Education Team

Shari Isserles
Director of Education

(516) 883-3144 x318
shari@commsyn.org 

Shari Isserles has served as the Director of Education at The Community Synagogue for the past 14 years.  She received her Masters of Religious Education (M.A.R.E.) degree from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion after doing her undergraduate studies at Boston University.  Before joining our staff, she served as RS Director at Temple Beth David of Commack.

Shari has extensive experience in Jewish educational leadership, educational development and engagement.  She has a breadth of experience with kids of all ages from our youngest learners to our adult learners.  Shari strives to keep our synagogue on the cutting edge of Jewish education and has brought many innovative programs to our learners, including the FLAME (Family Learning & Mitzvah Education) Program, Hebrew Through Movement, Parent/Child cooking workshops and various Tikkun Olam projects.   In addition to her congregational work, Shari serves as a Board Member of the Association for Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE).
  
Shari has always had a strong connection to Jewish camping.  She grew up as a camper and later spent many summers as a staff member at the URJ Eisner Camp.  She continues to spend time at camp as a member of the faculty where her son is now a 3rd generation camper.

Shari, her husband Paul and son Michael live here in Port Washington.  Outside of her professional life, Shari most enjoys spending time with family and friends.  She also loves chocolate, the NY Mets and binge watching episodes of The West Wing.

Lindsay Ganci
Associate Director of Education

516-883-3144 Ext. 330  
lganci@commsyn.org

Lindsay grew up in Westchester, New York. She received her undergraduate degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Muhlenberg College, and then attended Teachers College, Columbia University, where she received a Masters degree in English Education.  Lindsay has also earned a Certificate in Jewish Education specializing in Adolescents and Emerging Adults from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. In 2017 Lindsay was selected to be one of 24 fellows of the UJA-Federation's Ruskay Institute for Jewish professional leaders. In 2016, Lindsay was selected to be a participant in the Paideia Paradigm Program with Jewish professionals from the US, Europe and Israel. In 2015, Lindsay was a recipient of The Jewish Education Project Young Pioneers Award, and has published articles in the URJ's Journal For Youth Engagement.

In her first 8 years at The Community Synagogue, Lindsay created the thriving program that POWTY is today, engaging more than 250 youth and teen participants in our POWTY Youth Programs each year. In her role as Associate Director of Education, Lindsay develops, implements and oversees the educational programming for 7-12th graders at The Community Synagogue. She also directs the Mindful Leadership Institute, an exciting, all new program designed for Jewish young adults ages 18-25. 

Lindsay truly loves working with the wonderful families of The Community Synagogue, and developing strong relationships with the members of our congregational family. 

Lindsay lives in Port Washington with her husband, Alec, her daughters Ruby and Jayne and their dog, Latke.