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 is working in partnership with education staff, clergy, lay leaders and congregants to provide Jewish learning across generations. The creation of this new position in 2008-2009 reflects Temple Isaiah’s commitment to providing Jewish learning to members at all ages and stages of life.
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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 Lead Teacher 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 and is currently working towards her Masters degree in Jewish Communal Service and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University. Emily is deeply committed to helping our youth create stronger bonds with each other.

Alicia Berger-Mcgee, Full Time Educator

Alicia Berger-McGee (amcgee@templeisaiah.net) teaches in both Temple Isaiah’s religious school and in Tichon Isaiah. She is also our LEFTY Advisor. 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, Early Childhood Family Educator, K-2 Coordinator, Teacher

Jodi Jarvis (jjarvis@templeisaiah.net) is Temple Isaiah’s full-time Early Childhood Family Educator and K-2 Coordinator. 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. Jodi is a member of the Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Educators group and helps to coordinate the Passport to Israel program at Temple Isaiah.

Jennie Goldfarb, Grade 3-5 Coordinator, Teacher

Jennie Goldfarb (jgoldfarb@templeisaiah.net) has been working at Temple Isaiah for the past eleven years. Currently, Jennie serves as Grade 3-5 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, LCSW, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program and Grade 6th Coordinator, Teacher

Jessica Slavin (jslavin@templeisaiah.net) has worn many hats throughout her nine 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 is the 6th Grade Coordinator, overseeing the 6th Grade curriculum and logistics, and also a 6th Grade teacher. Jess leads 5th and 6th Grade Retreats, and teaches classes in art in Tichon Isaiah. 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.