September/October/November 2012 - Congregation Mishkan Tefila

Meet the CMT
Jewish Educators
Rabbi Marcia Plumb, Associate Rabbi, came to CMT from London’s Akiva
School and Sha’arei Tsedek Synagogue. For 15 years, she served as the Director
of Spiritual Formation at the Leo Baeck College, a rabbinic seminary in London,
and prior to that, served as the Rabbi at the North London Progressive Synagogue
and Congregation Beth Shalom in Connecticut. Hoping to lead others on a
path towards spiritual enlightenment, Rabbi Plumb founded Neshama: For
Spiritual Wellbeing, a center for spiritual reflection, meditation and the study of
Mussar literature. Rabbi Plumb has recently moved to the Boston area, with her
husband, Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire, and their two children, Anya and Micah.
Rabbi Plumb will lead monthly Friday night and Saturday morning family
services. She will also teach adult education courses, and lead occasional Nursery
School Havdalah and Shabbat services. Rabbi Plumb’s vibrancy is the perfect
match for Rabbi Gordon’s verve and we look forward to sharing Shabbat, holidays
and classes with her.
Wendy Handler, Director of Youth and Family Programs, is a longtime CMT
member and has made a career out of touching lives, within our congregation and
elsewhere. Wendy previously served as our Me’ah Coordinator, Family Educator
and Youth Director, and currently volunteers on our Family Table Committee.
Prior to Mishkan, Wendy was involved in Jewish academic outreach at Boston
University Hillel.
CMT has played an important role in Wendy’s life over the past 20 years; her
children Michael, Jessie and Kayla are all graduates of our Nursery School.
Michael and Jessie celebrated their bnei mitzvah at CMT, and Kayla will be
celebrating hers shortly. Wendy is delighted to welcome back her husband, Steve,
who just completed his term as a CMT Vice-President. She is looking forward
to developing and managing all youth and family education programs, family
services, and Bnei Mitzvah program – and contributing further to our vibrant and
vital community.
Erin Gubert, Religious School Director, is a much-loved and respected religious
school teacher. Erin has been with Mishkan Tefila for six years in both the
Nursery School and Religious School. She was the head teacher of the opening
team at Gan Shelanu, the preschool at Solomon Schechter of Greater Boston,
and spent many years leading junior congregation both in Newton and in Staten
Island, NY. Erin is an alumna of Brandeis University, holds a Certificate in
Early Childhood Jewish Education from Hebrew College, and is completing a
M.A. in that field.
Erin has three children: Daniel, Tristan and Mariana, all of whom attended
Religious School at Mishkan Tefila. She loves giving children the opportunity
to explore both their world and their Jewishness through fun, humor, joyful
conversation and experiences.