Susan Tolchin, Director
Sue joined Westchester Reform Temple in 2004 as director of the Early Childhood Center. Her primary focus is to bring ECC families together so they can interact with one another, become acquainted with the clergy and other congregants, and build a Jewish community. She also concentrates on building a well-rounded curriculum that integrates a STEAM approach to learning and a focus on Jewish values and traditions. An educator for over 30 years, Sue previously served as an assistant director at the JCC of Mid-Westchester in Scarsdale, NY. She has also worked in the classroom as a preschool teacher and taught first grade at Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck, NY. She earned a B.A. in elementary education with honors from Russell Sage College and an M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University.
To contact Sue, please email Sue.Tolchin@wrtemple.org
Rebecca Roseman, Associate Director
Rebecca Roseman joined Westchester Reform Temple as the assistant director of the Early Childhood Center in 2019. Rebecca previously served as the assistant director of Sutton Place Synagogue’s Kaplan Nursery School in New York City. She has worked in the field of early childhood education for nearly two decades, teaching everything from mommy and me classes to pre-kindergarten. Rebecca earned a B.A. in educational studies from Emory University and an M.S.Ed in early childhood general and special education from Bank Street College of Education. She resides in Westchester with her husband Eric and children Charlotte and Jack.
To contact Rebecca, please email rebecca.roseman@wrtemple.org
Ellen Rosenberg, Administrative Assistant
Ellen joined Westchester Reform Temple’s Early Childhood Center in 2011. She holds a B.S. in marketing from Syracuse University. Ellen is always available to help out parents and children in any capacity.
To contact Ellen, please email Ellen.Rosenberg@wrtemple.org
Ellen Weisberg, Social Worker
Ellen Weisberg joined Westchester Reform Temple in 2019 as the social worker for the Early Childhood Center. Ellen has worked as an early childhood mental health and educational consultant for over 30 years. She has worked for Westchester Jewish Community Services as the coordinator of Project SEED, a program designed to support young children’s emotional development. Ellen works with families and teachers in educational settings to provide the best possible environment and experiences for all young children and their families. Ellen earned an A.B. in art and archeology from Washington University, a master’s degree in child study from Tufts University, and a master’s degree in clinical social work from the Simmons University School of Social Work. She also maintains a private practice in Westchester working with children and families.
Joanne Yewdell, Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Joanne is an OTR/L and a pediatric occupational therapist who has been involved with the ECC for several years as a consultant and mentor to the staff. She routinely observes classes and assists teachers in implementing skill building exercises with a “play with a purpose” philosophy. When children are experiencing difficulty with fine motor, visual motor, visual perceptual, or sensory processing skills, Joanne offers strategies and individual plans that teachers can implement in order to assist children in building these skills.
ECC Faculty
Our warm, nurturing teachers are dedicated to creating an environment where children can learn, grow, and feel safe as they begin to gain independence from their parents. Each is educated in child development, with certifications that include master’s and bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education, as well as associate degrees. All are trained in CPR and First Aid, and some are MAT (Medication Administration Training) certified.