Jodi & Alan Melcher

Jodi Zuckerbraun Melcher grew up in Detroit, attended Jewish day school, and later became the first Bat Mitzvah in Santa Maria, California. She spent 33 years at Camp Ramah as a camper, counselor, resource teacher, and camp mother. Jodi began teaching at CBK (predecessor to Shomrei Torah) in 1985, continuing for 32 years. For six years, she developed and taught a special needs class for grades 3–7 at STS, serving children with learning and developmental challenges. She and Alan established the Melcher Family Fund for Children with Special Needs to provide essential learning tools. Jodi’s passion for Judaism extends to tutoring neighborhood children and her grandchildren. For the past eight years, she has designed and embroidered prayer book covers for local day schools. She also taught Special Education with LAUSD for over 22 years and later pursued an advanced degree in interior design.

Alan Melcher, a third-generation Los Angeleno, grew up at Sinai Temple, actively participating in USY and Jewish summer camps. He earned a Master’s in Public Administration but later became a CPA. Now semi-retired, he co-owns a handwoven natural rug company. A hands-on craftsman, Alan built a playhouse for their children—now enjoyed by their grandchildren—and a greenhouse to nurture his love of gardening.

Married for 50 years, Jodi and Alan have two children, Adam and Ilana, and grandchildren who now attend Hamakom. Their deep commitment to the Jewish community spans 44 years as members of Temple Aliyah, CBK, STS, and Hamakom. Through their dedication to Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam, they have left a lasting impact—including their generous gift of a new play space and playground for the ECC.

Robin Wayne

Robin Wayne was born in Brooklyn, New York, and later moved to California, where she earned a double major in Communications and Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She began her career in the entertainment field in New York before returning to Los Angeles and moving into the advertising world. After many years in advertising, Robin found her true calling in early childhood education.

Robin’s journey in education began in 1996, working in Mommy & Me classes before becoming a preschool teacher. She completed her Early Childhood Education Teaching units and certification at UCLA and has dedicated over two decades to shaping young learners. Over the years, she has taught every age group in the Early Childhood Center (ECC), with a special focus on Pre-K, where she developed curriculum and prepared countless children for Kindergarten. Her leadership skills led her from the classroom to Associate Director and now Director of Hamakom’s ECC.

A passionate advocate for Jewish early childhood education, Robin was a fellow in the first Los Angeles cohort of the Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute (JECELI), a national program dedicated to developing and supporting leaders in the field.

Robin and her husband, Lenny, have been proud members of Temple Aliyah/Hamakom for 30 years, celebrating many life cycle events within the community. Their children, Alli and Jeremy, grew up within the synagogue, attending the ECC and continuing through B’nai Mitzvah. As Robin and Lenny approach their 39th wedding anniversary, they look forward to this next chapter of their lives together, always with Hamakom as a meaningful part of their journey.