Our Staff
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Before joining the staff of the Village Temple, Alex was the Director of Jewish Family Education at the Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, where his duties included implementing a wide range of educational activities. He has developed innovative programming for all age groups, from pre-school age to adult, as well as curricula for Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation and has experience teaching all grade levels in Religious School. Alex has been the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships in Religious Education, including The Rabbi Roland B. Gittelsohn Scholarship in Religious Education awarded by Hebrew Union College. He is a graduate of Hebrew Union College -- Jewish Institute of Religion, New York, with a Master of Arts in Religious Education.
In addition to Alex's extensive experience in this country, Alex was the Director of Jewish Education at the Israeli Culture Center in his native country of Ukraine for six years. In this position he managed the educational programming, curriculum development and teaching staff for five Religious Schools. At the Israeli Culture Center, Alex bravely faced the unique challenges of re-introducing Jewish life and learning to a population that, from the post-war period until Ukraine won its independence in 1991, had not been permitted to openly study or practice Judaism.
Director of Temple Operations: Marina Gorbunova
Marina came to the US from the Ukraine as a child. In the three years that she’s been with us, she has achieved several personal milestones such as graduating from the School of Visual Arts (with a major in screenwriting) and completing her first film which she has written and directed. In her spare time she volunteers for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
Office Manager: Rachel Alperin
Rachel was born in a small Jewish town in Belarus. At the age of 16 she immigrated with her family to Israel. There she attended high school, served in the army, and graduated from Haifa University majoring in Statistics and Biology. She was fortunate to win a green card in the lottery and was able to come to the U.S. She was the office manager in a medical group practice in Queens for six years before joining the Village Temple family.
Chief Custodian: Jose Eraso
Whenever you need anyting that has to do with the building, from setting up for a meeting or finding our box of Purim costumes, Jose (Pepe) is the one we ask. Pepe has managed the VT facility since June, 2003. He came to NYC from Santiago, Chile in the late 1970's. He is very proud of his two grown sons and lives in Sunnyside, Queens.
Religious School Faculty
The teachers of the Religious School, Beit Midrash and Youth Groups are drawn from many schools or institutions: Some are college and graduate students at the City's great universities; some are studying to become clergy in the Jewish community. Our teachers bring formal degrees as well as professional experience in Jewish education, elementary education, youth culture and camp counseling. Their graduate studies include preparation for the Rabbinate, the Cantorate, Judaic studies, Jewish history, and child psychology. In addition, many of our teachers are also artists in the fields of dance, music, painting, photography, sculpture, drama and writing. All have been chosen not only for their knowledge but for their creativity, enthusiasm, and potential to inspire their students.
