Our Staff

Nina Peskin, Executive Director 

215-844-1507, Ext. 12
director@germantownjewishcentre.org

Nina Peskin joined the staff of GJC as Membership Director in the spring of 2010 and assumed the role of Executive Director in November 2010.  Since moving to Philadelphia from the San Francisco Bay Area, Nina has dedicated her professional life to community building first at Temple Beth Zion Beth Israel, where she served as Director of Membership Services, and now at GJC. Nina earned her BA in History at UC Santa Cruz, and her Masters in Education at Chapman University.  In California, Nina worked as a public school teacher, facilitated a poetry class in the San Francisco Jail's Right to Write Project and served as a cantorial soloist at Chochmat Halev.  She has performed with women's ensemble groups Ya Elah and Kitka and now shares her vocal talents with us in our monthly Kol Zimrah service. Nina lives in Mount Airy with her husband, Josh, their daughter Maya and their golden retriever, Manny.

Chana Dickter, Religious School Director 

215-844-1507, Ext. 24
school@germantownjewishcentre.org 

Chana (Ann Ellen) Dickter is thrilled to join the staff of GJC as the Congregational School Director.  Chana has taught in a number of Jewish schools in the area, and most recently was the founding Branch Director of the Gratz Jewish Community High School branch in Reading, PA and the interim Education Director at Cong. Beth Am Israel in Penn Valley.  Prior to  switching  her professional focus to Jewish education,  Chana  was a clinical and educational audiologist and administered hospital-based therapy & diagnostic services, as well as home & community based early intervention programs.  Chana was born & raised in Brooklyn, and has a BA from Brooklyn College and an MS in Communication Disorders from SIU.  Chana is the proud mother of two sons, both now in college .   And for those of you who may hear folks around GJC call her Ann Ellen or AE -  it's not an alter-ego - it just means they have known her for a long time outside of the "Jewish world" that is now her personal & professional focus.

Mindy Pitkofsky, Early Childhood Program Director 

215-844-1510
ecp@germantownjewishcentre.org 

Mindy Pitkofsky joined the staff at GJC in August 2008 as our Early Childhood Program Director. She brings unique and diverse experiences to her position at GJC. After having taught in many pre-schools in Bucks County, she began her Jewish education career as a pre-school teacher for Jewish Federation of Philadelphia. As Pre-School Director for Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, N.J., Mindy was responsible for the daily administration of the center. Mindy set up and ran a full-day Head Start program for the homeless, and designed marketing and promotional materials for the Agency. She also has extensive managerial experience in workforce development. Mindy lives with her husband, Gary, in Holland, Bucks County. She is the proud mother of two children and an adoring grandmother. 

Elana Shaw, Program Director 

215-844-1507, Ext. 19
program@germantownjewishcentre.org 

Elana Shaw began working part-time for GJC in September 2004 as Synaplex Coordinator. She eagerly joined the staff in a full-time capacity in August 2005 as Program Director. Elana brings with her a wealth of knowledge, passion and experience working with Jewish communities in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. After completing a Joint M.A. in Jewish Communal Service and Judaic Studies at the Hornstein Program of Brandeis University, she most recently worked as Assistant Director of the Community Youth Initiative of the JCCs of Greater of Philadelphia. Elana, her husband Brian, their daughters Hannah and Gavriela, and dog Nava, live in Mt. Airy. 

Gloria Geissler, Finance Director 

215-844-1507, Ext. 15
finance@germantownjewishcentre.org 

Gloria Geissler joined the staff of GJC as Finance Director in November 2004. She came with over 15 years of experience working with non-profit organizations in the Philadelphia area. 

Abby Weinberg, Religious Coordinator

215-844-1507, Ext. 14
aweinberg@germantownjewishcentre.org  

Kate Lawn, Administrative Operations Manager

215-844-1507, Ext. 10
office@germantownjewishcentre.org 

Kate is thrilled to join the GJC Mishpoche! With a background in Theatre and Russian Literature, Kate loves using her creativity in an administrative capacity. For the past ten years, her administrative experience has spanned the spectrum from managing a small chiropractic office to running a large childcare center. Just as she loved building relationships with the parents in her center and the patients in the office, she is looking forward to working with you at GJC. Kate resides in Mt. Airy with her husband, Fran, and two children. 
 

Eric Word, Maintenance Supervisor

215-844-1507, Ext. 11
maintenance@germantownjewishcentre.org 

Eric Word has been working at GJC since 1988 and values the relationships he has formed within the community since he first came to the Centre at age 5 and started working here at age 14.  Needless to say, he knows the building inside and out. Eric was born in Germantown and has lived in Philadelphia his whole life.  He enjoys sports, movies and learning new things.  In his free time, Eric likes to relax and spend time with his son.