Rabbi Marci R. Bloch

Rabbi Temple Dor Dorim

About Rabbi Bloch

In Jewish tradition, every Jew has a spark called the Pintele Yid. Rabbi Bloch of Temple Dor Dorim leads by nurturing her community’s quest for meaning, community, and love, helping to ignite this spark. She loves her faith and helps others access the wisdom of the tradition through teaching, mentoring, and guiding people through life’s challenges. As a Rabbi, she prides herself in doing God’s work by helping people make meaning, connect with others, and grow closer to God. Rabbi Bloch loves guiding her community through the deepest questions of life.

What Makes Temple Dor Dorim Unique

Temple Dor Dorim is in a large community where we benefit from each other. We stand together. In its broad community, the synagogue is a special place. Temple Dor Dorim is a community of people who care deeply about one another and where the congregants truly love each other.

Temple Dor Dorim has multiple generations of families that have been members of the synagogue since the temple was founded almost 27 years ago. When you ask the members of Temple Dor Dorim about their congregation, they say things like: “This is my home away from home.” “I know that if I am feeling down when I go to services, I will be uplifted.” “If I am experiencing a simcha or a sorrow – my community is there for me.”

What Contributed to Rabbi Bloch’s Success?

Rabbi Bloch is warm, down-to-earth, and intelligent. She is creative and deeply spiritual. She has a unique ability to connect with the members in a way that is genuine and real. Even recently on a Friday night when members were asked during monthly Birthday blessings what they learned this past year, an upcoming B’nai Mitzvah student said, “I learned that through preparing for my Bar Mitzvah that our Rabbi is pretty awesome.”

Rabbi Bloch has brought themed Shabbats to the congregation such as S’more Shabbat, Shabbark Shalom, and Gratitude Shabbat. She listens to what her congregants need, what interests them, and what they are seeking. And she meets them where they are.

She is also proud of her creation of TDD Cares in which our members check in on others who are sick and send gifts that provide comfort. She feels one of her greatest strengths as a Rabbi is being able to walk with her members on their journey and just love them. She said, “Success is never me alone….it is working with wonderful staff and volunteers and being together on the same page which has helped our congregation flourish.”

Something to Know About Rabbi Bloch

Rabbi Bloch was recognized nationally by the Union for Reform Judaism for developing innovative programs for both children and adults. She enjoys bringing experiences for her families that encourage their love of Judaism. In the last few years Rabbi Bloch has been a panelist for Rabbinic Students as well as for Rabbis in the field on how to deal with trauma in their community.

About Ivis

Ivis Mateos is a mother of two boys and has more than 25 years combined experience in educational consulting and management. In addition to earning her National Administrator Credential, Mateos has led workshops on curriculum development, teacher development and parenting. She has been the General Manager at Tiny Planet Preschool and an Educational Consultant for Graven International Group for the as well as the Founder of I Am Kids Academy.

She began her career in education as an elementary assistant teacher for an English immersion program for non-English speaking immigrant students in Rockdale County, Georgia. After returning to her hometown Miami, Florida, Ivis’ journey in preschool began as a substitute teacher. Her passion to for teaching grew stronger every day as she worked her way up to leading a wonderful preschool as a Director.

Ivis’ vision and passion for creating a school that leads with a Heart & Mind Education became her priority and led her to expand programs to Weston, Miami, Texas & Mexico. .

What Makes Tiny Planet Unique

The greatest psychologists and educational philosophers of the century inspire they day-to-day interactions at Tiny Planet. Tiny Planet is multidisciplinary in its philosophies in order to promote children’s strengths in all disciplines. Their teachers and students benefit from the educational beliefs of Howard Gardner (Multiple Intelligences), and Loris Malaguzzi (Reggio Emilia).

At Tiny Planet, they encourage social conscience and their education program is focused on the contribution to kids’ development, such as critical thinking, independence, and making decisions to influence others positively.

What Contributed to Ivis’ Success

Ivis attributes her success to her relentless ambition to make the world a kinder and more compassionate place by planting the seed of love in the hearts of each of her students.

Ivis’ Words to Live By

“My mission is greater than my fears, and watching the sacrifice my mother made as a single immigrant mother to raise me, has pushed me to provide a better future for her and my family.”