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, and their golden retriever, Manny.

Rabbi Kevin Bernstein, Education Director 

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

Rabbi Kevin Bernstein joined the staff at GJC as Education Director in the summer of 2008. He has served as an educator at a number of Jewish institutions, including the Raymond and Ruth Perelman Jewish Day School system, Gratz College Jewish Community High School, and several summer camps. Before matriculating at the Reconstructionist Rabbincal College, Kevin lived in Israel for 6 years with his wife Rebecca Meyer and their three daughters. It was upon their return to the United States that he embarked on a career change from veterinary medicine to Jewish Education. Kevin graduated from RRC and joined the rabbinate in 2007. He also serves as a mohel.
 

Alanna Sklover, Student Rabbi 

215-844-1507, Ext. 16
asklover@germantownjewishcentre.org

Alanna Sklover is going into her Modern Year (second to last) at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and is thrilled to be joining the Germantown Jewish Centre community as Student Rabbi.  Before coming to GJC, Alanna worked as Rabbinic Intern at Congregation Beth Or, taught religious school at several congregations in the Philadelphia area, and served as Program Coordinator for No'ar Hadash (the Reconstructionist Youth Movement) and as Youth Activities Director at Congregation Beth Emeth in Willmington, DE.  This past summer, Alanna returned for her second year as Rosh T'fillah at the Ramah Day Camp in Elkins Park.  Alanna was born and raised in Washington, DC and holds a BA in theatre and religion from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD.  She has also studied in Jerusalem at the Conservative Yeshiva and at the Shalom Hartman Institute.   Alanna lives in Germantown with her partner Rebecca. 

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. 

Shoshanna Wiesner, Project Manager & Religious Coordinator

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

Shoshanna returns to the office, having provided administrative support in 2003. In this newly created position, she will be managing special projects, including updates to the website, and building projects. This dual role also supports Rabbi Zeff with Shabbat and b'nei mitzvah honors. Shoshanna has a background in photography and nonprofit development. 
 

Kate Lawn, Administrative Assistant

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, Cedar McGee and Baby Wyatt. 
 

Terry Smerling, Religious School Administrative Assistant

215-844-1507, Ext. 13
tsmerling@germantownjewishcentre.org 

Terry Smerling joined the GJC staff in October 2005 as Religious School Administrative Assistant.  She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Physical Education and, in her free time, she loves to bake and knit. Terry keeps the Religious School office running smoothly and always well stocked with homemade goodies. In fact, many of us know Miss Terry as "The Pretzel Lady" because she initiated and oversees the Wednesday pretzel sale. Terry is married and has three 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.