Our Staff

Eileen Hamilton is serving this year as Interim Director of Jewish Education at Wise Temple, bringing more than 30 years of experience in Jewish learning, community engagement, curriculum development, and synagogue leadership. A lifelong participant in Jewish communal life, Eileen was born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where she was actively involved in every aspect of temple life from an early age.

Her commitment to Jewish education began during her college years at SUNY New Paltz, where she taught religious school, and continued while pursuing graduate studies at the College of Jewish Studies in Rockville, Maryland, where she also taught in congregational schools throughout the Washington, D.C. area. These formative experiences helped shape a career dedicated to inspiring Jewish learning and strengthening Jewish identity across generations.

Throughout her career, Eileen has held a variety of leadership positions focused on education, administration, and community engagement. Prior to her current role, she served as Director of Administration at Touro Synagogue in New Orleans and as Director of Administration, Education, and Youth Engagement at Congregation B’nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In addition to her leadership roles, Eileen wrote curricula for New Orleans Jewish Day School and for URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp, combining educational best practices with creativity and innovation. She is especially passionate about the unique opportunities offered by supplemental Jewish education and enjoys developing engaging, hands-on learning experiences that bring Jewish traditions, values, and stories to life for students and families. Eileen is dedicated to creating meaningful Jewish experiences for learners of all ages and fostering vibrant, connected communities.

She and her husband, Larry, are the proud parents of two grown sons and share their home with a wonderful dog named Louie.