Today is April 26, 2024 /

Our Staff

David Goldstein, Executive Director

A Westchester County native, David Goldstein is WJC’s Executive Director. Previously, David served in a variety of roles in the Jewish Community, most recently as the Assistant Executive Director of the Barry & Florence Friedberg Jewish Community Center in Oceanside. David also held positions with Young Judaea Global and in the Boston Jewish community at the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Boston and Hebrew College, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education. David and his wife Melissa Braverman live in Riverdale and are the proud parents of two daughters: Ranya (18) and Adiella (12).

Ann Pardes, Early Childhood Director

ann@wjcenter.org

Ann brings over 30 years of Early Childhood experience, both in New York and Florida. Ann holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching and Elementary Education from Manhattanville College. As a consummate learner, Ann is dedicated to professional development, for both herself and her staff, in order to bring the most current and innovative best practices into the classroom. She has spent the majority of her career working in Jewish Early Childhood settings and is committed to developmentally appropriate, exploratory and child-centered learning.

Carol Meyers, Early Childhood Assistant Director

carol@wjcenter.org

Carol has been working in the field of education since 1988. She has a BA in Psychology from Clark University and a MA in Education from Hunter College. For the past four years Carol was the Assistant Nursery School Director at Temple Israel Center where she worked closely with the teachers, staff and families to create a warm, loving, educational environment. Carol worked closely with the families to run events including a Challah Bake. Carol believes that children need many opportunities to explore, create, imagine and construct during their day at preschool. Prior to working at TIC she was a preschool teacher at Community Synagogue of Rye, a SEIT (Special Education Itinerant Teacher) with Theracare as well as a Fundraising Coach/Recruiter for the American Cancer Society. Tikkun Olam is very important to the Meyers Family. Carol enjoys volunteering and has had leadership positions on The Hillels of Westchester Board, The Clark University Alumni Council, The URJ Crane Lake and Eisner Camp Board, Community Synagogue and The Rye Youth Council. Carol and her husband Bill live in Rye with their three children and their Cairn Terrier. In her free time, Carol enjoys walking, cooking, reading, swimming and traveling. During the pandemic Carol spent time exercising, painting and had long leisurely dinners with her children.

Aleza Kulp, Education Director & Congregation Program Coordinator

educdir@wjcenter.org

Aleza Kulp, originally from Margate, New Jersey, began working as the Education Director and Family Life Coordinator at WJC in 2001. Prior to joining WJC, she worked for three years as the Education Director at a Conservative synagogue in New Jersey. Aleza received her MA in Jewish Education from The Jewish Theological Seminary and has studied at Hebrew University. Aleza has also worked at Camp Ramah in the Poconos and Ramah Programs in Israel. Aleza loves working with the youth and families of our congregation. Her goal for each child in our synagogue is that they embrace their Jewish identity and enjoy being a part of our congregation. Aleza is a proud parent of her son Leor. Together, they love being a part of the WJC community!