Our Staff

JENNIFER LEVIN-TAVARES: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jennifer grew up in Tennessee in a background of conservative Judaism. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Indiana University, Jennifer attained her law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law. She went on to hold management posts at National Public Radio and Yale University before starting her career in synagogue administration in 1997. Prior to coming to Ohef Sholom, Jennifer served as Executive Director of Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, CT and Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland, FL. Jennifer is active in the National Association for Temple Administration. She is a former Board member and Secretary as well as chair of NATA’s mentoring program. She attained senior status in 2013 and earned her Fellow in Temple Administration in 2014.

Jennifer Levin-Tavares
ed@ohefsholom.org
757-625-4295

Charles Woodward: Music Director

Charles Woodward has served as Music Director of Ohef Sholom Temple since 1982. In addition, he is the Music Director of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk, and the Artistic Director and Conductor of The Virginia Chorale, the Commonwealth’s premier professional choral ensemble. From 1986-1993, Mr. Woodward was the choral director and collaborative pianist for the Governor’s School for the Arts. During the spring of 2016, he served as director of the Christopher Newport University Chamber Choir.

As pianist, Mr. Woodward is a frequent collaborator in both vocal and instrumental chamber concerts, having performed with the Virginia Arts Festival, Virginia Chamber Players, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and Norfolk Chamber Consort, among others; at the Phillips Collection (Washington, D.C.), Jordan Hall (Boston), and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival; and, in Germany and Italy. In April 2011, he served as Principal Coach for the premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s Rappahannock County, a music theater work co-commissioned by the Virginia Opera and Virginia Arts Festival. Mr. Woodward’s performances have been heard on American Public Media’s Performance Today.

Charles Woodward holds the master of music degree from Northwestern University and has served on the adjunct music faculties of The College of William and Mary, Christopher Newport University, and Old Dominion University.

Alyson Morrissey: Director of lifelong learning

I obtained my undergraduate degree from Old Dominion University in Education, specifically Physical Education and Health. I then went on to earn my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I have spent the last 6 years teaching in the OST Hebrew and Religious School, with the last two as the Hebrew Coordinator. I look forward to my new role as Director of Lifelong Learning.

As the Director of Lifelong Learning, I oversee all educational programming. This includes our Hebrew and Religious School, B’nai Mitzvah prep, youth group, and adult and family programming. I strive to provide an engaging and innovative approach to Jewish learning.

I am the proud mom to 3 amazing kids. Leia, a recent high school graduate who will be attending UVA in the fall of 2022 to study architecture. Jacob, a junior at Granby High School in the IB program. And Elijah, who is a high school freshman in the IB program at Granby. All three kids are products of OST’s Hebrew and Religious School. I am also married to my high school sweetheart of 23 years, Chris. Chris is a government contractor and an officer in the Naval Reserves. In our spare time my family enjoys traveling. You will typically find us at Disney, on a Disney Cruise, or traveling to a baseball stadium to check another one off our list. I also enjoy reading, running, and riding my Peloton.

Jim Dunn: Administrative Coordinator

Fun Facts About Me:

I originally started as a temp guy filling in as Administrator for Rabbi Forman 23 years ago … and have been here in some capacity ever since.

Liz Vincent: Clergy administrative assistant

As Clergy Assistant, I provide administrative support for the Rabbi and Cantor. Contact me if you need to meet with Rabbi Roz or Cantor Jen or if you need a B’nai Mitzvah date for your child. I also coordinate logistics for the Temple events with staff, vendors and committees.

Fun Facts About Me:
I have a 2 year old boy, Mathias.
I have a cat named Pickles.
I have 2 sisters, 2 brothers, 5 nieces and 6 nephews.
I love to sing and I have starred in 5 musicals- and 4 Purimspiels.

Eric Eaton: Controller

I am originally from New York, about an hour south of Buffalo. I graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics. I have worked in finance and accounting for 15 years in multiple industries from Sole Proprietorships to Private Postsecondary Education. As Temple’s Controller, I oversee all financial and accounting processes as well as Temple’s Human Resources needs.

Eric Eaton
bookkeeper@ohefsholom.org

Burgess Hodges: Graphic Design

I was raised by a village at Temple Sinai in Portsmouth, and was a member when it merged with Ohef Sholom. I have taught various Sunday School Classes here and at Temple Sinai. I have created art in many forms over the years from miniatures, to painting, cakes, and more. You can see some of my work in my Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/shop/CovertMiniatures I am engaged to a wonderful man and planning a wedding for the Fall. I have a handsome and ridiculous black cat named Aegon. I attended The Governor’s School for Art, The Corcoran School of Art, and VCU.

Burgess Hodges
graphics@ohefsholom.org

Gillian Donovan: Operations manager

I have worked with Ohef Sholom for ten years since 2005. As Operations Manager, I oversee the maintenance, appearance and safety of our building and grounds by working closely with our IT, landscaping, cleaning and security personnel. I am the primary staff person for all Services, Life-Cycle Events, Shabbat Dinners, Soup Kitchen, and Private functions. I especially enjoy working for the Religious School. I serve on the House Committee, Security and Emergency Preparedness Committee, and the Homeless Task Force. I am also the Temple’s acting Kitchen Manager.

Gillian Donovan
gillian@ohefsholom.org

Jim Gurlea: building engineer

Jim Gurlea
maintenance@ohefsholom.org

Erin miller: archivist

As archivist, it is my joy and responsibility to preserve the records, papers, and collections that belong to the Ohef Sholom Archives. Archiving is an important process that allows these primary documents to continue to be accessible in the future.

My husband, Michael, and I have two children, Nicholas (16) and Nina (11). Before coming to OST, I worked at Slover Library. I am currently finishing my Masters Degree in Library Science with a concentration in Archives and Special Collections.

Contact me if you have questions, donations, or would like to volunteer. I look forward to meeting you!

Kathryn morton: INTRO TO JUDAISM INSTRUCTOR

Kathryn Harris Morton grew up in Norfolk a secular American. At age 23 she was invited to become book columnist for the Virginian-Pilot newspaper, for whom she also wrote occasional features and editorials over the next two decades. Her essays have appeared in books as well as in periodicals as diverse as Mademoiselle and the New York Times Book Review and she’s been quoted in Scientific American. She taught for ODU’s Writing Center. In the 1980s, during the time of the illness and death of her middle child, she began to discover Judaism. With her husband and three surviving children, Kathryn converted at Ohef Sholom in 1988 and began teaching Sunday school and Hebrew school, going on to train 50+ OST bar and bat mitzvah students before then spending 16 years as Director of Education for Temple Israel and six years as Principal of the United Hebrew School. Her book Judaic Artisans Today was published in 2000. In retirement and widowhood Kathryn returned to OST to sing in the choir and take on various teaching tasks. She began teaching the Intro to Judaism course in 2017.

Paul & Robyn Weiner: OSTY Teen Advisors

“Helping the next generation blossom.” That is how Robyn Weiner describes her joint role as new teen advisor for Ohef Sholom Temple, along with her husband, Paul. When Paul was a teen, his NFTY youth group was a source of leadership training and temple connection. Robyn came up through the United Synagogue Youth movement in Florida. The couple recently relocated from Fredericksburg, VA, in January 2016. Robyn got a job with The Virginian-Pilot as a reporter. They learned about Ohef Sholom from their involvement with the Young Adult Division of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

Paul’s experience includes leadership training from the Coast Guard, a business management degree and sports officiating. He’s also licensed to teach middle and high school English and social studies and is pursuing a teaching career. Robyn is a leader with the Society of Professional Journalists, and brings experience in coordinating professional conferences and trainings.