Meet our Professional Staff
Spiritual Leader:
Rabbi Larry I. Brandspiegel
Larry I. Brandspiegel officially joined East Brunswick Jewish center in August 2018 as our Cantor and Director of Education. His wife, Dr. Laura Brandspiegel, and his children, Samantha and Avi, Heather, Jeremy, as well as his granddaughter, Orli, have been a welcome addition to our family. Cantor Larry has become Rabbi Larry as he was recently ordained by Harav Yitzchak Leizerowski of Bet Midrash Harv – B’nai Jacob in Philadelphia, PA. He is now EBJC's Spiritual Leader, interim Rabbi, and Cantor. In addition, Rabbi Larry is currently serving as the President of Jewish Educators Assembly (JEA), as well as the spiritual advisor of the Northern New Jersey Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. We look forward to new and wonderful programming and to hearing his melodic voice, as well as his sermons during services! With over 30 years experience as a Cantor, Educator, and clergy, Rabbi Larry will be infusing our congregation with a renewed energy and Ruach! Rabbi Larry continues to be available by email at CantorLarry@ebjc.org.
Executive Director:
Ellen Botwin
Ellen joined the professional staff of EBJC in November 2015 after three years as Executive Director of a Conservative Synagogue in Mercer County. For 17 years, Ellen was the business administrator of Maple Stream Road Preschool of Beth El Synagogue in East Windsor. Over 27 years of volunteering for National Council of Jewish Women and for her synagogue, Ellen has extensive knowledge in all aspects of synagogue life.
As a member of NAASE, the North American Association of Synagogue Executives, Ellen has attended conferences leading to an education in the fiscal management of synagogues as well as engagement, outreach, programming, fundraising, and building management.
Always eager to reach out to the community, Ellen is happy to meet with members to discuss anything and everything relating to the synagogue. Having worked in a preschool environment for so many years and performances in community theatre , you can often hear her singing in her office and you will find her interacting with our preschool children.
Ellen is married to Robert and has two children, David and Samantha. David is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy and is married to Jill. They have a 6-year old daughter and 4-year old son who are most delicious. Samantha is married to Mitchell Nock and have two scrumptious girls, a 4 year-old and a 1 year-old!
Ellen can be reached at 732-257-7070 x5 or ebotwin@ebjc.org
Educational Director:
Justin Hirsch
Justin, our newest addition to the EBJC staff, is excited to be starting as the interim Education Director for the upcoming school year. Some of you may know him from the two years (2020-2022) that he taught the Kitah Zayin class. He is honored to be back in a leadership position that will help grow EBJC's excellent program. Justin has been tutoring and teaching in Hebrew Schools in NJ and NY since 1998. He holds a BA in English & Psychology, and minors in Judaic Studies and Education, an MS in Adolescent Education, a certificate to teach Students with Disabilities, and an MA in Urban Education-Administration. Additionally, he is halfway through with a School Leadership certificate. He currently serves as the Technology Coordinator at Central High School in Newark, where he previously taught English to 10th-12th graders.
Early Childhood Learning Center Director:
Lynda Perel
Lynda is happy to be the director of our Early Childhood Center and is looking forward to a very bright future for our school and for our children.
She graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta with a Bachelor’s Degree, majoring in Elementary Education and is a certified teacher in the State of New Jersey.
Before joining EBJC as Director our Early Childhood Learning Center, Lynda was an employee of the East Brunswick Public Schools System, the director of Camp Gan B’kayitz, the camp coordinator at Temple B’nai Shalom, and 18 years as a preschool teacher..
Please feel free to call, visit or email Lynda at lperel@ebjc.org