Professional Staff

Samara Rossi

Samara is excited to be the Executive Director of Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation.  Her experience in business finance, as well as education, make her a perfect fit for our synagogue community.

Samara was in finance for ten years.  As the Northeast Warehouse Seller Division Manager for a major leading bank, many skills were obtained that will guide her in the current role here at OWHC as Executive Director. Most recent past experience includes: Director of Education, Director of Family and Youth Engagement, Director of Holiday Programming, as well as a classroom educator in public and private schools. Her background also  includes working with special needs children and she focused on Behavior Intervention Therapy. She has enjoyed working with children from nursery school aged through high school for over 15 years. She is eager to now have the opportunity to join our community and become part of the OWHC mishpacha! 

As the new Executive Director, Samara  looks forward to meeting our incredible congregation and their children! So far, Samara is thrilled to be working with our phenomenal clergy, staff and teachers. She plans to provide support for OWHC to continue to have a  positive impact on our congregation, and assist as we build our community, here at OWHC.  Read more

Pamela Schaner

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.