Our Staff

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Jessica is a dedicated educator with more than 20 years of experience working in a combination of both religious and secular education. In addition to her classroom experience, she has worked extensively with school teams as a mentor and trainer. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on inclusive classrooms, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration.

Jessica believes every student should feel safe, respected, and engaged within their learning environment. She is committed to advocating for all learners as well as supporting the CSS teachers in creating meaningful Jewish experiences and opportunities of growth for our future generations of caring citizens.

Jessica’s children are a constant source of inspiration and she credits her grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles with instilling a lifelong devotion to both Judaism and education, as well as a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Jessica continuously seeks and welcomes community feedback, works collaboratively to plan and implement curriculum and programming with CSS staff and volunteers and is always searching for new inspiration to positively impact the development of our religious school and community.

CO-DIRECTOR, RUJEC

Sheryl is a graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, where she began her career in Jewish Education, teaching Hebrew and Judaics. After a few moves, including Taipei, Taiwan and Seattle, Washington, Sheryl, her husband Joel and their three children moved to Leesburg in 2002 where she began working in Jewish Early Childhood Education and at Sha’are Shalom’s Religious School.

Sheryl has been with RUJEC for more than 10 years, serving as a teacher, activities coordinator and co-director. She lives in Lansdowne and spends her free time talking to and visiting her grown daughters in New York City and Baltimore. Sheryl also enjoys trying to get through a good book, exploring the area’s wineries, going to the movies and getting in her 10,000 steps a day.

CO-DIRECTOR, RUJEC

Allison grew up in Richmond, Virginia and has a BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alabama. Upon completion of college, she moved to Dallas, Texas where she met her husband Jeff and began her teaching career. In Dallas, she worked as both a teacher and an assistant director of a private school program with children age 6 weeks to 6th grade. Allison received her Masters’ degree in Long Term Care Administration in 1997 from the University of North Texas and moved to Loudoun County in 2005 with her family.

Allison began at RUJEC in 2007. She has had many roles including assistant teacher, lead teacher, enrichment instructor, and co-director. Allison is adjusting to an empty nest by walking with friends, reading and eating yummy food.

TEEN ENGAGEMENT AND B’NAI MITZVAH COORDINATOR

Mindee has been part of the CSS family for 18+ years and a part of the teaching team for 15. She began as a classroom teacher and then assisted with our Youth Groups before taking on her current role as Teen Engagement and B'Nai Mitzvah Coordinator. While she finds the younger students adorable she has a true passion for working with teens. 

Mindee believes in creating experiences that engage our teens causing them to WANT to be actively involved in our programs. Her commitment to not only help the teens further develop their Jewish identity extends to her goal of instilling values and learning skills that will benefit them long after HS graduation. 

Mindee and her husband, Steven, have one daughter, Ashleigh, who started as a 2-year old at RUJEC and stayed involved through HS. Outside of her role at CSS, Mindee holds a FT position as a Project Manager for a Translation & Communications Agency. When not working, Mindee enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with family & friends. 

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

In her role, Lynda works closely with the board of directors, the rabbi, and various committees to ensure seamless communication and coordination within the congregation. She is responsible for overseeing administrative functions and supporting events that enrich our community’s spiritual and social life.

Her experiences include accreditation, nonprofit and educational administration, and was an experiential educator, having placed over 600 interns in the DC area in the areas of foreign policy, anti- terrorism, and cultural and academic exchange. Moreover, she served in the former Union for Reform Judaism Mid-Atlantic regional office for almost 10 years, working with over 75 congregations in a six-state region.

With a commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment, Lynda plays a key role in contributing to and maintaining the vibrant and inclusive community that Sha’are Shalom embodies. Lynda holds a M.Ed. and a B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

BOOKKEEPER

Peter is an experienced bookkeeper with a deep understanding of financial management and a strong commitment to serving the needs of Congregation Sha’are Shalom. With 7 years of experience in bookkeeping and accounting, he specializes in ensuring accurate record-keeping, preparing meaningful financial reports, and supporting the efficient handling of donations, membership payments, and expense management. Known for his attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to maintain confidentiality, Peter plays an essential role in the day-to-day financial health of the synagogue, helping to ensure its continued growth and success in serving its members.

In addition to his experience in the accounting field Peter has earned an Associate’s Degree in both Accounting and Business Management as well as a Bookkeeper certification from Northern Virginia Community College.