Ellen holds a Joint Master’s degree in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College. Since receiving her Master’s degree, family and early childhood education have been the focus of her work. From 2003-2008, she was an educator at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, CA. There she ran a weekly family education program and Hebrew school. From 2008-2010, she served as the Assistant Director at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center preschool and completed her coursework in early childhood education. She served as the Early Childhood Director of Temple Sinai in Oakland for twelve years and is currently a Senior Educator at Jewish LearningWorks. In her position, she supports the Jewish early childhood schools across the Bay Area. Her passion for Jewish early childhood education is based on the belief that the core mission of this work is to support children in their growth through play and to inspire families to embark on Jewish journeys. When not at work, she spends as much time outside as possible whether, it is yoga, bike riding, running or hiking and parenting her tween daughter with her husband. 

Amy Damast is the Director of the Early Childhood Education & Family Engagement at Temple Sinai in Summit, NJ. She joined the Temple Sinai staff in 2012 to design their new early childhood program and to expand offerings for local families with young children. 

Amy has been involved in ECE-RJ for 12 years and credits her participation in the URJ's Pursuing Excellence in Your Early Childhood Program Community of Practice with preparing her to assume the roles of ECE-RJ's VP of Communications, Membership and Administration/Organizational Growth. 

She earned a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in Developmental Psychology from New York University; her dissertation research focused on toddler play development and parent-child play interactions. 

Amy and her husband, Craig, live in Springfield, NJ with their adorable puppy, Charley. Their sons, Devin and Joshua, live and work in NYC.

Leslie Scheck, M.A.R.E., is the Director of Early Childhood Education at Temple Solel in Cardiff by the Sea, California, and is passionate about Jewish Early Childhood Education. Her career spans over 20 years as a preschool teacher, summer camp counselor, summer camp director, youth advisor, religious school teacher, song leader, elementary school teacher, and ECC Director.  Leslie is currently in her 15th school year as a Director of Early Childhood Education and has had the privilege of leading three different schools in Arizona and California.
 
Leslie earned her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood and an ESL endorsement.  She was part of Cohort 2 of the EMA Program at HUC, earning her Master's in Jewish Educational Leadership.
 
Leslie has been involved with ECE-RJ since 2011 and has volunteered over the years - working on conferences, the Israel trip, the scholarship committee, the membership committee, fundraising, and now - Marketing and Communications!
 
Leslie lives in San Diego and enjoys spending time on its miles of beautiful sandy beaches.  

Mihaela Schwartz is the Director of Early Childhood Education for the School for Early Childhood Education at Main Line Reform Temple, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.

Having earned her masters in teaching (museum education, general and special education for elementary grades) and educational leadership from Bank Street College of Education (NYC), she devoted more than thirty years to working in education with young children and families. In her teaching and leadership roles, she developed a passion for supporting early childhood environments where all children could learn and thrive. As an educator, Mihaela has promoted and implemented in her classrooms the benefits of early intervention and its long-lasting impact on the life of young children.

Before coming to Main Line Reform Temple, Mihaela served as an early childhood school director in three schools in New York City and Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. In her current work at ECE Main Line Reform Temple, she continues her efforts to model and create a collaborative school environment for staff and families by supporting educators’ growth leading and promoting the impact of coaching and high-quality professional development for her team. Her interest in improving the quality of early childhood Jewish programs through research-based approaches is rooted in her doctorate work on progressive practices around curriculum and instruction that place the young child at the center of any educational enterprise. 

To enhance her leadership and entrepreneurial skills, she has been part of national and regional professional associations for early childhood educators and school administrators.

Mihaela is honored to start as one of the Vice Presidents of Learning for ECE- RJ and looks forward to serving early childhood educators and contributing to our tomorrow in Jewish early childhood education.

Meagan Friedman is the Senior Director of Early Childhood Education at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, TX.  She joined the Temple Emanu-El ECEC team in 2023.

She earned a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Houston Clear Lake.  She will begin an EdD in Educational Leadership this Fall.  Meagan grew up involved in the URJ world through her childhood Temple, religious school, and Jacobs Camp.  She has worked in Jewish education much of her career spending 20 years in JCC’s. Her roles have included preschool teacher, summer camp counselor, summer camp director, religious school teacher, elementary school teacher, and ECC Director.  

Meagan’s first ECE-RJ conference was in 2024.  She loved the opportunity to network and meet other directors.  She left that conference knowing she wanted to be more involved in ECE-RJ.  In 2025 she helped with the programming committee for the conference and is excited to be joining the board.  She is looking forward to being a part of a team of leaders who work hard to collaborate, support, and advocate for Early Childhood Education.

Meagan lives in Dallas, TX and has two sons ages 15 and 18. 

Stacey Gabriel is the Education Coordinator at Temple Beth Avodah in Newton, MA.  Along with assisting in the ELC Stacey’s responsibilities also include facilitating the Pre-k- grade 5 religious school. She holds a BA in Elementary Education from New England College and a M.Ed. in Intensive Special Education from Lesley University.   Stacey has been working in Jewish education for over 20 years at Temple Beth Avodah.  She began her journey at Temple Beth Avodah as an ELC teacher.  Over the years she began taking on new responsibilities and roles both within the ELC and religious school.  

In 2018 Stacey attended her first ECE-RJ conference in Israel. Since then, she has been involved in a variety of committees including Chair of the Communication Committee and volunteering during the planning process for conferences.

Stacey lives in Newton, MA with her husband Adam and their two young adult sons and their very energetic dog Ginger. 

Dana Robinson is the Director of Early Childhood at Temple Emanuel in Kensington, Maryland and is in the 15th year of her career as an Early Childhood Educator. Dana is originally from South Florida, where she spent her formative Jewish years attending Temple Solel in Hollywood.

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, she is a passionate advocate for the voices, competencies, and rights of young children in our communities. Dana holds a Master's in Innovative Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado, Denver, in partnership with the Boulder Journey School. Outside of work, Dana is an avid musical theater fan. She actively volunteers and performs with community theaters in and around the DC metro region.

Jen Schiffer serves as the director at the L’Dor V’Dor Early Childhood Center at the The Community Synagogue in Port Washington, New York. Jen has been involved in ECE-RJ in numerous roles - serving on the ECE-RJ Communications Committee, as well as the Conference Planning Committee. Jen is also a regular contributor to the UNITE newsletter.

Jen earned her Bachelor’s degree from The University of Pennsylvania, and received her Master’s degree in teaching Spanish and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. A lifelong learner, Jen went on to add an additional Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education to complete her resume. Most recently, Jen earned her certificate in Early Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She also holds a NYS Training & Technical Assistant Professional (T-TAP) Credential as a Professional Development Specialist Trainer in Early Childhood, and serves as treasurer on the board of the Jewish Early Childhood Association (JECA).

When not at work, Jen spends her time on the pickle ball court, on the yoga mat or walking in the early morning hours. She lives in Port Washington, New York with her husband Michael and two teenagers, Jonah and Michael.

Lisa Samick has been working in Jewish Education for more than 20 years – initially focusing on informal High School programming, before returning to her original love of Early Childhood.  She has her BA in Early Childhood Education from George Washington University and has completed all of her coursework for her PhD in Education and Jewish Studies at NYU, focusing on Jewish Early Childhood Education.  Before starting as the Director of Early Childhood and Family Engagement at Temple Israel of the City of New York, she worked as the Director at the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue and as the Education Coordinator at Park Avenue Synagogue.  She lives in NYC with her 14-year old daughter, Jenna – a very proud graduate of the ECLC at Temple Israel.

In 2025, Julie Harris became the URJ Liaison to ECE-RJ. She joined the URJ Congregation Services team in 2022 and is the Manager of congregational services and Special Projects. She supports congregational leaders by creating and providing URJ resources that increase efficiency, governance, and engagement. These resources include essential toolkits for leaders. Julie has worked in the Jewish community for over twenty-five years in various roles for day schools, Hillel, JCCs, and camps, and serving as president on the day school board.

Julie is a proud graduate of the Hebrew Union College with a double master’s degree in Jewish education and Non-Profit Management; in 2022, Julie received her honorary doctorate from the HUR-JIR’s Zelikow School of Non-Profit Management. Julie and her husband, Etan, live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with their dog, Hailey. They have two wonderful adult sons, Noam and Jayden.

Tricia Ginis is the Executive Director of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Arizona State University with a focus on child development and family studies. Tricia’s role as Executive Director involves working closely with the Board of ECE-RJ planning and implementing professional development opportunities, webinars, and conferences. She provides guidance to congregations who are going through the placement process and focuses her time on advocacy in the areas of compensation and benefits for early childhood professionals in collaboration with related organizations to bring together like-minded individuals to move the needle on fair and equitable compensation, and retention in early childhood education. Tricia is also a Mentor for American Jewish University where she works directly with masters-level students providing guidance and insight as they pursue an advanced degree in Jewish Early Childhood Education.

Nicki Federman is the owner of Sensible Ledgers, LLC, a virtual bookkeeping and financial consultation services company. I work with small to medium sized businesses to establish sound bookkeeping systems and practices enabling them to reach their financial goals. I provide full charge bookkeeping services including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, bank reconciliations, sales tax preparation, inventory control, general ledger maintenance, financial statement preparation and presentation, budgeting and more. I have an extensive bookkeeping background working with various types of businesses, but my passion is working with non-profit organizations like ECE-RJ and helping them to achieve their organization's missions.

Elaine Gaidemak, RJE has been an educator for her entire life.  Beginning as a first grade teacher in a rural Ohio, she went on to teach second and third grades in New Jersey and for the Department of the Army in Vicenza, Italy.  She began her career in Jewish Early Childhood Education when her son was three years old.  She taught two, three and four year olds at the JCC (then called the “Y”) in West Orange, NJ,  and helped found a UAHC sponsored Jewish Parenting Center at Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange, NJ where she went on to found and become the first Director of their preschool.  While the Religious School Director at Temple B’nai Or in Morristown, NJ, Elaine earned the title of Reform Jewish Educator. Her final professional experience was as Director of the prestigious early childhood program at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, NJ.  Elaine, a founding member of ECE-RJ, was a leading force in the creation of the By-Laws.  As the first Vice President of Administration she created the database and most of the procedures presently in use by ECE-RJ.  As the organization grew, she was hired as the first Executive Administrator, a position she held until March of 2016 when the position was eliminated.  Currently Elaine is a member of the Advisory Board.  She has an adult son and a grandson who is the joy of her life.

Cathy Rolland, RJE, is director of families with young children at the Union for Reform Judaism and the inaugural president of the Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ). In her role, she provides support and guidance to the URJ Communities of Practices focusing on early childhood excellence and connecting families with young children.  She is the lead advisor and mentor-coach to the BUILDing Jewish ECE and the Chicago Early Engagement Leadership initiatives and oversees the URJ’s partnership with PJ Library.  Cathy was the director of Mountain Top School for Young Children at Temple Har Shalom in Warren, New Jersey, for 11 years before joining the URJ. Cathy recently earned a master’s degree in Jewish education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and a RJE title. She also earned a graduate certificate in Jewish Early Childhood Education from Gratz College. Cathy and her husband Bob are based in New Jersey, and try to visit their three sons who live in Arizona, Colorado and California as often as possible! 

Norma Cahen has been involved in Early Childhood Education since 1976.  She earned her first EC degree from the American Montessori Society in 1984 and her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1996.   In 1998 she received her Master’s Degree in Pre-K/Primary with a specialization in Administration and Management.  From 1989 until 2013, Norma was the Early Childhood Director at a URJ affiliated temple early childhood center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. During that time she also taught 6^th Grade Judaic Studies.  Norma was an adjunct professor at Broward College teaching Early Childhood Literature, Creative Activities for Young Children, The Philosophy of Early Childhood and the state mandated Administration and Management Director Credential for over ten years.  Retiring in 2013, she and her husband moved to North Carolina to enjoy mountain life, but was recruited to become the Early Childhood Director at the Louisville, KY Jewish Community Center in 2015.  One of her most outstanding honors was to have been among the original, founding “mothers” of ECE-RJ.  She served as the first Vice President of Membership and subsequently became the second National President (2008-2010). Norma and her husband, Howie, have four sons, four daughter-in-laws and six grandchildren.

Coming Soon!

Sari Luck Schneider is the Immediate Past President on the ECE-RJ Board. She was previously, the President, the Executive Vice President and the Vice President of Communications on the ECE-RJ Board.

Sari was the founding director of the Temple Shaaray Tefila early childhood school in New York City; she recently retired after 20 years leading the school.  Over the last several years, Sari was also a mentor in JECELI (Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute).  Sari lives in New York City with her husband; her children and grandchildren also live in NYC.

Heidi Baker has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for the past 25 years.  She has worked in both private and public sectors, including Head Start. Her previous experiences include Director of a Jewish preschool during the inaugural year of the program, owned, operated and managed a private preschool program, and is currently Director of Education at Temple Beth Avodah in Newton, MA.    She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and her Master’s degree in Jewish Education at Hebrew College. She is a founding member and proud to be the current president of the Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ).  She has two young adult children and lives in Easton, MA with her husband Todd, and her dog Charleston, and cats Allie and Alex. 

Jennie is a graduate of Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, earning a Masters of Arts in Jewish Education in May 2017. She is also a graduate of Parsons School of Design with a bachelors degree in design marketing. She attended Fairleigh Dickinson Graduate School of Education, and holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education. She has been the Director of Early Childhood Education at Temple B'nai Or since 2005.Prior to her work in early childhood, Jennie held high level marketing, operations, and communication positions in the fashion, pharmaceutical, and advertising industries. She has served numerous positions on the ECE-RJ board including National Conference Chair, VP of Marketing, First Vice President and President. Jennie believes that early childhood education is a sacred calling, and knows that the future of  Judaism rests safely in the work of early childhood Jewish educators.

Lori earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati. Since graduating, she has earned a Childcare Administrative Award and an Early Childhood Literacy Mentoring Award from Cuyahoga County Community College. Before becoming the Director of Early Childhood Education for The Temple - Tifereth Israel Early Learning Center, Ganon Gil, Lori worked as a preschool teacher, director of a corporate day care program, and consultant to several local childcare programs. In August of 2020 Lori and her husband David relocated to Columbus, Ohio. Where Lori is a Professional Development Specialist and a Coach for Action for Children and she serves as the Early Childhood Consultant for the Jewish Education Center in Cleveland in addition to being a Bachelors’s Degree mentor for American Jewish University.  Lori and David have two daughters Zoe, who attends Kent State University, and Sydney, who attends Ohio University and a Labradoodle, Ziggy. 

Fern Rappaport Katz has been the Director of Early Childhood Education at Chicago Sinai Congregation since 2012. She has an extensive background in early childhood education and special education as both a teacher and an administrator. Fern holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s in Education from University of Illinois-Chicago, as well as an M.A. in Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.

Before becoming Sinai’s Early Childhood Education Director, Fern was an early childhood director for the JCC of Chicago and early childhood education coordinator and instructor at Governors State University. She has also taught children with special needs as well as religious school in Illinois and New Jersey. 

Fern is past president of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism and an active member of the Jewish Early Childhood Directors Council in Chicago. She was also active in the Chicago Early Engagement Leadership Initiative. Fern has led three schools (including Sinai Preschool) through the process of reaching accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Fern’s article “Trust and Separation: God, Abraham, and Early Childhood Educators” was published in the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education journal.

Fern finds joy in learning, teaching, and in Judaism, and believes we are all on a journey of exploration, discovery, and lifelong learning.