Talia Elliott, Director of Operations
Talia is the Peah Garden Director for the temple & Judaic and Nature Curriculum Coordinator at the Nursery School. With more than 20 years of teaching experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, Talia has a broad range of skills. She taught infants, toddlers and preschoolers, developed nature-rich curricula and led young children in Judaic studies. Talia is fluent in Hebrew. She effectively supports our bilingual students and organically involves all children and adults at the Nursery School into the process of learning Hebrew words, songs, and blessings. Talia studied at Solomon Schechter Day School and later at Hebrew College Prozdor as well as Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva. Talia is passionate about working with children outdoors and developing our gardening program with a Jewish lens.
Connect with Talia, ext 110
Lovelynn Ivey, Senior Director of Development & Membership
Lovelynn has been a temple member since 2012, is a past board member, project managed High Holy Days during Covid, and is a proud mum of two children who excelled in the religious school programs at Temple Shalom. With over 30 years of experience in fundraising, event production, business operations, and membership engagement, and now having launched her youngest into college, she has come home to Temple Shalom.
She is passionate about fostering connections, inspiring growth, and making things happen.
Lovelynn enjoys swing dancing, sailing on Lake Sunapee with her husband, and drinking wine with friends.
Connect with Lovelynn, ext 102
Scott Shore, Financial and Administrative Coordinator
Scott Shore joined the staff at Temple Shalom in September 2022. He previously worked for many years at a physical therapy clinic, in the front office, performing various administrative and financial tasks. He currently resides in Wilmington unencumbered by roommates. Scott enjoys watching and attending various sporting events, especially those involving Boston’s professional teams, the Connecticut Sun and Northeastern hockey.
Connect with Scott, ext. 104
Mitchell Benedetti, Office Manager
Mitchell Benedetti joined the Temple Shalom staff in August of 2024 at the height of High Holy Day planning! Mitchell comes to us with a background in Art and Higher Education Administration in which he was most recently running new student orientation and clubs for a small private art college. He is excited for his new role as Office Manager, and is beyond excited to meet the vibrant and welcoming community of Temple Shalom! When Mitchell isn't behind his desk, he enjoys being in the outdoors, crafting, and playing videos games!
Connect with Mitchell, ext. 103
Eleanor Boschert, Event & Scheduling Manager
Eleanor has been a part of Temple Shalom since 2014 when she brought her hospitality experience to all things events. After catering and organizing many celebrations, she has pivoted into her role as Events Manager where she connects with congregants and families as they experience life’s milestones. She works with families on planning their BMitzvah celebrations and enjoys guiding them through their celebratory journey.
A Texas native, Eleanor is a happy New England transplant who actually enjoys winter. She’s a writer and adventurous spirit who is curious about the people, places, and things around her. She loves to travel and wander in far away places, get lost in a well-written book, dabble in pop culture, good music, and is a lover of animals and the natural world. She’s also a mom to two amazing grown children, Nicholas and Lily, who have successfully launched!
Eleanor loves to chat, connect with people, and is always one for a hug, a moment to listen, and a laugh at the absurdity and joy of life.
Connect with Eleanor, ext. 108
Alonso Batista, Facilities
Alonso is dedicated to maintaining a safe and clean Temple. He lives in Framingham with his family.
Learning and Engagement Staff
Lucy Banerji, Temple Shalom Nursery School Director
Lucy became director of the Temple Shalom Nursery School in 2017. Lucy studied psychology and sociology of childhood at Saratov State University, Russia and holds a doctorate in Sociology of Childhood. She is passionate about children's rights, equity, inclusion and anti-bias curriculum. Lucy's professional experience includes work with preschool children, academic research and teachers' training, including at Tufts University.
Connect with Lucy, ext. 119
Liz Corman Shiro, Co-Director of Learning & Engagement
Liz has been with Temple Shalom since 2013. Liz wants to help our kids and families find their connection to Judaism. She values mentoring teachers and helping teachers find their authentic voice in their teaching. Liz received her Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew College in 2007. She has also completed the MEAH program through Hebrew College and the DeLeT program through Brandeis University. Liz lives in Sharon with her husband Lee, their twin girls, Eliana and Rose, their son, Jacob and their dog, Luna.
Connect with Liz, ext. 112
Marriah Vengroff, Co-Director of Learning & Engagement
Marriah grew up primarily in Storrs, Conn., but has lived in Newton Centre for a decade. Marriah’s family joined the Temple Shalom community in 2013 when her son, Henry, entered the Nursery School. She was a history major at Wheaton College and earned her Masters of Education from Regis College. She taught elementary school in Weston for two years. Marriah and her husband, Chris, both avid volleyball players, are the parents of Henry and Norah.
Connect with Marriah, ext. 111
Becca Yudkoff, Director of Early Childhood Engagement
Becca joined Temple Shalom staff in 2017. She has a bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Lesley University and a masters in Early Childhood Education from the University of British Columbia. She taught elementary school for six years before becoming the Program Director at a community center in Beacon Hill. Becca lives in Newton with her husband, Ben, and their three children. Becca enjoys singing, biking, sewing and going out to hear live music - especially if it involves a banjo!
Connect with Becca, ext. 118
Linda Garmon
Linda Garmon is very happy to join Temple Shalom as the Learning & Engagement Programming Assistant. She has worked as a Project Assistant for the Polus Center, a non-profit which helps people with disabilities; as the Community Outreach Coordinator for A Place to Turn in Natick and as a professional organizer. Linda raised her two adult daughters in Ashland, MA and now lives in Watertown. She and her daughters, Rachel and Amanda, all enjoyed summers at Camp Young Judaea in Amherst, NH.
A graduate of Brandeis University, she grew up in Wellesley, and is proud that her late parents were founding members of Temple Beth Elohim. Linda loves animals and enjoys pet sitting for dogs and cats since she currently doesn't have one. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going for walks, Mah Jongg, knitting and crocheting, live music of all kinds and theater, especially Broadway musicals!
Connect with Linda, ext 107
Mitchell Harris, Lead Teacher and Administrative Assistant for Jewish Learning and Living
Mitchell grew up in West Newton, and in many ways he has grown up at Temple Shalom. His family joined Temple Shalom when he was in fourth grade, and the journey has never stopped. In addition to discovering his passion for Jewish learning while preparing to become a Bar Mitzvah, Mitchell uncovered his love for Jewish living through his participation and leadership in Temple Shalom’s youth group and the regional Jewish youth organization NFTY-Northeast. He then used this experience while serving in several leadership positions, including Executive Vice President, in the Hillel program at Clark University in Worcester, MA. He earned a BA in Communication & Culture and a Minor in Management from Clark. In Worcester, he also worked in the marketing and communications department at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Since 2012, Mitchell has returned to Temple Shalom and served in many educational positions, including head classroom teacher and classroom aide. He is excited to continue serving this community now as Administrative Assistant for Jewish Learning and Living, while still teaching children in Small Group Hebrew. He lives in Watertown and enjoys swimming, traveling, meeting new people, listening to good music, and anything having to do with game shows or trivia.
Josh Conescu, Lead Teacher
Josh Conescu (he/him) has been teaching "Jewish" in the Boston area for almost 25 years. It all began right here, one Shabbat before Torah Study. (Former Education Director) Julie Vanek walked in and asked if anyone might be interested in teaching a Sunday class in the Religious School. "Well, I'm a teacher," he thought, "...and I'm going to drive my kids here on Sunday mornings anyway..." Thus began his journey into Jewish education. He is happy to say he's never looked back.
Nancy Peel, Lead Teacher
Nancy joined the Temple Shalom staff in June of 2020, but has worked in Jewish Education for over 20 years. She has taught Hebrew School at almost every age level and is also a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor. Nancy also taught Public School in Jacksonville, Florida as well as several towns in Massachusetts. She lives in Mansfield with her husband Tom and has 3 grown children. Nancy also enjoys pickleball, biking and playing mahjongg!