Danny Kochavi, Religious School Director, joined The Conservative Synagogue in July 2007.  He shares his passion for Jewish education with our youth, overseeing the Kindergarten through sixth grade program, Atid (grades seven and eight), and Kollel (grades nine through twelve).  Danny received his Master’s Degree in Judaic Studies, Education and Synagogue School Administration from the William Davidson School of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.   Prior to that, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Judaic Studies and Biology from the State University of New York at Albany.   He has studied at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem and participated in the year long Nativ USY leadership course in Jerusalem as well.

Prior to joining our staff, Danny was the Director of Education and Youth at Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park, Michigan, where he developed and implemented a vibrant and innovative school curriculum.  Prior to his position in Oak Park, Danny held positions as an assistant educational director, a youth activities programmer and high school director, and an age group leader at Camp Ramah.  He currently sits on the Board of the Jewish Educators Assembly.  

Danny was born in Israel, raised in Forest Hills, New York, and currently resides in Westport, Connecticut.

Geri is a veteran preschool educator.  Prior to opening The Conservative Synagogue Preschool in September 2000, she was a head teacher for a 4’s class for eight years at the Temple Israel Early Childhood Center in Westport.  Geri was also the director of Temple Israel’s  summer program for two years.

 Before relocating to Wilton from Hewlett Harbor, New York, Geri taught 4’s for seven years in a Head Start program in Far Rockaway, New York.  She also served as Curriculum Coordinator for that program.  Additionally, she was the Senior Camp Administrator for six years at Camp Robindel, an all-girls sleep-away camp in Center Harbor, New Hampshire. 

 Geri has a Master’s degree in Reading and Learning Disabilities from Adelphi University and a BS in Elementary Education/Behavioral Sciences from the University of Hartford.  She is a member of various educational organizations such as: the Board of Jewish Education, the Mid-Fairfield Director’s group, the National Association for Education of Young Children, the Westport Preschool Child Study program and the Association of Supervisors and Directors.

 Geri and her husband, Mitchell, have two children and live in Wilton, CT.

Marcy Bratman, Synagogue Administrator

Marcy grew up in Forest Hills, New York, with her parents Sylvia and Johnny Pekats and her brother Todd. They had a traditional, observant Jewish home, one in which family relationships, religion and Jewish customs played a large role, to which she credits her strong Jewish identity.  As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Marcy has a lifelong commitment to creating lasting Judaic connections for her family, her friends and her congregation. 

Marcy attended SUNY New Paltz and the Fashion Institute of Technology.  She worked in the advertising industry for over 12 years and was responsible for IBM media contracts and budgeting.  As a stay-at-home mom in Westchester County, New York, Marcy and a friend developed a Mommy and Me program-- The MusicCraft Express.  After moving to Westport, Marcy became the Director of the Arts and Crafts program at the Jewish Community Center in Norwalk, before being hired to teach Judaic Arts and Crafts in The Conservative Synagogue Religious School. 

Marcy and her family joined The Conservative Synagogue community nearly ten years ago when the membership was approximately half the size it is today.  She served on the TCS Board of Directors as Chair of the Social Committee for two years before being offered another opportunity to learn and grow as the Synagogue Office Manager; she currently serves as the Synagogue Administrator and is an integral part of the day-to-day running of our shul.  Marcy is committed to providing a home that will welcome congregants and their families for generations to come. 

Marcy met her husband Peter in the fifth grade in Forest Hills; they were married in February 1982.  They reside in Westport with their children, a daughter Arly and a son Spencer.