Our Staff

Bryan Bierman (he/him)

Bryan Bierman has been a key part of the Temple Israel community since 2012 and has held the role of Executive Director since 2021. With a Bachelor of Science in Youth Development and a Master of Social Work from Springfield College, as well as a graduate certificate in Public and Non-Profit Management from the University of Connecticut, Bryan brings a unique blend of academic and practical expertise to his role.

His career reflects a deep commitment to youth development and leadership. Prior to joining Temple Israel, Bryan gained valuable experience at the New England Adolescent Research Institute in Holyoke, MA. His passion for camp-based programs has also been a constant theme; he worked as Program Coordinator at Camp Tevya in New Hampshire in 2011 and held various leadership positions at YMCA day camps for eight years prior.

Beyond his work at Temple Israel, Bryan has played a significant role in international sports and community organizations. He served as Lead Accommodation Manager for Team USA during the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022 International Maccabiah Games. Additionally, he contributed to the Jewish community by serving on the Federation of Upper Fairfield County board from 2019-2021 and 2023-current and leading as President of PEP-RJ (Program and Engagement Professionals of Judaism) from 2018-2021. He is also currently on the Board of the CT FBI Citizens Academy.

Bryan’s commitment to community extends to his personal life as well. He is married to Emily Eisen Bierman, the BBYO Community Director for New York, and they are the proud parents of Ava and Everett. Their shared dedication to youth engagement and Jewish values underscores Bryan’s enduring influence both at work and at home.

Stephanie Schwartz (she/her)

Stephanie Schwartz is the Director of Programming and Member Engagement at Temple Israel. She joined our team in the fall of 2021. Stephanie has been a Jewish Professional for over 20 years and has served in several roles in the Jewish Community: as a Temple Educator, Youth Director, and camp professional. She is the Executive Vice President for PEP-RJ (Programming and Engagement Professionals of Reform Judaism).

She has also been an active leader and member of ARJE (the Association of Reform Jewish Educators), a Jewish Big Sister, and a faculty member at URJ 6 Points Sports Academy – California and URJ Camp Harlam. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Virginia Tech and a Master’s in Education from American Jewish University. She has relocated to the east coast from Southern California to bring her closer to her family and for this amazing opportunity. Stephanie enjoys traveling, photography, and cooking in her spare time, especially her newfound passion for making challah.

Lindsay Weiner

Lindsay Weiner is the Director of the Early Childhood Center at Temple Israel. She joins Temple Israel with a passion for and commitment to the field of education. Lindsay began her career in education as an elementary school teacher in New York City before shifting her focus to early childhood education as a member of the faculty at The Conservative Synagogue in Westport. In 2018, Lindsay left the classroom to establish The EQ Child, a consultancy devoted to developing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programming and curricula for early childhood programs. She has worked with school administrators, teachers and parents in the tri-state area to incorporate and prioritize SEL with greater focus and intention. Lindsay is passionate about a Whole Child approach to education, and supports strong collaborative relationships between schools, families, and communities.

Lindsay received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and master’s degrees in education from New York University and Bank Street College. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Hartford chapter of Girls on the Run, an organization committed to the social-emotional development of girls through a research-based curriculum that empowers girls through running. She lives in Westport with her husband and two children.

Gabi Strasfogel-Ryklin

Gabi Strasfogel-Ryklin, MSEd is an Early Childhood Special Educator and Learning Support Specialist. She holds her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education with an advanced certification in Autism. She has been an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in New York City for eleven years- and has experience in a wide range of learning styles and developmental variations, specializing in process, development and issues in Executive Functioning.

Her diverse body of work ranges from direct service to family support and coaching, additionally educational evaluations, teacher mentoring and curriculum support, and most recently to running Social Skills and Play Groups in Brooklyn. She believes in a holistic approach to learning both in schools and at home and believes in the professional collaboration between the student, their teachers and family at home serves as the foundation of exponential student growth and development. Gabrielle received her Severe and Multiple Extension from Bank Street College of Education, her dual Masters in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Hunter College, and graduated with a Bachelors of Art from the University of Michigan. Gabi lives in Wilton with her husband and two daughters.

Kate Cykman (she/her)

Kate Cykman is excited to work with Temple Israel youth on building strong Jewish identities and meaningful connections with our community through learning, play, culture and tradition. Kate has a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Old Westbury in History, as well as a certificate from the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute in educational leadership. She is currently enrolled in a master’s of Jewish education program at Hebrew Union College. Kate joined our team as a Kesher educator in 2022 before moving into her current role one year later. Previously she served as the Youth and Curriculum Coordinator at Congregation Beth El in Bangor Maine for 7 years, and as an educator at multiple other synagogues. Prior to her work in Jewish education, Kate worked in disability advocacy with a variety of social services programs which inform her focus on inclusivity in the classroom today. Outside of work Kate enjoys art, cooking, traveling, and playing games with her wife Aubri and son Aiden.

Noah Zeitlin (he/him)

Noah Zeitlin is proud to be the Communication and Marketing Coordinator at Temple Israel after graduating Brandeis University in the Spring of 2022. Outside of TI, Noah enjoys photography and is an avid attendee of Broadway shows. He currently resides in Westchester, New York.

Karyn Jusino

Lilach Levy

Lilach enjoys helping people and at home enjoys baking and making chocolates for her family and friends. She lives in Fairfield with her husband and three children.

Eric Gluska

Geri Stone

Lani DeBoer (she/her)

Lani joined Temple Israel in 2019. She is responsible for providing technical oversight of the Temple’s CRM database system, cemetery, donation processing, and member yahrzeits.

Prior to joining Temple Israel, Lani worked as the Director of Communications and Data Operations at the nonprofit Voices of September 11th. Her experience also includes a variety of roles at United Way of New York City, including community relations, event planning, product marketing, and business operations. Earlier in her career, Lani worked for two professional sports teams, the New York Mets and New York Jets.

Lani graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and a minor in sports management. Lani resides in Wilton with her husband and two children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, going to Yankee games, hiking, and baking.”

Erin Simon

Karen Lafferty (she/her)

Karen is the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director. Prior to joining Temple Israel, Karen worked in an adult day program with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities offering them a comprehensive range of services to help them achieve the fullest quality of life. Karen then joined JCRC-NY as a social work intern. She served as a community organizer for several NORCs (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities), helping to launch numerous programs that continue to help older adults access community resources and lead a better quality of life. Karen then joined YouthBridge-NY as its Program Director and worked her way up to Executive Director while doubling the organization’s size. She found working with teens empowering and rewarding. Karen was awarded the 36 Under 36 Award by the Jewish Week in 2017. Karen received her Bachelor’s of Psychology from Binghamton University and her Master’s of Social Work from Wurtzweiller. Karen lives in Norwalk with her husband and two kids. She loves to build Lego, binge TV shows, and play video games.

Erin Walker (she/her)

Erin has a passion for storytelling and creative collaboration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Quinnipiac University and a master’s in strategic communications and public relations from Sacred Heart University. With experience in copy writing and email marketing, she looks forward to growing further into her career in communications at Temple Israel. She maintains personal interests in playing tennis, hiking, running, reading, fostering animals, and creative writing. Erin is from Bridgeport and currently resides in New Haven.

Lindsay Wilson

Shayna Lebowitz (she/her)

Shayna Lebowitz is thrilled to be the Youth Engagement Specialist at Temple Israel. Shayna joined Temple Israel in 2024 as a Hebrew educator before transitioning into her current position. She first discovered her passion for Jewish community and youth work at Camp Laurelwood, where she has worked in various roles including Cornerstone fellow, prayer leader, division head, and program coordinator. Shayna graduated from Tulane University in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Jewish Studies and Linguistics. Outside of work, she loves traveling, thrifting, and the New York Times crossword.

Lauren Levi (she/her)

Lauren Levi is the Kesher Office Manager at Temple Israel as well as a 2nd Grade Educator at Kesher. She graduated from Lafayette College in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Spanish and Music, and earned her Master’s in Elementary Education from Fairfield University in 2020. Prior to her work at Temple Israel, Lauren taught at preschools in Milford and Ansonia, and spent the last few years teaching 3rd Grade at a charter school in New Haven. Lauren lives in Hamden with her wife, Erica, and their adorable cats, Chloe and Leo. She enjoys gardening, hiking, crafting, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Shawn Neilsen (he/they)

Shawn can frequently be found in his little corner in the back of the sanctuary. He’s been working in video production since the time of VHS tapes. When not livestreaming services he can be found helping TI win softball games or performing with fire at the World Famous TI Chanukah Party. Outside of TI he’s an avid dart player, and also frequents the local disc golf courses.