EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Barbara S. Simon

Barbara Spector Simon brings to the position of Executive Director a love of Jewish learning, ritual, and synagogue life.  Barbara grew up in southwest Philadelphia and attended Beth Am Israel, a Conservative congregation which was the focal point of the community’s religious, social, and educational life.  She is a graduate of Temple University with a B.A. in English Literature and M.S. in Psychology of Reading.

Barbara and her husband David moved to Syracuse twenty years ago and they have been a part of the Temple Adath Community since then. David and Barbara are blessed with three wonderful children, all who have celebrated life cycle events on the Adath pulpit and have attended our religious school.  Barbara has been involved as a lay leader for the past sixteen years, serving as a Sisterhood President, a member of the Executive Board of the Board of Directors and as a Vice President of the congregation.

Her most recent professional position was that of managing a busy, three physician medical practice.  This gave Barbara experience in human resources, computer technology, and financial management.  On a daily basis she interacted with a large number of patients, physicians, and vendors in a customer service capacity.

For Barbara, the best part of her position is the ability to interact with our membership on a daily basis.  She encourages you to stop by her office to exchange a few words.  Barbara has a love of Temple Adath’s past, present, and a commitment to its future viability, growth, and presence in the Syracuse Jewish community. 

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION: Devorah Lowenstein

Devorah Young Lowenstein grew up at Temple Adath Yeshurun, and is thrilled to be returning home to Temple Adath as the Director of Education. She brings strong academic credentials, and 14 years of experience in day schools, religious schools, public school, Jewish youth groups and camps.  

After graduating from Jamesville DeWitt High School, Devorah earned a BA from Barnard College in Urban Affairs and Environmental Science, as well as a B.A. from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Literature.  She then went to work as the Youth Director at Congregation Agudath Israel in Caldwell, NJ, before being selected as a New York City Teaching Fellow.  Devorah ran an inquiry based science laboratory in the South Bronx while earning her MS in childhood education at Lehman College of the City University of New York.

Devorah moved to Atlanta in 2003, and ran a learning lab for children who learn differently.  She was trained and accepted as an Associate Orton Gillingham practitioner for children with dyslexia.  Devorah was a founding faculty member of Rambam Atlanta Day School, where she taught general studies to first, second and third graders. 

As the Director of Education, Devorah has three goals for the Youth Department.

• Provide positive Jewish experiences in a welcoming, nurturing environment.
• Teach content and skills so that young people will become literate Jews.
• Give young people tools to continue their own Jewish exploration. 

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