August 2025 Updates: Please see the Temple Israel website blog for recent letters from Temple Israel’s former rabbi Kaya Stern-Kaufman, President Ian Kaner, and past-president Jared Nabel to our membership regarding leadership changes at Temple Israel. Questions may be sent to the Temple Office.
Rabbi Marc Hersch (he/him) is an educator, pastoral presence, Torah teacher, and prayer leader whose mission is to help others find meaning on their Jewish path. He comes to Temple Israel after receiving his rabbinic ordination from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he trained in spiritual care and counseling and studied at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Rabbi Hersch looks forward to getting to know the wider Seacoast community and sharing Jewish life together. All are invited to contact him directly at rabbi@templeisraelnh.org!
Contact Rabbi Marc Hersch at 603-436-5301 ext. 12 or by email.
Ryan Bernstein, Temple Israel’s new Administrative Director, manages the temple office. His duties include communications, scheduling, event preparation, and administrative support for staff, volunteers, and the entire congregation. His background in political science and religious studies makes for a unique perspective on all matters, and skill in preparing The Doorpost newsletter, weekly bulletins, event flyers and other temple communications.
Ryan grew up outside of Baltimore, Maryland, and graduated from the University of Rochester in upstate New York with a BA degree in political science. He enjoys working on his car, following every sport you can think of, traveling anywhere and everywhere, and meeting new people! Ryan lives in Dover, NH.
Contact Ryan Bernstein at 603-436-5301 ext. 10 or by email.
My name is Abby Halpern and I have a passion for Jewish life and learning, both as an administrator and as a teacher. I worked most recently at Temple Beth El in Portland as the Religious School Director and at Levey Day School as the Director of Jewish Life and Learning. I am a rabbinical and cantorial student, and I love chanting Torah, teaching Hebrew, and music (right now it’s all High Holiday liturgy and K-Pop Demon Hunters). My hobbies include hiking, dancing, and a wide range of projects from making Halloween and Purim costumes to perfecting my chocolate chip challah. My husband is a professor at UNH-Durham and we live in Portland with our three boys.
Contact Abby Halpern at 603-436-5301 ext. 14 or by email.
Tammy Roberge, known as Miss Tammy to Early Learning Center children and families, joined Temple Israel as Director of the Early Learning Center Preschool in 2018. Her education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She is certified by the North American Montessori Center and has 20 years of experience working with young children.
Miss Tammy’s desire to teach started in a Head Start program. She has also been a director of a large center, worked with special-needs preschoolers for a school district, and served as a Montessori lead teacher before coming to the Early Learning Center. She is committed to making the Early Learning Center Preschool a broad and stimulating learning environment that shares the richness of Jewish values to provide your child’s early foundation
Contact Tammy Roberge at 603-436-5301 ext. 23 or by email.
The Temple Israel Board of Directors is responsible for planning, budgeting and operations, as well as maintaining the synagogue’s positive public standing in the community. This team of 16 dedicated congregant volunteers works tirelessly to promote Temple Israel’s mission: to provide a thriving synagogue for people interested in Jewish life, culture and tradition.
The Board of Directors generally meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, with Executive Committee meetings scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. Meetings are open to members of the congregation. Please check with the Temple Israel office for any changes to the regular schedule.
If you’re interested in serving on the board or a committee, please contact Ian Kaner, President of Temple Israel. Elections to fill board seats are held at the annual meeting in May.
