I was born into this congregation, and it has been my privilege to be the Religious School Director for over twenty years. I have a BS in Special Education and a Masters in Educational Administration from the University of Tennessee. I taught junior high and middle school in Oak Ridge for forty years. I loved it just as much the day I left as the day I started. Education is my passion, and Jewish education is a perfect combination of two things I hold dear, Judaism and teaching. Growing up in Lenoir City in the only Jewish family in town has given me a unique perspective on being Southern Jew. I know firsthand what it is like to be the only Jewish child in my class and to ride to Knoxville just to go to Sunday School when my friends could often walk to their churches. I love the South. I have had far more positive experiences with the non-Jewish community than negative. My goal for our students is to help them feel comfortable in their Southern Jewish skin. Now that I am a retired school teacher, I love the opportunity to be a Hebrew teacher and Torah Coach for Temple Beth El. I believe in “Hebrew without Tears.” I also believe that learning is in itself a positive and transformative experience. I relish those moments when my students catch on to a new Hebrew skill or chant from the Torah for the first time.
In addition to teaching, I have a background in music and theater. For many years, I was the artistic director for the Oak Ridge Childrens’ Showchoir, an addition group of 100 children ages 7 to 18 from the surrounding area who performed for several thousand people every year. Of course, I enjoy sharing my music with our students at Temple. You wouldn’t know it to look at me, but in my younger days, I was an avid runner and coached the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams. At Temple Beth El I am co-chair of our Ritual and Worship Committee, and I sing in our Temple and high Holy Days choir.
A great joy in my life has always been my family. My son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Julia, have two wonderful children, Karl and Hannah. My daughter and son-in-law, Meredith and Kevin, have two fabulous boys, Hayden and Brennan. I could never do what I do at Temple without the love and support of my amazing husband and high school sweetheart, Wes. It is special to me that Karl and Hannah are fifth general members of Temple Beth El. My many sisters and I have Confirmation bracelets in the ark as do my children, as will my grandson this very year. Because family is so important to me, I strive to make our school a place when parents and grandparents are not only welcome, but also are integral to our Religious School program.
