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.
Larry Rein
President
Larry Rein
President
Larry is currently the Senior Development Executive for Yachad, the Orthodox Union’s National Jewish Council for Disabilities, where he plays a strategic role in major gifts fundraising.
Prior to joining Yachad, Larry assumed executive positions in the corporate sector, leveraging his expertise in IT and marketing. Larry served as CIO of AT&T’s Global Consumer Department, CIO of Global Crossing’s Metro Networks, and Senior Vice President of Program Management at IDT.
Larry’s transition to the non-profit sector was seamless, due to his deep involvement in the MetroWest NJ Jewish community, in which he has held many leadership positions including Chair of the JCC MetroWest, President of Congregation AABJ&D (West Orange), and President of the Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life, a project of Jewish Federation of MetroWest NJ.
Larry currently serves as the President for Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD). He is also the co-founder of Kulanu MetroWest, a unique afternoon Judaic studies program for Jewish children attending secular schools. Additionally, Larry serves on the boards of JCC Metrowest, Jewish Family Services of MetroWest, the West Orange Mikvah, the Keren Ness Foundation, Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, and New York Medical College.
Larry provides a tremendous value-add on each Board in the areas of strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. He has mentored and trained many new board members and has a passion for helping organizations achieve their goals. Larry has been recognized in the MetroWest NJ Jewish community, with numerous accolades and awards for his philanthropic work.
Larry received an MBA in Marketing from Pace University, and a Bachelor degree in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Aubrie George
WAE Center Director
Aubrie George
WAE Center Director
Aubrie studied at Montclair State University where she graduated with a BA in Sociology and dual minors in Anthropology and International Studies. She holds a MA in Counseling - Student Affairs/ Higher Education and has also completed post-graduate coursework in Art Therapy. Prior work experiences include the role of Assistant Director of Advising and Coaching at Bloomfield College; she also worked at Montclair State University in the Department of Graduate Admissions. This diverse educational and professional background informs Aubrie’s world view and belief in the potential of people to grow and thrive with the right opportunities.
In 2014, Aubrie began her work at the WAE Center in program development, working with facilitators to craft quality curriculum for an ever-changing environment of learners. Her love for and proficiency in this work led to her subsequent move into the role of Associate Director and, ultimately, the Director’s role in July 2020.
Aubrie finds this work to be complex and fulfilling, as it allows her to work with and for people to achieve and thrive in a holistic environment. The human experience is her passion and the WAE Center philosophy is a perfect fit in its focus on Finding the Spark Within. The unique creative environment of JSDD’s WAE Center is the force which makes this work so compelling and gratifying.