At Temple Israel, we have over 20 full-time staff positions across several departments. Our team is composed of bright, talented, motivated individuals, who also like to have fun together!
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At Temple Israel, we have over 20 full-time staff positions across several departments. Our team is composed of bright, talented, motivated individuals, who also like to have fun together!
Dan Deutsch (he/him) joined the Temple Israel staff in 2014. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, where he earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Operations Management. He subsequently received an MBA from Northeastern University. Until 2008, Dan worked in the private sector, as a project manager at American Express. That same year, he switched to working in the Jewish community, which better reflected his interests and values. Prior to coming to Temple Israel, Dan was the Director of Israel Programs at Young Judaea and the Vice President of the JCC Maccabi Experience for the JCC Association of North America. Dan lives in Brookline with his wife Amy and their two children.
As a highly regarded leader in the local and national Jewish Early Childhood Education community, Amy is a passionate advocate for a child-centered, responsive approach to early childhood teaching and learning. She has participated in leadership programs such as the Paradigm Project’s Coaches Catalyzing Change and the Individual Level Training in the Brazelton Touchpoints Approach. Amy was selected as a fellow in the 2014-2016 cohort of the Jewish Early Childhood Educational Leadership Institute (JECELI), a groundbreaking program that models inquiry and reflective practice through observation, experimentation, and ongoing learning, using concepts and content acquired through Jewish study to inform the work of learning and leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s in English literature from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master’s in Infant and Parent Development from Bank Street College of Education. Amy is committed to continuing FJECC’s core principle of providing the highest quality in Jewish and secular early childhood education and, in response to the needs of families today, has the vision to bring the FJECC into the future. “The heart of my work as an educator, as a director, as a mentor and leader, lies in the relationships I build with those around me.”
Emma (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in January 2015 and has enjoyed exploring new communication tools to share all the things we do! Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, Emma graduated in 2008 with a B.S. in Industrial Design from Virginia Tech and has worked in marketing in a variety of industries before landing in the Jewish non-profit world. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside and spending time with friends. Emma lives in Sharon, MA with her husband and four children.
Amy (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in September of 2019 and could not be happier to be a part of this remarkable community. Originally from Southeastern Connecticut, Amy got her start in the Jewish non-profit world during ten magical summers on staff at Camp Laurelwood in Madison, CT. With an M.Ed. from Lesley University, she has enjoyed a variety of positions in Jewish formal and informal education, museum learning, and camp administration. Her interests include camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, American and maritime history, and Prince Edward Island.
Alyssa (she/her) graduated from Brandeis University with degrees in Language and Linguistics and Russian Studies and is currently pursuing her Masters in Project Management at Boston University. Prior to joining Temple Israel in 2021, she served two years of national service with City Year and then later joined their staff in multiple capacities. In her free time, Alyssa coaches figure skating, works at a figure skating shop and spends time with her two cats.
Sue Misselbeck (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in 1998 and has enjoyed working in a variety of administrative and executive coordinator positions for the clergy during her 23 years of service. She helped begin the TILLI program and served as a coordinator for 12 years. Originally from Hartford, CT, she graduated from UCONN with a B.S. in Child Development and has a M.S. in Education. She has taught first grade and has worked for profit and non-profit organizations before coming to Temple Israel. She lives in Newton with her husband Mark.
Emma (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in April 2021. Originally from Brookline, MA, Emma grew up attending TI. She studied English and music at Manhattanville College. After college, Emma moved back to the Boston area and worked for the Boston Red Sox, the TI Religious School, and the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts, before joining TI as Development Associate.
Naomi (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in May 2021 as communications associate. An artist and former art professor, Naomi has been working in communications and web design in higher ed and the world of non-profits. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she received her MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and has lived in the Boston area ever since. An avid hiker and outdoors person, Naomi enjoys exploring New England’s forests, mountains, and rivers as often as possible.
Matthew (he/him) joined the Temple Israel staff in February of 2022, and has been a part of the Temple Israel community since 2010. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Matthew attended Brandeis University where he double majored in Math and Economics, graduating in 2010. He continued on at Brandeis attending the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program earning his Masters’ in Business Administration and Jewish Professional Leadership in 2012. Before joining Temple Israel, Matthew was a Senior Research Associate at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies. Matthew lives in Brookline and enjoys baking and spending time outside.
rmcpherson@tisrael.org
Rob McPherson (he/him) joined the Temple Israel staff in 2024 as the Event Coordinator. He studied at Emerson College where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Comedics Arts with a minor in psychology. His work background primarily consists of production and management within the performing arts. Rob currently lives in Boston’s North End with his partner, Charlotte, and their cat, Stella. He is an avid baseball fan and enjoys “so bad they’re good” movies.
Jordan (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in February 2025 as the Executive Assistant to Cantor Stillman and Social Justice Coordinator. Originally from Simsbury, Connecticut, Jordan attended Lesley University with a major in Human Services and a minor in Social Work. Growing up she was largely involved in her Jewish community, especially through BBYO and her time at Camp Laurelwood. In her free time, you can find Jordan at a concert, a Red Sox game, or spending time with friends and family.
Shawn Fiedler (he/him) brings more than a decade of experience in fundraising, strategic development, and leadership within houses of worship, with a focus on mission-driven institutions and religious communities in Boston and Chicago. Prior to joining Temple Israel, he served as Major Gifts Officer at Fourth Presbyterian Church and their affiliate non-profit Chicago Lights, where he helped advance philanthropic growth and deepen donor engagement. Shawn studied theology at Boston University and is passionate about building relationships and creating opportunities for meaningful generosity. He is thrilled to support Temple Israel’s inclusive and justice-centered vision.
Roberta (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in 2014 and has enjoyed being part of the community ever since! She started part-time as the youth group advisor and her role has evolved since then. Originally from Hingham, Massachusetts, Roberta graduated in 2014 with a B.A. in Psychology and Health, Science, Society & Policy from Brandeis University and joined the TI staff shortly after graduating. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with her dog, and being active: biking, running, and playing tennis!
Lily joined the staff of Temple Israel in January 2024 after spending most of her career working in the performing arts. She is now back where she was raised, living in Melrose, Massachusetts with her husband and son. She is a graduate of UMass Amherst Theatre, the Shakespeare & Company Conservatory program, and most recently, Boston University where she earned a Master of Science in Arts Administration with an advanced graduate certificate in Performing Arts Enterprise. Outside of her work at Temple Israel, she is active in the Boston theatre community as a producer/production manager and actor.
Tali (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in 2016. Tali enjoys building relationships with people of all ages at TI and supporting the community to live our Jewish values by creating a more just and equitable society for all. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Tali found her home in the Boston-area after attending Brandeis University and then getting her MA in Educational Studies from Tufts. Tali lives in Newton with her wife, who both enjoy being foster parents. In her spare time, Tali enjoys strategy games, reading, and writing.
Emma (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in 2019 and enjoys administrative work that enables students and teachers to have a wonderful educational experience. Originally from Takoma Park, Maryland, Emma graduated from Smith College in 2013 with a B.A. in History and Classics and received her M.A. in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program at SUNY Oneonta in 2018. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching baseball, and spending time with friends.
Heidi (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in 2021. A graduate of Brandeis University and Harvard Graduate School of Education, she was the Director of Education at Sinai Brookline for 18 years. In 2008 she was the recipient of the Keter Torah Award for outstanding contributions in Jewish education. Heidi loves to spend time with her family, and to write fiction. She is the author of six children’s books published by Kar-Ben, including Mendel’s Accordion, winner of the Sugarman Award, and Feivel’s Flying Horses, finalist for the National Jewish Book Award.
Elizabeth (she/her) joined the Temple Israel Staff in September 2023. She graduated from Merrimack College with a degree in History. In 2022, she graduated from Simmons University with a degree in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Archives Management. In her free time, she likes to do embroidery, read, and spend time with friends and family.
Natali (she/her) joined the Temple Israel staff in July 2025 as the Administrative Coordinator for K-12 Education. Originally from Eagle, Nebraska, Natali attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a major in Advertising & Public Relations and a minor in English.
Natali moved to Boston after spending the last six years on the Big Island of Hawaii where she did End of Life Care with Kona Hospice. As the oldest of 12 siblings, she is excited to work with the children and families of Temple Israel.
In her free time, you can find Natali crocheting blankets, doing puzzles, and reading fantasy books.
Brian (he/him) is thrilled to have joined the Temple Israel staff in June 2024 after ten years in Chicago. Prior to his move to Boston, he was a unit director for ByteDance/TikTok Global Real Estate overseeing facility operations for five offices around the eastern U.S.; before coming to TikTok, he managed operations and the facilities team for the Mondelez International Global HQ in Chicago. Trained as a professional musician, Brian maintains a secret career as a pianist, which has taken him to stages throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and he has held the role of organist/choirmaster in the Episcopal tradition since 2008. Brian lives in Jamaica Plain with his partner, Andrew, who plays clarinet/bass clarinet in the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops.
Gia (she/her) joined Temple Israel in November of 2022. She’s currently attending her third year at UMass Boston studying Psychology. Gia joined Temple Israel for her love of learning and exploring other cultures and religions.
After 20 years in senior finance roles ranging from Fortune 200 companies to small technology startups, Randy (he/him) joined Temple Israel in 2008. In his spare time, Randy enjoys the beaches of Southcoast, boating, running, and being with Toni. He lives in Dartmouth.
Paula (she/her) began working at Temple Israel in 1996. She is a graduate of UMass Amherst. She is originally from New Jersey and is now living in Brookline.