Iris Koller

About Iris Koller

Iris Koller is the Executive Director of the Friedman Commission for Jewish Education of the Palm Beaches. Immediately prior to coming to Friedman CJE, Iris was national Director of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s PJ Goes to School pilot project, a professional development program for preschools in PJ Library communities.

Prior to her position with the Grinspoon Foundation, Iris served as a synagogue educator in Syracuse NY, the Central New York PJ Library Program Coordinator and as a national consultant for PJ Library.

Iris holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education, a master’s degree in Special Education and Reading, and Advanced Certification in School Leadership and Administration. Her experience as a secular educator and educational leader in congregational and community settings spans over 20 years. She is also a lay leader in Jewish organizations on the local and national levels. Iris served as the President of CAJE – the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education, which was the largest member organization for Jewish educators in the country.

October 3, 2014

May My (and Your) Yom Kippur Be Filled Meaning

Inspired by teachings from Amichai Lau-Lauvie and Sara Wolkenfeld May I stand filled with yirah (awe so powerful it has me momentarily silenced) as Yom Kippur’s final shofar sounds, just as my ancestors did at Mount Sinai. Yet, may the silence and stillness be momentary; may the sight of the ram’s horn not shock me […]

September 19, 2014

We All Are Standing Here.. Now What Will You Do?

“You are (all) standing here today; all of you; in front of Adonai, your G-d.” So begins this week’s parsha, Nitzavim. In chapter 29, verses 9 & 10, Moses reminds us that each one of us, no matter our work, our income, our age, or our level of involvement in the community stands, today and […]

September 12, 2014

‘Tis the Season of Transitions

September is a time of transition. So, too, is this Hebrew month of Elul. We watch children begin or return to school or take a next career or life step. No matter their age or stage of life, we hope that our children have the skills and confidence to comfortably face the content and the […]

September 5, 2014

When We Go Out

We carefully get dressed for work and then, when we go out the door we find that the snowplow filled our driveway. By the time we dig out and get to the office we are wet and bedraggled. Looking out our 12th story window the scene looks pristine and quiet, yet when we get to […]

August 22, 2014

Let Us See Peace on Earth

“See, I am putting before you today a blessing and a curse.” So begins Parshat R’eh (Deut. 11:26) In this opening line, our ancestors, and we, are reminded, individually and collectively, we have choices and power. We can weigh the opportunities before us and choose our path. Each one of us can consciously make a […]

August 8, 2014

May There Come a Time

Earlier this week the Jewish people observed Tisha B’Av, the day of communal mourning for the many periods of destruction and losses of our collective past. This year the day was especially poignant as we watched our Homeland engaged in a fight for the safety of its citizens as well as citizens fighting for their […]

August 1, 2014

Will Your Words Hurt or Heal?

This week we enter the final book of Torah – Devarim (words). Its name, which is also the name of this week’s parsha, refers to the many words that Moses will share with the next generation of Israelites in his final speech, doing his best to prepare them to remember and live all they have […]

July 11, 2014

The Leaders We Need

I have always struggled with Parshat Pinchas. I believe that those who are our leaders should be thoughtful, not reactive. I believe in elevating those who have proven themselves as individuals who work for the good of all. I have never supported moving anyone “up the professional ladder” to get them out of the way […]

July 4, 2014

Will We Ever Learn?

As I watched the news of this week unfold my heart became increasingly heavy. Kidnappings, murders, shellings, and calls for revenge have left me speechless and pained. Usually when I read Parshat Balak I focus on the beautiful words that the wizard Bilaam sang from the edge of a cliff, showering blessings upon the people […]

June 27, 2014

Understanding the Conundrum

Much happens in Parshat Chukat, Miriam dies. Moses, still grieving for his sister and stressing under his long held burden of leading a quarrelsome, complaining group, hits the rock instead of ordering it to bring forth water as G-d had commanded, and though water rushes forth, he is told he will not enter the Promised […]