Leadership & Staff

Rabbi Emily Cobert is excited and honored to join the Temple Israel – JCC community as Assistant Rabbi and Education Director. She will be responsible for youth education and programming for families of all ages, and serve as the director of Northern New Jersey Jewish Academy (grades K-7) and the Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies (grades 8-12).

 Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Rabbi Cobert grew up in a home and community that greatly values Judaism, family, friends, and southern hospitality. She received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Jewish Studies and Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She then moved to New York City, earning her MA in Jewish Education with a concentration in Day School Education and then rabbinic ordination with a Certificate in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Prior to her new position at TIJCC, Rabbi Cobert served as Rabbi and Education Director of Temple Sinai in Middletown, NY. She led all matters of religious and ritual life within the community as Kol Bo, including leading all aspects of Shabbat and holiday services, education, individual learning, and all lifecycle events. She led the Temple Sinai Hebrew School for students K-7 grades, overseeing curriculum development, supervising staff, and organizing programming. She served on the Orange County NY Klei Kodesh & Jewish Federation to plan and organize county-wide multi-denominational Jewish events for both children and adults. Rabbi Cobert was an active member of the Middletown Interfaith Council, which included over 50 faith communities, representing the Temple Sinai community and Conservative Judaism in community-wide interfaith events.

Rabbi Cobert enjoys working within the framework of a traditional Jewish observance while finding innovative ways to weave it within modern society. Rabbi Cobert has been privileged to have mentors who have helped set her on the path to becoming a rabbi. She loves Torah study and she hopes to help others find their own voice within Torah by creating a warm and welcoming learning environment. Rabbi Cobert has a passion for education and deeply cares about each individual. She wants to make sure everyone feels welcomed in a safe and warm environment and that everyone has a chance to get heard, seen, and valued.

She is excited to move to Ridgewood with her husband, Andy Lewis, and their daughter, Sarah!

Yardena Bannett has been teaching at BCHSJS since 2020. She has a B.A. in Jewish Studies with a minor in Psychology from Stern College for Women. She studied at Michlala in Jerusalem for 2 years. She previously was a special education teacher, a program coordinator for YACHAD, and a sensory room director at Camp HASC. Presently, she is a senior/alumni coordinator for NCSY. She is married to Rabbi Ariel Bannett. They have 4 children: Shalva, Ahuva, Jonah, and Akiva.

Rabbi Dr. David J. Fine has been teaching at BCHSJS since 2020. He received a B.A. in History from Wesleyan University, hi was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary, and received his Ph.D. in Modern European History from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Rabbi Fine has served as rabbi of Temple Israel and Jewish Community Center in Ridgewood since 2009. He is also an adjunct professor at the Abraham Geiger and Zacharias Colleges in Berlin where he teaches Jewish Law. Rabbi Fine is the author of Jewish Integration in the German Army in the First World War and Passionate Centrism: One Rabbi’s Judaism. He teacher at BCHSJS in coordination with the North Jersey Board of Rabbis, and lives in Ridgewood with his wife, Alla, and two sons.

Rabbi Gary Hoffman has been teaching at BCHSJS for over 20 years. He received a B.A. from Yeshiva University in Classical Languages, an M.A. from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in Educational Administration, and rabbinical ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University. He taught at the Moriah School for 24 years, served as the youth activities director in several synagogues, and was a founding member of Jewish Education for Special Children, where he served on its board. Presently he teacher Judaic Studies at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County (HANC). Gary is married to Basha and they have 2 children.

Avital Moss has been teaching at BCHSJS for the past 7 years. She received a B.A. from Lander College for Women in Psychology and holds certifications in EMT, Global Philanthropy, and Mental Health First Aid. She has served as a country director for a grassroots NGO for NJ NCSY. She started as the Assistant Director of YRSRH’s preschool in the fall of 2019. When she’s not in the classroom, she is furthering her passion for international development by studying for a Masters degree in International Affairs at Baruch in NYC.

Manny Genn

David Goodman

Steve Prystowsky

Rabbi Jeremy Ruberg

Alexandra Sobelman

Mel Solomon

Lia Tsveniashvili

Jessica Walker