Today we are delighted to cast a spotlight on two of Jewish Buffalo’s educators who are co-leading the new Community Religious School, Beth Steinberg and Einav Symons.
Beth has a B.A. in Linguistics from Northwestern University and a J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law, but when she unexpectedly discovered that her real passion was teaching children, she pursued graduate studies in Elementary Education at Canisius College. Prior to becoming Temple Beth Zion’s Religious School Director in July of 2019, Beth enjoyed her 13 years an elementary classroom teacher at Kadimah Academy of Buffalo. A Buffalo transplant, Beth moved to the community over 30 years ago with her husband Rick and their 18-month-old daughter. Beth and Rick feel blessed that their three children Anna, Zack, and Jorie have all chosen to stay in Buffalo as adults. Beth loves being a vegetarian, the ocean, reading, and Henry, the Steinberg family’s 5th sheltie
Einav has a B.A. in Education and Religious Studies and a M.A. in Jewish Education. She is the recipient of the 2011 Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education and Buffalo’s Business First 2013 Who’s Who in Education. In addition to co-directing the Community Religious School, Einav is President and Chief Consultant of Advanced Jewish Studies Services LLC.
Einav sees her roles in Jewish education as a calling. Since coming to Buffalo from Toronto in 2000, she has led Kadimah Academy and served as the Director of Education at Temple Beth Tzedek’s Gesher School and most recently the Congregation Shir Shalom-Gesher program. Her consulting company has provided programs and training to students and teachers in the Williamsville, Amherst and the Niagara Falls school districts. She is married to Dr. Andrew Symons, and they are the parents of Gilad (19) and Shira (18), both of whom have contributed to the Buffalo Jewish Community as Hebrew teachers and Torah readers. Einav, like Beth, is also an animal lover and enjoys taking care of the ‘Symons’ Zoo’ which includes cats, dogs, rabbit, bird, fishpond and ducks.
The new Community Religious School opens its doors on Sunday, September 12 at Congregation Shir Shalom in Williamsville. Registration is open for students in Pre K to 7th grade. All families in Jewish Buffalo are welcome to sign up here. If you have questions about the new school, email shalom@jewishcommunityschool.org
