Leslie Sporn: Executive Director
Leslie has been an Executive Director of a Reform synagogue since 1993. She has been serving at Sharey Tefilo-Israel for the last 12 years. Prior to her professional work, she served as President of her former congregation. Leslie served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (currently the URJ) from 1999-2003, and also served on the board the National Association for Temple Administration (NATA) from 2000-2006 as a Senior Member. She held several chairmanship positions and served on numerous committees.
Leslie oversees all daily operations of TSTI. She works to engage and assist our congregants in small ways and broad stokes, while helping our leadership and volunteers achieve their dreams for our congregation and our Jewish community.
She lives with her husband Eric in Short Hills.
Leslie has been an Executive Director of a Reform synagogue since 1993. She has been serving at Sharey Tefilo-Israel for the last 12 years. Prior to her professional work, she served as President of her former congregation. Leslie served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (currently the URJ) from 1999-2003, and also served on the board the National Association for Temple Administration (NATA) from 2000-2006 as a Senior Member. She held several chairmanship positions and served on numerous committees.
Leslie oversees all daily operations of TSTI. She works to engage and assist our congregants in small ways and broad stokes, while helping our leadership and volunteers achieve their dreams for our congregation and our Jewish community.
She lives with her husband Eric in Short Hills.
Mindy Schreff: Director-- Rudy and Linda Slucker Religious School
Mindy has been in the field of Jewish education for almost 15 years, in many capacities. She has been a classroom educator in several grades, Family Educator, Assistant Director as well as an Adult Educator. Mindy is skilled at guiding learners of all ages through their Jewish journeys, so that they find their own connections.
Mindy loves to learn as much as she loves to teach. She has completed many courses and workshops in Jewish education, Holocaust Education, Family Education and Storahtelling Training and Service Learning for teens. In addition, Mindy has been a Mentor in Moreh with Mentors since 2004 and is the 2009 recipient of the Hoffman/Grinspoon-Steinhard Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.
In her limited spare time……She combines her commitment to Tikkun Olam with her skills as an avid fiber artist; Mindy often knits, crochet and quilts items for people in need.
Carol Paster- Director--Iris Family Pre-School
Carol Paster has been director of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel’s Iris Family Preschool for 13 years, after teaching for 7 years in their preschool and kindergarten programs.
A perpetual student, Carol holds a BA in Art Education, an MA in Early Childhood Special Education, has extensive background in furniture construction and is currently enrolled in the Jewish Early Childhood Education Certificate program at Gratz College.
Carol is an active partner with The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life of MetroWest NJ. She is a leader in its Early Childhood Director’s Network and a pioneer in its Early Childhood Community of Practice (EC CoP). Carol’s innovative programs have been recognized by the community with several awards and grants (The Hoffman Award for Excellence in Jewish Education and LaZuz grants for family outreach programs.)
As one who has trouble resisting the urge to volunteer her time and energy, Carol has been on the board of the ECE-RJ (Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism), serving as chair of their annual national conference held Philadelphia.
Carol serves as secretary for Habitat for Humanity Newark’s board of directors as well as co-chair of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build.
Carol Paster has been director of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel’s Iris Family Preschool for 13 years, after teaching for 7 years in their preschool and kindergarten programs.
A perpetual student, Carol holds a BA in Art Education, an MA in Early Childhood Special Education, has extensive background in furniture construction and is currently enrolled in the Jewish Early Childhood Education Certificate program at Gratz College.
Carol is an active partner with The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life of MetroWest NJ. She is a leader in its Early Childhood Director’s Network and a pioneer in its Early Childhood Community of Practice (EC CoP). Carol’s innovative programs have been recognized by the community with several awards and grants (The Hoffman Award for Excellence in Jewish Education and LaZuz grants for family outreach programs.)
As one who has trouble resisting the urge to volunteer her time and energy, Carol has been on the board of the ECE-RJ (Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism), serving as chair of their annual national conference held Philadelphia.
Carol serves as secretary for Habitat for Humanity Newark’s board of directors as well as co-chair of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build.
Tracy Horwitz- Program Director
Tracy Horwitz is a native of New Jersey and a child of our Congregation. As program Director, she works with pre-school aged children through senior adults with an emphasis on working with the high school population of our Temple community. A licensed social worker with an MSW and Jewish Communal Certificate from Yeshiva University, Tracy has worked in the Jewish Communal field for 18 years both at our Congregation and JCC MetroWest. As a social worker, Tracy is able to create unique mental health programs for all ages. In addition, Tracy coordinates our adult education programs.
Tracy Horwitz is a native of New Jersey and a child of our Congregation. As program Director, she works with pre-school aged children through senior adults with an emphasis on working with the high school population of our Temple community. A licensed social worker with an MSW and Jewish Communal Certificate from Yeshiva University, Tracy has worked in the Jewish Communal field for 18 years both at our Congregation and JCC MetroWest. As a social worker, Tracy is able to create unique mental health programs for all ages. In addition, Tracy coordinates our adult education programs.
Sunny Seglin- Assistant to the Rabbis
Sunny Seglin began working at TSTI in 1986, first as Program Director and Adviser to STISY, then shifting to administrative support. She currently supports Rabbi Cohen, Rabbi Miller and Cantor Moses. Sunny also serves as the Temple Bulletin editor and layout artist. She holds an MFA from Montclair State University.
Sunny's family has a long history at temple having been members since 1956, first at Sharey Tefilo in East Orange, then at TSTI. She and her husband, Mark, live in West Orange.
Sunny Seglin began working at TSTI in 1986, first as Program Director and Adviser to STISY, then shifting to administrative support. She currently supports Rabbi Cohen, Rabbi Miller and Cantor Moses. Sunny also serves as the Temple Bulletin editor and layout artist. She holds an MFA from Montclair State University.
Sunny's family has a long history at temple having been members since 1956, first at Sharey Tefilo in East Orange, then at TSTI. She and her husband, Mark, live in West Orange.
Beth Sandweis-Temple Social Worker through the JFS Synagogue Social Work Consultation Program
A psychotherapist for over 25 years, Beth has counseled individuals, couples, families and groups in a variety of settings, including private practice. Beth lived in Israel for 10 years where she worked with the Ministry of Education’s Psychological Services in Jerusalem and as the on-site director of Wesleyan University’s Semester Abroad Program.
She received an MA in Psychology from The New College of California, and an MSW from Rutgers University. Through her post graduate training in family systems therapy at the Ackerman Institute in NYC she brings a perspective that focuses on the resilience and strength of the families and the communities that she encounters in her work.
Beth is a long time student and practitioner of meditation, She co-founded the Jewish Meditation Center in Montclair New Jersey where she teaches mindfulness meditation. She leads a weekly Hebrew chant/meditation group at TSTI for people with an interest in exploring meditative practices or for those who simply need a “time out” in the midst of our busy lives.
In her capacity as the JFS Metro West Temple Social Worker at TSTI, Beth provides consultation to the Temple community, advocacy, crisis intervention, short term counseling and referrals for mental health services. She leads several groups at TSTI –Touched by Grief, Chat and Chew Support Group for Preschool Parents , Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing for 7th and 8th graders. A new BabyTime group for parents of babies 0-2 is forming and will begin in January.
Being a Social Worker at TSTI combines many of the aspects of life to which Beth has always been passionate –Jewish community, psychology, spirituality, and the natural tendency of individuals, families and groups to reach toward health and wellness. She is honored to be a part of TSTI community.
A psychotherapist for over 25 years, Beth has counseled individuals, couples, families and groups in a variety of settings, including private practice. Beth lived in Israel for 10 years where she worked with the Ministry of Education’s Psychological Services in Jerusalem and as the on-site director of Wesleyan University’s Semester Abroad Program.
She received an MA in Psychology from The New College of California, and an MSW from Rutgers University. Through her post graduate training in family systems therapy at the Ackerman Institute in NYC she brings a perspective that focuses on the resilience and strength of the families and the communities that she encounters in her work.
Beth is a long time student and practitioner of meditation, She co-founded the Jewish Meditation Center in Montclair New Jersey where she teaches mindfulness meditation. She leads a weekly Hebrew chant/meditation group at TSTI for people with an interest in exploring meditative practices or for those who simply need a “time out” in the midst of our busy lives.
In her capacity as the JFS Metro West Temple Social Worker at TSTI, Beth provides consultation to the Temple community, advocacy, crisis intervention, short term counseling and referrals for mental health services. She leads several groups at TSTI –Touched by Grief, Chat and Chew Support Group for Preschool Parents , Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing for 7th and 8th graders. A new BabyTime group for parents of babies 0-2 is forming and will begin in January.
Being a Social Worker at TSTI combines many of the aspects of life to which Beth has always been passionate –Jewish community, psychology, spirituality, and the natural tendency of individuals, families and groups to reach toward health and wellness. She is honored to be a part of TSTI community.