Francine Rothkopf is our Director of Technology. She also teaches some Judaic studies classes and MakerSpace classes. She was a member of the school’s Founding Board of Directors, and has been an active volunteer at MWJDS for many years. Francine has a Master of Jewish Liberal Studies from Hebrew College, focusing on Biblical and Rabbinic text interpretation, concentrating on educating people with special needs. She has taught the
Jewish Views on Disability course at Hebrew College in Newton. She has a BA in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University; prior careers include theater management and computer technical support. She was the Cantorial Soloist for the High Holidays at Congregation
Sha’arei Shalom in Ashland for the synagogue’s first 15 years and is a tutor for
b’nei mitzvah students. Francine guides unaffiliated families in observing meaningful life-cycle events, including baby namings, weddings, and
b’nei mitzvah. She is also involved in the Massachusetts Down Syndrome community, serving as a First Call and Operation Housecall volunteer and local resource for other families. She was a member of the Zamir Chorale of Boston for ten years.
Francine was honored by MWJDS in 2014 at the MWJDS Winter Lights Gala for her tireless dedication to MWJDS and the Greater Boston Jewish Community, and was the 2021 recipient of the Dr. Barry Ruthfield Excellence in Teaching Award. She lives in Ashland with her husband, David Rothkopf, and their three children: former MWJDS student Sofia (now a high school senior), and MWJDS graduates Micah ’15 (Brandeis University ’23) and Samuel ’13 (University of Vermont ’21).