Bumps, Babies & Beyond Team
Liz Berkman
Bumps, Babies & Beyond Co-Founder & Child Development Specialist As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Early Intervention Specialist, I have over 15 years experience working with children from birth to three and their families. Before starting Bumps, Babies and Beyond I worked as a child development instructor at Isis Parenting. There I ran developmental groups for ages six months to three years and facilitated educational discussions around various developmental topics. I live in Needham with my husband and two wonderful children. |
Dawn Ellis
Bumps, Babies & Beyond Co-Founder & Early Parenting Specialist As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and ordained interfaith minister, I believe in the power of group work to validate and create amazing community through deep shared experience. Before coming to Temple Beth Shalom, I worked at Isis Parenting where I focused on supporting parents through major life transitions. My own family is interfaith, and I am raising my three young children Jewish. Becoming a mother is one of the greatest rites of passage a woman may experience. With this is in mind, respecting each person's religious and or spiritual needs during this time is of great importance to me. |
DJ Fortine
Cantorial Soloist & Music Teacher I received a BA in Music and Judaic Studies from the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music where my primary focus was on music theory, performance, and music education. I am a guitar player and pianist and the Head Song Leader at the Union for Reform Judaism's Eisner Camp in Great Barrington,. |
Josh Shriber
Tot Shabbat Service Leader I am the owner and director of Jammin’ With You!--a music and performing arts center located in Wellesley—and principle songwriter and band leader for nationally touring “Kindie” band Josh & the Jamtones. Hoping to deliver my own brand of fun-and-funny, high-energy music education to children and families, I opened the doors to Jammin’ With You! in 2008. A passionate and extra-energetic performer, I play hundreds of shows across the country, sharing the stage with bands like Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Yo Gabba Gabba, The Wiggles, Fresh Beat Band and the Roots! My family and I are members of the TBS community and my three children are graduates of TBS Children's Center. I have loved getting to know so many TBS families as we sing and dance at Tot Shabbat. |
Ellen Dietrick
Senior Director of Learning and Engagement My work with young children has taught me that children are intrinsically motivated to learn and capable of much more than we sometimes assume. They are curious and filled with rich imaginations. At TBS, I am honored to have the chance to witness learning moments every day. I hold a masters in education from the University of Virginia and before arriving at TBS I spent ten years directing the early childhood program at Congregation Beth Israel in Charlottesville, Virginia. I am also the author of the children's book It's Israel's Birthday, featuring preschoolers on an imaginary journey to Israel. I have been involved in several national Jewish early childhood projects including as Co-Founder of The Paradigm Project, on the board of the Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism, as a Jim Joseph Leading Educators Online Fellow, and as a mentor for the Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute. I am also a graduate of the Covenant-JECEI Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship and the Covenant Fellowship for Early Childhood Leadership. |
