Our Staff

Executive Director

Dan Deutsch

ddeutsch@tisrael.org

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.

Operations Manager

Alyssa Ferrara

aferrara@tisrael.org

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.

Director of Development

Shawn Fiedler

sfiedler@tisrael.org

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.

Associate Director of Development

Rachel Goldberg

rgoldberg@tisrael.org

Rachel Goldberg joined the Temple Israel staff in February 2026 as the Associate Director of Development. She earned her degree from Indiana University, majoring in Sport Marketing and Management with minors in Marketing and Business. While at Indiana, she served as VP of Philanthropy for her sorority, where she discovered her passion for development and fundraising. Prior to joining, Rachel was the Development Manager at The Sports Museum. In her free time, she enjoys watching Formula 1, working out, and spending time with family and friends.

Development Associate

Emma Savitz

esavitz@tisrael.org

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.

Director of Communications

Emma Koblick

ekoblick@tisrael.org

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.

Communications Associate

Naomi Ribner

nribner@tisrael.org

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.

Director of Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice Organizing

Tali Puterman

tputerman@tisrael.org

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.

Executive Assistant to Cantor Stillman and Social Justice Coordinator.

Jordan Emrick

jemrick@tisrael.org

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.

Director of Elementary Education

Roberta Axeloons

raxeloons@tisrael.org

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!

Director of Programming and the Center for Adult Jewish Learning

Lily Van Cleave

lvancleave@tisrael.org

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.

Director of Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice Organizing

Tali Puterman

tputerman@tisrael.org

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.

Executive Administrator for Adult Education and Programming

Emma Glaser

eglaser@tisrael.org

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.

Village Coordinator for Families with Young Children

Heidi Smith Hyde

hhyde@tisrael.org

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.

Administrative Coordinator for Education K-12

Natali Hecht

nhecht@tisrael.org

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.

Teen and Youth Educator

Calvin Mitchell

cmitchell@tisrael.org

Calvin grew up around Boston and was active in his own youth group at Temple Isaiah. He graduated from UMass Amherst, where he studied English and Judaic Studies. After college, Calvin spent a couple of years living in DC and working in Northern Virginia running the youth group at Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation.

Calvin is excited to be back in the Boston area and to get to know this community. He loves teaching and learning about Judaism, and outside of work he likes to read, play video games, and hang out with his cat.

Archivist

Elizabeth Bombard

archives@tisrael.org

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.

Controller

Randy Faria

rfaria@tisrael.org

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.

Accountant

Dalia Williams

dwilliams@tisrael.org

Assistant Accountant

Paula Sager

psager@tisrael.org

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.