Judy Tabs

Judy has been Director of Agudath Israel Nursery School for over 22 years. She holds a B.A. from the University of Connecticut, a Masters in Early Childhood Education and a N.J. Teacher’s Certificate from William Paterson College, as well as an Early Childhood Certificate from Caldwell College. She is married with two children and four grandchildren, three of whom have either graduated from or are attending the nursery school now. Judy taught 1st and 3rd grades in Paterson, N.J. before teaching nursery school in East Orange and Millburn. She has also authored a cookbook, Matzah Meals: A Passover Cookbook for Children. “Agudath is a wonderful place for children. We have a loving and dedicated staff made up of very professional women. The energy is fabulous and families stay for generations. In 2007 we will celebrate 50 wonderful years!”

Marti Yanofsky

Marti has been working as Administrative Assistant in the office of the nursery school for the past 18 years. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport, and a Masters in Education from Boston College. She is married with two children, and began her career as a nursery school teacher. She loves being part of the Agudath Israel Nursery School family, and looks forward to working with great teachers and a wonderful group of parents and children each year.

Ruth Kessler

Ruth has been handling the finances for the nursery school for the past 7 years. She holds B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has held various finance and management positions.

Teaching Staff

Carol Berman

Carol has been teaching Mom and Me for the past 10 years, and is now teaching Twos in Training for “older” Mom and Me students. She holds an M.A. in Early Childhood Education, and is married with three children. She attended Mom and Me at Agudath with her own son 19 years ago, and currently teaches and also runs her own party business, Party Art. “I just love being part of this bonding experience with the Moms and kids.”

Irma Berman

Irma has been teaching two’s classes for the past 20 years. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and an M.S. in Education. She is married with two grown children, both of whom attended Agudath Israel Nursery School. She loves to watch how the children grow in every way throughout the year. She wants them to be happy and assist them in learning to be together. “The children make me smile!”

Debbie Berwald

Debbie has been teaching three’s, four’s and kindergarten enrichment classes for the past 8 years. She holds a B.S. in Education from Springfield College and a certificate in Early Childhood Education from Caldwell College. She is married with two children, both of whom graduated from Agudath Israel Nursery School. She had a wonderful experience with her own kids in the school, having served on the nursery school board and acted as chairperson of the nursery school committee. “Agudath Israel Nursery School is my second home.”

Elaine Blank

Elaine has been teaching the four’s for the past 22 years. She holds an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin. She is married with two children and three grandchildren. She taught both high school and middle school in New York City before moving to West Caldwell to raise her family. Both of her own children attended Agudath, and felt it was a wonderful experience, like a warm family. “Agudath is a wonderful place to teach and nurture children.”

Zhava Cohen

Zhava has been teaching at Agudath Israel for the past 20 years. She was born and educated in Israel. She has taught the three’s, four’s and Israeli Dance, and tutors children in Hebrew. Recently she introduced the Hebrew Immersion Class to the school, the only program of its kind in the area. She came to the U.S. in 1980 and has three children, the youngest of whom attended Agudath Israel Nursery School. “It’s been an awesome experience teaching Hebrew to 3 & 4 year olds.”

Amy Fineberg

Amy has been teaching the three’s, four’s, Kindergarten Enrichment and Tot Shabbat for the past 8 years. She holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. She is married with one child who is an Agudath Israel Nursery School graduate. “Every year is different and more exciting at Agudath Israel Nursery School.”

Sally Fineman

Sally has been teaching the three’s and directing the camp program for the past 26 years. She holds a B.A. in Education from SUNY New Paltz, and has her nursery school certification in Early Childhood N-8. She has two children and one grandchild. “I love teaching at Agudath, and helping each child grow to his or her potential.”

Jane Gladstein

Jane has been teaching Mom and Me, two’s and three’s for the past 20 years. She holds a B.S. in Education, and an M.A. in Speech Pathology. She is married with three children, and worked for five years as a speech therapist. Her classroom is a noisy, busy place full of hugs and smiles. All activities are age appropriate and child centered. “I’ve had 20 years of happiness at the best job in the world!”

Robin Goldman

Robin has been teaching the four’s for the past 19 years, is involved with the nursery school board and was president of the temple Sisterhood for 23 years. She holds a B.S. and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education, is married and has two children. She started teaching at Agudath when her first child began Mom and Me there, and has loved being part of the school. “It is a great place for kids, and a great way to meet new families in our community.”

Barbara Green

Barbara has been teaching Kindergarten Enrichment for the past 17 years. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, and has her Teacher of the Handicapped certification, and has also taught 4th grade. She is married with one child. “I enjoy teaching in such a warm, friendly environment.”

Suzy Lehman

Suzy has been teaching the two’s for three years. She holds a B.A. from Rutgers University, is married and has two children, both of whom graduated from Agudath Israel Nursery School. “I consider myself very blessed to be part of the nursery school”.

Elaine Litt

Elaine has been teaching the fours for the past 11 years. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, and has taught 1st, 3rd and 5th grades. She is married with three children, all of whom attended Agudath Israel Nursery School, and five grandchildren. She loves teaching children and the children thrive from the love and attention she gives them.

Beth Sackman

Beth has been teaching Mom and Me for the past 9 years, and is now teaching the Twos, as well as Twos in Training, a class for "older" Mom and Me students. She holds a B.A. in English and American Literature from Brandeis University. She is married with two children, both of whom are nursery school graduates. She has been a member of the Agudath Israel Nursery School board, and is happy to be a part of such a wonderful school.

Marlene Sheldon

Marlene has been teaching the three’s and four’s for the past 20 years. She holds a B.S. and an M.A. in Education from Queens College, and she has always wanted to be a teacher. She is married with two children. “Agudath Israel is a very special place with wonderful children and a great staff.”

Marsha Steckelman

Marsha has been teaching the two’s and four’s for the past 22 years. She attended Douglas College. She is married with two children and four grandchildren. “It is amazing how one year changes their lives. They grow, they bloom. They start out as babies and become sponges and absorb so much. Agudath Israel Nursery School to me has the same warmth you get from your own family.”

Sondra Weiner

Sondra attended the School of Fashion Design in Boston and the Rhode Island School of Design. She has three daughters who have all attended Agudath Israel Nursery School. She taught “An Artist a Week” class in the West Caldwell Middle School, and is now teaching the same class at Agudath for the Kindergarten Enrichment students.

Lori Wolfson

Lori has been teaching the two’s and four’s for the past 9 years. She holds a Masters of Education from Boston University, and is married with three children, all of whom have graduated from Agudath Israeli Nursery School. “I love being part of the Agudath family!”

Teaching Assistants

Robin Abrams

Robin has been teaching three and four year old students for the past 7 years. She holds a B.A. from the University of Miami, has been married for 28 years, and has two children.  “When parents come to look at our school, they see how happy the children are. All their projects are hanging and the rooms are bright.”

Jill Block

Jill has been teaching the three’s for the past 20 years. She attended Rutgers University, has two children and two grandchildren. She loves teaching children and says, “There is nothing like the Agudath Israel experience. “

Rena Goldenberg

Rena has been teaching the two’s and three’s for the past four years. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, and is married with two children and four grandchildren. She loves the little ones and enjoys being part of their lives.

Debbie Heitlinger

Debbie has been teaching the three’s for the past five years. She holds a B.S. in Computer and Information Science from Brooklyn College. She is married and has a daughter who graduated from Agudath Israel Nursery School, and is happy to be back and part of the teaching staff.

Betty Kaplan

Betty has been teaching the three’s for the past 20 years. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from American University, and is married with two children. She has a smile on her face when she enters school every morning and it remains throughout the day.

Dana Marcus

Dana has been teaching the fours for the past 19 years. She has two children, and loves waking up everyday and being part of the Agudath Israel Nursery School community. “The children are so full of life. All I do is smile. It is hard to believe I have been here for almost 20 years. Our staff has grown up together. I am so lucky to be here!”

Norma Moglen

Norma has been teaching the three’s and four’s for the past 9 years. She attended Brooklyn College, and is married with two children and four grandchildren. “To see the children start in September as little babies, and then in June, we see little people is a great pleasure! I am amazed what they have learned in such a short time. It’s a wonderful experience – I love them all!”

Marcy Pollack

Marcy has been teaching the three’s for the past 11 years. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport. She is married and has two children. “Agudath Israel is the best place to work. It’s so rewarding and uplifting to work here. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Orna Rappoport-Moses

Orna has been teaching Hebrew Immersion for the past two years. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and Biology, and a Masters of Counseling Psychology. Both of her children graduated from Agudath Israel Nursery School, and it has been a wonderful place with a warm environment. “The nursery program is great and the teachers are warm and caring. I love working here.”

Loren Roth

Loren has been teaching for five years. She holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan, and is married with three children who have all graduated from Agudath Israel Nursery School. “I never thought I’d be back at Agudath and have so much fun here – it’s such an exciting place.”

Debby Schenkel

Debby has been teaching the two’s for the past 8 years. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Stockton State College and is currently working toward a Masters in Public Administration. She loves her adorable two’s and being part of their growing experience.

Carole Snyder

Carole has been teaching various classes for the past 7 years. She holds a B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Texas at El Paso. She has a daughter who graduated from Agudath Israel Nursery School. Carole has a lot of energy and loves to keep the kids on the move, and is happy to be part of the Agudath family.

Marissa Stock

Marissa has been teaching three’s for the past 5 years. She studied music and psychology at Bergen Community College, and early childhood development at Montclair State University. She has two children who are Agudath Israel Nursery School graduates. “Both my daughters and the children at Agudath teach me new life lessons every day. I love my two families!”

Cindy Thies

Cindy has been teaching at the nursery school for the past 3 years. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from SUNY Binghamton, a Masters in Special Ed. from CW Post/LIU, and a professional diploma in School District Admin. She is married with three children who have all graduated from Agudath Israel Nursery School. Cindy is a natural with kids and loves sharing their lives here.

Rebecca Zimmerman

Rebecca has been teaching nursery school and Hebrew school for the past 28 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree, is married and has two children. “I love working at Agudath. It is the best place to be.”

Sara Zuckerberg

Sara has been teaching the four’s and art in Kindergarten Enrichment for the past 20 years. She holds a B.A. in Art Education, and has two children. She loves to work with the children enriching their lives with a love for art. "I love to cultivate little minds."

Specials

Babette Davis

Babette has been teaching music for the past 10 years. She holds a B.F.A. in Voice Performance from Tulane University, and holds a Master’s in Music Therapy from Southern Methodist University. She is married with three children, and is also a certified Music Together teacher. She is also involved in community theater, and sings in several choirs and a professional troupe called the “Showstoppers”.