Beth Tikvah Hires Learning Leader

Temple Beth Tikvah has hired Susan Halpern Cosden as the Roswell Reform synagogue’s director of congregational learning, effective this month.

The new position is part of Beth Tikvah’s transition as Hassia Levin, a founder of the congregation who has served as the religious school principal for 30 years, prepares to retire this spring.

“Susan’s breadth and depth of knowledge, her creative imagination, and her background in 21st century Jewish learning make her the ideal professional to serve our community,” Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner said. “We were particularly impressed by Susan’s diverse skills, her commitment to modeling lifelong learning and her work in the pedagogy of experiential education.”

Cosden is moving from New Jersey, where she served as a director of congregational learning at Temple Emanu-El of West Essex in Livingston.

She will play a leadership role in all facets of education at Beth Tikvah, from the preschool and religious school to the youth programs and adult education initiatives. She will partner with the clergy and lay leaders to engage congregants and the broader community in learning about Judaism’s history, living its traditions, and applying its teachings to the challenges and opportunities of contemporary society.

The daughter of a rabbi, Cosden grew up in Reform Judaism, spent summers at the Union for Reform Judaism’s Camp Coleman in Cleveland and participated in the North American Federation of Temple Youth. She earned a master’s in Jewish education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Community members can meet Cosden during any of three free Bagels, Brew and Beth Tikvah sessions the synagogue is hosting from 10 a.m. to noon on three consecutive post-Passover Sundays, April 23, April 30 and May 7.

During the informal meet-and-greet sessions, people looking for a synagogue can tour the building, visit with Rabbi Shuval-Weiner (except at the April 23 session), Cantor Nancy Kassel and staff, and learn about worship, education and social programs.

Beth Tikvah is at 9955 Coleman Road in Roswell.

To RSVP for Bagels, Brew and Beth Tikvah, visit tinyurl.com/bagelsbrewandbethtikvah, or call 770-642-0434.

A Beth Tikvah welcome video can be seen at www.bethtikvah.com/welcome-temple-beth-tikvah-video.