Meet the ECC Team

MEET OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS

Genet Araya, RJW ECC

Agnes Ciarkowska, RJW ECC

Vanessa daSilva, RJW ECC

Kerri Bell-Delgado, RJW ECC

Jackie Ehrlich, RJW ECC

Samantha Glick, RJW ECC

Renu Hakim, E-T ECC

Soledad Jacinto, E-T ECC

Rachel Kuchinsky, RJW ECC

Alisa Liebowitz, RJW ECC

Talita Macieira, RJW ECC

Lea Micheo, RJW ECC

Allison Parker, RJW ECC Specialist

Julie Rausch, RJW ECC

Carolyn Rogers, E-T ECC

Nazia Saeed, RJW ECC

Carri Wasserberg, RJW ECC

Interested in joining our team? We are always looking for motivated early childhood professionals! Contact us to learn more about available positions

For positions in Maryland at RJW ECC         For positions in DC at E-T ECC


MEET OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD DIRECTORS

female teacher sits on floor showing a lulav to a child

Kfirah HaLevi, RJW ECC Director

A Maryland native, Kfirah earned her B.A. at the University of Maryland before making aliyah to Israel, where she earned her M.A. in Art Therapy at the University of Haifa. In Israel, she worked as an art therapist with young children, often focusing on children who were not emotionally prepared for kindergarten.

Kfirah joined Washington Hebrew in 2018 after moving back to the area from Israel. Having taught in our classroom, coordinated our afternoon PLUS program, and designed and taught our virtual programming during COVID, Kfirah became the RJW ECC Director in the summer of 2022. With a strong connection to her Jewish values and Israeli identity, Kfirah believes in building a community of acceptance, engagement, and love of learning. Her experience as a therapist drives a special interest and engagement with the social-emotional development happening in our classrooms.

Kfirah lives in Damascus, Maryland with her husband, Shy, and their dog, Eva. She loves spending time outdoors with Eva, painting, reading, and treasure hunting in thrift stores.

Kfirah can be reached at khalevi@whctemple.org or 301-354-3285.

young child works at table while teacher in mask looks on

Kristin Zeldes, E-T ECC Director

Kristin joined Washington Hebrew Congregation’s ECCs in the fall of 2018 as a 3s and PLUS early childhood educator at the E-T ECC. Throughout her time at WHC Kristin has worked at both ECC locations as an educator and administrator, designed and facilitated virtual programming during COVID, and in the fall of 2021, she transitioned into her current role as E-T ECC Director.

Originally from Arizona, Kristin moved to D.C. to attend The George Washington University where she earned her B.A. in Psychology, then spent three years studying acting at The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. Kristin is passionate about the role of dramatic play in early childhood education and creating learning environments that empower children to communicate and develop their understanding of the world around them through creative expression. In May 2023 Kristin earned her M.A. in Innovative Early Childhood Education through the University of Colorado, Denver, and the Boulder Journey School.

In her free time, Kristin enjoys walking and hiking, traveling, trying out new recipes or restaurants around the city and checking out local theater and art shows!

Kristin can be reached at kzeldes@whctemple.org or 202-895-6340.