Elyse was raised in Fresh Meadows and Bayside in Queens, New York. As a child, she had aspirations of becoming a ventriloquist, a chemist and a librarian. She dreamed all year of attending summer camp at Camp Iroquois, Camp Crystal Lake and Camp Olympus. Elyse attended Ithaca College for two years, majoring in Psychology before transferring to the University of Maryland. She was a proud member of Sigma Delta Tau sorority and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She continues to be a dedicated “Terp” and fan of Maryland Terrapin Basketball.
Elyse completed her graduate studies and clinical education at New York University’s School of Education, Health, Nursing and Arts Professions where she achieved her Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy.
Elyse continues to work full time as an Occupational Therapist specializing in Pediatrics. She has had a full and rich career with many varied opportunities to advance her clinical, administrative and leadership skills in hospital settings, private center based educational programs, public school districts, private practice and in academia. Elyse was a full time faculty member/Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy for 15 years. She served as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, taught Clinical Practice Seminars and Advanced Pediatrics courses and was the Chairperson of the department’s admissions committee.
Elyse served as the Chairperson of several dozen student Master’s thesis research projects. She served on the Student Status Committee, Curriculum Review Committee, Student Health Services Committee and was a frequent Chairperson of the Committee on Academic Standing. She represented the College as a founding member of the Metropolitan Occupational Therapy Education Council of New York and New Jersey. Elyse was recognized for her contributions to the College community with the high honor of leading the recitation of the Oath of Maimonides at the Commencement ceremony for the School of Health Science’s Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant students.
Elyse and her sister Hilda Cooper were franchise owners of the well-known international Gymboree Play and Music Program for many years. This custom early childhood curriculum of parent-child play, music and movement experiences, parent education classes and parties was designed to promote young children’s social/emotional, cognitive and physical development. Elyse and Hilda operated three very successful locations across Suffolk County.
Following her sister’s lead, Elyse joined Temple Beth El in 1997 when her daughter Leigh was in third grade. Leigh was an active member of the Junior Choir and participated in several Chutzpah Repertory Theater shows. She became a Bat Mitzvah and continued her studies at TBE’s Community Hebrew High School through Confirmation and graduation. Elyse became instantly involved in temple activities on Leigh’s very first day of Hebrew School and hasn’t stopped volunteering since. Elyse had the wonderful opportunity to study with Cantor Sherry in TBE’s second Adult B’Nai Mitzvah class and celebrated becoming a Bat Mitzvah with about a dozen classmates.
Through the years, Elyse has held several positions on the Board of Trustees and on the Executive Committee. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of Education overseeing the Religious School, Adult Education Committee, Music and Arts Committee and the Library Committee. Elyse is an active TBE Fundraiser, participating on the Golf Committee, co-producing three annual variety shows and our newest event, the Art Gallery & Cabaret Show. Elyse fulfilled her dream of visiting Israel when she traveled to Israel two years ago with Rabbi & Carol Clopper and many TBE members who are now very dear friends. This was truly a life changing experience!
With Elyse’s medical/health profession background and personal experience with several health conditions, she has become very active in organizations with an emphasis on patient advocacy, health promotion and patient education. She is an Executive Development Council Member of TED Community Organization. This very special non-profit organization is dedicated to providing education, support and connection for people dealing with Thyroid Eye Disease. Elyse is also involved with organizations representing patients with Graves Disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition. Elyse is extremely committed to the promotion of Colorectal Cancer screening and education/support for people newly diagnosed and receiving treatment for this cancer. Elyse is also involved in activities promoting education on topics related to Women’s Heart Disease.
With the birth of her first grandchild, Sloane, the opportunity for a new role for Elyse materialized last summer. She became the Long Island Grandparent Connector for PJ Library. This incredible Jewish non-profit organization created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation provides a free Jewish themed book every month to children from birth through age 12, being raised in Jewish families in over 40 countries. These books help connect people to Jewish values, traditions and culture while building and strengthening Jewish communities. Grandparent Connectors create meaningful local community gatherings and Jewish experiences for families.
In her spare time, Elyse has been learning Yiddish, kayaks the waters of Northport, Centerport and Huntington, loves to travel, is a “Foodie”, loves to cook, always hunts the “best” dim sum, pastrami or lobster roll, has eclectic musical tastes but will always be a big Beatles, Billy Joel, Led Zeppelin and Queen fan, and any beach is her happy place. She hopes to one day finally learn to play the guitar she purchased more than 20 years ago!
