studying to receive her Child Development Associate (CDA).