Faculty and Staff

We are pleased to share with you these profiles of our very talented and diverse educational staff and faculty. Please note that "Tichon" stands for Tichon Isaiah, our program for 8th-12th graders.

Marilyn Stern, Acting Director of Education

Marilyn Stern, has directed the Family Education program at Temple Isaiah since 1997.  In 2007-2008, she will serve as the Acting Director of Education.  Ms. Stern, in partnership with our talented educational team and our lay educational leaders, will insure that our students and families are engaged in exciting and meaningful Jewish learning experiences.  Ms. Stern earned her Masters in Jewish Education at Hebrew College. She was the recipient of the Sara Feinsilver Award for Outstanding Female Graduating Student and the Keter Torah Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. She also received a certificate in Family Education from Hebrew College, and her B.A. from UCLA.  Ms. Stern formerly served as the Lower School Director and Family Educator at Congregation Eitz Chayim in Cambridge.

Emily Messinger, Director of Tichon Isaiah/Youth Education

Emily Gill Messinger is responsible for the formal and informal programming for students in grades 7-12.  Emily is the Lead Teacher for 7th grade, directs our High School religious program - Tichon Isaiah, 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 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 works in a variety of formal and informal settings within the religious school program to help build community among the students and to strengthen our students connections to Jewish tradition and Jewish life.  Alicia teaches in the religious school, coordinates the Camping Initiative, leads youth services, and organized informal youth activities for our 5th - 7th grade students.

Jodi Kaufman, Early Childhood Family Educator and K-2 Coordinator

We are delighted to welcome Jodi Kaufman to her new position as a full time educator at Temple Isaiah.  Jodi will serve as the Early Childhood Family Educator and K-2 Coordinator.  Jodi has a BA in Mathematics and a Masters Certificate in Jewish Early Childhood from Hebrew College, and recently completed the MeÕah program.  Jodi has been a Jewish Preschool teacher for the past 5 years at the Billy Dalwin Preschool of Temple Emunah in Lexington and a GAN teacher here at Isaiah for the past three years.  She has served as the Education Director at the Temple Tifereth Israel in Malden, MA and has consulted to several Boston are Jewish preschool on curriculum, staff development and family education programming.

Erica Fox, Family Connection Educator

Erica Fox is an experienced Jewish Educator and teacher.  She recently completed twelve years as Family Educator at Temple Beth Avodah in Newton, where she developed numerous innovative programs.  Prior to her work in the Jewish community, Erica was a management consultant at DEC. Erica has a M.Ed. from Boston University and a certificate in Jewish Family Education from Hebrew College.

Jennie Goldfarb, Grade 3-6 Coordinator

Jennie will serve as the Grade 3-6 Coordinator as well as 3rd grade teacher. Jennie has a degree in English and Elementary Education from Brandeis University. She has been working at Temple Isaiah for 10 years.  She has served as a teacher, B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator, Curriculum developer and Renaissance Educator.  She is looking forward to working with teachers, students and parents in her new role this year.