Professional Staff

Mara B. Suskauer

Executive Director 

Mara Suskauer joined Temple B’nai Abraham as executive director in November 2021. Prior to joining TBA, she was the director of lower school admissions at Golda Och Academy and before that was the executive director of Israel advocacy and education at Jewish National Fund. She has spent her career leading Jewish non-profits and has family roots at TBA, as her husband’s family members belonged to TBA when it was in Newark.

Mara has a Master of Public Administration, Non-Profit Management, from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Business and International Affairs from Kennesaw State University.

While Mara has southern roots and grew up in Marietta, Georgia, she’s been in New Jersey for almost 20 years. When not at TBA, you can find her around town with 3 kids, trying to sneak in runs with the SOMA Foxes, or walking a very friendly Bernese Mountain Dog with her husband.

Debbie Aronson Ziering

Director of Early Childhood Education

Debbie has been an early childhood educator for over three decades and has been associated with B’nai Abraham’s pre-school programs for over 36 years. She is a graduate of Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor and training in Special Education and Day Care Management. Debbie, a pre-school math and language arts specialist has developed the school’s literacy related curriculum for all age levels. She has been instrumental in formulating the latest theories and translating them into curriculum and programming. Debbie is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Melissa G. Weiner

Director of Jewish Learning

Before joining Temple B’nai Abraham in 2012,  Melissa had served as the Director of Education and Lifelong Learning of Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael, Morristown, NJ,   Previously serving Reform, Reconstructionist and Conservative synagogues in Massachusetts, Missouri and New Jersey, she has created curriculum for CAJE in St. Louis and presented workshops on Family Education in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Missouri.

Melissa earned her BA from Brandeis University and MA from Brown University, and has studied in Israel. She has been honored with both regional and national Solomon Schechter Awards for her many innovative programs such as the Jewseum, Lions of Jerusalem Day and Lech Lecha. She was the Recipient of 2007-2008 United Synagogue Conservative Judaism NJ Region Norman H. Winter Professional Excellence Award.

Laura Wold

Office Manager

Laura has been with the Temple B’nai Abraham staff since 1984. She is a veritable font of knowledge when it comes to anything regarding TBA, whether past, present or even future! Her computer expertise is legendary, and she has been essential in implementing numerous computer program upgrades throughout the years. Laura trains and supports TBA staff through these vital improvements. She is certified as a Notary Public.

Alia Covel

Communications and Marketing Manager

Alia has a professional background in journalism, both Jewish, being a writer, editor, and blogger for New Jersey Jewish News for some 17 years, and secular, being editor of the TAPinto SOMA website for two years. In addition, she enjoyed working many years ago at another synagogue in a similar role. She has been a volunteer with the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey for more than 25 years. Alia holds BA from The Ohio State University. Alia’s responsibilities include TBA communications and marketing and upkeep of the website.

Tracey Bent

Facilities Manager

Tracey joined the staff of Temple B’nai Abraham in 1991. As Facilities Manager, he oversees a staff of dedicated workers to ensure the maintenance and security of the Temple's building and grounds. Tracey is a Certified Educational Facilities Manager (CEFM) in the state of New Jersey, a designation that is administered by the NJDOE's Office of School Facilities Planning.

In addition, he manages the operations of the Temple’s computer systems and technology services. A Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft Certified Professional, Tracey continues to pursue his education in the computer field. Tracey has guided the temple in implementing “green” and environmentally-friendly efforts in many aspects of temple life. He studied electronics at DeVry Technical Institute in Woodbridge and attended Union County College in Cranford. Tracey has been a dedicated member of the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department for more than 20 years and currently serves as Deputy Chief.