Congregation Or Shalom announces new education staff

Congregation Or Shalom in Vernon Hills announced its new director of Education, Rabbi Sarah Rosenbaum Jones, and new associate director of Education and Youth Engagement, Erin Levine.

"We had 18 candidates for the education director position, as well as a number of candidates for the associate director spot," said search committee co-chair Dale Truding.

"Applications were submitted through the Association of Reform Jewish Educators and the selection process lasted five months. We initially did a paper screening, then screened via Zoom before interviewing six candidates. We then narrowed the field to three finalists."

Truding added, for the director's position, "Each of the finalists met via Zoom with at least 40 to 50 members of the congregational community, including a teenager, while Rabbi Margolis and members of the Jew Crew met with each of the three finalists.

"This was followed by the search committee meeting with each a final time. We wanted to make sure that student voices were heard, as they matter in our congregation."

While growing up in Orange County, California, Rabbi Sarah was entrenched in the world of Reform Judaism, belonging to the Jewish Youth Movement NFTY, formerly called the North American Federation for Temple Youth.

While attending Northwestern University, she began to teach Sunday school and Hebrew classes at Am Shalom in Glencoe, joining the staff full-time after graduation. She also spent four years leading the high school-aged teaching assistants, called Madrichim, who helped with classes for younger kids and other groups. That was not yet enough.

Rabbi Sarah wanted to play a more significant part in people's lives, deciding to attend rabbinical school to make that possible. She was accepted at the only one to which she applied, Hebrew Union College, and graduated from there while earning a master's degree in Jewish education and getting married.

Now also a mom, Rabbi Sarah is an avid baker who loves to cook, hike and travel. Among her travels, she spent her final year of rabbinical college in London and spent a year living in Israel. She and Rabbi Margolis's wife, Rachel, earlier met at a conference and became friends as Jewish educators while in California, so she had a feel for the kind of congregation she would find at Or Shalom.

Described by members of the search committee as passionate, knowledgeable, calm under pressure, genuine, compassionate, empathetic and a great communicator, she became the clear choice to support the temple's efforts to usher in its next chapter of Jewish learning.

Rabbi Sarah spent time with the retiring education director, Marcia Cohen, to work toward a seamless transition. With her husband and young daughter, she now resides in Deerfield.

Passionate about music and creating inclusive spaces in communities, Erin Levine, 29, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in choral music education; a minor in Judaic studies from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio; a Master of Arts degree, Jewish education; and a Master of Arts in nonprofit management from Hebrew Union College. In addition to being a licensed teacher, she also holds a special education endorsement.

During the 2020 High Holidays, Levine was key in helping coordinate Or Shalom Zoom learning sessions and led some of them herself.

Her new responsibilities include implementing and coordinating all aspects of the B'nai Mitzvah process; planning, supporting and implementing the Jewish learning programming for Or Shalom, leading youth groups, including the teen Jew Crew group; coordinating and advising the Madrichim; and will be in charge of communications and logistics between teachers and families.

"Or Shalom is such a warm, welcoming community, committed to trying new things and become the best version of themselves as a community and an organization," said Levine. "I love how [members] are willing to try new things and embrace change when it means creating a more inclusive community."

A native of Wheeling, Levine is thrilled to be joining Or Shalom as associate director of Education and Youth Engagement, which happens to be the current spiritual home of her parents and younger brother.

Knowing about the congregation, she jumped at the chance to apply when the job was posted. She is now looking to move closer to the temple from her current residence in Niles.

Or Shalom welcomes all who embrace Judaism and want to explore opportunities for meaningful spiritual, cultural, and social engagement. The temple is an inclusive and diverse community dedicated to discovering how Judaism enriches each life and helps make the world a better place.