Lifelong Learning Moreh Derech at Congregation Beth Sholom of San Francisco
Adam has an uncanny ability to meet a young person where they are, and make a deep connection in that meeting. He has re-energized the post b’nai mitzvah programs of Beth Sholom, from the Shabbat School Madrichim program to creating “Jews for Hot Cocoa.” He brings the spirit and feel of summer camp along with constant attention to the intersection of Jewish values and teaching. Parents report having to drag their teens out of his programs at the end of the evening, because long after the program ends they are still sitting together, talking excitedly and laughing while they discuss their Jewish identities, values, and how to live lives of meaning and purpose. In the words of the teens he has taught, he is “the best in the business.”
Adam brings over 30 years of experience as a Jewish Educator beginning at Habonim Dror, where he first connected with the power of informal education and youth leadership. Adam taught at the Congregation Emanu-El Preschool, and was the Assistant Director of Jewish Studies at the Oshman Family JCC Preschool in Palo Alto, where he honed and mastered the art of Jewish multisensory teaching. Adam led the third cohort of the Jewish Resource Specialist program of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund of San Francisco and the Bay Area, Adam was a fellow in the first cohort. Adam has brought all of this experience to his role as Lifelong Learning Moreh Derech at Beth Sholom, where he has transformed the youth education programs and made lasting impacts on the teens there.
Adam lives in San Francisco with his wife, Shira, his children Irit and Micah and his cat, Safam. Adam is passionate about basketball, golf, music, and nature — on an ideal day, combining them all.
This information was taken directly from the Award recipient’s nomination, and are the words of their colleagues.
