The Orchard Academy takes great pride in our leadership team who all have tremendous experience in the field of education. To contact anyone on this page, click here.

Rabbi Joshua Greenbaum has dedicated his entire career to the nonprofit and educational worlds, bringing passion, creativity, and a deep commitment to community to every role he’s held.

After studies at The George Washington University, Rabbi Greenbaum began his professional journey at a private residential boarding school for students with disabilities, where he worked in classrooms and in behavioral services. In 2008, he joined Temple Har Shalom as Vice Principal of the Religious School, helping oversee more than 400 students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. In that role, he developed innovative curricula, led teams of educators, and supported the school’s day-to-day operations. In 2013, Rabbi Greenbaum was promoted to Program Director, expanding his portfolio to include synagogue-wide messaging and communications, strategic goal-setting, and the development of major educational, programmatic, and fundraising initiatives.

In 2015, he co-founded and launched The Orchard Academy at Camp Harmony, guiding the preschool from an initial enrollment of five students to more than 125 by the time it was acquired by Temple Har Shalom in 2019. That program evolved into today's TOA@MTS. Through this endeavor—and his more than two decades as an administrator and director at the now-closed Camp Harmony day camp, Rabbi Greenbaum became a steadfast advocate for the potential of children, the strength of collaborative teams, and the value of transparent, growth-focused leadership.

In addition to his continued role as Executive Director of TOA, Rabbi Greenbaum is also the Spiritual Leader and senior clergy of Temple Har Shalom.

Rabbi Greenbaum lives just around the corner in Warren with his wife Elyse, a licensed clinical school social worker, their daughters Shiloh and Ayla. As a family, they love to travel, explore local food spots, and hit the slopes – Rabbi Greenbaum continues to maintain his PSIA ski instructor certification after more than a decade of teaching.

Nicole Griffith grew up in neighboring Watchung, New Jersey and has been working with children for her entire life.  Throughout her time as student at Watchung Hills Regional High School and later at The University of Delaware, Nicole spent her vacations and winter sessions working as a teachers’ assistant in various classrooms of a private school for children with behavioral disabilities. After graduating UD with a degree in psychology, she began her full-time educational career as a head teacher at a bilingual preschool in New Brunswick, NJ. 

Nicole went on to teach elementary special education for twelve years at that same private residential school where she began her experiences.  While there, she earned her NJ Special Education Teaching Certification from Rutgers University and later her Orton-Gillingham Teaching Certificate from Fairleigh Dickinson University.  With those experiences under her belt, Nicole began worked as a one-on-one reading specialist, helping students with severe learning disabilities through a multisensory, language-based approach.  All the while, Nicole spent quite literally her entire life at Camp Harmony, her family’s since-closed day camp, working as everything from group counselor to director, with more than 15 years in its administration.  After more than a dozen years in education, Nicole took on the responsibility of starting a family and with her husband Jack (who she met at Camp) continues to raise three wonderful boys. 

In 2012, Nicole restarted her career in elementary education as an in-class resource special education teacher in the Scotch-Plains/Fanwood school district before leaving to help found and direct The Orchard Academy at Camp Harmony, later becoming the now-named TOA@MTS upon its acquisition by Temple Har Shalom in Spring 2019.

With over 20 years of experience as a Classroom Educator, Math and Literacy Specialist, and Curriculum Coordinator, Alison brings experience and expertise to her role as Assistant Director. Alison is motivated and energized to work closely with the staff as a collaborative resource to infuse creativity and uniqueness into lessons and to capitalize on teachable moments throughout the school year and the TOA Summer Session.

Alison earned a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University with a concentration in developmental psychology. After graduation, she spent more than a decade as a preschool Group Leader, building strong partnerships with families and developing individualized learning strategies. Influenced by dynamic mentors, she blends trusted, time-tested practices with innovative, research-based approaches.

Alison is a strong advocate for hands-on, age-appropriate, play-based learning and prioritizes safe, nurturing environments where children feel confident, connected, and valued as individuals. Supporting young learners as they transition into group settings while honoring their individuality is central to her educational philosophy.

In addition to her work in education, Alison has extensive experience in youth coaching and mentorship. She has trained and coached for Rutgers Boys Soccer Camp, local township recreational sports programs, and has served as an Assistant Varsity and Head Junior Varsity girls volleyball coach for the Edison Township Board of Education.

Outside of school, Alison enjoys international travel and, alongside her husband, has organized and chaperoned multicountry European travel experiences for hundreds of young adults across more than 15 countries over the past 25 years. She lives in Metuchen and enjoys being actively involved in the community.