Meet our Education Team
Rabbi Amy heads up our education team and sets the direction by which we implement the ISJL curriculum, a proven religious school curriculum which provides spiraling curriculum for each grade level in ten key content areas. She teams with our Board of Directors and Education VP to establish education policy, and teams with our Education Coordinator and Administrator to run the religious school. None of this would work if it wasn't for the efforts of our dedicated team of teachers! Read more below about our team members.
Janine Freeman
Education Coordinator
Janine has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Southern California, and a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law. Janine taught high school students in a clinical law program during law school and loves working with kids. She served as counsel to the Aging Subcommittee and chief counsel to the Special Committee on Aging in the US Senate. She has also been a Special Assistant US Attorney for DC and a Trial Attorney for the Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
Janine has a passion for helping others that extends beyond her professional career. Her community contributions include: being a Guardian Ad Litem (court appointed person who acts as representative for a child in a custody proceeding); working with a literacy program called Everybody Wins; making sandwiches for the homeless; helping autistic children and volunteering with Spirits in Action.
Janine tells us: "I am so excited to be a part of the Beth Chaverim community! As the education coordinator, I have the opportunity to help coordinate substitute teachers, fill in as a substitute teacher, plan fun social activities for the children, work with the madrichim, and even teach some art classes. I love the warm, close connections here and look forward to getting to know everyone!"
Lisa Zimmerman
Temple Administrator
Lisa Zimmerman has a B.A. from James Madison University where she double majored in Political Science and International Affairs. After spending some time in the business sector following her graduation, she gained the position of Administrative Assistant for United Christian Parish of Reston. Lisa enjoyed her work in community building within a faith group, and was thrilled to apply her skills in community organizing and administration at Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation.
Lisa grew up with a Reform Jewish background, attending Agudath Sholom Synagogue in Lynchburg, VA in her youth, and becoming a bat mitzvah at Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell, GA.
As Temple Administrator for BCRC, Lisa finds joy in the shared mission and the friendly atmosphere of the congregation, and values the temple’s commitment to fostering social, worship, and educational opportunities for all ages both inside and outside of the the temple doors. If you have questions on programs within our community or if you would like to get involved, you can reach Lisa in the office at office@bcrcva.org, or 703-729-1659.
Rachel Strasburg
VP Education
Rachel has a B.A. in Communications and M.Ed in Educational Leadership. She currently teaches Middle School Special Education. Rachel started as a Head Start teacher and then spent nine years as a Preschool Principal.
Rachel is very excited about becoming more involved in the community not only as an educator but as a voice for children and families.
Our Teachers
Pre-K and K Combined – Stacia Villagomez
1st grade – Robyn Colon
2nd grade – Stephanie Glasser
3rd grade Hebrew – Jason Soifer
3rd grade Judaics – David Suarez
4th grade Hebrew – shared by Anne Suazo and Carolyn Angioli
4th grade Judaics – Lori Labell
5th grade Hebrew and Judaics – Taylor Medoff
6th grade Hebrew – Andrea Gallant
6th grade Judaics – Dr. Carol Currier
7th grade Hebrew – Lori Labell
7th grade Judaics – J.P. Villadrouin