Our Staff

Lauren Marks-Cabañas | Executive Director

Lauren Marks-Cabañas joined Adath Israel as the Executive Director in March, 2015. She has worked in the field of non-profit synagogue administration for over 28 years, having served for over 13 years at Temple Dor Dorim in Weston, Florida, and 2 years at Bet Breira Samu-El Or Olom in Miami, Florida. Lauren’s work experience includes having served as Youth Director, Director of Programming and Executive Director at her previous synagogues. She has strong leadership abilities and she combines her organizational and people skills in overseeing the operations of our facility; supervising administrative and maintenance staff; management of programming; assisting with life-cycle events; and support of lay leadership. 

She works in tandem with the clergy, Executive Board, Board of Directors and lay leadership to execute the affairs of the synagogue; membership development; building campaigns, marketing, communications, event management, dues administration; and identifying new opportunities for programming development and interpersonal growth among members. Lauren welcomes the opportunity to meet with all current and prospective members of the congregation. 

Lauren is a member of the North American Association of Synagogue Executives (NAASE), and has completed her degree and additional non-profit leadership certificate programs from Notre Dame College of Business, studying Principles of Leading Transformational Non-Profits and Fundraising and Grant Strategies. Lauren lives in Haverford with her husband, Marcos. Their daughter, Maia is a senior at Temple University and their son, Brett Marks graduated with his MBA and is the Head Baseball Coach at Cairn University. You can reach Lauren Marks-Cabañas at (610) 934-1903 or Laurenmc@adathisrael.org.
 

Shari Prensky | Director of Early Childhood Education

Shari Prensky joined Adath Israel as a teacher in 2016. She is a native New Yorker and moved to Pennsylvania in 2010. She has a B.S. degree in Human Development from Binghamton University and a M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. Prior to joining the staff at Adath Israel, she taught both in NY and PA and spent time at home with her children. Shari lives in Havertown with her husband Ben. They have two children, Orly and Dani, both former ECLC students and current MAKOM students.  

 Shari began her role as ECLC Director in 2023. Shari believes the early childhood years are a time for hands-on learning, and our goal is to develop lifelong learners, who are joyful, curious, and inquisitive. She believes the ECLC staff, and our families are partners in educating young children. You can reach Shari Prensky at (610) 934-1915 or sprensky@adathisrael.org.

Hannah Isaacs-Arkin | Education Director

Hannah Isaacs-Arkin joined Adath Israel as the Education Director in July 2021. Hannah has held various leadership roles in the Jewish community for close to a decade. Hannah earned her B.A. in Marketing from Rider University in 2017. Following graduation, she held the position as Youth Director at Congregation Beth Elohim, in Brooklyn NY and Program Director at the Union of Reform Judaism's Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, MA as a URJ CLASP Fellow. Most recently, Hannah has worked as the Communications Manager at Tribe 12 in Philadelphia and the Youth Educator at Beth Chaim Reform Congregation in Malvern, PA. Hannah believes it is imperative to our Jewish community to create dynamic educational opportunities for students of all ages.

In 2024, Hannah obtained her  Master’s in Jewish Education from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York. She loves being a part of a learning community and is excited to use what she is learning in the classrooms at Adath Israel.

Hannah is very excited to join Adath Israel’s leadership team to assist in the creation of vibrant educational programs for students of all ages. She hopes that as Education Director, she can bring her passion for Jewish community, experience in camp style programming, and communications background to add to the amazing work of the Adath Israel community. She is eager to bring an energetic spirit, an open mind, and a constant curiosity for what makes Adath Israel so special.

Hannah lives in Narberth with her husband, Jacob, who is currently a resident physician at Temple University Hospital.  In addition to her passion for Jewish education, Hannah loves trying new restaurants, playing mahjong, and hanging out with their dog, Ginger. Hannah can always be found with a seltzer or iced coffee nearby. You can reach Hannah Isaacs at (610) 934-1912 or Hisaacs@adathisrael.org.

Dr. Ari Sussman | Music Associate

Praised for his “sophisticated writing” (GTM) and music that “weave(s) a trance-like mystical aura” (Zamir Chorale), Ari Sussman is a Philadelphia-based pianist, clawhammer banjoist, and composer of vocal, chamber, orchestral, choral, and electronic music. He holds degrees in composition from the New England Conservatory and the University of Michigan, and teaches music theory and composition at Temple University and West Chester University.

Ari’s music has been performed across the U.S. and Europe by ensembles such as Eighth Blackbird, the New York Youth Symphony, and the Tanglewood Music Center. His work draws inspiration from Kabbalah, nature, cosmology, and poetry, creating sound worlds that are ambient, euphonious, and ethereal. Also an active pianist, music director, and banjoist in American traditional music, Ari enjoys blending diverse musical traditions with his love of storytelling and community. You can reach Ari at asussman@adathisrael.org.

Rebecca Millner | M.P.H., S.E.P.

Rebecca Millner, M.P.H, S.E.P has worked in the field of mental healthcare for the past 10 years as a clinician, trainer and interventionist. Prior to joining Adath Israel, Rebecca worked at the Institute for Health and Recovery, working to address the needs of women and families, with a particular focus on substance-use treatment, perinatal mental health and the treatment of trauma. Rebecca has extensive experience providing training and support to clinicians on boundaries and ethics, and the integration of trauma-informed models of care into organizations and community spaces. Rebecca has also served as a Behavioral Health Clinician at Lahey Health Behavioral Services, addressing trauma in children and families in both a residential and community-based capacity. Rebecca has received specialized training and certification in the treatment of trauma, maternal mental health and as a childbirth educator, with a particular interest in spiritually-informed counseling and somatic therapies. Rebecca holds a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master’s degree in Public Health from the Hadassah-Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine in Jerusalem, and is currently completing her Masters in Social Work at Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Rebecca has recently moved to the Main Line with her husband Ross and their two daughters, Neshama and Iyla’a. You can reach Rebecca at rmillner@adathisrael.org.

Jodie Levinson | Communications Associate

Jodie Levinson has spent over 20 years working in the non-profit Jewish community, bringing creativity and passion to her work. Before joining our team, she served as Director of Communications for a large synagogue in Bucks County, where she honed her skills in storytelling, design, and engagement. A natural creator, Jodie enjoys finding meaningful and effective ways to connect people and ideas.

She lives in Blue Bell with her significant other, Mark, and their three beloved doodles. Jodie is also the proud mom of two grown children, Ryan and Rachel. You can reach Jodie at jlevinson@adathisrael.org

Administrative Offices

Elaine S. Carroll | Executive Assistant to Clergy

Elaine S. Carroll has been employed in synagogue administration for 30 years. This is her second ‘tour of duty’ at Adath Israel: from 1998-2004 she supported A.I.’s executive director, and since July, 2022, she is now assisting our clergy.

Living in the Philadelphia area her entire adult life, Elaine earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s in counseling psychology, both from Temple University. In addition to teaching learners of all ages and working with individuals and families through social service agencies, she has had successful ventures in private catering and Judaic needlework design.  Elaine loves her multi-cultural family, which includes three adult sons, their partners, and 3 grandkids (and counting).

Curiosity, problem-solving, learning, planning, collaborating, and creating all drive Elaine’s desire to facilitate the work of our rabbis, nurture Jewish community and address the needs of our individual members and families.

Contact Elaine at (610) 934-1904 or by clicking here for help with any lifecycle event, to request time with one of our rabbis, or to let us know if you need support from the Adath Israel community during a difficult time in your life.

Colleen Pechter | Administrative Assistant, Schools of Adath Israel

You can reach Colleen Pechter at (610) 934-1914 or by clicking here.

Marcia Schulman | Administrative Assistant

Marcia Schulman joined Adath Israel as a member in 1977. Her 35-year career as a teacher and administrator in the School District of Philadelphia culminated in her position as Director of Grants Development & Support in the District. She joined the staff of Adath Israel in 2017, where she’s happily served her “home-away-from-home” as Administrative Assistant when she began in the synagogue office, then for a time in the school office, and currently back in the synagogue office. She loves the fact that she knows so many congregants and enjoys “schmoozing” with them when they come to the office.

Marcia and her husband, Peter, live in Bala Cynwyd, and are the proud parents of Stuart (Dania) & Carly (Steph) and grandparents of five beautiful grandchildren. You can reach Marcia at (610) 934-1906 or by clicking here.

Emily Wright | Bookkeeper

You can reach Emily Wright at (610) 934-1907 or by clicking here.

Richard Slaughter | Maintenance