Heather Alfonso (2011/13) was born and raised in Akron, Ohio where she and her husband David met while working at the Jewish Center.  She studied health education at the University of Akron and after moving to Grand Rapids in 2003 she furthered her education at Aquinas College and has endorsements in learning disabilties and elementary education.  She has worked in Kentwood Public schools and is currently a stay-at-home mom.  Heather and David have two beautiful daughters, Eva and Vivienne. She enjoys spending time with her family.

Mark Neistat 2011-2013  moved to Grand Rapids from Chicago 10 years ago. In Grand Rapids he met Melissa Hillman, they had Zoey Grace and he re-discovered Judaism. Mark founded Creative Business Writing, LLC a company that provides marketing services to small and medium businesses in May of 2011. So far so good.

Erica Wikander  2011/2013 grew up in Farmington Hills and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 2000. She attended Wayne State Law School, where she met her husband, Matt; the two received their degrees in 2004 and moved to Grand Rapids shortly thereafter. Erica is a partner with Velzen, Johnsen & Wikander, P.C.; the firm specializes in divorce and family law. Erica lives in East Grand Rapids with Matt and their two children, Ellie and Leo. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her children, traveling and attending any and all U of M sporting events.

Jan Fonger (2010/2012) grew up in Grand Rapids and attended Temple Emanuel Religious School.  She is fund-raising director of the Kent District Library.  She is married to Lindsay and they have a daughter Celia.  They also have three cats.  Jan has taught in Temple Emanuel religious school for over 15 years.

Patricia Green 2010/2012 Patricia Green has been a member of Temple Emanuel since moving to Grand Rapids in 2003.  Patti received her undergraduate degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from The University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles.  She is currently a part time science writer and full time mother living in Alto with her husband, Joel Goldberg and two children, Josh and Ellie.

Wende Cook 2010/2012 Wende grew up in the West Michigan area most of her life.  She lives with her husband Jason who proudly serves in the US ARMY, two children Vance & Willow, and two English Mastiffs Ed & Sergeant.  Her children also attend United Jewish School.  Wende has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from GVSU and has worked for Community Mental Health of Ottawa County since 2002.   She has held an LBSW since 2006 to practice social work in the state of Michigan and currently serves as a Supported Employment Specialist for adults with serious and chronic mental illness.

Carey Potter 2010/2012 grew up in East Grand Rapids and attended Temple Emanuel Religious School.  After graduating from Miami University in 1992, she went on to live in Chicago, New York City and Richmond, VA where she worked in the advertising industry.  Carey and family moved back to West Michigan in 2005 to be closer to her beloved parents, Steve and Mary Schwartz. Carey is the owner of Brick House Marketing Group, a marketing communications firm that specializes in media services.  She currently lives in East Grand Rapids with her husband, Chris, her son, Jake, and their Bernese Mountain dog, Izzie.

Elisabeth Rosewall 2010/2012  Elisabeth is a native Californian with a BS in Design from the University of California at Davis, and has lived in Grand Rapids since 1985. She has taught both 4-7th grades and Hebrew since 1990 both at Temple and Ahavas as well as in South Haven. She currently focuses on Hebrew and tutors b'nei mitzvah students at Temple Emanuel. Elisabeth has a passion for learning and Jewish education, and loves teaching Hebrew classes for adults. She especially enjoys those who learn differently and tries to find the spark in each. She feels blessed by her two children, Emily and Eric, (and the presence of cats in their lives).

Sharlena Lovy (2011/2013)   was born and raised in upstate New York, near Albany.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the State University of New York College at Geneseo then pursued her Master’s Degree in Medicine and Physician Assistant certification at Midwestern University outside of Chicago, where she met her husband, Richard.  She moved to the Detroit suburbs after graduate school where Richard completed his medical residency and fellowship and Sharlena worked as a Physician Assistant in Cardiology before switching to a Family Practice specialty.  In December 2006, Sharlena and Richard welcomed their first child, Jacob.  The family moved to the Grand Rapids area in March 2008, where Rich works at St Mary’s Health Care and Sharlena works part-time in a family planning/ women’s health clinic.  They are eagerly awaiting the birth of their second child at the end of November.  Sharlena enjoys watching movies, reading and scrapbooking in the very little spare time that she has left at the end of each day. School Board continued

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