our staff
Meet the Chabad Intown Team
Our loving and caring staff at Chabad Intown is dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming environment for everyone. With a shared passion for Jewish life, learning, and community, each team member brings unique talents and a deep commitment to helping individuals and families grow, connect, and thrive.
oh hi! nice to meet you!
We believe that teamwork does, indeed, make the dream work.
Eliyahu Schusterman
Founder & Executive Director
Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman is the founder and director of Chabad Intown - Atlanta. From its inception in 1997, Chabad Intown has grown exponentially and currently serves over 2,000 Jews of all backgrounds throughout the year. In addition, Rabbi Schusterman is a consultant for many Chabad Centers in fundraising and organization management. One of his passions is utilizing technology and business techniques to better impact the Jewish world and increase Jewish involvement. He received ordination from the Central Chabad Yeshiva in Brooklyn. He and his wife Dena, Executive Director of the Intown Jewish Preschool, have 8 children, and 2 grandchildren.
Dena Schusterman
Founder of IJP & Intown Hebrew School
Dena Schusterman is a founder of Chabad Intown in Atlanta, a Jewish educator and a founding director of both the Intown Jewish Preschool and the Intown Hebrew School. She teaches women's classes and is dedicated to teaching students of all ages in the Atlanta Jewish community and beyond through her published articles. Dena is currently working on writing her first book. She and her husband Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman are native Californians and have been living in Atlanta for 26 years. They have 8 children and two very cute grandsons.
Sara Elan
Chief Operating Officer & Marketing Director
Sara Elan, a home-grown Georgia Peach and former New Yorker, has a strong passion for community building and relationship fostering. As a past IJP and current Hebrew School parent, a Schusterman neighbor, and employee, Sara has a rich history with the Chabad Intown community. She brings her extensive leadership experience from notable companies, including American Express, Time Inc., and D.M.C. to Chabad Intown. When she’s not at work, Sara enjoys spending time with her family, brunching, and biking the Beltline.
Leivy Lapidus
Director of YJP Intown
Rabbi Leivy Lapidus grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Passionate about bringing authentic Judaism to people, he has traveled extensively to places like New York, Guatemala, Los Angeles, Israel, Pucon, Chile, Mexico, and many more. Rabbi Leivy is driven to make the timeless messages of Judaism relevant to the daily grind. When he is not “Rabbi-ing” Rabbi Leivy can be found playing a game of soccer or reading a book on philosophy in a nearby coffee shop
Shelbelle Lapidus
Director of YJP Intown
Rebbetzin Shelbelle Lapidus grew up right here in ATL. VaHi to be exact! Growing up in a home that had its doors open to Jews from every walk of life, Shelbelle knew that would be her chosen destiny. Her creativity (check out her side hustle @bellefotos!), warmth, and authenticity make connecting with her enjoyable. Shelbelle enjoys a sunset walk on the Beltline and coffee. So. Much. Coffee. She is passionate about women’s health and finding meaning in the mundane.
Jonathan Schloss
Director of Operations
Jonathan grew up in Virginia and then moved around a lot studying or working in New Orleans, Roanoke, Honolulu, Williamsburg, and Orlando before settling in Atlanta in 1999. He has a Bachelor's Degree from Tulane University and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Hawaii. He spent 10 years working in Theme Park Entertainment, before moving to Atlanta to run the U.S. operations for a Canadian manufacturer of custom character costumes. In 2016, he transitioned to Chabad Intown. When not at Chabad, he's focused on family...as the father of two humans (a son and daughter) and two dogs (a Golden Retriever and a Flat Coated Retriever).
Mussy Groner
Director of Intown Jewish Preschool
Mussy is a Brooklyn-born educator who now calls Atlanta home. With a deep-rooted passion for teaching, she has over 20 years of experience in various educational roles, including summer camps, private tutoring, and teaching at Hebrew School. As a proud mother of five and a dedicated wife to Mendel, family is incredibly important to her. In her free time, Mussy enjoys baking, solving puzzles, and cherishing moments with her loved ones.
Sara Dworcan
Administrative Support and Special Projects
Sara Schusterman was born and raised right here in the Atlanta Intown community. Sara has spent time studying in diverse locations such as New York, Australia, and Israel. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Sara Schenirer/Saint Peter's University. Currently, Sara works as an Administrative Support and Special Projects staff member here at Chabad Intown, where she utilizes her organizational and problem-solving skills to ensure the smooth running of operations.
Chaya Steinberg
Preschool Manager and Lead Teacher
She has spent time studying in California, New York, and Israel. Since settling in Atlanta nearly a decade ago, Chaya has been involved at Chabad and Intown Jewish Preschool, where she serves as a Lead Teacher and Preschool Manager. She is deeply invested in the IJP community, both professionally and personally, as the proud parent of a current IJP student and two IJP graduates.
James Waters
Operations Assistant
Since 2017, James Waters has been an integral part of the Chabad Intown community, contributing his expertise and passion to the organization. With over 15 years of experience as a Brick Mason, James has demonstrated meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship. He has also served with the GA State Patrol for 10 commendable years, exhibiting exceptional professionalism and a strong commitment to public safety. When James is not maintaining and constructing our Chabad Intown facility for services and events, you can find him outdoors, as he enjoys fishing, traveling, and hiking.
Rena Gray
Assistant Director, IJP
Rena holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has 15 years of experience working in a preschool environment (10 of them at IJP!). As Assistant Director, she works behind the scenes to help IJP fulfill its purpose: to provide rich learning experiences for our students while fostering meaningful Jewish foundations for IJP families.
Miriam Sadkhin
Events Coordinator
Miriam Sadkhin, a Chicago native and child of USSR-born Jewish refugees, sought a fresh start after half a year of studying abroad and traveling. In August 2023, she found her new home in Atlanta, Georgia. With a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Miriam found her passion in event coordination, inspired by her love for parties. Growing up, she attended a tiny Chabad in the Chicago suburbs, and as the daughter of a Klezmer musician, visited synagogues all over the Midwest. These experiences ingrained in her a deep appreciation for Chabad’s mission of uniting Jews from all walks of life, throwing simchas to do just that. When she's not running around at Chabad, you can find her exploring the city, thrifting, or sunbathing in Piedmont Park.
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