STAFF
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, Hillary Hans
Hillary Hans joined TBO in 2024. She works closely with Esther Benari-Altmann and as a part of the admin team. Hillary also helps schedule clergy appointments and manages B’nai Mitzvah contracts.
Director of Membership Engagement & Communications, Michele Spinak
Michele joined the staff of Temple B’Nai Or in April of 2025 after a 20 year career as a television producer creating hit shows for Bravo, TLC, MTV, Lifetime, HGTV, and Food Network, to name a few. Michele’s experience includes all stages of production including casting, directing, crafting story narratives, and editing.
Michele graduated from University of Maryland, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Spanish. A native of the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, Michele spent 10 years living in New York before moving to Maplewood, NJ in 2021 with her husband, their dog, and three cats.
Membership & Marketing Administrator, Samantha Berman
Samantha brings a keen understanding of marketing and advertising to her role as Membership & Marketing Administrator at our TBO community. With nearly fifteen years of experience in big brand media planning and advertising, Samantha facilitates a sense of belonging within Temple B’nai Or’s congregation. What she loves most about her role is the ability to make congregants feel welcomed, seen and heard.
Samantha graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington, with a degree in Journalism and second concentration in Communications & Culture. She also holds a Masters Degree in International Marketing and Communications from the London School of Business and Finance. She lives in Livingston, NJ with her husband, their daughter, and dog, Miller.
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.
Preschool Family Liaison, Paola Baharav
Paola joined the Temple B’nai Or Pre-School staff in 2024. She’s the preschool family liaison and after care director. Paola 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.
Paola also directs the before and after care programs and co-directs the summer camp, helping to ensure that all of our children receive the very best of care even when not “in school”.
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.
Accounting Manager, Aysan Ott
Aysan is our in-house accounting and bookkeeping support, replacing Maria who was here for many years. She helps manage our work with Shalom Cloud, our Bookkeeping service and helps with deposits, bill paying, running reports (P&L, budget, funds) and more. She can input pledges, create payment links, and answer questions about reimbursements that have been submitted when she is in on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.