Nancy Pandolfo, Executive Director
Nancy has been part of the Ohav family for 20+ years. As Executive Director, she oversees the synagogue’s daily operations — member services, facilities/maintenance, safety and security, technology, human resources, grant submissions, finance and communications. Nancy is also the staff liaison to the Board of Trustees. She is a member of both the North American Association of Synagogue Executives (NAASE) and Ohav Shalom’s Life and Legacy Committee. Her rich experience benefits Ohav Shalom as well as the greater Jewish community. Her door is always open to congregant & community inquiries. Outside of Ohav, Nancy stays extremely busy where she resides in Clifton Park with her husband, Frank, and their three teenage children, Silvio, Nina and Giancarlo.
Ruth Malka, B‘Yachad Principal
Ruth grew up in Albany, attended the Hebrew Academy and moved to Israel at the age of 17 to study at Tel Aviv University. She took courses in Judaic Studies while majoring in Social Work. She went on to teach English to high school students in Givatayim, Israel. She was nominated by the Israeli Ministry of Education to teach special education high school students to prepare and take the English Matriculation Exam. This was the first program of its kind in Israel and she was honored to be chosen. Ruth married and raised her children in Israel for twenty years. In 2002, her family relocated to Albany. A dedicated Jewish educator, Ruth has contributed her skills to a number of Jewish schools and organizations in the Capital District. In 2002, Ruth began her tenure as an elementary teacher at the Hebrew Academy, where her responsibilities included coordinating the eighth grade Israel trip. She also worked as the Cultural and Holiday Educational Coordinator at Congregation Beth Emeth’s Religious School. She has served as Camp Director for the Schenectady JCC’s summer camps. Mrs. Malka has been the founding Director of Mifgash Jewish Community High School Program since its inception in 2006 and has enjoyed helping the program grow, develop, and flourish. Ruth is noted for her creativity and ability to connect with students and colleagues, as well as her extensive knowledge and experience teaching Judaic and Hebrew studies.
Tricia Smith, Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) Director
Tricia has been part of Ohav’s ECEC family since 2006. Tricia loves being a part of our child-centric, inclusive school where every child is valued, heard and supported. Tricia believes in teaching each child in a way that he/she learns to the best of their own ability, it is that passion that drives her dedication to early childhood education.
Tricia has been working in early childhood for over 25 years where she got her start as a private nanny then joined the Ohav ECEC team as our head toddler teacher 15 years ago. Tricia went back to school in 2019 to earn Associate Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Administration and in Business as well. In May of 2020, Tricia stepped into the role of Assistant Director and together with the Director, managed to successfully put our school back into full swing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tricia is the proud mother Georgetown University graduate, Isabella Smith. While not at work Tricia enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Beth Simon Harwood, Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) Assistant Director/ Judaic Coordinator
Beth has been in the field of education for 22 years. She has been a lifelong resident of the capital region as well as an active participant in the Jewish community. Beth received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education/ Human Development from Wheelock College, Boston, MA in 2002. She also received her master’s degree in Literacy Birth-Grade 6 from the College of Saint Rose in 2005. Beth started working in the Albany district for 5 years and then moved with her husband to Parkland, FL to teach at Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton, FL. Donna Klein truly strengthened Beth’s connection to the Jewish community as well as fostered a love for Jewish Education. After moving back to Albany Beth started working at Ohav Shalom ECEC as the lead Integrated teacher for 8 years in our Pre-K classroom and is currently the Assistant Director/ Judaic Coordinator. Beth is married to her husband Michael, and they have two incredible children, Jake and Mara, who attended Ohav Shalom ECEC.
Cecelia Soloviev, Administrative Assistant
Cecelia supports all of the synagogue’s administrative departments. Before coming to Ohav she was the retail manager at a local farm, where she managed beekeeping, taught farming classes to young children, developed programming and oversaw all retail managerial tasks. Cecelia was raised on a farm and thoroughly enjoys sharing her knowledge of farming and animals with children of all ages, promoting an appreciation for the origins of our food. She also holds degrees in elementary education and history. Cecelia home-schooled her three sons and now enjoys spending time with her granddaughters. In her free time she works with the Russian Orthodox Church community youth as a teacher and coordinator, and enjoys working with young children as well as mentoring troubled teens.
Rivi Bahir, B’Yachad Administrative Assistant
Rivi Bahir comes to us from Kfar-Saba Israel. She recently relocated to Guilderland with her husband and their three children. Rivi graduated with a degree in Graphic Design and Visual Communications and worked for 10 years as an assistant artistic director in the graphic arts department of Israel’s Yellow Pages. In addition to managing organizational projects and working in the design and management department, Rivi has led individuals and groups in sales and marketing. Rivi is a very caring, patient and patriotic Israeli who wants to share her love of Israel and knowledge of Hebrew
Raliek Polk, Chef
Raliek has worked in Ohav Shalom’s kitchens for more than 25 years. His kosher cooking experience began with Susan Shapiro’s Food for Thought catering. Raliek’s culinary skills are on display most weekends at kiddush — and especially at Shabbat dinners, Yom Kippur break fast, fundraising galas, BBQs and Sunday Schmoozes… just to name a few! A lifetime resident of Albany, he is the doting father of four children and a very proud grandfather. When he’s not cooking or baking, Raliek enjoys spending time on his boat and fishing.
Pete Demereski, Housekeeping and Kitchen Supervisor
Pete brings a multitude of skills and talents to Ohav Shalom along with a strong work ethic. Since joining the staff in 2005 as a housekeeper, he has added chef and chief room decorator to his expertise. Pete knows and cares for our facility both inside and out. He is a lifelong resident of Troy where he resides with his wife, Kimmarie. Pete enjoys keeping his vehicle as clean as he keeps our building, new sneakers and sunglasses and occasional shopping sprees to NYC.
Tom Sicko, Caretaker
Tom joined the staff of Ohav Shalom in 2018, and is currently the synagogue’s trusted the live-in caretaker.
Listed alphabetically
Ann Coryell, Co-Teacher in the Toddler Classsroom – Ann began teaching in the toddler room at Ohav in 2018 following her internship at Ohav as an Early Childhood student at Hudson Valley Community College. She earned her Associates in Early Childhood with a minor in Special Education and joined our team of teachers immediately upon graduating.
Beth Harwood, Co-Teacher in the 4-Year-Old Integrated Classroom – Beth is a certified teacher of Elementary Education and Literacy. She has worked in Ohav’s 4-year-old integrated room as a lead teacher and parent since 2015. Beth has extensive experience teaching Kindergarten and worked at the Albany Jewish Community Center.
Polina Verba, Co-Teacher in the Toddler Classroom – Polina joined the ECEC staff at Ohav in 2018. Prior to Ohav, Polina worked at the Albany Jewish Community Center for 20 years working with toddlers and kindergarteners. She was also our director Sheryl’s co-teacher at the Albany Jewish Community Center for 7 years.
Hannah Smith. Co-Teacher in the 3-Year-Old Integrated Classroom – Hannah joined the Ohav ECEC in 2020 and what a year to start! Hannah has always loved children and while working with 3 year olds was not her first career path, she couldn’t be happier to be working with children in Ohav’s ECEC. Hannah has 3 older sisters and currently has a total of 6 nieces and nephews all under the age of 6. To say Hannah has a lot of experience with young children is an understatement! Hannah received her Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University in Spanish Education and will soon be certified to teach Spanish in New York to 7th graders through seniors in high school. Currently, Hannah is working on her Masters Degree in Special Education online through Grand Canyon University which will be completed in the fall of 2022.
