Our Team
Mandy Cheskis, Gesher Director of Lifelong Learning
Mandy has over 15 years of successful experience as an Education Director. Mandy studied in Israel as a Senior Educator Leadership Fellow, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, was a cohort 6 member of the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute, and has been recognized as a Cornell University Outstanding Educator, Merrill Presidential Scholar Program. Under Mandy’s leadership as the Educational Director at Chisuk Emuna Congregation, the Hebrew school earned the distinction of a Framework for Excellence School, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Mandy has been teaching Judaism since childhood. She grew up as one of the only Jewish children in her town and always loved teaching others about her religious practices. She has experience as a Gesher teacher and B’nai Mitzvah Tutor for both Beth El Temple and Chisuk Emuna Congregation and experience as a Hebrew High instructor. Mandy also tutors adults and children across the community in Hebrew reading, prayer, and Torah and Haftarah trope. Mandy particularly enjoys helping students and families prepare for bar and bat mitzvah celebrations.
In addition to Jewish education, Mandy holds a masters degree in speech language pathology. She has worked for over three decades as a licensed speech language pathologist and is recognized as a Master Clinician in neurogenic communication disorders. Mandy is a clinical mentor to many in the field. She is one of only a handful of AMI Trainers for Montessori for Dementia and Aging, Association Montessori Internationale, in the world and is a consultant, project manager and the lead care community coach for Montessori implementation with elders with Brush Development.
Mandy is someone who embodies a thirst for learning and growing and inspires others to do the same. She brings enthusiasm for learning and a history of trustworthiness, with an earned a reputation for building lasting wonderful relationships and authenticity and accessibility as a member of the community who observes Judaism daily and meets people where they are at.
Mandy lives in Harrisburg with her husband, Joel, and her three children: Hallel, Devorah and Rena.
Mandy has been teaching Judaism since childhood. She grew up as one of the only Jewish children in her town and always loved teaching others about her religious practices. She has experience as a Gesher teacher and B’nai Mitzvah Tutor for both Beth El Temple and Chisuk Emuna Congregation and experience as a Hebrew High instructor. Mandy also tutors adults and children across the community in Hebrew reading, prayer, and Torah and Haftarah trope. Mandy particularly enjoys helping students and families prepare for bar and bat mitzvah celebrations.
In addition to Jewish education, Mandy holds a masters degree in speech language pathology. She has worked for over three decades as a licensed speech language pathologist and is recognized as a Master Clinician in neurogenic communication disorders. Mandy is a clinical mentor to many in the field. She is one of only a handful of AMI Trainers for Montessori for Dementia and Aging, Association Montessori Internationale, in the world and is a consultant, project manager and the lead care community coach for Montessori implementation with elders with Brush Development.
Mandy is someone who embodies a thirst for learning and growing and inspires others to do the same. She brings enthusiasm for learning and a history of trustworthiness, with an earned a reputation for building lasting wonderful relationships and authenticity and accessibility as a member of the community who observes Judaism daily and meets people where they are at.
Mandy lives in Harrisburg with her husband, Joel, and her three children: Hallel, Devorah and Rena.
Our Faculty
Throughout the years both Chisuk Emuna and Beth El have had many talented educators and educational leaders. Gesher holds to this tradition by recruiting and retaining knowledgeable, dynamic educators. Our faculty is a mix of experienced teachers and committed high school and college students. Rabbis from both congregations participate in the religious school as well as teach in Gesher’s adult education program.