Meet Our Team
Administration
Missy Horrow, Director of Early Childhood Education
215-735-5142 | email
With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, Missy is dedicated to helping young children grow through hands-on learning and play. Her approach draws deeply from the Reggio Emilia philosophy, treating the environment as a “third teacher,” and from the teachings of Bev Bos, embracing the idea that “if you want it in their minds, you need to put it in their hands first.” This belief underscores her commitment to learning through doing, where play is essential work for children.
Missy’s educational philosophy emphasizes rich, engaging experiences that nurture cooperation, social skills, and readiness for formal schooling. With a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Chestnut Hill College, she is a lifelong learner, always exploring the latest research and methods in the field.
She is thrilled to be back in a synagogue setting, feeling a strong sense of community at BZBI, where she enjoys helping children and families connect to the synagogue’s vibrant life.
Outside of work, Missy treasures time with her three granddaughters—Ruby, Maya, and Cassie. She has two grown children, Jenna, married to Evan, and Andrew, married to Sami, and lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband, Jeff. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending days at the beach.
Sarah Fleischman, Assistant Director
Sarah has been a member of BZBI for her entire life (her BZBI preschool diploma hangs in the office) and has played many different roles in the synagogue. From serving as a Tot Shabbat Leader and Preschool Teacher to guiding Hebrew School students and advising Kadima/USY programs to Adult Education Board Chair, she’s had the privilege of working with congregants of all ages. Her journey has been deeply intertwined with BZBI, and each role has enriched her understanding of our community’s needs.
Now, as the Preschool’s Assistant Director, she is committed to fostering an even stronger bond between our preschool families and synagogue members. This new role will allow her to use the skills she’s learned and developed throughout her master’s program in Jewish Communal Service/Nonprofit Management from Gratz College and professional career working in non-profit development and operations management. Simultaneously, it allows her to remain deeply connected to the classroom, teachers, students, and families — a closeness that she cherishes.
When not at BZBI (which isn’t often), Sarah enjoys traveling, reading by the pool, going to the gym, attending theater, and hanging out with friends and family.
Our Staff
Our preschool is proud to have a team of diverse, compassionate teachers who are dedicated to fostering a joyful learning environment. Each teacher brings their unique experience, background, and passion to their role, and their tenure with us ranges from seasoned educators who have been part of our community for 16 years to enthusiastic newcomers starting their first year. All of our lead teachers hold the necessary credentials for their positions, with qualifications including CDA, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees, and every teacher has hands-on experience in early childhood education. United by a shared commitment, our teachers work to create an engaging and thoughtful environment that provides our children with meaningful experiences to support their growth, learning, and development.
