Jewish Reform Congregation Temple Israel named Dr. Jenn Levine as its new School Director. Levine’s tenure began on July 1. She is tasked with revamping and reimagining the school, while collaborating with families, to ensure that their needs are met.

“Miss Jenn is an incredible teacher who excels at connecting with each student,” said Rabbi Cynthia Minster, Temple Israel’s spiritual leader. “She really understands how to make Judaism meaningful to kids, providing individualized attention that supports the full range of human experience. She will create an environment that is inviting and accepting for all Jews, including Jews of Color, neurodiverse Jews, transgender and non-binary Jews.”

Levine has an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, with a focus on disability justice and inclusion. She has been working in Jewish education for more than 20 years. Levine’s first experience with Jewish education was in creating and leading Tot Shabbat, services for young children and their families. She created and led this program because there was no space at the time for the younger members of that synagogue to participate in their services.

“The survival of our community is contingent on there being a safe space for our teens to further connect with Judaism,” said Dr. Jenn Levine

Levine has been an educator at Temple Israel for the last ten years and has also worked at many well-known Jewish organizations including Midrasha, East Bay Jewish Community Center, and other Bay Area congregations as their B’nei Mitzvah tutor or classroom teacher.

“We are lucky and excited to have Dr. Jenn as our next school director,” said Temple Israel’s President Kimberlee MacVicar. “Kids flat out love her, and parents call her a ‘kid-whisperer’ speaking their language and connecting with them at their level.”

In September, Levine will also begin a Temple Teens Program providing a safe setting with a variety of activities for Jewish teens to connect with each other under her fun guidance.

“The survival of our community is contingent on there being a safe space for our teens to further connect with Judaism,” said Levine.

Enrollment forms for both the school and Temple Teens are available at www.templeisraelalameda.org. The programs both begin on Sept. 10. Parents with questions can email Temple Israel at office@templeisraelalameda.org. Temple Israel is located at 3183 Mecartney Road.

Levine recently completed a more than 2,600-mile trek from Michigan to Alameda on bicycle to raise funds and awareness for the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan. Levine, a Michigan native, was diagnosed with a form of epilepsy more than 40 years ago.