Staff
Tessa Cramer
ECEC Director
Early Childhood Education Director, Tessa Cramer, moved to Los Angeles thirty-six years ago from South Africa, where she got her degree in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning. She has worked extensively with children ranging in age from three months to eight years.
Tessa has taught in numerous preschools in the Los Angeles area, starting off at Temple Judea as a Parent and Me educator, then moving to the Conejo Valley JCC, continuing at Stephen. S. Wise preschool and spending the eighteen years prior to moving to TAS, as the Toddler Program Coordinator and then the Assistant Director of the Early Childhood Learning Center at University Synagogue. She was also the recipient of the prestigious Lainer Distinguished Educator award.
She believes deeply that children thrive when schools adhere to a play-based, developmental philosophy and strives in all she does to uphold the motto that Experience is not the best teacher, it is the only teacher (Bev Bos, foremost educator in preschool learning).
Tessa and her husband Ken were married in Johannesburg in 1981. They have three fantastic children, twins Adam and Petra, and younger daughter Emma. Tessa enjoys frequent visits to New York to see all three of her children, as well as her two adorable granddaughters, Lily and Hannah.
Tessa loves to unwind at home with a good book, a cup of tea, and some chocolate.
Community at Temple Ahavat Shalom
Stepping into our Community allows us to shake off the stress of life while providing the opportunity to reimagine we are Jews living in a Jewish world.
Education at Temple Ahavat Shalom
Our Religious School combines a progressive and interactive program while providing a solid foundation in Reform Judaism.
Prayer at Temple Ahavat Shalom
As a Beit Tefillah – a House of Prayer – Temple Ahavat Shalom provides a place of spiritual nourishment and renewal for all in an often chaotic world.
