Bonim (Kindergarten & 1st Grade)
Robin Matthews
Robin is excited to start her 7th year teaching the Bonim (Kindergarten/1st Grade) class at Temple Sholom. She loves working with the youngest learners at TSB and giving them a fun and exciting year of exploration as they begin their Jewish education journeys. Robin has a BA in Elementary Education and Theatre Arts from Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education and Human Development and an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College. She currently works as the Director of Marketing and Communications and Director of jkidPRIDE at Jewish Learning Venture. She lives in Media with her wife, Marcia, and son, Asher.
Adina Green
Adina has been teaching Rimon for many years. This year she is teaching Bonim (K and 1st Grade). She is excited to see old and new faces. Adina enjoys learning, discovering and practicing Jewish values together with her students and having fun doing it. Adina graduated from Temple University/Tyler School of art and is currently working for a before and after school care program. In her free time, she enjoys writing, playing and singing music. She is also very much into art.
Chaverim (2nd & 3rd Grade)
Erica Danowitz
Erica is thrilled to be starting her first complete year teaching Rimon (Chaverim 2nd and 3rd Grades). Until her retirement Erica worked as an academic librarian/professor for 23 years teaching information literacy and research skills. She has a BA from Cornell University, a Master’s degree in French from Penn State University, a Master’s in Library Science from the University of Maryland, and a Doctorate in Education from Northeastern University. Erica is a proud mom to two college-age children (both former madrichim). She also is a mom to a dog and cat, both rescues. Erica and her husband Michael have been Temple Sholom members for 20 years.
Andi Lieberman
This is Andi’s 3rd year teaching Rimon (Chaverim 2nd and 3rd Grades) and she loves it! She has been involved in the world of Jewish Education for 20+ years as a Preschool Director, Pre-K Teacher and Hebrew School Teacher. Andi also taught Art for 10 years in public school. She enthusiastically combines learning about Judaism with her creative art background, Yoga teacher certification and 28 years of classroom experience. Andi, her husband Eric and daughters Arden and Jona have been members of Temple Sholom for 25+ years.
Erica Watson
Erica has been a member at Temple Sholom her whole life and is very excited to be teaching this year. Erica has been through every life cycle of the Jewish Education here at Temple Sholom. She was a student, a Madrichim, and is now able to share her love for Jewish learning as a teacher. Erica has many years of wonderful memories at Temple Sholom, and hopes to guide her students to create their own special memories and excitement for Jewish education. Erica runs her own Media Production business. She takes photos and videos, and does video editing as well.
Olim (4th & 5th) Grade
Jodye Green
Jodye is thrilled to be back for her fifth year as a member of Team Olim (4th and 5th Grade). Jodye has been active in synagogue life for many years, serving as both a Board member and past sisterhood president at Congregation Beth Or. Jodye attended Temple University where she majored in elementary education, she is currently working at a single family office in the financial services industry. When not working she enjoys spending time with her daughter, taking walks with her dog Elton, following Philadelphia sports teams, traveling and baking.
Randi Miller
Randi is excited to be returning to Team Olim. Randi enjoys incorporating hands-on activities to keep learners engaged and excited about coming to Rimon on Sunday mornings. Randi has a bachelor’s from the University of Maryland and master’s from Miami University (OH). She currently works in consulting for an executive search firm in their education practice. She lives in Havertown with her husband (Max, former Olim teacher), son (Levi), and goldendoodle (Vegas).
Marla Sones (Olim & Gesherim (6th Grade) Hebrew)
Marla teaches Olim (4th and 5th Grade) along with Gesherim (6th Grade) Hebrew. When not teaching, which has become her true passion, she is a full-time practicing attorney. Marla has been involved in supplemental Jewish Education for 20 years and has taught prayer, Hebrew and all areas of Judaic studies. She has been a member of the Temple Sholom faculty for 12 years. She is passionate about her Jewish identity and enjoys sharing her passion with her students. Marla is an active member of BTBJ in Erdenheim, a past president of the congregation and has been a member of the Bux-Mont Federation Board and Kehillah. She is presently chair of Congregational Learning at BTBJ and continues to serve on the board and executive committee. Marla is the proud mother of two great young men and grandmother to two grandchildren and a grand puppy.
Gesherim (6th Grade)
Rachel Hellinger
Rachel Hellinger is thrilled to be joining Temple Sholom as the Gesherim Learning Facilitator this year! She has been teaching religious school for over 7 years in 4th and 6th grade and attended Gratz Hebrew High School where she earned her Reform Teaching Certificate. Rachel believes in an inclusive learning environment where every learner can succeed given multiple learning modalities. Given the crucial role families play in a learner’s education, she is looking forward to leading family education classes this year.
Rachel graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education and West Chester University with her Master’s Degree in Special Education with a focus in Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning. She is a 6th grade learning support teacher in the North Penn School District and loves being a co-teacher within the general education classroom. Rachel previously taught autistic support for students ages 3-5 and learning support in 1st grade. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, traveling to the beach, and playing card games. She resides in Warrington with her husband, Lee.
Rachel Thomas (Bet (4th Grade) Hebrew)
Rachel is thrilled to be starting her 26th year teaching Hebrew (Bet-4th Grade) at Temple Sholom. She enjoys working with students as they begin their formal Hebrew learning and loves to make learning fun! When not teaching Hebrew School, Rachel teaches Pre-K here at the synagogue. She is also a consultant for Pampered Chef. Over the summer, Rachel works as a Program Supervisor at Camp Pegasus, a therapeutic day camp for kids with social skill needs. Rachel grew up at Temple Sholom and is proud to say that her children have done the same. She lives in Broomall with her husband, Chas, and her three kids, Aaron, Brendon, and Julia.
Sarah Beth Podell (Gimel (5th Grade) Hebrew)
Sarah Beth is excited to join the Temple Sholom community this year teaching 5th grade – Gimel Hebrew. One of her favorite parts of Hebrew class is working with students to find personal meaning in prayers. For the last 18 years, Sarah Beth has been involved in Jewish education in different capacities, including Hillel, religious school, and camp! Sarah Beth lives in Wynnewood with her husband, Troy, kids, Emet, Bram, and Adi, and dog, Malla.
Susan Edelstein (1-on-1/Long Distance Hebrew)
Susan is the former Director of Education at Congregation Beth Or in Maple Glen PA. Now retired and living in New York City near her children and grandchildren, she continues to be active in Jewish education, tutoring wonderful Temple Sholom students for the past six years and teaching adult education locally. A life-long learner and teacher, she continues to motivate and celebrate with her family, and her students.
Rimon Noar (7th & 8th Grade)
Cantor Jamie Marx
Cantor Jamie Marx is honored to serve as the Cantor of Temple Sholom in Broomall. He is passionate about worship music in all its forms, utilizing pop and folk styles, art music, niggunim, choral settings, and chazanut in services. He finds great inspiration in a quote from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel: “Within the synagogue, music is not an end in itself but a means of religious experience.” Cantor Marx received his Master’s in Sacred Music in May 2010 and his cantorial ordination in May 2011, both from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. He earned a BA in Music from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, in 2003. He is happily married to Anna and is the proud father of Eliana and Isaac.
Marissa Kimmel
Growing up, Marissa was given a huge foundation for her Jewish identity. She attended Hebrew school all the way through 12th grade, participated in youth group, taught Hebrew and Religious school, and was a camp counselor at the preschool over the summer. Marissa graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as her Elementary Teaching Certificate for grades K-6. At Muhlenberg, she spent all four years working at Hillel. It was by far one of the highlights of her college experience. Marissa’s synagogue growing up was her home away from home. She understands the importance of incorporating Judaism into everyday life, and is looking forward to helping instill that ideal into her students. Marissa is married to her husband, Dave, and has a daughter, Violet, and a son, Dawson.
Mike Cohen
Mike Cohen is thrilled to be back at Temple Sholom for his 6th year teaching Rimon Noar-8th Grade. He teaches using a student-centered classroom environment where the students do the talking 80% of the time. Mike has been teaching for over twenty years and is the head of the middle school at Hill Top Preparatory School. He lives in Eagleville with his wife Erica and his two daughters.
JLF (Justice & Leadership Fellowship) – 9th-12th Grade
Rabbi Peter Rigler
Rabbi Peter Rigler has served as our Rabbi since 2009. Rabbi Rigler was ordained by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2002. He has also served as the Associate Rabbi at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, Pa. for seven years. He engages our members in all aspects of Jewish living, including: worship services; life cycle events and teaching in the Religious School and Lifelong Learning program. He leads our community with warmth, humor, knowledge and a rich passion for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Rigler’s interests include social justice, youth work, teaching and Israel. He is passionate about making the synagogue warm, fun and inviting.
He is engaged also in the broader community. Serving as the President of the Marple-Newton Multi-faith group, serving on faculty as URJ Camp Harlam each summer, as a member of the board of Rabbis and various other groups. He is currently a fellow in the 18 Doors Rukin Rabbinic program engaging and deepening work with interfaith families a cross the spectrum of Jewish life. He also is active on the Rabbinic council of American Jewish World Service and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
His wife, Rabbi Stacy Rigler, is the Executive Director of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE). They have three children: Maya, Nathan, and Eli.
In his free time Rabbi Rigler loves running, cooking, traveling the world and time with his family. He is always eager to spend time with members of our community and beyond so please reach out to make a time!