Sinai Staff
Rabbi Josh Berkenwald
Email Rabbi Berkenwald or phone (408) 264-8544
Rabbi Josh Berkenwald joined Congregation Sinai in San Jose, California, in August 2007. He is proud to be the spiritual leader of a diverse congregation that embraces people of all ages and backgrounds who seek meaningful ways to be Jewish. In addition to serving Congregation Sinai, Rabbi Berkenwald sits on the Board of Directors of Yavneh Day School.
Rabbi Berkenwald received his ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York City in 2007. He earned his B.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia in 1997, which included a year of study in Jerusalem. Rabbi Berkenwald was born in Atlanta, Georgia, grew up in Mercer Island, Washington, and has also lived in Vancouver, Canada.
Rabbi Berkenwald lives in San Jose with his wife, Dana, and children, Noa and Solly. He enjoys playing acoustic and electric guitar, running, hiking, reading, watching movies, and cooking when he can find the time.
You can read some of Rabbi Berkenwald's past sermons at his blog, located at www.rebyehoshua.org or watch recordings here.
Joelle Pluemer, Executive Director
Email Joelle or phone (408) 264-8543
Joelle Pluemer is the Executive Director at Congregation Sinai. Her responsibilities include the management of all of Sinai’s operations and facilities, including finance, membership, communications, programming, legacy giving and all administrative services. A former accountant and consultant, Joelle came to Sinai in 2008 with years of experience in the South Bay Jewish community, both on a professional and volunteer basis at South Peninsula Hebrew Day School and Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.
Joelle embraces her community, her family and friends with warmth, dedication and commitment. Joelle has lived in the Bay Area since moving to the U.S with her family at age 14. She and her husband Andy have two sons who also enjoy being a part of our Sinai community.
Michelle Jenkins, Director of congregational Learning
Email Michelle or phone (408) 264-1229
Michelle Jenkins is the Director of Congregational Learning, primarily responsible for running the Congregation Sinai Religious School, the Sinai Limmud La’ad (Lifelong Jewish Learning) program, and supporting SJCUSY. Originally from the New York/New Jersey area, she has spent most of her adult life south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Michelle has a B.A. in Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and an M.A. in Jewish Education from Baltimore Hebrew University. Since earning her degree, Michelle has held positions as Education Director of the Martin and Mildred Paver Religious School of Temple Beth Sholom in Sarasota, FL, and Principal of the High School and Midrasha program of Har Zion Temple, Narberth, PA. Most recently, she has served as the Coordinator of the Baltimore Hebrew Institute at Towson University while also teaching for a Conservative religious school and a Reform supplementary high school program.
When she is not working, Michelle enjoys hanging out with her adorable Dalmatian, Rocky. Michelle joined Congregation Sinai in July 2016 and feels lucky every day to be part of the Congregation Sinai community.
Ifat Kantorovich, Director of Early CHildhood Education
Email Ifat or phone (408) 264-8486
Ifat Kantorovich is the Director of Early Childhood Education at Sinai Nursery School. Ifat holds a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science from Ben Gurion University and Child Development Program Director Permit. Ifat has many years of experience teaching both children and adults. She has been working at Sinai Nursery School since 2007. She is proud to be part of a quality team of professional teachers who recognize and values the importance of Jewish early childhood education.
Ifat is happily married with two daughters and two dogs. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, baking, reading, and watching movies.
Nursery School Staff
Davida Adelberg, whose three children graduated from Sinai Nursery School, has taught here since 2005. She is delighted to be teaching the Fours in their respective social and individual transitions to Kindergarten. Davida’s focus on the development of the kids is very much apparent in her creative art projects and love of movement and music. In addition to her Sinai Nursery School duties, Davida now teaches Judaica at Congregation Sinai Religious School, which she taught at Congregation Beth David for 14 years. Also, she serves on the board of the NxNW region of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. This past summer, Davida attended the NeW-CAJE (Conference on Alternatives for Jewish Education) - and welcomed a new granddaughter into her family! Elizabeth joins her older brother, Gabriel, in calling Davida “Grandma.”
Monique Alexander has been working at Sinai Nursery School for a very, very long time. She got her Early Childhood Education credential working at the nursery school at De Anza College. She and her husband, Phil, have two grown sons, and she is the a proud “Nana” to Ellie! She loves hanging out with the Rainbow Club in the afternoons, and when she's not in school, you can usually find her walking her dog, Hana, working out at the gym or floating high up in a hot air balloon.
Angela Bronfman was born in Romania and emigrated to Israel, where she received a Law Degree. She worked as an Aide to children with special needs for the Los Altos School District before joining Sinai Nursery School three years ago. She has a son, David, who is a law student in Washington, D.C.
Maria Galeon was born in South Wales in the UK, and moved to the US in 2001. She studied Early Childhood Development at De Anza College, and has over ten years of experience working with preschool children. She has worked at another Jewish day school, and speaks some Hebrew, in addition to Welsh and Italian! Maria and her husband have three children under the age of ten, the youngest of whom will be attending in the fall. She is excited to be joining the Sinai Nursery School family.
Holly Homayonfar joined Sinai Nursery School in 2014, where she has been teaching the two-year olds. Holly was born in Iran and raised in New York, where she studied Business Management. She has since continued her studies in Early Childhood Education at Mission College. Holly has a daughter, Rachel, who attends Kehillah High School and whom she loves spending time with. She and Rachel love to spoil their pets, Zuzy, Gigi, and Lola. Holly also enjoys cooking vegetarian dishes, hiking, and photography.
Sharon Konigstein earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in Israel. For twelve years, she worked as an Occupational Therapist with children on the autistic spectrum and other developmental delays. Sharon brings many skills to Sinai, such as puppet-making, creating wonderful projects for the kids - and she makes challah for the school every Shabbat! She and her husband moved to the US four years ago with their four children, ages six to thirteen, and they live happily in Willow Glen.
Ellie Matsuoka has been teaching here at Sinai Nursery School three years, and been a teacher for a total of fifteen years; she teaches the older Twos and Threes in the Green Room. Ellie received a Liberal Arts degree from the College of San Mateo and a teaching certificate from Cañada College. She is mom to two young boys, Joshua, who just started Kindergarten, and Corey, (who starts this year in the Red Room). Ellie loves to spend time with her family and friends, and is looking forward to watching the kids learn and grow this year.
Josefina Oregel’s love for teaching was inspired by her own teachers. She earned a B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development from San José State University, and worked at another nursery school for three years. In her spare time, she likes to paint, read, and spend time with family and friends. Josefina looks forward to making learning fun for the kids!
Marva Prag returns to Sinai Nursery School after taking care of her baby girl, Gal. This year, she will be teaching the older Twos and Threes in the Green Room. Marva says she has spent her “entire life with children” in Israel, and did her undergraduate work in Physical Education for children, specializing in Early Childhood Development. Marva and her husband emigrated to the US five years ago; in addition to baby Gal, they now have an adorable son, Noam, who will be attending Sinai in the Purple Room. She is currently earning her Master’s Degree in Psychotherapy. When Marva is not playing with her children, she loves sports and physical activity of all kinds. She is looking forward to a wonderful year watching the kids learn and grow.
Michal Safrai was born in Israel. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Ben-Gurion University, and an MBA in Business Administration. Michal worked for a number of years at a boarding school for children with families at risk. She has lived in the US for five years, worked at Sinai Nursery School for four, and has three daughters of her own. Michal loves reading to the children at Sinai Nursery School and playing with them. In addition, she enjoys baking and travel.
Hadas Smulian was born in Israel and attended the University of Haifa, earning a degree in Education and Counseling. She worked with kids there for ten years, lecturing on the life of Ben-Gurion, fbefore moving to the US. She and her husband have two sons, Itamar and Yuval, who will both be attending Sinai Nursery School this year. Hadas had fun working with the children this summer and looks forward to a year of successful learning!
Stephanie Wilder first fell under Sinai Nursery School's magical spell when her own three boys attended the school. She’s a UCLA alum (Go Bruins!), with a B.A. in English Literature, and is continuing her studies in Early Childhood Education at West Valley College. She is delighted to assist with the Rainbow Club in the afternoons. Her background in standup comedy comes in handy when it comes to making up songs and telling goofy stories. Stephanie’s love for kids knows no boundaries!