Har Sinai Congregation, the oldest continuous Reform synagogue in the continental United States, has named Pamela Mandell as its Interim Education Administrator.

Mandell holds a Master of Arts, ABD, Assyriology and Bible, from Johns Hopkins University and a similar Master of Arts Degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.  Mandell has more than sixteen years of teaching experience, mostly in the Jewish Community. Mandell will oversee religious school programs and operations and be responsible for parent, student and faculty outreach.

“The leadership team at Har Sinai Congregation was impressed with Pam’s expertise and is excited to bring her on as the Interim Education Administrator,” said Joseph DeMattos, Har Sinai Congregation President.  “She is passionate about both education and the Jewish community, and we are blessed to have another strong leader heading our educational initiatives.”

“We are so excited to have Pam joining our team as an interim,” said Rabbi Linda Joseph, Senior Rabbi at Har Sinai Congregation. “Pam will provide a stabilizing and warm presence in our educational programming for all age groups till the end of this academic year. She is the important bridge as we assess our congregation's education and programming needs.  Har Sinai is committed to strengthening Baltimore’s Jewish community and having her on board will allow us the space to think our vision through in a deliberative and imaginative way."

Mandell is stepping in for Har Sinai’s long-time Director of Congregational Learning, Jo-Ellen Unger, who became the Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s 6 Points Creative Arts Academy. Har Sinai will begin a national search for its next Director of Congregational Learning with the ideal candidate to be in place July 1, 2017.

“I am thrilled to build upon the great work that has already been done in education at Har Sinai and help lead the congregation into its next chapter,” Mandell said. “I see the Jewish community as my family, and my family is important to me.  At Har Sinai Congregation I plan to continue to demonstrate my love for Judaism and Jewish engagement in my commitment to its past, present and its future, our children.”

Har Sinai Congregation in Owings Mills, Md., is the oldest continuously Reform congregation in the United States. The temple offers Jewish Education, family programming, youth activities, adult education and social action activities among other congregational life opportunities. Rabbi Linda Joseph and Cantor Robert Gerber combine Reform Jewish traditions with innovative worship and learning experiences. Har Sinai Congregation welcomes people of all Jewish beliefs as well as interfaith families.