Jeanne Ruckert Lovy, Assistant Vice President, Young Children and Their Families
Jeanne Ruckert Lovy joined the JCCs of Greater Boston in 2005 as Director, Early Learning and in 2011 was tapped to oversee all JCC programming for families and children ages 0-5. After starting her career as a kindergarten teacher, Jeanne worked in various roles in both community-based and corporate childcare, including developing new centers, mentoring directors, supervising and coaching educators and providing training and support. She is devoted to creating a workplace where educators and program providers can learn, grow and thrive as professionals, and can apply research-based practice to work with children. Jeanne is a graduate of Tufts University.
Melissa Levin, Supervising Director
Melissa Levin has been working as a teacher, program coordinator and preschool director in large and small school settings for more than 30 years. She joined the JCC in 2007 and, as Supervising Director, is a responsible for program quality and content in the three ELCs she oversees. She maintains a regular on-site presence, monitoring educators and organizing professional development seminars and workshops. Melissa is passionate about respecting children, creating aesthetically pleasing classroom environments, and facilitating professional development opportunities for all JCC Early Learning Centers staff. She is a graduate of Wheelock College.
Indira Herscovici, Supervising Director
Indira Herscovici has been with the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston since 1997, when she joined the organization as the Director of the JCC Early Learning Center, Brookline/Brighton. As Supervising Director, Indira oversees all phases of school operations as the principal administrator of early childhood care and education at the Brookline /Brighton site. In addition, she is responsible for program quality and content in the two other ELCs she oversees, and maintains a regular on-site presence as site supervisor. Indira participates in the Greater Boston Director’s Council of Early Childhood Jewish Educators and is an active member of NAEYC. She holds BA and MS degrees in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University and has more than 20 years of experience in the field.
Rabbi Julie Zupan, Jewish Educator
Rabbi Julie Zupan has served in congregational, educational and chaplaincy settings since 1999, when she received rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She has been with JCC since 2008 and works with educators at the six Early Learning Centers to develop appropriate methods for teaching young children and their parents about Jewish values, traditions and culture. Rabbi Zupan particularly enjoys opening up possibilities for children and parents in regards to Jewish education and Jewish life.
Deborah Gordon, Administrative Manager
Deborah Gordon has been at the JCC for more than 10 years and joined the Early Learning Centers team in 2009. She holds a BA in Psychology and a MSW in Social Work, both from Simmons College. In her position as the Administrative Manager, Deborah works closely with parents, directors and JCC staff to create and maintain smooth business operations across the organization.