Bonim (Kindergarten & 1st Grade)
Robin Matthews
Robin (she/her) is excited to start her 8th 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 jkidpride at Jewish Learning Venture and as JLV’s Graphic Designer. 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 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.
Rachel Thomas (Chaverim (2nd & 3rd Grade) and Bet (4th Grade) Hebrew)
Rachel is thrilled to be starting her 27th year teaching at Rimon. In addition to teaching both Hebrew School and Religious School, Rachel also teaches Pre-K here at Temple Sholom. 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.
Meredith Seidman
Meredith is so excited to be working as an assistant teacher at Rimon this year in Chaverim! She is a Senior at Strath Haven High School and has worked as a madrichim for the past 3 years with Bonim and Gesherim. Meredith has been a part of multiple Jewish fellowship and leadership programs including the Diller Teens Fellows, the Tikvah Scholars Program, the Reta Emerson Fellowship, the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar, and more. She is an honors student and also a member of her school’s field hockey, swim, and speech and debate teams. She has previously worked at The Creative Living Room in Swarthmore at the summer camp and after-school program. Meredith
Olim (4th & 5th) Grade
Jodye Green
Jodye is thrilled to be back for her 6th 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.
Jack Kedson
Jack is excited to be returning to Rimon for his 5th year overall and 2nd year as a Learning Guide with Team Olim! Previously, Jack was a member of the Madrichim team for three years, including two with Team Olim. Jack graduated from Dickinson College in 2022 with a BS in Computer Science. He is an active member at Temple Sholom and has been for almost 15 years. Outside of Temple Sholom, Jack is a data analyst for a small consulting firm specializing in Transportation and Logistics, and also manages a large social media page. He enjoys spending time with friends, watching his favorite sports teams, and playing with his dog, Rex.
Michelle Neiberg
Michelle is a new member to the Temple Sholom community and will be co-teaching in team Olim (4th and 5th grades). Michelle has over 10 years of experience in Jewish education and management and has coached high school and elite level tennis. Michelle graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelors of Business Administration in accounting and finance. In her spare time she loves to play as much tennis as possible and does her best to keep up with her Mahjong and Canasta groups. Michelle is married to Marc and has 2 grown sons, Jason and Adam, and a very furry daughter named Lilly! She is very excited for the Rimon School year to begin!
Sarah Beth Podell (Gimel (5th Grade) Hebrew)
Sarah Beth is excited to return to the Temple Sholom community and Rimon this year teaching 5th grade – Gimel Hebrew. One of her favorite parts of teaching and learning Hebrew is finding 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.
Gesherim (6th Grade)
Max Miller
Max Miller is excited to be returning to the Temple Sholom in Broomall. He has previously taught Olim (4th & 5th grade) from 2017 through 2021 and is looking forward to working with the 6th graders in Gesherim. Max earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Psychology from Rutgers University in 2011 and a Master of Science in Recreation & Leisure Services from Texas State University in 2013.
Max resides in Havertown, PA, with his wife Randi, sons Levi and Jesse, and dog Vegas.
Marla Sones (Gesherim (6th Grade) Hebrew)
Marla teaches 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 over 20 years and has taught prayer, Hebrew and all areas of Judaic studies. She has been a member of the Temple Sholom faculty for 13 years, having also taught in the high school program and for many years as a member of the Rimon Team Olim faculty. 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 grandpuppy.
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 Eli and Isaac.
Marissa Kimmel
Marissa is thrilled to be teaching Rimon Noar again! 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. She works full-time at Temple Sholom as our Member & Youth Engagement Coordinator. She understands the importance of incorporating Judaism into everyday life, and is looking forward to helping instill that ideal into her students. Marissa lives in King of Prussia and 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 7th 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!