The following is from Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel:
A crowd of 400 families, former students and teachers, synagogue members and friends turned out for a service and celebration to honor Carol Paster, the director of the Iris Family Early Childhood Center at Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange.
Allison Lieber, Carol Paster, Ben Rothstein
The community honored Paster’s 25 years of service to thousands of preschoolers and her many innovative contributions to early childhood education. Among the attendees at the Reform synagogue were two alumni of the preschool program who spoke about the lifelong relationships they have developed with Paster (center), a resident of West Orange. They are Allison Lieber, a Millburn native who later taught kindergarten with Paster; and Ben Rothstein of South Orange, a former student and “madrich” (student aide) in one of her classes. Jewish musician/educator Shira Kline, of whom Paster is a big fan, was a surprise guest and she led the congregation in song in Paster’s honor.
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel is a vibrant Reform congregation located at 432 Scotland Road in South Orange, N.J., that offers Jewish preschool, Religious school, teen programs, lifelong learning for adults and a full complement of religious services and cultural programs each month. TSTI serves member families from Maplewood, the Oranges, Livingston, Millburn, Short Hills and surrounding areas.
