Sue Issler received her BA in Liberal Studies  from  California State University Northridge as well as her Bilingual Elementary School Teacher’s Credential.  For ten  years  Sue taught  first through  sixth  grade  at Roscoe  Elementary  School in Sun Valley. When  her second  son was  born, Sue retired from teaching and became a full time mother.  In 1998 she and her husband,  Paul, became  members of Temple Ahavat Shalom (TASl in Northridge. At TAS, Sue’s  love of Judaism blossomed. Inspired by the  learning  she received  at TAS, Sue enrolled in the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish   Learning in 2010. After graduating from the Melton Program, she yearned  to deepen her Jewish education and in 2014 enrolled in the Master of Jewish Studies program at the Academy for Jewish   Religion California (AJRCAl. Enlightened  by her knowledgeable instructors and their profound spiritual and ethical focus, as well as the insightful opinions and perspectives of her fellow  students,  Sue looks forward to bringing what  she  has learned  at the  Academy to TAS.

I knew my level of Jewish  knowledge  would be greatly enhanced when I enrolled  in the Master’s  program at AJRCA. What I did not expect is that my soul would also take flight. Each of my instructors from Rabbi Mel Gottlieb to Dr. Tamar Frankie/added  another rung to my spiritual development and Jewish journey and I am eternally grateful to them all. Thankyou to my wonderful husband,Paul, and children, Ben and Joshua, for their love, support, and encouragement.

Upon graduation,  Sue hopes to work together  with the Temple Ahavat Shalom clergy and Synaplex committee,which she has chaired for ten years,  to continue  to build a strong,  spiritual  community.  It is her desire  to create   intergenerational     programs  that  meaningfully connect   congregants   to one another  while instilling a love of Jewish  learning, identity and community.

Email: sissler@socal.rr.com