Brad Pollack - Interim Director of Education & Engagement

Dear Members of the Temple Beth-El Community,

Hello. I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. I am pleased and honored to have been appointed as the Interim Director of Education and Engagement. As I embark on this journey, I hope to serve and contribute to the vibrant and nurturing spiritual community that thrives here at TBE. My vision is to uphold and strengthen our core values so that our young people embrace their proud heritage and continue learning and growing in their understanding of Judaism. Together, we can create an environment where each student feels valued, supported and validated in their unique spiritual journey. Close collaboration between and among our educators and families will help ensure that we impart knowledge and instill the values of empathy, kindness and social responsibility.

My family has a long association with the Ithaca community and with TBE. I recently retired after working in public schools in the area for 40 years. Initially, I worked as a school psychologist for the first half of my career, and then I was employed as an elementary principal and finished my career as the principal of Cayuga Heights Elementary School. My wife, Rachele and I have lived in Ithaca since 1982 and we raised our family here. We have been members of the temple for over 35 years and our children attended religious school at TBE and celebrated becoming B'nei Mitzvah at the temple as well. I have served on the TBE Religious School Board and was the liaison to the Temple Board. I have also subbed extensively at the religious school for several years when our children were younger, and Rachele and I led High Holiday Youth Services for a number of years.

As we move forward, I invite you to share your perspectives and aspirations for the religious school and for our young people. Together, we can build a more vibrant community that embraces the diversity of thought within our congregation. If we don’t already know each other, (and even if we do) I look forward to meeting you personally during our many events and gatherings ahead.

If you have any specific questions or concerns or would just like to connect with me, please feel free to reach out to me at (director@tbeithaca.org) and (607) 273-5775 (ext. 203).

Shalom,

Brad C. Pollack

Interim Director of Education and Engagement

Temple Beth-El