Wendy Adler

Educator Wendy Adler had a way of making students recognize how special they were. Adler–education director at Congregation Beth Shalom in Naperville–died on March 31. She was 51.

Beloved by students, families, and colleagues, she was known for her warmth and patience.

“She was compassionate and kind,” said Rabbi David Eber, spiritual leader of the congregation. “She connected empathetically with the children.”

JUF Director of Early Childhood Learning Jenna Turner agreed. “She saw the best in children; her smile would light up when she engaged with them,” she shared. Turner worked with Adler through JUF’s Early Childhood Collaborative.

Born in New Jersey, Adler received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Adelphi University, then two master’s degrees-in deaf education from Smith College, and in educational leadership from Lewis University. She served as a teacher and principal of Child’s Voice, a school for children with hearing loss, in Wood Dale, Ill.

At the time of her death, Adler led the religious school at Beth Shalom. She also directed and taught at the congregation’s preschool.

Jennifer Weiner was a friend whom Adler encouraged to become a teacher. At Adler’s request, Weiner agreed to teach the kindergarten “temporarily;” that was three years ago. “Wendy gave me the freedom to teach my way,” she said. “So, I dressed as Judah Maccabee for Chanukah, and Moses for Passover.”

“Wendy worked endless hours from home and in the building as a personal pledge to the temple, her faith, and her constituents,” said her former husband, Geoff Adler, “as a personal pledge to the temple, her faith, and her constituents.” Their twins, Elana and Jacob, and daughter, Grace, attended Adler’s school. The twins started Naperville’s BBYO chapter when they were 22, and Elana is currently the youth director at a Colorado congregation.

To the parents of Adler’s students, she was the heart of the school. “My daughter loved learning from Ms. Wendy,” Amy Ganden said. “She was patient and understood my daughter’s learning style.”

Adler was the beloved mom of Elana, Jacob, and Grace Adler, the cherished partner of the late Johanna Whitaker, the adored sister of Craig Schreiber, and the devoted daughter of Carol and the late Barry Schreiber. The sister-in-law of Rebecca Schreiber and aunt of Sidney Schreiber, she was a niece and cousin of many, and friend and former spouse of Geoff Adler. Memorials may be made to the Naperville Humane Society, or to The Wendy Adler Memorial Education Fund at Congregation Beth Shalom. She was interred in New Jersey.