TBEMC Hires New Education Director

Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim (TBEMC), Cranford’s Jewish synagogue, has hired Ellie Barkin-Baron to serve as Education Director of the religious school.

The hire represents a homecoming of sorts for Barkin-Baron, who has been a member of the temple since childhood and attended the school herself.

For the past five years, she has served as the temple’s USY and Kadima teen group advisor. Barkin-Baron also taught in the TBEMC religious school for four years. She previously served as a junior member on the board of the Jewish Community Center of Central NJ, in Scotch Plains.

Barkin-Baron graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in education and recently completed a masters in education administration. She has taught in the Mountainside school district since 2015.

“I am ecstatic to become the education director of a temple that I consider home. I cannot wait to work with and get to know all the families in our community,” said Barkin-Baron.

TBEMC's religious school serves students from pre-K to B’nai mitzvah. The school aims to help students understand and appreciate the wisdom in their Jewish heritage, letting it shape the children’s hearts, minds, morals, and values. This year the program plans an increased emphasis on family programming and services.

“We are thrilled to have Ellie as our education director,” said Bruce Solomon, TBEMC co-president. “Her strong connection with the students, her education credentials, her history with the temple and the community, and her passion for Jewish learning made her the perfect choice. We’re excited to have her fresh energy and enthusiasm in our school.”

Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is now open. Parents and students are invited to an open house on Tuesday, August 16th from 5:00-7:00 pm. The temple is located at 338 Walnut Avenue in Cranford. For more information about the school or the temple, please call (908) 276-9231 or visit tbemc.org.