Our Staff
Rabbi Danielle Parmenter
Rabbi Danielle Parmenter has worked in the greater Philadelphia Jewish community for more than 15 years teaching Jews of every age from all walks of life. She was ordained in 2014 by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and holds a Master of Judaic Studies degree from Boston University where she focused on medieval Jewish philosophy. For the past 5 years she served as the Rabbi of Congregational Learning at Tiferet Bet Israel in Blue Bell where she cultivated a vibrant young family community, religious school and teen program. Likewise, she served the community rabbinically—nurturing spirituality and a deepened connection to Torah, leading services, officiating life cycle events, and offering a loving and pastoral presence. Danielle is a trained spiritual director and served three years on the board of A Way In a national Jewish Mindfulness organization. She lives in Gwynedd Valley with her husband Scott and two children Henry (11) and Annabel (6). The Parmenter household recently adopted a lively silver lab named Champion. In her free time Danielle enjoys exercising, meditating, catching up with friends, studying Torah, listening to podcasts of Oprah’s super soul conversations and of course watching episodes of Parks and Recreation (hence the name Champion!).
Hazzan Arlyne Unger
Hazzan Arlyne Unger has more than 25 years of experience as a Cantor, B’nai Mitzvah instructor and Jewish Educator. She served in multiple capacities for many years at Beth Tikvah B’nai Jeshurun in Erdenheim, as well as for several years at Beth Am Shalom Reform Congregation in Lakewood, NJ, and at Tiferet Bet Israel in Blue Bell. She is a certified Hazzan Minister through the Cantors Assembly and serves as chairperson of the Cantors Assembly Delaware Valley Region. Arlyne’s husband, Ron, heads a small accounting firm in Jenkintown. Her son, Michael speaks fluent Spanish, tutors on-line students of various ages in Spanish, French and Hebrew, and works at Giant in Willow Grove. Daughter Rebecca works as a school psychologist through the Bucks County Intermediate Unit and serves in several area school districts. Her husband, Ryan, helps run a day program for adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Northeast Philly, and they live nearby in Hatboro with her grand-dog, a rescue pit bull mix named Griffin. At present, the Unger household menagerie boasts two rescue cats. To unwind, Arlyne enjoys walking, playing guitar, watching travel shows on HGTV, and reading and watching police and detective procedurals and thrillers, and of course, listening to music.
Renee Strausberg, Executive Director
Renee grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and had the importance of the Jewish community instilled in her from a very early age. Both her parents were board members at her synagogue and encouraged a love of Judaism so it made sense that even while in college Renee would work for United Synagogue Youth. After graduating from the University of Delaware with a BS in HR with a specialization in program planning for Jewish Youth and Families. She started her career at the JCC of Chicago. She then worked for Ramah Day Camp in Chicago before heading back east to Maryland and began working at her mother's childhood synagogue Ohr Kodesh. In 2012 Renee and her family made the move to Pennsylvania and has become active both professionally and personally in the Philadelphia Jewish community, such as leading Rosh Hodesh groups through Moving Traditions, working as a program and engagement director at an area shul and as Regional USY director. When Renee is not at Darchei Noam you can find her at the gym, in her backyard reading or at the beach. Renee lives in Collegeville with her husband Mark and their 3 daughters, Issabelle, Sarah and Lila.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL STAFF
Shul School Coordinator: Karyn Salkin
Shul School Teachers: Rebecca Baron, Melanie Birger-Bray, Buzz Bray, Jennifer Butler, Margie Kerbel, Janice Schecter, Rebecca Van Wagner
Teen Chayim Coordinator: Sherrie Rosenberg Klein
Teen Chayim Teachers: Larry Ashery, Melanie Birger-Bray, Buzz Bray, Lauren Seder, Lita Weinstein