Alef Staff

Kofim (Monkeys)

Paula Sayag

Paula joined Temple Beth Ami as the Early Childhood Director in July 2009. Paula earned a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in “Human Development in Education” and a BS from Cornell University in “Human Development and Family Studies”.  She previously worked as the Early Childhood Specialist and Parenting Educator at the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning.  Before that, some of her favorite jobs were teaching “Mommy and Me” classes, supervising university student teachers, teaching undergraduate courses in human development, and working for 9 years at a sleep-away camp. Paula was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but has spent most of her life in Montgomery County, Maryland. Paula lives in Brookeville with her husband, Danny. They have three sons, Jonathan, Eitan, and Eric.

Prachim (Flowers)

Loretta Blue

Loretta Blue has been teaching preschool since 1998 and has years of experience under her belt. Before joining the staff, she owned and operated Plastercraft, an art studio for children in Rockville. When she joined Gan Ami, she worked her first two years as a teacher in the summer program. She enjoyed it so much that she then became a teacher in the two-year-old program! Loretta has 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Her youngest child is a Gan Ami graduate!

Bari Handelman

Bari has lived and worked in the Greater Washington area for many years. Originally from Connecticut, she earned a degree in education from New York University.  She has always enjoyed working for the Jewish community, first as an Executive Assistant and later as an early childhood teacher.  She has taught parent-child classes, 2 year olds, and enrichment for 3-5 year olds, as well as led tot services for Shabbat and holidays.  She joined the Gan Ami staff in September 2014 as our Parent-Child class expert. She lives in Gaithersburg with her husband, Brian, and two children, Hannah and Max.   
 

Karen Porter

 Karen is a native Washingtonian whose two sons both went to Hebrew school and were Bar Mitzvah at Temple Beth Ami. Working in the medical field for more than 20 years, she was forced to retire due to COVID. Loving children, she wanted to go back to work part time. Karen is married to her husband Doug; both of her sons are happily married as well, and she welcomed her first grandchild in July 2022.   

 

 

Bet Staff

Chaverim (Friends)

Stacy Rubinstein

Stacy returned “home” to work at Gan Ami in the fall of 2018. Stacy was raised in Montgomery County, graduated from Walter Johnson High School and returned post college. After seeing how Gan Ami teachers welcomed her family, she was inspired to become an early childhood educator. She participated in training in 2012-13, and then taught at Washington Hebrew Congregation for 4 years. Her son Jake completed Gan Ami in 2016, and her daughter Maddie in 2018. Now it’s her turn, and she couldn’t be happier! When not in school, you can find Stacy selling packages for a wedding photography company, having silly dance parties with her children, and attending lots of hockey games (Go Caps!).

Beverlee Diamond

Beverlee Diamond, a mother of three Temple Beth Ami Nursery School alums, and a former Gan Ami assistant teacher, is back! Beverlee is from Cape Town, South Africa, where she received her degree in Marketing. Beverlee and her husband Shaun immigrated to the United States in 1993.  After spending so much time in the halls of  Temple Beth Ami, she found a special community and a love for educating children.  Beverlee starts every morning with a Peloton class and ends every night watching her youngest daughter, Bianca, play soccer.   Beverlee’s son Cameron works in the family furniture business. Beverlee’s middle child, Tori, is a 2021 graduate from CESJDS and will be taking a gap year in Israel and then off to Indiana University! Judaism  plays a pivotal role in Beverlee’s life and that of her family. Beverlee is so excited for “Round 2” at Gan Ami! 

Doobim (Teddy Bears) 

Bari Handelman

Bari has lived and worked in the Greater Washington area for many years. Originally from Connecticut, she earned a degree in education from New York University.  She has always enjoyed working for the Jewish community, first as an Executive Assistant and later as an early childhood teacher.  She has taught parent-child classes, 2 year olds, and enrichment for 3-5 year olds, as well as led tot services for Shabbat and holidays.  She joined the Gan Ami staff in September 2014 as our Parent-Child class expert. She lives in Gaithersburg with her husband, Brian, and two children, Hannah and Max.             

                                                                                                                 

Shemashot (Suns) 

Laurie Galfold

Laurie started as a parent at Gan Ami in 1989 when her son Phil was a 4 year old, and Jeff was a mid-year 2 year old. Over the next several years, Laurie alternated between being a substitute, a 2-day 2’s teacher, and for one year, a stay at home mom with Jeff and Emily. But the lure was too great, and Laurie returned to teaching soon after her daughter was born. All three of Laurie’s children are Gan Ami grads!   Laurie says, “Working with children is clearly the primary reason I have stayed at Gan Ami for as long as I have, but a close second is the staff. We are a family that thoroughly enjoys being together.” Laurie has always lived in the DC area except for 3 years in Palo Alto, California. Laurie attended Winston Churchill High School and graduated from the University of Maryland.                                                             

Beth Jolles

Beth graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies. Before coming to Gan Ami, Beth taught pre-school at CLC and various parent/toddler classes throughout the county. She enjoys time with her two daughters, exercise, 70’s music, sushi, and jelly beans. Beth lives in North Potomac with her husband Jim.