Joy writes: "I am really excited to be joining the staff of Temple Beth Shalom as the new Director of Education. I look forward to getting to know each of you, to making a permanent home for myself in Santa Fe, and to working with Rabbi Schwab, the faculty, staff and laypeople to create the best possible Jewish learning environment for all members of the community, no matter what their ages.

After a wonderful childhood in Southern California, I have lived in Israel, New York, Texas and Pennsylvania. Along the way I acquired a B.A. in English (University of California at Santa Barbara) and an M.A. in Education (Long Island University). Since the age of 16, I have worked in Jewish education - as a teacher of adults and children, an administrator, a family educator, an arts specialist, a workshop facilitator, and a teacher trainer. I also am a writer, visual artist, and a pretty terrific cook.

I hope you’ll get to meet my two grown children: Gila, who lives with her husband Mark in Edinburgh, Scotland (where they both work at the university), and Yakov, who is entering his fourth year of cantorial studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.

My particular passion is intergenerational, hands-on Jewish learning, particularly involving the arts – drama, art, writing, etc. Hobbies include reading, dancing, all sorts of crafts, board games, having adventures, and enjoying the outdoors. Please drop by my office after August 1 and introduce yourself!

Watch for information about our upcoming series "Children of Abraham". Rabbi Marvin Schwab of Temple Beth Shalom and Imam Aziz Eddebarh of Taha Mosque will teach this enlightening and unusual course about the traditions and beliefs of Jews and Muslims, viewing both as "Children of Abraham".