Robin Fierston
Born and raised in West Hartford, Robin attended Wheelock College in Boston. She received her degree in Early Childhood Education from Capital Community College in Hartford, CT.
Robin’s passion for children was discovered at a very young age and she went from being a mother’s helper, to babysitter, to intern at Boston Children’s Hospital, to working at Noah’s Ark Day Care while attending college. She played an instrumental role in starting the infant/toddler program and was a nursery school teacher at the Mandell Jewish Community Center for 7 years. Robin is an active member of the Jewish Family Services Board of Directors and is a McLean Hospice volunteer.
Robin met her husband Brian while attending nursery school at the Emanuel Synagogue, but didn’t start a serious relationship with him until they were reintroduced in their late twenties. Together they enjoy spending time with their two adult children, Marissa and Nathan, traveling, being outdoors, enjoying creative outlets, and giving back to the Community. Robin is so appreciative of her family and friends who enrich her life on a daily basis.
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Stephanie Gitlin
Stephanie is originally from Maryland, but feels fortunate to have lived in such great places as West Hartford, Boston, San Diego, Charlotte and now Jupiter, FL. She graduated from Cornell University and received her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She is the proud mom of three young adults, Jack, Joe and Samantha, with her husband David.
During her eight years living in Charlotte, NC, Stephanie partnered with Jewish Family Services to assist fulfilling local needs in the Charlotte community. Stephanie continues to work part time as a lawyer at Halloran Sage LLP, and also enjoys her involvement with the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.
Stephanie loves spending time with her family and friends, and is most excited when watching football. She also loves to read, play guitar and piano, bike, kayak and run with her dog Torrey.
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Melissa Weinstock
Melissa grew up in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh, but has been a Connecticut resident since graduating from college in 1993. She and her husband Randy met at Penn State and are the proud parents of Jordan, Evan and Sylvie, who all followed the PSU family tradition!
Melissa serves on the Boards of Jewish Family Services and Beth El Temple and is a graduate of the Wexner Heritage program. She is also involved with The Lillian Fund, a women’s giving circle of The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford.
She recalls fondly her previous career in consulting, and dabbled in retail before launching grace+GRIT, an athleisure boutique located within The Yoga Shop studio in West Hartford. Although she’s not sure where it fits in to her story other than being happy it is behind her, Melissa is a breast cancer survivor. She loves to hang out with her family and friends and hankers for daily exercise, preferably yoga and long walks with her dog Valley. She also loves reading, cooking, and traveling.