Alyson Morrissey
Many congregants and families at Ohef Sholom Temple already know its new director of Lifelong Learning, Alyson Morrissey.
There are several reasons that Morrissey is well known around the temple. A beloved Jewish educator, Morrissey has taught in OST’s Religious and Hebrew Schools for six years. In fact, in 2020, she became the school’s Hebrew School coordinator, creating an innovative curriculum and implementing the Hebrew-in-Motion program.
But, that’s not all. Morrissey has served on the Temple’s board of directors, co-chairing with Tammi Foer, the Religious School committee for several years. In 2021, she and Foer were the recipients of OST’s prestigious Kurt Rosenbach Award, presented to board members for their outstanding contributions to the congregation. In addition, Morrissey and her family can often be found on Friday nights at Shabbat services.
In her new role, Morrissey oversees all educational programming. This includes OST’s Hebrew and Religious School, B’nai Mitzvah prep, youth group, and adult and family programming. “I strive to provide an engaging and innovative approach to Jewish learning,” she says.
Morrissey obtained her undergraduate degree from Old Dominion University in Education, specifically Physical Education and Health. She also earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She taught in the Norfolk Public School system for the past several years after spending time as a stay-at-home mom.
“Alyson’s energetic hands-on style engages our children and ignites their interest in learning,” says Foer. “Her positive outlook, dedication, and creativity communicate her love for Jewish learning and sparks that in our Temple youth.”
Married for 23 years to Chris, her high school sweetheart, Morrissey says, “I am the proud mom to three amazing kids. Leia is a recent high school graduate who will attend UVA in the fall to study architecture; Jacob is a junior at Granby High School in the IB program; and Elijah is a freshman in the IB program at Granby. All three kids are products of OST’s Hebrew and Religious School.
“I’m looking forward to giving my ‘ALL’ to Ohef Sholom in my new role at Temple,” she says.
For information about Ohef Sholom Temple’s Religious School, call 757-625-4295 or go to ohefsholom.org.
–Deb Higgins