Rabbi Matthew Berger was drawn to Temple Emanuel because of its proud and distinguished history as a leading congregation in the Reform Movement. A native of New England and an avid Red Sox fan, Rabbi Berger was raised in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, where his family affiliated with Sinai Temple, a Reform congregation. Rabbi Berger attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In May 2003, he was ordained as a rabbi by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Prior to his appointment at Temple Emanuel, Rabbi Berger served for six years as the Associate Rabbi of Temple Chai in Long Grove, Illinois. He is an accomplished musician and composes Jewish liturgical music with voice and guitar. Rabbi Berger comes to Worcester with his wife Ida and son Avi. Most importantly, he is thankful to have found a calling in which he feels at home. He believes it is an honor to serve as an integral link in the chain of Jewish tradition and serve as the spiritual leader of Temple Emanuel.
Rabbi Berger is nurtured and sustained by the love of his spouse, Ida and his two children, Avi and Meital.
Sue Summit brings a familiarity with Temple Emanuel as well as a wealth of talent and experience. Sue has been an active and committed educator for many years. At Temple Emanuel, she has taught in the Religious School and the Early Childhood Center, served as Family Educator, and worked individually with special needs students on their Hebrew skills. As director of the Worcester Community Hebrew High School, Sue has spearheaded its revitalization during the past few years. At the same time, her own education continues through classes at Hebrew College, conferences, and participation in the Hadassah Leadership Academy. The 2009 recipient of thenational Grinspoon-Steinhart Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, Sue brings energy and unwavering devotion to the task of imparting of Jewish ideas and values to our children.
Phyllis Spool Early Childhood Center Director Ext. 19
Phyllis Spool was born and raised in Boston. She and her husband, Richard, have been married for 33 years. They have one daughter, Sarah, who lives in Manhattan.
Phyllis has always enjoyed working with young children. She first realized her love of teaching while living in Israel in the 1960’s and 70’s. There she was given the opportunity with work with young children in the gan yeladim or preschool. The kibbutz sent her to many courses to learn about early childhood education. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education at LesleyCollege in 1976.
She has taught at many of the temples and synagogues in the Worcester area since moving here in 1985. In 2008, she became the director of TempleEmanuelEarlyChildhoodCenter. She has found her home at last.
Kathy Freeburn was born in Worcester and has spent most of her life in New England. She came to TempleEmanuel in 1992 as Executive Assistant to the Clergy, intending to stay a couple of years and has been here ever since. Kathy attended ClarkUniversity, studying Computer Science and Math until the arts took her over! She has written and illustrated three as yet unpublished children’s books and served on the Board of the Central Massachusetts Chapter of the Women’s Caucus for Art. Kathy has designed shows for CMWCA and recently served as a juror for AVAGallery’s 2010 High School show in New Hampshire. Her art has appeared in both juried and invitational shows in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Georgia, Mexico and will be part of the Art Coop’s International Scavenger Hunt Exhibition in Brooklyn, NY in May 2010. Kathy is a Certified Zentangle Teacher, teaching classes to all ages in and around the Worcester area. She is also a member of WCA-NH and ARTSWorcester.
Amy McLaughlin lives in Worcester with her husband, two children and the family dog. Many Temple families already know Amy from their contact with her as a Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Center Mom, a role she will continue with her second child!
As Business Manager, Amy's goal is to provide support to the Temple's leadership as well as the congregation. Her door is open if you have a question or problem with your dues, so stop in and say hello if you are in the building on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning.
When she is not at Temple, Amy can be found either enjoying one of the family-friendly activities Central Massachusetts offers, reading one of her favorite books (fiction) or pursuing her newest interest, knitting.
