MARLBORO – The Marlboro Jewish Center has welcomed Michelle Teplitz as the new cantor of Congregation Ohev Shalom and Dara Winston as the new executive director.
From a young vocalist under the tutelage of her childhood cantor to the five congregational
families of which she has been a part, Teplitz has spent more than 20 years involved in all aspects of Jewish life, according to a press release from the Marlboro Jewish Center.
Teplitz was ordained in 2010 and has spent most of the last decade leading congregations in song, preparing children for their b’nai mitzvah (coming of age rituals), leading youth and adult choirs, and bringing new and exciting Jewish music to the lives of her congregants, according to the press release.
She is a founding member of L’Shir, a Jewish a capella group at the University of Hartford, an experienced musical director, and the creator of new and innovative ways to
experience nusach (style of prayer service and/or melody) within the synagogue walls, according to the press release.
Teplitz and her husband, Ari Teplitz, are the parents of Amalya and Elijah.
Winston grew up in East Brunswick, where she was an active member of the
Conservative Jewish community, spending her summers at Camp Ramah and serving in
leadership positions in United Synagogue Youth.
After receiving a degree from Brandeis University, Winston spent a year volunteering for the Conservative movement in Ashkelon, Israel, through a program called Sheirut Le’am Mesorti, according to the press release.
She returned to the United States to study for her MSSW at Columbia University and her MA in Judaic Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary. After graduating, Winston returned to Israel to staff Nativ, USY’s College Leadership Program. She eventually made aliyah (received Israeli citizenship) and lived in Israel for 11 years.
After marrying her Israeli husband, Meir, Winston returned to East Brunswick where they now live with their daughters, Emmy and Eden. Winston was the office manager of Temple Emanu-El, Edison, for the past nine years before arriving at the Marlboro Jewish Center, a modern Conservative congregation.