lindaharvey@bhsbrooklyn.org

Linda Harvey has been BHS’s Executive Director since 2021. Previously, she held a variety of senior-level management positions at Brooklyn Law School for more than two decades, including Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff, and Dean of External Affairs. As COO, she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Law School, maintenance of the academic and living facilities, and the information technology, public safety, communications, community affairs, and events departments. She led several multi-million-dollar construction projects and managed an annual budget of $40+ million and 70 staff members. She maintained relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to advance the mission of the organization. She was responsible for hundreds of academic and alumni events, community and alumni outreach, and led its development team raising millions of dollars to support the Law School. Earlier in her career, Linda worked for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, served as the Deputy Coordinator for the New York State Law Enforcement Council, and was a Management Analyst with the federal courts.

Linda holds an MPA from New York University and a BA from SUNY at Buffalo. She is a lifelong New Yorker and currently lives on the Upper East Side with her husband, Larry. She loves to travel and enjoys spending time with her family, including her two daughters, Alyson and Elizabeth, and granddaughter Chloe.

lisa@bhsbrooklyn.org

A true natural in her role, Lisa’s many years in the Early Childhood Center – where she grew the opportunities for engagement with the youngest members of our community and their families – are invaluable as Director of Membership for all our members. In addition, Lisa taught in the Religious School for many years, so she is familiar with an additional cohort of our community.

Lisa brings her energy and enthusiasm for fostering a rich love of Jewish life and traditions, expanding our programming, and ensuring that all members find meaningful value in their affiliation with BHS. Prior to her professional experience at BHS, she worked in book publishing, marketing, and promotion, and as a literary agent. Except for the four years she spent at Brandeis University, Brooklyn has always been her home. She lives in Brooklyn Heights with her husband. Both of their sons attended BHS’s Preschool and Religious School.

jenny@bhsbrooklyn.org

Jenny Powers, a BHS member since 2009 became our first Director of Development in July 2024. Jenny brings a strong background in fundraising and communication, as well as excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. She was chief fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for over a decade and has extensive development experience including heading successful fundraising initiatives at her daughter’s schools (Brooklyn Latin and Packer Collegiate). 

Currently, Jenny serves as a fundraising consultant for a NY philanthropic agency that pairs development executives with non-profits to help them meet their fundraising goals. She holds a BA in Journalism from New York University and has been a contributing writer for many years for Business Insider. 

As our first Director of Development, Jenny will be responsible for designing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive development/fundraising program for the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. 

adminassistant@bhsbrooklyn.org

Lauren is the Communications and Development Manager at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. She works closely with the office team to support a wide range of projects and facilitates internal and external communications – including the promotion of all-member programming and events, weekly newsletters (News & Notes), and the development of creative assets and content. She also liaises with service vendors and donor agencies, managing supplemental grant applications and reports, as well as coordinating and tracking internal fundraising and communications. Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and has worked in the non-profit space for over six years, carrying out her passion for mental health and community initiatives. Outside of BHS, Lauren enjoys photography, traveling, reading buzzy novels, and exploring the healing arts.

socialworker@bhsbrooklyn.org

Isabelle Siegel is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree at New York University. She holds a B.A. from The American University of Paris. She has been working as a social work intern at the Red Hook Neighborhood School and has many years of experience working with youth as a religious school teacher, camp counselor, and youth group advisor. Her background also includes work as a paralegal with the Legal Aid Society and a workshop and volunteer coordinator with Baytna A Vous at AUP.

pam@bhsbrooklyn.org

Pam Karlin is the Director of Early Childhood Education for BHS. She oversees the Preschool and the Parenting Center, guiding a staff of over 30 educators and administrators in providing educational programming for our community’s youngest members and their families.

Pam Karlin received her BA from Vassar College and an MFA from Brandeis University. She graduated with departmental honors from Brooklyn College with a Masters in Early Childhood Education, receiving special recognition for demonstrated leadership and commitment to community. After many years working in classrooms as a preschool teacher, she became the Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education at Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope. She began as Director of Early Childhood Education at BHS in 2013. Pam has also been a member of the adjunct faculty in the Graduate Department of Early Childhood Education at Brooklyn College teaching about Families, Communities and Social Studies in Early Childhood Education. Pam has also presented at conferences on social skills development, and early literacy through play. She brings a particular passion for meaningful Jewish education and active, exploratory curriculum development. Pam comes from a family of teachers and is especially proud of her own family – husband Joshua and her two sons Jacob and Joey and is delighted to mention that Joey is now an early childhood teacher, too.

karen@bhsbrooklyn.org

Karen Epstein is the Assistant Director of the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Preschool. She works closely supporting the ECE Director, coordinating and planning various programs and provides assistance for our teaching and administrative staff.

Karen has an undergraduate degree in Communication Arts and a master’s degree in education. She has taught in the public school system, working with young children with learning differences. Karen is passionate about her work with children, observing as they create, discover, grow, and develop a love of learning.

Karen joined the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Preschool in 2014, teaching the youngest learners. She has facilitated enrichment programs and developed remote learning curriculums for preschoolers. Karen continues to teach our Kitah Gan religious school class, often a reunion for children and families who attended BHS Preschool and an opportunity to continue their Jewish exploration.

Karen lives in the Brooklyn Heights area with her son, Coby, a graduate of the BHS Preschool, and their 85-pound golden retriever. In her free time Karen enjoys reading, long walks and discovering new restaurants.

parentingcenter@bhsbrooklyn.org

Kennedee is the Assistant Director for Parenting Center Programming and Enrollment in the Early Childhood Education Department here at BHS.

Kennedee holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has extensive experience working with young children and families throughout many communities in New York City and is very excited to bring innovative and engaging programming for new families and young children to the BHS community. Kennedee loves creating special bonds and relationships with children and their families as well as the caregivers who tend to them. She is very passionate about creating a warm environment that welcomes all to feel seen and represented during this new, exciting part of their families’ lives.

Miriam Daly is composer/music director/pianist/teaching artist. She’s music-directed over 25 tours for TheaterWorks USA, and she was long time music director of the Off-Broadway smash, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding. She’s worked in numerous theaters in NYC and around the country. and a teaching artist for several NYC organizations. She’s a Core Artist at the Catastrophic Theatre in Houston, TX, having written songs for their shows for over a decade. Other composition credits include: NYU Steinhardt's 4@15 The Far-Out Way To Fly!; Houston Shakespeare Festival: As You Like It; U. of Houston: Blood Wedding, Mother Courage and Her Children & The Snow Queen. As a composer she received The York Theatre’s NEO award. She has appeared as a pianist on an episode of Law And Order SVU. She is a graduate of Eastman School of Music and NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. Visit Miriam's website at miriamdaly.com

preschool@bhsbrooklyn.org

Melis walked into BHS 14 years ago as a young, eager Preschool parent and has been a part of the community ever since. She grew up on the sunny west coast of Turkey and received her BS degree in Hospitality Management from Cornell University’s Hotel School. Melis is a chef who has been teaching cooking enrichment classes, showing children how beautiful and delicious food can be. She also values the time she spent teaching some of BHS’ youngest children in Boker Twos. Always with a welcoming smile, Melis brings her amazing organizational skills and community spirit to her position as Preschool Operations Coordinator and Registrar.

katie@bhsbrooklyn.org

Katie Rein is the Director of the Religious School and oversees the daily operations of the K-12 afterschool program. She joined the BHS community in 2019. She is passionate about implementing BHS’s versatile Hebrew and Judaics curriculum which caters to the students emerging and individualized needs.

Katie is originally from Buffalo, New York. She has worked in numerous educational settings both in the US and abroad. Katie completed her Masters in Bilingual/Bicultural Education from Teachers College, Columbia University while living in Harlem. She has also lived in Paris, France; Alexandria, Egypt; Philadelphia, PA; Petah Tikva and Hod Ha Sharon in Israel and many neighborhoods in NYC. Katie received her B.A. from SUNY Binghamton with a dual degree in Arabic and French and dual minors in Spanish and Global Studies.

When not traveling, Katie can be found hiking with her dog Patches, practicing yoga, skiing, camping, spending time with her nephews, or conversing in one of her 5 languages. Katie loves the outdoors, mindfulness, and walking the streets of New York.

religiousschool@bhsbrooklyn.org

Eytan is the Education Program Administrator at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. He is originally from Maryland and is a huge Philly sports fan. He loves playing frisbee, board games, and reading. Eytan recently spent four months in Israel working for an American High School spring semester program and hopes to make Aliyah in the future.

inclusion@bhsbrooklyn.org

Jen Armus is thrilled to be returning to BHS as our new Inclusion Specialist. Her journey in education spans over 30 years, 15 of which she spent at BHS, dedicating a decade serving as the Assistant Director of the preschool. Jen’s passion for inclusive education stems from her background in special education, a field to which she’s deeply committed. Her academic credentials include a Master’s from the Institute of Child Study at the University of Toronto, coupled with a Bachelor of Fine Arts earned from Concordia University. With her wealth of experience and expertise, Jen continues to champion diversity and equity within educational settings, striving to create environments where every student feels valued and supported. Jen’s marriage to Cliff in September of 2020, officiated by Rabbi Serge Lippe, marked the first in-person ceremony during the pandemic. She enjoys spending time at her house on Long Island with Cliff, and her two daughters Madison and Maya and their dog Cassidy.

clergyassistant@bhsbrooklyn.org

Isabel has worked for several synagogues in an administrative capacity for the past seven years assisting rabbis and cantors. She has also taught online English as a Second Language to Spanish speakers and Hebrew to beginners. She is originally from Spain but a New Yorker at heart. Isabel has also lived in Dublin, Ireland ;Netanya, Israel; and Miami, FL. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, reading, volunteering at animal shelters, walking through the streets of New York, and listening to live jazz.

erik@bhsbrooklyn.org

Erik DiFrisco leads our Maintenance and Custodial team here at BHS as our Facilities Manager under the auspices of our outsourced vendor Landmark Management. Erik has years and years of building experience and multiple certifications in fire safety, plumbing, and other infrastructural codes. Erik is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys camping and being with his family and adores his Sphynx kitties.