Education Staff

Nancy and her husband, Bruce, have been members of Temple Beth-El since 1999. Their two daughters attended the Religious School and continue to make strong connections to Judaism in their adult lives today. During that time Nancy taught periodically in the religious school and in 2011 she served as the Interim Education Director for one year. Nancy received her undergraduate degree in modern dance from the University of Illinois and a MS in early childhood and elementary education from Bank Street College of Education in NYC. She taught lower school movement for 15 years in schools throughout NYC and at Poughkeepsie Day School. She is a Certified Feldenkrais and Child’Space Method Practitioner and maintained a private practice from 2009-2024.

In addition to being the Interim Education Director today, she enjoys teaching Hebrew Through Movement, attending the morning minyan and reading Torah. She can be reached at educationnj118@gmail.com

NOTE: RABBI MIRIAM IS CURRENTLY ON SABBATICAL THROUGH SUMMER 2026

Rabbi Hyman earned a BA in Biology at SUNY-Binghamton and an M.A. in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. She has taught Jewish Studies in a variety of settings, helped found a Jewish Family Education program in Rhode Island, and served as Education Director at Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley, CA. While attending the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Rabbi Hyman served as High Holy Day cantor at Congregation Tiferes B'nai Israel in Warrington, P.A., and as bar/bat mitzvah coordinator, teacher and Jewish family educator at the Germantown Jewish Centre in Philadelphia.

Rabbi Hyman is married to Rabbi Michael Fessler. Rabbis Hyman and Fessler served as co-rabbis of Congregation B'nai Tikvah—Beth Israel in Sewell, NJ from 2004-2014.  has been at Temple Beth-El since 2014.  Rabbis Hyman and Fessler are the proud parents of Ariella, Adora and Tamar.  Rabbi Miriam can be emailed at education@tbeny.org

Cantor Devorah holds an Artist’s Diploma in Vocal Performance from New England Conservatory of Music, a BA in Religion and Education and an MA in Business and Educational Administration from Columbia University. She has designed and run B’nai Mitzvah and Youth Group programs for many of the synagogues in the Hudson Valley over the past 30 years. As co-chair of the CAJE B’nai Mitzvah Network, she helped pioneer Torah reading protocols for students with special needs and learning differences. Under her direction, the Temple Beth-El Youth Group has won eight awards from United Synagogue Youth. Cantor Devorah also teaches at the Jewish Congregation of New Paltz, and has previously served as Cantor and Spiritual Leader of the Kerhonkson Synagogue, Congregation Beth Hillel of Walden, and Congregation Ahavath Israel of Kingston.

Cantor Devorah can be emailed at cantordevorah@gmail.com.

Karen was born and raised in Long Island.  She moved up to the Hudson Valley after marrying her husband, Dan, in 2001 and they have been members of Temple Beth-El for 20+ years.  Dan and Karen raised 2twdaughters who are now presently in college.  Karen attended  SUNY Cortland as an undergraduate and  Indiana State University for grad school, with degrees in Physical Education and Athletic Training. Beginning her career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, while her children were young she migrated over to teaching preschoolers.  She began teaching in Temple Beth-El’s religious school in the early 2010’s and continues to teach today. In 2022, she took on the position of Education Assistant at TBE and is now also in charge of our programming at the Temple as well. Karen can be emailed at educationassist@tbeny.org.

Our amazing group of teachers create a warm, welcoming environment in and out of the classroom. They are experienced and engaging educators who provide a strong foundation in Jewish learning, Hebrew, and joyful practice.

Our Madrichim are made up of post B’nai Mitzvah students from our congregational communities. These talented teens assist our teachers and mentor our students. In addition to their classroom duties, aides provide in-class learning support and service leadership for school tefillah (prayer).

Our Education Committee is made up of synagogue members who partner with the staff under our Education Director's leadership. They work to support our school, while continuously evaluating all aspects of our program.