Leadership

Welcome! The leadership and staff of New City Jewish Center are dedicated to serving our vibrant community. We are here to support our members' spiritual journeys, celebrate life-cycle events, and work together to build a meaningful Jewish life.

Our Clergy

Rabbi Allison Berlinger

Assistant Rabbi and Educational Director
rabbiallison@newcityjc.org

Executive Director

Jessica Trokel
jessica@newcityjc.org

Check back soon for bios and photos.

Family & Early Childhood Program Director

Amy Kodsi
amy@newcityjc.org

I grew up in Riverdale, NY, spending most of my summers in Camp Ramah in Nyack. After raising 2 children through middle and elementary school, we decided to move up to the suburbs from Forest Hills, NY.

I have worked in various nursery schools, starting in the Bronx, then Forest Hills and New Rochelle before transitioning to program director for Habayit Tots in 2023. I love working with children and seeing their eyes light up as they learn and create something totally new. From Shabbat programs to holidays and special tzedakah projects, each experience is unique and rewarding. I also enjoy working in the Habayit Hebrew School at NCJC, creating programming for a class called Sababa (awesome), which blends creativity and learning.

In addition to my two children, Sam and Eliana, I live in New City with my husband, Nathan, and my beagle/greyhound rescue dog, Tracy. Since moving here, I have also taken up working in the fitness industry, teaching classes all over the area, including fundraisers and programs at NCJC like Passover yoga and Israeli zumba.

I look forward to being able to bring my brand of ruach and innovation to NCJC in the coming years!

Youth Community Director

Lara Epstein
lara@newcityjc.org

Lara Epstein grew up in New Jersey and earned her degree in Marketing, with a minor in French, from Rutgers College School of Business. She began her career as a computer programmer, working across a variety of industries including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and finance.

After moving to Rockland County for its vibrant Jewish community, Hebrew day school, and strong ties to Camp Ramah in Nyack, Lara shifted her professional focus to Jewish communal work. She served as Director of Outreach at the Jewish Federation of Rockland County, where she oversaw PJ Library programming, launched the Leadership Development Institute for active community members, and piloted Night Out events designed to connect parents of young children.

This role became a natural gateway to her current position at New City Jewish Center, where Lara plans engaging programs for middle and high school students. She also leads a student leadership board and offers initiatives such as Explore & Create, which pairs Jewish teens with Jewish special needs adults to collaborate on meaningful works of art.

Lara lives in New City with her husband, Kevin, their daughter Jordan, and their cat Vashti. Their older daughter, Noa, is currently attending the University of Florida.