EDUCATIONAL STAFF BIOS
Assistant Director of Education
Essie grew up in St. Louis and was educated in the Parkway School District. After graduating from Mizzou with a certification to teach high school English, she went to Botswana with the Peace Corps. From Africa, she moved to upper Maine and with Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), she spent a year creating recreational opportunities for a small rural community. And from coastal Maine, Essie returned to St. Louis, where she taught high school English at Clayton High School.
Essie loved teaching and the process of facilitating growth and self-esteem in her students. She then attended
Washington University where she earned her MSW. She intended to return to teaching, but from there she explored the ins and outs of programming, non-traditional learning and group dynamics, working with the National Council on Alcoholsim and Drug Abuse (NCADA), Lion's Den Outdoor Learning Center, and Fort Zumwalt School District. Essie served as the part-time Director of Education at B'nai El Congregation and has, also, taught adult ESL. Essie is a graduate of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School.
Essie and her husband, Gary have two sons, Mayer, who is 10, and Solomon, who is 6. The family enjoys hiking at various county parks, frequenting open fields to toss a fribee or a baseball, reading, watching movies, and playing Parcheesi.
To contact Essie, call (314) 361-1564 ext. 118 or e-mail essie@centralreform.org.
Interfaith/Outreach Coordinator
Maggie Duwe was born and raised right here in St. Louis. And she did go to high school here! She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Tulsa in physical education. After living in Colorado, Arkansas, and Florida, she returned to St. Louis to attend Logan College of Chiropractic. Maggie received her doctorate in 1985.
Maggie began her studies and journey with Judaism in 1995, attending Introduction to Judaism, the original Ruth Group, and Melton. In 1996 she converted to Judaism.
Maggie continued her chiropractic practice until 1999, when she moved to New York City. There she began her studies at Hebrew Union College. She was awarded a Masters Degree in Jewish Education.
She currently holds the position of Interfaith and Outreach Coordinator and Adult Educator at CRC. (And works as a chiropractor again too!)
To contact Maggie call (314) 361-1564 ext 112 or e-mail maggie@centralreform.org
Education Assistant
Cecelia, our Education Assistant, works part time doing whatever needs to be done to keep our youth education programs running smoothly. Whether maintaining the resource rooms, shopping for supplies, or helping with a mailing, Cecelia is always happy to pitch in and is an invaluable help to both CRC’s Education Department and our administrative staff.
Cecelia is proud to be entering her seventh decade on Mother Earth this year. She counts as her biggest accomplishments her three stupendous adult children and one spectacular granddaughter. Two of her children live out of state and one, happily, is in St. Louis.
Cecelia has lived in North St. Louis City and County her entire life, and says “Isn’t the “North” where it’s at?” Cecelia started working at age 13 and has now been in the work force both full and part-time for 43 years.
Cecelia came to CRC through her daughter, Sarah (Taucher Wright), who used to work at CRC. She says this position has been especially interesting, since she is not Jewish and sometimes needs guidance on how to pronounce and find the various items – though she now knows quite a lot. Cecelia says, “This is my first experience working with the Jewish community. I want everyone to know the patience shown to me is greatly appreciated.”
The CRC Education Program promotes Jewish connections to family, community, God, Torah, and Israel through exploration of Tzedakah, Tikkun Olam, Freedom, Peace, and the Power of Ritual.
