Education Director Alison Morse

The short story…

My paternal grandmother grew up in Poland and journeyed to Palestine, settling in Mishmar Ha’Yardain in the late 1800’s. As a young woman, she fled the country with her father and one of eight siblings, after a kidnapping attempt on her life. The small break away family reached the U.S. via Africa, settling in Brooklyn, New York. My grandchildren (as yet unborn) will say that their grandmother grew up in NYC, moved to Massachusetts and there she remained (thus far!) I have however, traveled extensively and in the late 1970’s lived with my extended family in Israel, in Yesod Ha’Mala, for a summer.  There have been numerous subsequent trips as well. The deep roots that I have in Israel and Judaism (I studied in a Yeshiva through high school) have translated into a career as a Jewish Educator.

My family moved to Northampton in the mid 1980’s, and have been members at CBI all these years.  My employment journey at CBI began twelve years ago when I was approached by Rabbi Graubart, to facilitate a course for interfaith families called, Stepping Stones. Subsequently, I was asked to serve as Principal of the high school program, and a teacher in Gan Keshet Preschool. In 2002, a new full time position titled, Education Specialist was created to include the various part time positions that I held at the synagogue. Inspired by the community’s support for my leadership, and the dedication of the membership to the institution, I pursued a graduate degree in education from UMASS and completed the course work in 2003.

As Director of Education since 2004, one of my commitments and objectives is to seek teachers for our programs that are Jewishly inspired, people whose Jewish journeys inform their lives and whose passion motivates the student body and community. Other objectives include the affirmation of Jewish identity via connection to ritual and practice, connection and caring for members within our community and beyond this community to greater Israel (K’lal Yisrael). Outreach via service projects (tzedek) and “in reach” via collaboration, reflection, integrity and compassion are hallmarks that I strive to achieve for myself and encourage within the community.

My role like yours is ever changing. We learn, develop/modify and transform as we create new strategies for our communal Jewish experience. Ancient traditions inform our past and contemporary trends shape our future. We strive to find meaning in our Jewishness to bolster ourselves as we cycle through life. One outlet for this expression is via our connection to CBI. Let’s grow together!  Please feel free to contact me often to share dreams and ideas, to celebrate and mourn, learn and grapple with complex issues as we usher in the New Year 5770.

Alison Morse, M.Ed
cbi.edudir@verizon.net
413-584-3593 ext. 203