Meet the Team
Lucy has spent her entire career in the field of early childhood education in a variety of settings. She has more than 18 years of experience teaching in the classroom, mentoring and coaching teachers, supporting families, collaborating with therapists and directing an early childhood program.
Lucy Banerji, Nursery School Director
lbanerji@templeshalom.org
617.332.9550 x18
lbanerji@templeshalom.org
617.332.9550 x18
Dubonim- Toddler Classroom
Jen is entering her fourth year at Temple Shalom Nursery School. She has 15 years of child care experience, and has lived in Newton most of her life. She has four children in elementary and middle school, and loves to spend time with her family, who are very involved in the Newton community. She is looking forward to another wonderful and successful year at Temple Shalom watching the children learn and grow.
Jen is entering her fourth year at Temple Shalom Nursery School. She has 15 years of child care experience, and has lived in Newton most of her life. She has four children in elementary and middle school, and loves to spend time with her family, who are very involved in the Newton community. She is looking forward to another wonderful and successful year at Temple Shalom watching the children learn and grow.
Jen Castro, Dubonim Teacher
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Dene has been teaching in early childhood for over twenty five years, primarily with toddlers and children with special needs. She worked in both public and private schools, as well as nannying for children with special needs. When not at school, Dene enjoys gardening, biking, jewelry making and all kinds of art projects. She lives with her dog, cat and Russian Tortoise. This is Dene's first year at Temple Shalom Nursery School.
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Dene Crystal, Dubonim Teacher
Julie Rubin, Dubonim Teacher
Claire Rosenthal, Dubonim Teacher
Parparim - 3 and 4 year old classroom
Talia joined the Temple Shalom staff in 2014. Talia grew up in Newton where she attended Solomon Schechter Day School and later studied psychology at Northeastern University and social work at Arizona State University. By sharing her love of nature and gardening and an enthusiasm for discovery, Talia strives to create and encourage a vibrant and structured atmosphere for learning. She creatively brings Hebrew into the classoom through songs and play, as it was her first language. She lives in Canton with her husband Francis, son Edan, and pet cat Steve.
Talia Elliot, Judaic and Nature Curriculum Coordinator and Parparim Teacher
In college and beyond, Lynne studied speech and language development as well as Jewish education. Prior to Temple Shalom, Lynne taught Jewish history and culture at a Jewish workshop to grades three through seven. Later, she progressed to Jewish preschools, connecting Jewish values with social development, play and exploration. As a teacher of young children, she finds it a treat every day to create an environment in which the children’s observations and questions guide their hands-on experiences. Each interaction is unique and shaped by each child’s understanding of the world at a moment in time.
Several evenings each month, Lynne can be found with her long-time Mah Jongg friends or engaged in literary discussions with her book club. Lynne and her husband have been empty nesters for several years, and both of their sons now live in the Boston area. Visits from family and ‘grand dog’, Lucy, make their day.
Several evenings each month, Lynne can be found with her long-time Mah Jongg friends or engaged in literary discussions with her book club. Lynne and her husband have been empty nesters for several years, and both of their sons now live in the Boston area. Visits from family and ‘grand dog’, Lucy, make their day.
Lynne Rubinger, Parparim Teacher
Sabrina is excited to be starting off her fifth year at Temple Shalom Nursery School as a teacher in the Parparim class. She loves to incorporate her appreciation of nature into the every day with our kids in every season. She is also working towards her bachelors degree for Children, Youth and Family Studies at Lesley University.
Sabrina Burke, Parparim Teacher
Kochavim- 4 and 5 year old classroom
A Kochavim veteran teacher, Erin brings her love of biology to the classroom, incorporating small experiments into the curriculum (making homemade ice cream and volcanoes are always a big hit, of course.) She cherishes the relationships she creates in the preschool environment with both the children and parents and believes it leads to a very loving and open learning experience. She is committed to integrating the Jewish themes and values into big body play using both Reggio and Responsive classroom methods. Erin also enjoys designing gross motor play opportunities.
Growing up in Waltham, Erin is the youngest of four (two sisters and a brother). She has a love for animals big and small with penguins being her favorite. She loves frosting and laughter! She studied at Framingham State College, majoring in biology, with a focus on animal behavior studies.
A Kochavim veteran teacher, Erin brings her love of biology to the classroom, incorporating small experiments into the curriculum (making homemade ice cream and volcanoes are always a big hit, of course.) She cherishes the relationships she creates in the preschool environment with both the children and parents and believes it leads to a very loving and open learning experience. She is committed to integrating the Jewish themes and values into big body play using both Reggio and Responsive classroom methods. Erin also enjoys designing gross motor play opportunities.
Growing up in Waltham, Erin is the youngest of four (two sisters and a brother). She has a love for animals big and small with penguins being her favorite. She loves frosting and laughter! She studied at Framingham State College, majoring in biology, with a focus on animal behavior studies.
Erin Borras, Kochavim Teacher
Alisa Dolev , Kochavim Teacher
Alisa was born in London and grew up in the Liberal youth movement. She moved to Israel at 19 and lived on Kibbutz Lotan for 17 years. She met her husband, David, in Israel ,and they have two boys, Aviv and Liel. Alisa is a certified Yoga and movement teacher. Since starting work at Temple Shalom 10 years ago, she has continued to grow as an educator, taking courses in early childhood education and developing new ways to bring Yoga, Hebrew and Israeli culture into the classroom. She also teaches Yoga to children at different preschools in the area.
Coming from a kibbutz, she has a deep understanding of the importance of community, working together as partners, understanding each other and sharing the excitement and challenges of day to day life. She tries to integrate learning through movement, seeing, touching, listening and singing. Alisa believes that we help develop many aspects of a child’s mind, body and spirit by using these modalities. She sees the classroom as a warm and nurturing place, filled with her love of yoga, life-long relationship with Israel and an engaging, environment for your children to grow.
Alisa was born in London and grew up in the Liberal youth movement. She moved to Israel at 19 and lived on Kibbutz Lotan for 17 years. She met her husband, David, in Israel ,and they have two boys, Aviv and Liel. Alisa is a certified Yoga and movement teacher. Since starting work at Temple Shalom 10 years ago, she has continued to grow as an educator, taking courses in early childhood education and developing new ways to bring Yoga, Hebrew and Israeli culture into the classroom. She also teaches Yoga to children at different preschools in the area.
Coming from a kibbutz, she has a deep understanding of the importance of community, working together as partners, understanding each other and sharing the excitement and challenges of day to day life. She tries to integrate learning through movement, seeing, touching, listening and singing. Alisa believes that we help develop many aspects of a child’s mind, body and spirit by using these modalities. She sees the classroom as a warm and nurturing place, filled with her love of yoga, life-long relationship with Israel and an engaging, environment for your children to grow.
Dana is very excited to be returning as the assistant teacher for the Kochavim class at Temple Shalom Nursery SChool. She is excited to help your child learn, grow, and build confidence, while having fun along the way! She has a passion for art and loves to help children express themselves and learn in a fun, hands on environment.
Two years ago she spent a year working as an au pair in Amsterdam. It was a great experience that helped her gain independence and an understanding of a new culture.
Dana Salend, Kochavim Teacher