New WJC Teen Engagement Manager

Dear WJC Members:

I am very happy to share the news that Jessica Berger has been hired as the new WJC Teen Engagement Manager beginning July 1! In her new role, Jessica will oversee all aspects of the WJC teen program, including cultivating/building relationships with our teens, working with the teen board in developing leadership skills, and empowering teens to create powerful Jewish experiences. Please read below about Jessica’s background and the skills that she will be bringing to the teen program.

Many of our teens and their families are already familiar with Jessica in her current role as the Religious School Assistant Principal, which she will be continuing. We are especially excited about the potential for Jessica to help build bridges between the Religious School and teen programs. Jessica will spend the summer getting to better know the teen community and beginning the planning of the 2024-25 year. Please feel free to contact her at: jessica@wjcenter.org

David Goldstein

 

About Jessica Berger

Jessica Rothstein Berger, MSW, was born and raised in Portland, Oregon and currently lives in Stamford, CT. She has worked consistently in the Jewish communal world since she was 16 years old, starting as a senior counselor and unit head at B’nei B’rith camp in Oregon. Jessica’s many roles have included Camp and Youth Services Director in Savannah, GA, Director of Community Programming at Central Synagogue in Manhattan, and Director of Community Programming and In-House Social Worker at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in Manhattan. Additionally, Jessica has taught religious school, primarily with middle and high school aged students, for over 20 years. Jessica also spent 15 years volunteering with BBYO in New Jersey, creating her own original programming, as well as guiding and mentoring the elected youth leaders as they learned to write and develop their own programs.

Outside of her extensive work in Jewish programming and education, Jessica’s passion has led her to volunteer her time and energy as the President of the Parents Association at Sara Walker Nursery School in Stamford, CT. She was also a member of the Leadership Committee of the Stamford Kindness Project, which brought together community leaders and institutions, Jewish and otherwise, from the Stamford Area to encourage love, positivity and kindness amidst the increased antisemitism stemming from recent tragedies in Israel since October 7th.

When not engaged with the larger community that she cares so deeply about, Jessica enjoys time with her husband, Ben, and two children, Mari and Micah building LEGO, taking hikes, and traveling. Through art, creativity and imagination she hopes to instill in them the same consuming passion she feels in their own endeavors.