Executive Director, Barbara Kavadias
Barbara is a long-time resident of Morristown. She has extensive experience in working with nonprofits to help make the world a better place. As the director of Field Services for RCRC, The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, she largely played the role of consultant, helping to make state affiliates and chapters more effective and stronger. She has worked with many Reform communities in her time with ARZA and then more extensively when she served as Interim Temple Administrator at Temple Shalom in Succasunna. She is a past president of the West Morris Section of NCJY, is the Rosh of the Chevra Kaddisha at MJCBY, and the coordinator for the Morristown Group of Genesis Farm. Barbara is married to Hanoch Yefet and 3 of their collective 4 children have made Aliyah to Israel.
Director of Youth and Family Education, Esther Benari-Altmann
Esther is an award-winning educator and master teacher who is coming most recently from Congregation Bonai Shalom in Boulder, CO. She has worked in synagogues and day schools in the US and Canada. Prior to her career as an educator, Esther, an Israeli native, worked as a criminal attorney, as well as a Chief Prosecutor in the Haifa Police Judicial Department. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Jewish Studies from Bar-Ilan University, Israel and a Jewish Day School Principal Certification from York University, Canada. She also has a Master’s Degree and a LLB from Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Education Director Emeritus, David Iskovitz
David Iskovitz served as the Director of Education of the Joel & Helen Jacobs Religious School of Temple B’nai Or for 27 years. He retired in June 2023, becoming the Education Director Emeritus. Prior to this role, David was principal at Temple Beth El in Spring Valley for fourteen years. David first became involved in Jewish education during his college years at City College of New York. He received a MA from City University of New York, a MA in Supervision and Administration from New York University, and a Principal’s Certificate from Hebrew Union College. In the twenty seven years that he worked for the New York City School System, David was a science teacher, Chairman of the Science Department, and an Administrative Assistant to the Principal for the New York City School System. He also served as a liaison between the school and the District Office in a multitude of capacities.
David has been involved with informal education since College. He is currently the Director of Westchester Summer Day, a Jewish summer program that he established to integrate camping and beachfront water-skiing and boating on the Long Island Sound with Jewish education and special programming.
Preschool Director, Sneh Patel
Sneh has been working in the field of early childhood education since 2014 and has held positions as Lead Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, Business Manager and Executive Director.
Sneh earned a Bachelor’s Degree in the Science of Nursing and an Associates Degree in Early Education from Seton Hall University. Sneh and her husband Mausam are college sweethearts and have been together for 12 years. They have two daughters, Soneri and Kahani.
Sneh is passionate about fostering a warm, nurturing environment conducive to learning while providing an exceptional quality of care. Sneh is here to inspire learning, encourage confidence and nourish our preschoolers’ growth and development.
Religious School Administrator, Sarah Handler
The Joel and Helen Jacobs Religious School of Temple B’nai Or is delighted to introduce Sarah Handler as its new Religious School Administrator. Sarah works closely with Esther Benari-Altmann, our new Director of Youth and Family Education, and with many of our staff, faculty, and clergy.
Sarah is a Colorado native but has lived all over the country. She recently settled down in Morristown with her husband Seth, son Jack, and rescue dog Oakley. You can see Jack in Ms. Jessie and Ms. Cornelia’s Toddler Two’s class!
Sarah has held many jobs, most recently working in Human Resources for Princeton University, before leaving to stay home with Jack. Sarah also has experience in marketing, communications, and operations. She holds an M.B.A. in Sustainability and a B.A. in Journalism, with a double major in Film and Public Relations.
Administrative Assistant, Elaine Searing
Elaine joined Temple B’nai Or in 2019 and provides administrative support for Temple programs and operations. Elaine supports the staff and congregants with administrative duties including weekly Yahrzeits, weekly Friday Bulletins, and other essential everyday tasks. Elaine lives in West Orange and has two daughters, Lisa and Jessica.
Marketing & Communications Consultant, Sharon Cytrynbaum
Sharon lends her marketing, communications and graphic design skills to Temple B’nai Or as part of her long and diversified career in media. Much of her career has revolved around children’s “edu-tainment”, including various creative roles in TV animation, PR/marketing, publishing and illustration. She has worked for renowned studios like Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Warner Bros. TV Animation and PMMP Animation in Paris, and has also worked via her own content-creation brand called Playfully Posh Pixels – content for stylish kids and their playful grownups. In 2015, Sharon launched her own children’s education program called Adventure Comic Quests, live and virtual classes teaching the art of storytelling, adventure-writing and illustration. Sharon runs a successful stationery-design shop on Etsy while maintaining a steady freelance clientele in writing, illustration, and graphic design for individuals, small businesses, and non-profits. She designs many Bar/Bat Mitzvah logos throughout the year. Sharon lived in Paris for seven years, is fluent in French, and has traveled extensively.
Sharon graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tufts University, with a degree in Anthropology and French. A native of Beverly Hills, CA, Sharon lives in Livingston, NJ with her husband and two tween boys, Shayne and Noah, who attend Golda Och Academy.
Preschool Family Liaison, Laila Sebiri
Laila joined the Temple B’nai Or Pre-School staff in 2016 and moved into her role as liaison for the 2020-2021 school year. Laila provides outreach, support and connection for our “public” pre-school families; playing an integral role in our partnership with the Morris School District. She coordinates engagement and learning opportunities for our families ensuring their connection to the pre-school and with one another. She lives in Morristown with her husband Jeremy, and children Madeline, Benjamin, Ella and Cate.
Facilities Manager, Jamale Davis
Jamale Davis joined the TBO family in August of 2014, and is responsible for the maintenance of Temple facilities, as well as working with the clergy and senior staff to make sure Temple programming goes off without a hitch. Jamale most recently was in maintenance management at Equinox Fitness Corp, and also has maintenance experience in schools and public libraries.