Our Staff
TARA FEINER
Executive Director
Tara joined Congregation Beth El in September 2025 and is excited to be part of the Beth El community! Tara comes to us with over 20 years of leadership experience across the Jewish communal service and public education sectors, a love of Judaism, a passion for building and facilitating connections and community, and a desire to help others connect to their Jewish identities in ways that are meaningful for them.
Immediately prior to joining Beth El, Tara served for 10 years as the Executive Director of Jewish Family Services at the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton. In Dayton, she also served on Beth Abraham Synagogue’s Executive Committee in various roles, including Secretary and Vice President of Programming. While in Dayton, Tara earned her Executive Masters in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute for Leadership and Learning in Chicago, IL.
Tara is originally from the Philadelphia area. Prior to moving to Dayton in 2014, she worked in the School District of Philadelphia’s central administration for 15 years. When she left Philadelphia in 2014, she was the Executive Director of Federal Programs supporting grant implementation, compliance, and audit resolution. Tara graduated from the University of Pennsylvania summa cum laude with a B.A. in Mathematics and a M.S. in Education; she also holds a Principal Certification from Drexel University.
It is Tara’s honor to follow her brother, Josh Laster, as Executive Director of Beth El. And, more than that, she is going into the family business of “being Jewish.” Her father was a synagogue Executive Director, and her mother was a Jewish funeral director.
Tara is thrilled to return to the east coast, join the Beth El community, and be closer to family. One of Tara’s favorite titles is “Aunt Tara”! When not at work, Tara enjoys spending time with her husband, Adam, and their two cats, Lucy and Bisque.
If you are Beth El, please visit her office and introduce yourself. You will be rewarded with a warm smile and chocolate!
Contact: Email Tara or call 856.675.1166 x405
RABBI NOGAH MARSHALL
Educational Director
Rabbi Nogah Marshall is thrilled to be part of the Beth El community. The eldest of five children born to a rabbinic family with a father, brother and sister-in-law all rabbis, the synagogue has always been a home away from home. Prior to her arrival to Congregation Beth El, she served as the Educational Director at Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley, PA for 10 years and before that, as the Rabbi and Director of Education at Temple Emanu-El in Palm Beach, FL. Rabbi Marshall created and coordinated exciting programs, including a B’nai Mitzvah ceremony for adults with special needs for which she received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the JFCS of West Palm Beach as well as numerous Solomon Schechter Awards.
Rabbi Marshall has focused her work on children, families, and special needs individuals. She specializes in creative curriculum development, family & adult education, and building a passionate, inclusive, nurturing Jewish community. Her educational philosophy centers on experiential education coupled with religious observance, “One of my goals is to create a love of Judaism in my students so that they want to learn and incorporate it in their daily lives. This can be done by creating a solid foundation and a strong sense of community. It’s not just about education, but about community.”
Rabbi Marshall received her Bachelor of Arts cum laude in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University, a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University, and was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Hebrew Letters. While attending Brandeis University, Rabbi Marshall was a member of the swim team, violinist in the Orchestra, as well as a member of the traveling Israeli dance troupe, B’yachad. She loves to travel and has a strong passion and love for the State of Israel. And one of her hidden talents is juggling!
Rabbi Marshall, her husband Scott and their children Karni, Eyden, Austin and Jaclyn are thrilled to be a part of the Beth El family.
Contact: Email Rabbi Marshall or call 856.675.1166 x419
JESSICA SHERMAN
Early Childhood Center Director
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and brings over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She has spent 15 of those years in leadership roles and is excited to bring her background and knowledge to Beth El’s ECC. She is passionate about building strong relationships with both families and students, always prioritizing the care and development of every child. Her own education began in a Jewish preschool and she highly values the blend of traditional and Judaic education. Outside of the classroom, Jessica enjoys cheering on Philly sports teams, relaxing at the beach, and spending quality time with her family.
Contact: Email Jessica or call 856.675.1166 x420
MARISSA KIMMEL
Engagement Director
Marissa is excited to be a part of the Beth El community! Growing up in Voorhees but spending the past 9 years in Pennsylvania, it was time for Marissa to come home to South Jersey. She is excited to bring her love of Judaism, synagogues, and community to Congregation Beth El.
Prior to joining Beth El, Marissa was the Director of Membership & Programming at Temple Sholom in Broomall, a Reform congregation in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, since 2015. Before a career in Jewish Communal Service/synagogues, Marissa was an elementary school teacher in Philadelphia and Deptford. She graduated from Muhlenberg College with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and K-6 Teaching Certification.
Joining Marissa are her husband Dave, daughter Violet (4), and son Dawson (2). Both kids are attending the ECC and thrilled to be here making new friends! Please stop by her office and introduce yourself where you can always find chocolate and Diet Coke! When Marissa is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, trying new restaurants, or catching up on the latest show or movie.
Contact: Email Marissa or call 856.675.1166 x418
STACY MANNING
Controller
Stacy Manning joined Congregation Beth El in July 2019. Prior to joining Beth El, Stacy worked at Congregation Beth Chaim as the accounting manager.
Stacy was born in Brooklyn, NY. When she was 7, her family relocated to East Windsor, NJ, where she grew up. Stacy is married to Ken and has two sons, Nicholas and Bradley, who keep her very active. Stacy’s greatest enjoyment in life is being a mom! She likes spending time working out, reading, relaxing and enjoying time with her family and friends.
Contact: Email Stacy or call 856.675.1166 x403
AYELET MITTELMAN
Administrative Director
Ayelet comes to Beth El with over 20 years of management and healthcare experience. Ayelet started her journey with Beth El at the beginning of 2018 with our ECC and worked her way up to ECC Director – a role that she cherished. She is most proud of the incredible teachers she was lucky enough to work with. Ayelet recently transitioned from ECC Director to Administrative Director and is looking forward to supporting our Beth El community in every way possible! Ayelet and her husband Matt joined Beth El in 2016. Their daughter Maya started in our ECC as a Toddler and recently celebrated her Bat Mitzvah; and their daughter Sadie started in our ECC at 7 weeks old and is about to graduate our Kindergarten!
Please make sure to stop by and say hi, don’t be shy about asking for help and if you ever need some chocolate, know that Ayelet always has some on hand!
Contact: Email Ayelet or call 856.675.1166
LAURA BRUZZESE-COSCIA
Account Manager
Laura came to Beth El in 1991 as a temp, where she worked with Yaffa Fuchs in the Religious School. It didn’t take long to find out it was a good fit. Laura worked with the Religious School for several years then left as she and her husband Dominic moved to the shore area for his job. Another job-related move brought her back to the area and back to Beth El in 1997 just as our beautiful “new” Voorhees building was being built. Construction had begun, the plans for the new ECC were underway and she got to be a part of it! The next several years were great, Laura loved her position and her son, Joseph, attended ECC. Sadly, her husband of over 20 years became ill and passed away, but with the love and support of her mom, family, friends and her Beth El family, she was able to slowly piece life back together.
In 2002 Laura began working in our Accounting Department where she has been ever since. She says that there is never a day that she wakes up and doesn’t want to come to work. “I love the people I work with and feels blessed and thankful every day!”
Contact: Email Laura or call 856.675.1166 x404
CLAUDIA STERNBERG
Marketing & Communications Manager
Claudia was born and raised in Mexico City, where she studied Industrial and Graphic Design. Her professional career began in advertising in Miami, FL. Before joining Beth El in April 2023, she held the position of Art & Communications Director for 9 years at B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton, where she produced a wide range of print and digital projects. She is grateful for the opportunity to work closely with the clergy and department heads, and is experienced in all aspects of marketing and communications for synagogue events, holiday celebrations and fundraisers.
Contact: Email Claudia or call 856.675.1166 x427
ALYSSA GROSS
Events & Programs Manager
FAYE SHAPIRO
B’nai Mitzvah & Synagogue Ritual Coordinator
VALERIE GROSS
Educational Administrative Assistant
Valerie grew up in Harrisburg, PA. After graduating from Ohio University, she moved to Philadelphia, where she was a paralegal for a law firm. She brings 30 years of office experience with her.
After marrying Larry, Valerie was excited to relocate to South Jersey, where her husband grew up. Joining Beth El shortly after moving to Voorhees, they raised their son, Seth and twin daughters, Alyssa and Hannah. Valerie has celebrated many simchas at Beth El, including her Aufruf, the girls’ baby naming, her childrens’ Bar Mitzvah, B’not Mitzvah, and Confirmations. Her husband’s family have been long time members of Beth El, going back to the Camden days.
She enjoys traveling and going to plays, concerts and museums. She loves spending time with her family and friends and trying out new restaurants with her husband.
Contact: Email Valerie or call 856.675.1166 x408
CARRIE LUK
Accounts Payable Coordinator
Carrie Luk joined Congregation Beth El in May 2021 and brings 15 years of Accounts Payable/Bookkeeping experience from the paper product industry. She is excited to be part of the Beth El family.
Carrie was born in Hong Kong and her family immigrated to Philadelphia when she was 10. She is married to Derek and has 2 sons, Justin and Kevin. Carrie enjoys watching sports, going to movies with her family, and spending her weekend going out to dinner with her friends. She also loves to travel, her favorite vacation spot is Venice, Italy.
Contact: Email Carrie or call 856.675.1166 x402
SHIRLEY YAFFA
Receptionist & Administrative Assistant
Shirley graduated from Camden High School and attended Temple University. Her previous work experience included Administrative Assistant to the South Jersey Regional Director of BBYO, substitute teaching and office manager of S. Yaffa’s Sons.
Beth El has been an important part of Shirley’s life for many years, beginning with her marriage to her late husband, Jerry, z”l, by the late Rabbi Harry B. Kellman, They were about to celebrate 50 years of marriage when he passed in 2005. Beth El was there for her then, and still is.
Their three children, Joel, Stuart and Michele were confirmed at Beth El and Michele & Stuart were married there. She is the proud grandmother of 16 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren (so far). You can find her each day at her desk meeting and greeting parents, children and congregants. Her responsibilities include life cycle contributions, Yahrzeit notices, assisting with the Yizkor Book, and directing phone calls.
She loves Beth El and looks forward to coming to work each day sharing her smile and positive attitude.
Contact: Email Shirley or call 856.675.1166 x401
CHEF SHAVIT MOSHE
Catering Director
Shavit Moshe is a seasoned chef with over 25 years’ experience in the food service and catering industry. Having been raised and professionally trained in Israel, he has a flair for middle eastern food and traditional Jewish cuisine, while also being able to produce a wide variety of local and international fare. Shavit comes to his craft with creativity and expertise giving old favorites new life. His experience ranges from catering small, family based meals to large events including weddings and b’nai mitzvah. Prior to joining the Beth El team, Shavit held the position of Chef Manager for a fast-paced breakfast and lunch account located within an educational setting. There he planned menus and theme-based days with the input of students and teachers. Shavit enjoys meeting everyone in our community and bringing us high quality food services turning meals into experiences.
Contact: Email Shavit or call 856.675.1166
MARLON McELVEEN
Facilities Director
Marlon first came to Beth El as an employee of Mac’s Janitorial Services (now Mac’s Facility Solutions) in 2009. Although Marlon has been a part of the Beth El family since that time, he officially joined the Beth El team as our Facilities Director in November 2023. Marlon oversees our team of cleaning staff from Mac’s, and he supervises the cleaning, set-up and maintenance needs of all aspects of our building.
Beth El has played a very important role in Marlon’s life as he was inspired by our community to convert to Judaism in 2018. Marlon spends his free time working out, and he is also a poet, artist (drawing and graphic design), he loves to cook, and he is an avid fan of the New Orleans Saints. He is the proud father of two children, Aaliyah and Zion.
Contact: Email Marlon or call 856.675.1166