Learn More About the Teachers in Our Jewish School
MEET OUR DEDICATED EDUCATORS
ALYSSA PESSAROFF KISCHEL SCHOOL DIRECTOR
I have been working in Education for 20 years, in formal and informal educational settings. I worked in an after-school program in Lincoln, MA for 10 years, was the Peabody Senior USY Advisor for 5 years, was a Paraprofessional at the Lincoln Preschool for 3 years, was a private nanny for 2.5 years, and worked at the Peabody JCC as an Infant/Toddler teacher for the last 9 years. In 2023, I graduated from Hebrew College, earning my master’s in Jewish education.
This past August, I started a new journey as the Assistant Director at the Congregation Shirat Hayam Center for Early Education. I have been working in the Temple Ner Tamid religious school since we reopened in 2018 as the Assistant Director and Hebrew/tefilah teacher for the students in grades 2-7. I am super excited to be the director of the religious school and I am honored to be a part of something so special to an amazing community.
Growing up as the daughter of Cantor Sam Pessaroff (z”l), his passion for the Jewish religion and teaching the youth left a long-lasting impression. With my own passion for Judaism and teaching, I love to share my knowledge and experiences with today’s youth. I have a great understanding of children of all ages and needs. With my creativity and energy, I like to bring fun and games to myher teaching, as well as making learning personal and meaningful.
In my free time, which is very rare, I enjoy relaxing while watching TV and movies (good or bad), Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream, and watching the Celtics and Patriots! I also love Haribo gummies, the color purple, and I live with my husband, Mike, and our Golden Retriever, Gracie Mae.
JOCELYN ZIMMERMAN [email protected]
Hi! My name is Jocelyn Zimmerman and I am so excited to be a part of the TNT religious school! As a member of Temple Ner Tamid since I was born, I have attended Hebrew school here many years ago and then went to the Epstein Hillel School, formerly known as Cohen Hillel Academy. One of my favorite things about TNT is being able to put my passion of working with young children to use at all times! I remember attending temple services as a child and slowly migrating my way to Jr. Congregation services to help out with the younger children.
I knew I had a passion for working with young children for as long as I can remember! I am a fellow “Brokie”, where I attended Camp Pembroke as a camper for 7 summers, became a CA and traveled to Israel for 5 weeks and then became a counselor for 3 summers. Aside from spending time with my friends and family and shopping, you can find me at “work”! I say “work” because it’s not actually work for me.
I love what I do and wouldn’t change it for the world! I have been working at a childcare center since I was a senior in high school. I teach infants, toddlers and preschoolers. But spend most of my time as a classroom teacher for preschoolers. My favorite part of my job is seeing them grow and develop over time especially those infants who then I see graduate Pre-K when they are about 5 years old!
I graduated from Southern New Hampshire University in the spring of 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education focusing on Early Childhood Education with a minor in Special Education. While at school in New Hampshire I was been a Hebrew school teacher for children ages 3-5 and have been a part of the TNT religious school since 2020. I have loved all of these opportunities and am so excited to teach all of your children so close to home!
Halle Johnson
Hello, my name is Halle Johnson and I’m looking forward to my third year at TNT’s religious school teaching Holidays/Torah Study for 1st-7th grade! Being Jewish has always been a huge part of my life, and education has been one of my biggest passions for as long as I can remember. From attending the former Cohen Hillel Academy, now Epstein Hillel School, to working at the JCC Summer Camps during high school, the Jewish community has always been a source of pride and joy for me. I love teaching the next generation about all the amazing traditions and stories that come with Judaism!
I grew up in Beverly, and graduated from Beverly High School in 2018. I recently graduated from Salem State University with a bachelor’s in Community Education and a minor in psychology, and will be starting my first graduate school class this fall for a Master’s in Special Education. Outside of TNT, I currently work as a private nanny and a preschool teacher at Shirat Hayam Center for Early Education. My overall experience in childcare spans 10 years, and I have learned so much working with all different age groups in a variety of childcare settings including nannying, after school care, community education, camps, and more. In my classrooms, I prefer to follow the “learning through play” philosophies with a wide variety of games, projects, and activities for my students to participate in addition to the core learning materials. I looking forward to working on this years collections of Torah stories, and finding new and exciting ways to learn more about the Jewish. holidays.
Outside of work, you can probably find me at home in Beverly, testing out new cookie and dinner recipes, or reading some of my favorite authors' new releases. In addition to these hobbies, I have a 3 year old Australian Shepherd named Jasper, and have recently become an amateur LEGO builder as well. I can’t wait to welcome everyone back for another great year at Temple Ner Tamid, and am thrilled to meet the new families!
LINDSAY BARBASH [email protected]
Hello! My name is Lindsay Barbash and I am so excited to be a part of the TNT religious school team! I have been a member of the TNT community for most of my life and I attended Hebrew school here as well! I spent many weekends at USY events and I was even on the USY board for 3 years. Now I am back teaching "this and that"! Full Circle!
I am a 5th grade teacher in Everett MA. When I am not working at school I am probably shopping or watercolor painting! I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and playing with my dog Finn .I love art and spend my summers teaching art at a local day camp! I am also a licensed esthetician and love the world of beauty and wellness!
I have always loved working with kids and have a bachelor's degree in education and a masters degree in elementary education as well! I am looking forward to this school year and being a part of your child's religious school journey!
RABBI RICHARD E. PERLMAN
Rabbi Richard E. Perlman was appointed as the Rabbi/Spiritual Leader of Temple Ner Tamid on September 1, 2016. On March 1, 2019, he assumed Cantorial responsibilities. Prior to moving to Peabody, Rabbi Perlman held the pulpit and served as the Spiritual Leader, Hazzan, Director of Education and Executive Director at Temple Am David, a United Synagogue Affiliate, in Warwick Rhode Island, for 15 years he also served as the Rabbi at WBCJC in Warwick.
Rabbi Perlman received his rabbinic ordination in January 2012 and is the Vice President of the Vaad HaRabbonim D’America, (the American Board of Rabbis). Rabbi Perlman received his Yoreh Yoreh S’micha (Rabbinic Ordination) and earned a T’udat Mashgiach (Kashrut Supervisor Certification) from the Vaad.
Rabbi Perlman, also a Cantor (Hazzan), has been a soloist and a member of duets, quartets, and quintets including “The Cantors Perlman” in several cantorial concerts and worship services throughout the United States and Israel. He has led services at Congregation Beth Israel in Bath, Maine and at Temple Beth David in Narragansett, Rhode Island. He taught Jewish studies in the South County Hebrew School and has been a visiting lecturer at many senior social organizations. Rabbi Perlman served as a Judaism lecturer at University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, The New England Technical Institute, LaSalle Academy as well as many various other institutions of learning around the state of Rhode Island. Furthermore, Rabbi Perlman has been instrumental in planning and leading many highly respected and well attended interfaith services with neighboring faith communities.
Rabbi Perlman serves as the Co-President of the North Shore Rabbis and Cantors Association, (NSRCA) and is an active member of The Peabody Clergy Ministerial Association, (PCMA). He is a member of the Board of Rabbis of Greater RI and serves as the Mashgiach liaison for the Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living.
He served for over five years as Chairman of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Rhode Island’s Principals Council.
Rabbi Perlman is quite active in the community serving on an Interfaith Community Dialogue Planning Committee, hosted by the Mayor of Peabody. He actively participates in community programming throughout the year. He attended the Peabody Police Citizens Academy in 2017 and leads Shabbat evening services monthly for the residents at Brooksby Village. Rabbi Perlman visits and teaches at nursing facilities around the North Shore.
Rabbi Richard Perlman and his wife, Kit, are the parents of Jessica, Michael, Owen and Kristina, and proud grandparents of Brady, Ezra, Bryce, Bennett and Eisley.
Contact Rabbi Perlman at [email protected]