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Staff

Clergy

Rabbi Jordan Millstein

Senior Rabbi
rabbimillstein@templesinaibc.org

 

Rabbi Jordan Millstein began serving as the senior rabbi and spiritual leader of Temple Sinai of Bergen County in July 2008.

Previously Rabbi Millstein served for 9 years as the senior rabbi of Temple Emanuel of Worcester, MA. During his tenure at Temple Emanuel, Rabbi Millstein worked closely with lay leadership to reinvigorate this historic congregation and create a warm and dynamic synagogue community. Together they developed a vision and strategic plan to meet financial and demographic challenges, energize worship and engage the congregation in new educational and social justice programming.

From 1993 to 1999, Rabbi Millstein served as assistant and associate rabbi of North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, IL. At this large suburban Chicago congregation, Rabbi Millstein supervised the youth, adult education and social action programs.

Rabbi Millstein attended Harvard University, where he majored in social studies. At Harvard, he wrote his undergraduate thesis on the causes of homelessness in New York City. He graduated magna cum laude in 1985. For several years he worked as a professional advocate for the homeless and disabled before being admitted to the rabbinic program at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), the seminary of the Reform Movement in Judaism. At HUC-JIR Rabbi Millstein studied closely with Rabbi Norman Cohen and wrote his rabbinic thesis on the Mekhilta D’Rabbi Ishmael, a midrash to the Book of Exodus. He was also privileged to be a fellow of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program, a national Jewish leadership development program. Rabbi Millstein was ordained in 1993.

While a student at HUC-JIR, Rabbi Millstein married Rabbi Paula Feldstein, who was also a rabbinical student at that time. They enjoyed working together at North Shore Congregation Israel and Temple Emanuel, where Rabbi Feldstein was the Director of the Early Childhood Center and Hebrew High program.

Rabbi Millstein and Rabbi Feldstein live in Demarest with their two daughters, Eve and Sarah.

Cantor Nitza Shamah

Cantor
cantornitza@templesinaibc.org

 

Cantor Nitza believes Shabbat should be a multi-generational experience filled with music.  Reflecting both Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions, she tries to create a balance of traditional and contemporary settings.  She encourages adults and children to explore creative musical modes of worship.  Through special musical programs and concerts featuring talented instrumentalists, Cantor Nitza helps enhance our worship at Temple Sinai.

With Cantor Nitza’s input, music is as an important part of our Religious School, our Early Childhood Center and our Adult Education curriculum. Our students learn to chant prayers in Hebrew. Our B’nei Mitzvah students participate in classroom and individual sessions filled with uplifting tunes and joyful spirit.

After graduating from Hebrew Union College in New York City and from the Tel Aviv Academy of Music, Cantor Nitza began her professional career here at Temple Sinai. “It continues to be my great privilege to be part of Temple Sinai,” Cantor Nitza says. “In this loving Temple home, devoted members, caring friends and committed colleagues have inspired me to grow spiritually and professionally for the past thirty plus years. I am deeply grateful for that. Together we have created a wonderful sanctuary of Torah and community.”

Along with her husband Isaac, Cantor Nitza resides in Nyack, NY with her two daughters.

Senior Staff

 

Jocelyn Inglis

Executive Director
jinglis@templesinaibc.org

Jocelyn has been in the non-profit world for the last 25 years as a Community Engagement and Development professional and spent a year as the Director of Membership Engagement at Temple Sinai before assuming this role.  Jocelyn has worked in various organizations within Bergen County for the last 20 years, including Jewish National Fund, Yad Leah and the American Cancer Society.

Jocelyn completed her BA in Jewish Studies and Sociology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.  She went on to earn her MSW and Certificate in Jewish Communal Service from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University.   She currently serves on the Bergenfield High School Parents Association Board and Co-Ed Kickball League and served on the
PEP-RJ (Program and Engagement Professionals of Reform Judaism) Board.  
Jocelyn lives in Bergenfield with her husband, Trevor and children, Jake and Abigail.

Jocelyn found her home at Temple Sinai and has been engaging our current members and opening doors to those in the community who are looking for a vibrant, progressive Jewish home.

Sara Losch

Director of Early Childhood Center (ECC)
slosch@templesinaibc.org

Sara Losch was the founding director of the Barnert Temple and Preschool Center in Franklin Lakes, from where she retired after 33 years as the Director of Lifelong Learning and where she created and supervised all areas of education, from preschool through adult.

Sara’s undergraduate degree is in Special Education. She has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Sara’s passions are early childhood education, Jewish education, and social justice work. Sara has traveled to Cambodia and Rwanda, helped run adult building experiences in New Orleans and New Jersey and co-created and ran a unique social justice experience for teens called Bonim Banim – Building Youth. Sara offers professional development courses and, with her "friend" Petunia the Pig, helps children and parents deal with "big feelings!"

Sara’s educational passions are mentoring new teachers, guiding parents of young children through the landmines of child rearing, and studying Jewish texts and Talmud. Sara lives in Wyckoff, NJ with her Uruguayan husband, Jorge. They have two grown children who live “too far” away. 

 

Caryn Roman
Director of Education
croman@templesinaibc.org

Caryn Roman, RJE, is a multi-faceted Jewish educational leader, musician, ritual facilitator, and communal professional.  She has spent more than two decades creating meaningful Jewish community experiences in synagogues, summer camps, JCCs, and other settings across North America.

Caryn holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Boston University, an MPA from New York University's Wagner School of Public Service, and an MA in Jewish Education from the School of Education at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.  She serves on the board of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE) and is a proud alumna of multiple Reform Movement camp and youth programs.

Caryn's passion for Jewish education stems from an appreciation of Judaism as a lens through which we can make meaning of the world and our day-to-day lives. With a primary focus on community building, inclusion, and belonging, her approach encourages learners to explore the breadth and depth of Jewish tradition and culture toward a goal of developing foundational sensibilities that support social-emotional and spiritual thriving and lifelong Jewish engagement.

Caryn is a voracious reader and enthusiastic theatergoer. She loves spending time with her nieces and nephews and taking her rescue dog, Kevin, on long walks in new places.

Administrative Team

The Temple Sinai administrative team works with our clergy, senior staff, and membership to ensure the smooth functioning of the Temple.

John Collins, Assistant Director of Operations, jcollins@templesinaibc.org

Maria Dimopoulos, Assistant Director of Education, mdimopoulos@templesinaibc.org

Sarah Donsky, Assistant Director of Engagement and Programs, sdonsky@templesinaibc.org.

Tammy Hecht, Member Services Coordinator, thecht@templesinaibc.org

Building Services

Led by Carlos Arizaga, the dedicated Temple Sinai building services team works with our clergy, senior staff, and leadership to enhance every Temple activity. There is a shared commitment to delivering meaningful experiences in a secure and attractive environment. 

 

Thu, November 21 2024 20 Cheshvan 5785