SOEL Staff

Orna Avitan, Assistant Teacher

I was born in Israel and came to the United States 30 years ago. In Israel during high school I attended the Rubin Academy of Music. After high school, I went into the Israeli army for 3 years. Following this time, I worked for the Israeli government as a secretary. I currently live in Philadelphia; Pennsylvania and I have been married for 50 years. I have 5 children and 11 grandchildren and 2 of them come to school at Beth Am. I have been an assistant teacher for 23 years and I have been teaching Hebrew enrichment classes for the last 17 of those years. In closing, let me just say that I love my job!

Michelle Cheifetz , Infant Assistant

I’m Michelle Cheifetz and I’ve been part of the Beth Am community my whole life. I have always loved working with kids; watching them learn, develop, and being part of the wonderful community that fosters that. Currently, I’m pursuing my MSW at UPenn, and when I’m not here at Beth Am or there, I’m with my cat!

Marsha Cohen, Assistant Teacher

I am an assistant teacher in Temple Beth Am’s pre-k class. I started, however, when we were located at Temple Beth Torah on Welsh Road and now have been with Sherrie for 32 years. I have enjoyed working with the children and watching them grow and develop. I have an AS degree in child care from Temple University and I am married with 3 children who also attended TBT nursery and Hebrew school. I am now a “mom-mom” to 3 beautiful granddaughters and 1 grandson. Let me finish by saying how much I enjoy my time working with your children.

Karen Connell, Assistant Teacher

Hello.  I am excited to be a part of the SOEL family and a part of your family.  I have been married for 25 years and I have 2 adult children, Amanda and Michael.  In the past, I worked in child care for several years and I am ecstatic to be working in the Infant Center with children again.

Robert Daniels, Assistant Teacher

Mr. Rob began his teaching endeavors in LA as a Culinary Teacher for Lift Enrichment for kids K-5th Grade. Cooking up paellas, Swedish Meatballs, Veggie/Chicken Stir Fry and much more. In 2019 Mr. Rob moved back to Philadelphia and began working at the Free Library of Philadelphia in the Nourishing Literacy Dept. which offered both educational and buffet style cooking seminars. He and his team would also visit schools all across Philadelphia (with his guitar) to bring more entertainment while also educating. In the summer of 2022 Mr. Rob joined the Beth Am family.

Illene Davis, Assistant Teacher

I have been working for more than 30 years between Temple Beth Torah and Old York Road Temple-Beth Am, but I have been working with young children for the last 37 years. Even as a little girl myself of just 10 years old, I was running a day camp at my house for the neighborhood children. I suppose it was always in me to take care of children and to this very day, I still absolutely love it!

Allison Finnegan, Assistant Teacher

I am very happy to be working at Temple Beth Am SOEL, and to be on the other side as a teacher because I attended Temple Beth Torah as a child many years ago. I am a full time dance teacher in the Bucks/Montco area, and have been for the past 14 years working with ages ranging from 2-18 after receiving my BA in Dance at Hofstra University in 2009. I am currently working mainly in Southampton at Dance With M.E. studio. I am excited to include many different roles at SOEL including assistant teacher, Movement instructor, and partake in the parent aspect of school as my son (John) joins this year. I have always loved working with, mentoring, and being a part of the learning and development of children, and I look forward to sharing this journey with all of you.

Pearl Jahr, Assistant Teacher

My name is Pearl Jahr and I was a financial advisor for over 40 years until I retired in 2018. I live in Philadelphia with my husband, Steve and my dog, Georgie. We have a daughter, Jessica, who is 24 and just recently moved out on her own. I love working with the children at the TBT School of Early Learning because it is enjoyable and rewarding. I love to watch the children learn new things and make new friends. I love to sing and read with them. I have made new friends as well. I enjoy going down the shore for the summer and spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy going out to the theater, movies and walking on the boardwalk and in Pennypack Park with Georgie. You can often find me at OYRT-Beth Am working as well as volunteering in the gift shop and at other events.

Rebecca Kendall , Teacher

Shalom, my name is Rebecca Kendall. I have been working in early childhood education for 6 years and have 8 years of experience as a Sunday school teacher. I was raised in a synagogue. My dad was a congregational Rabbi for over 40 years. So, I feel right at home at Old York Rd Temple Beth Am. I have a 9-year-old boy, Asher, who is in 3rd grade and is the light of my life.
I have a bachelors degree in women’s studies with a minor in ethnic studies from Humboldt State University and a Masters in Jewish communal service from Gratz college.
I look forward to sharing the miracles of growth, development, discovery and promise with your children.

Donna Martino, Teacher

I am the lead teacher in our school’s 3 year old class. I have been working in the field of early childhood education for more than 30 years now and all I can say is that this is one of the most rewarding careers I could have chosen for myself. Each year and every single day with your children brings joy, laughter and pure fun into my life. Outside of school, some of my hobbies include baking, gardening and finding new little towns to explore with my wonderful husband. I look forward to many more years of joy with the children who attend our preschool.

Nina Nguyen, Assistant Teacher

I am the First Steppers assistant teacher. I graduated from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in English, but I have always found myself working with children and youth in some way or another. I love the genuine curiosity and excitement that children show towards just about everything and it is very rewarding to watch a child grow and develop through the interactions they have with their teachers and their friends. I can’t wait to greet you and your child every morning as they begin a fun-filled day with us here at SOEL!

Alicia Paul, Teacher

I am currently the pre-k/k teacher in the School of Early Learning and the kindergarten teacher in the Beth Am religious school. I have been teaching for 21 years now, ever since I graduated from the University of Delaware with my bachelor’s degree in education. I first came to Temple Beth Torah as a teaching assistant with the 4-year-old class and the very next year I began teaching pre-k/K in my own classroom. I absolutely love teaching because the children can always put a great big smile on my face. On a personal note, I am lucky enough to be the mommy to a fabulous 13-year-old who just started 8th grade in the Upper Moreland school district and a 10-year-old who is currently in 5th grade.

Melissa Plumly, Teacher

Born and raised in Jenkintown, I have called Glenside my home for the last 14 years. I completed my B.S. in psychology with a double minor in sociology and theatre arts from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007. In 2013, I completed a M.A. in counseling psychology with a certificate in child and family therapy from Arcadia University. When I’m not teaching I love spending time with my family and friends, working in my gardens, baking, birdwatching and participating in community theatre productions.

Dena Rosenblatt, Teacher

My name is Dena Rosenblatt. I am a graduate of Penn State University and I am certified in early childhood and elementary education. I have been teaching for 34 years; 24 of those years have been spent with Sherrie either at Temple Beth Torah or here at Temple Beth Am. During the past 23 summers, I have been a senior counselor to 5 & 6 year old boys and girls at Camp America Day Camp.  I have been married for 31 years and have 2 amazing children:  Melissa and Brett.  These two volunteer activities that I am involved with, makes me very happy. I am also an animal lover.  I have 3 cats that were all rescued from shelters. Teaching has made a huge impact on my life and I hope that I have done the same for my students. I feel blessed to do what I love most and that is to be able to work with children and make a difference in their young lives.

Ashley Rothstein, Teacher

Hi everyone! My name is Ashley Rothstein and I’m a teacher in the infant center. I began my journey at Beth Am in 2016 and have since completed my CDA! I love being around the children and nourishing their ever growing minds; additionally, they always make my day a little brighter! I feel so lucky to work here at Beth Am, and to be a part of such a loving and caring community. I have a two year old daughter, Emersyn, who views Beth Am as her home away from home, which is comforting for me as a parent. I wish to make all your children feel the same way at our school!

Melissa Segall, Assistant Teacher

I am the assistant teacher in the 2-year-old class. I started at Beth Am as an intern in high school through a special program my school participated in. I would come back in between college breaks and after completing my bachelor’s degree from Temple University in 2017 I was hired full time.  I get to play both the parent role and the teacher role as I am a mother to a 3-year-old (Rhys) and 8-month-old (Brielle) Working with children has always been a passion of mine and it is extremely rewarding to be able to watch the children learn and grow each and every day.

Mollie Shapiro, Teacher

It is a great privilege for me to be joining the staff here at Beth Am. I have been working in synagogue pre-schools for over ten years. I earned a Bachelors degree from Temple University with certifications in Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education and a specialization area in History. In the classroom, I put great emphasis on making it feel like a home away from home where all children can feel welcomed, cared for and free to learn and explore.

My husband and I have two wonderful daughters Hannah and Hailey, who keep me busy, amaze me and constantly give me a new perspective on education. My youngest will be here at SOEL in the toddler class and my oldest will join Mensch Lab this Fall.

We look forward to getting to know this wonderful community!

Olivia St. John, Late Care Assistant

Hi, my name is Olivia St John and I am excited to work as an assistant teacher at Temple Beth Am’s School of Early Learning! I started working with kids in high school when I volunteered as a daycare helper; ever since then, I knew I wanted to work with children. In my free time, I love to read, spend time outside, and play with my dogs – a Great Dane and an Irish Wolfhound. I have loved watching your children learn and grow over the summer, and I can’t wait to start the school year!

Meryl Lewin, Assistant Director

In the School of Early Learning I have several roles, but the one I am most proud of is Assistant Director to Sherrie Turetsky. I have been in the field of Early Childhood education for 30 years serving in many capacities ranging from teaching to preparing snack. I have a bachelor’s degree from Temple University in history and I returned to school later to earn my teaching credits from Gwynnedd Mercy University. On a personal note, my husband and I are lucky enough to have a daughter (Jennifer), a son-in-law, (Daniel) and three amazing grandsons, Asher, Isaac and Sammy. Working with all of you and your children is a joy and I look forward to many more years of greeting all of you out at carpool line.

Sherrie Turetsky, Director

I have been involved in the field of Early Childhood Education for the past 33 years. First, I was the director of Temple Beth Torah preschool for 18 years, the same school I attended as a child. In 2004, Temple Beth Torah merged with Old York Road Temple-Beth Am and this became our new home. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education as well as a Master’s Degree in Education from Beaver College, now Arcadia University. Additionally, I served as co-director and programming coordinator for the Lower Moreland Parenting Center for 8 years. In this capacity, I facilitated many group discussions, workshops and parenting classes. I describe myself as a hands-on director, meaning I will do anything to escape my office and interact with the children. As a mother of 3 young men, I know that a child is your most precious gift and as director I strive to provide a safe, loving environment for them to thrive. I would be happy to answer any and all questions you may have related to either the synagogue or our school since our tagline is “home away from home”.