Jerry Abelow, Director

Jerry studied at Rabbi Brovender’s Yeshiva in Jerusalem before receiving his B.A. from Yeshiva University in New York. He has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley College. Prior to Alef-Bet, Jerry was a preschool teacher and adjunct lecturer in Child development for nearly a decade. He also has experience as a Hebrew school teacher in the prekindergarten and early grades. Several of his areas of expertise are the guidance of meaningful play in children and guiding teachers in best practices of early childhood education. His own sense of playfulness adds excitement to the community’s learning experience. If you see him riding his recumbent bike on his way to and from his home in Jamaica Plain, give him a wave! He and his wife enjoy camping and are members of a lively havurah.

Elana Pollack, Director of Community Engagement

​Elana is excited to join the Alef Bet Child Care community as the Director of Community Engagement. Elana’s love of building Jewish community was sparked at an early age by attending and working at Jewish summer camps for years. She is a graduate of the Pardes Educators Program and has a Masters’ degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew College with an additional Certificate in Experiential Education. Elana most recently worked as the Program Manager of Immersions and Education at Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh.  Before her time at Mayyim Hayyim, she worked in Jewish day schools where she taught second through fifth grade. Elana lives in Cambridge with her wife, Sarah and their son Avri. She is passionate about co-creating open, warm and welcoming Jewish spaces. 

About Our Teachers

The Alef-Bet staff is as diverse as our community. We have both new and veteran teachers who grace the classroom with a variety of languages, including Hebrew, and an unparalleled dedication to the children in our care. Characteristic of our entire faculty is a respect and appreciation for the individuality of each child, the joys and wonder of childhood, and the importance of a partnership with each family.

Join our Team

We are hiring! Please click here for more information.