Shorashim leadership

Pamela Schaner
Director

Pamela Schaner is joining us as Director of Shorashim Preschool after 16 years of working in various independent preschools in
Manhattan. She most recently served for six years as the Associate Director of the Park Avenue Synagogue’s Early Childhood Center. Before that, Pam filled a number of roles over ten years at The Mandell Preschool, culminating as its Preschool Director.

Pam has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development with a focus in Child Development from SUNY Binghamton. She received a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education. Pam holds New York State Teaching Certification for Birth through Grade 2. Pam is a passionate educator and leader whose focus lies equally in supporting her educators, children, and their families. She has experience with a range of educational approaches and philosophies, focusing on ensuring students, families, and educators feel heard and supported. She believes in child-centered and play-based classrooms where each child is met where they are and then lifted to the next level. When children have autonomy over what happens each day in the classroom, they develop an early passion for lifelong learning.

Originally from Oceanside, NY, Pam now lives with her family in Oyster Bay Cove, NY and is thrilled to be joining a community close to home. Pam and her husband Matthew have a son, Archer (5) and recently welcomed baby sister Lucy in October 2023.

Dorie Meyerson
Assistant Director

Bio coming soon

Gayle Friedman

Administrative Assistant

Prior to working in early childhood education, Gayle Friedman was employed as a school dental hygienist. Before coming to Shorashim in 2020, she was employed at Temple Sinai in Roslyn for 39 years. During this time she was a preschool assistant teacher for fifteen years and then administrative assistant for 24 years. She loves her role as administrative assistant to Debbie Neuschatz and Dorie Meyerson!! Gayle is originally from Ferndale, NY (the center of the Borscht Belt) . She presently lives in Oyster Bay and has one grown son, Harlan.