Emily Catalano Bio

Assistant Director, Youth Engagement & Education

Emily Catalano is the Assistant Director of Youth Engagement & Education at Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center. She brings a youthful perspective backed by experience as both a Youth Director and Early Childhood Educator from Congregation B'nai Israel in Tustin, CA to the position at PJTC. While she grew up in NFTY, she quickly gained a love of USY and Conservative Judaism at her previous congregation and loves bringing that passion to PJTC. Her favorite part of working in Youth Engagement is working with teens and helping them develop their leadership skills, love of Judaism, and lasting Jewish friendships. Emily is currently finishing her dual associate’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Philosophy, as she continues on her path to hopefully, eventually, become an ordained rabbi. When sheʼs not working, she enjoys curling up with a good book, drinking inordinate amounts of tea, and rock climbing. She is proud to feel not just like a staff member but part of the PJTC family, and married her husband, Primo, here.