Our Leadership

JSDD Leadership

JSDD’s Board of Trustees and professional staff have defined the highest of quality as measured, not only through their concern for health, safety and compliance, but with an eye towards true quality of life.

Linda Press, M.A.

Executive Director

Linda Press, M.A.

Executive Director

Ms. Press has an MA degree from George Washington University in Early Childhood Special Education and is a certified teacher in the State of NJ. She has been working providing services to individuals with special needs for nearly 40 years, first as a teacher of children with severe and profound disabilities and then as a Coordinator of an Early Intervention Program and Preschool.
Her experiences also include Behaviorist for ARC of Essex, Family Support Coordinator for The Spina Bifida Association of NJ and Special Needs Director of JCC MetroWest prior to assuming the position of Executive Director of JSDD in 2001.

Marilynn Lipsky Schneider, B.A

WAE Center Director

Marilynn Lipsky Schneider, B.A

WAE Center Director

Ms. Schneider has a B.A. from Montclair State University in Anthropology and has studied and worked as a Chaplain, Bereavement Specialist, Rubenfeld Synergy Method Trainer, and private practitioner of RSM body/mind therapy. She has been employed in the field of personal development (health, healing and spirituality) for the past 32 years; beginning in private practice of RSM and evolving as a chaplain with the Joint Chaplaincy Committee of United Jewish Communities MetroWest. It was this position that brought her to the doors of JSDD and the community she now serves.

Ellen Goldner

President

Ellen Goldner

President

For decades, Ellen Goldner has been an active leader on behalf of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, its predecessors, and other community causes. She served as campaign chair and president of Women’s Department, and she was founding president of the Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life. She chaired the UJA Campaign and was the first woman to hold the position of president (2002-05) at the MetroWest federation.

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Who we are

At JSDD, the expectations for quality extend beyond what services and supports may be available to what life fulfilling experiences are possible. Our philosophy supports the notion that there are no limits to those possibilities. We have developed opportunities over time through a dynamic process of establishing relationships with the agency’s residents and WAE Center members. Unexplored interests, ideas, prospects for learning, continuing education and creativity are constantly evolving and emerge as our remarkable staff and the people we support get to know each other and share experiences.

What we do

Ability is the focus of all efforts in supporting the men and women we serve. We are delighted and inspired each and every day by the insights, revelations and creative energy that emerges when respectful relationships for the gifts and talent of every individual are considered. Learning and creativity occur organically as people share themselves and develop friendships and help each other to grow.