Janis Knight has over 25 years of experience in Jewish education. She holds a Master's degree in Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University and has served as the Director of Education at several temples, most recently at Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan, NJ from 2011-2015 where she oversaw their religious school and youth programs. Her experience includes developing curricula, supervising staff, and creating family and adult education opportunities.

1. Janis M. Knight
34 Mill Rd
Hollis, NH 03049
(732) 492-2454
JanisKnight@Outlook.com
EDUCATION
Master's Degree in Jewish Communal Service, Brandeis University, Waltham MA May, 1994
Education concentration. Relevant course work included Philosophy of Jewish Education; Informal Education;
Curriculum Development. Thesis title: Professional Use of Power In An Educational Agency: A Political
Analysis
Bachelor of Arts in Near Eastern Judaic Studies Brandeis University, Waltham MA May, 1987
Received Bachelor of Arts degree in Minor concentration in Medieval History. Senior writing project: A Study of
Anglo-Saxon Burhs and the Development of Towns. Related course work included Sociology of the Jewish
American Community, History of Eastern European Jewry, and The Jewish American Family.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Director of Religious Education
Temple Shaari Emeth, Manalapan, NJ (July, 2011 - June, 2015)
 Congregational School -- coordinated and oversaw 400+ student school grades K - 12. Created Matan
Class for students on autism spectrum. Taught teen minicourses including: Rated X - The Bible is Not For
Children; Jewish Life Games; oversaw staff of 20+; shepherded curriculum review process; co-created new
5th grade family education program, coordinated and ran family education for grades 4 - 7; created 6th
grade Siddur program; upgraded technology and provided equipment and support to staff and students;
administered Madrichim teen aide program; worked collaboratively with Early Learning Center director on
family education programming for young families; refined and ran 7th grade values program Jewish Values
and the Zombie Apocalypse.
 Youth -- supported and advised Youth group advisers; co-created and introduced annual 8th - 9th grade
retreat experience with 4 other synagogues in Monmouth and Hillsborough counties; wrote successful
grant application to fund retreat. Co-created annual two-session Social Justice seminar for students in 8th
- 10th grades, partnered with local sister temple and local Baptist church. Topics included: Life Without
Walls - Teen Homelessness in America and The Real Hunger Games - Hunger in NJ and America.
Recruited and chaperoned Confirmation class at L'Taken Program at the Religious Action Center in
Washington, D.C.; advised Youth Scholarship Committee; camp recruitment efforts for URJ camps; annual
Camp Harlam visit with clergy and youth staff.
 Other Endeavors -- oversaw Adult B'nai Mitzvah program; wrote grant applications to URJ and Jewish
Federation of Monmouth County; Educators Council member; long-term substitute for 6th grade
Hebrew/Tefilah class.
Temple Educator
Temple Beth Torah, Ventura, CA (July, 2001 - June, 2011)
 Congregational School Director –- created Mishpacha & Shorashim family classes; oversaw staff,
curriculum development and review; created of special programs and field trips; provided family education
opportunities; wrote successful grant applications; instrumental in the creation of daily Jewish preschool
program; co-created B’nei Mitzvah Family Havurah program; led weekly Tefilah
 Adult Learning -- developed and oversaw Lifelong Learning Academy program; created Adult
Confirmation course; created and lead PARDES Shabbat morning text study; served as educational
resource for WRJ; taught adult learning classes, including “Angels & Ghosts”, ”Sex in the Texts”; led WRJ
Women’s Seder.
 Youth –- oversaw youth groups and supervised advisors and staff; administered High Holy Day youth
programs; created and administered new Teen Haverim summer program with Jewish Federation;
provided Shabbaton/retreat experiences for grades 4 through 12; oversaw scholarships; oversaw Camp

2. Haverim summer day camp experience; coordinated teen Madrichim school aides; oversaw hosting of
regional Social Justice Kallah spring 2010.
 Other Endeavors –- co-led congregational Israel trip; created and staffed family Passover Wilderness
Camping Seder Experience; co-founded Ventura County Jewish Educators’ Council; created and
maintained Biblical Garden; staffed Global Day of Jewish Learning for Ventura; past member of Women’s
Division and ADL regional advisory committees; led select Shabbat services & shiva minyanim when
requested; created Scholar in Residence program with Danny Siegel.
Director of Education
Congregation Beth Am, Longwood, FL (July, 1996 - June, 2001)
 Congregational School -- Supervised religious school staff; oversaw curriculum development and review;
created interactive family programming; led weekly Tefilah
 Youth -- introduced retreat program for b'nei mitzvah classes; founded and oversaw youth groups; started
Interfaith Youth Seder; instituted High Holy Day youth programming and services; led minyanim.
 Adult Education –- provided adult learning classes, including Beginning Hebrew, Prophets.
 Other Endeavors –- co-created Middle School Retreat with other local congregations; organized Scholar
In Residence Weekends with Sam Glaser & Danny Siegel
Program Director
Temple Beth El, Springfield, MA (July, 1994 - June 1996)
 Coordinated Shabbat Morning Program for students in grades K - 7; managed staff; developed retreat
programs for students; piloted adult education dinner series; strengthened youth groups; wrote successful
grant proposals to fund above programs; developed parent resource series. Instrumental in founding new
congregational school
Intern
Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Boston, MA (August, 1983 - May, 1994)
 Developed Resource Packet accompanying nation-wide traveling museum exhibit "A Walk Through
Jerusalem;" coordinated annual Job Fair for Jewish Educators; revitalized, recruited and staffed the
Greater Boston Jewish Youth Council.
Teacher & Youth Group advisor (September, 1993 - May, 1994).
Intern (September, 1992 - May, 1993 )
Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland MA (September, 1992 - May, 1994)
 Developed and implemented post-Confirmation program; Mentored new teacher; Edited and produced
Temple’s family Shabbat booklet; Coordinated Family Shabbat Dinner programs; Formed new chavurah;
Developed analysis and made recommendations for improvement of institutional structure.
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
.
University Loan Services/Student Loan Marketing Association, Cambridge MA
(October, 1987 - August, 1992)
Assistant Area Manager, Document Storage (February, 1992 - August, 1992) Oversaw conversion of filing
system; Handled special audit lists; Supervised 30 temporary and permanent employees.
Assistant Manager, Private Credit Operations (October, 1990 - February, 1992) Responsible for smooth
transition of customer service for new loan program onto system; Handled problem accounts; Provided customer
service; managed employees.
Supervisor, Deferment Department (June, 1989 - October, 1990) Ensured smooth work flow; Trained new
employees; Provided customer service; handled problem accounts; managed employees.
Analyst, Deferment Department (October, 1987 to May, 1989)

3. OTHER EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
May, 2013 - March, 2015, Matan Institute for Jewish Educators
Attended two seminars, monthly phone mentoring sessions and two webinars designed to educate directors of
Jewish education on inclusion issues and to offer practical advice as well as philosophical foundation for providing
accessible Jewish education to all students. Received certificate March, 2015.
July, 2011- present, ARJE Webinar series
Continue to take advantage of online learning experiences offered by the Association for Reform Jewish
Education.
May, 1993 - June, 1993, Foster Seminar in Israel
Participated in 4 week seminar which explored issues of Diaspora community identity, Israel as nation and
sovereign State, both ancient and modern.
July, 1993, Ulpan Akiva, Netanya Israel
Studied Hebrew in intensive, total immersion setting designed to increase fluency and familiarity with the language
and people of Israel.
January, 1988 - August 1992, Hebrew College, Brookline MA
Part-time student in Master of Jewish Education program. Course work included Introduction to Mishnah, The
Book of Genesis, Doctrine of Man in Rabbinic Literature, and Love and Sex in Jewish Law.
CREDENTIALS
Matan Institute Certification March, 2015
Granted by Matan
Reform Jewish Educator 2005
Granted by the Reform Jewish Educator Title Granting Commission
References available upon request