Joshua Troderman, director of youth and family Education at Congregation Shirat Hayam, remembers the first time he ever drove into Swampscott on Lynn Shore Drive.

It was after Troderman had heard from an old friend, Rabbi Michael Ragozin. Troderman and Ragozin had studied together a quarter century ago in New York City. In the summer of 2025, Ragozin reached out to Troderman, asking him if he might be interested in an open position at Shirat Hayam.

“I went to the synagogue to check it out and the ocean just hit me,” said Troderman. “I was struck by it. I thought it was beautiful.”

Shirat Hayam, Troderman pointed out, can be translated to “song of the sea.” For Troderman, it felt like destiny was pulling him to his new role. Not long after, he was hired as the director of youth and family education last July.

From 2014 to 2021 Troderman was the CEO of ShalomLearning, an organization that creates curriculums and lessons for Hebrew schools.

Troderman’s first few months in town were about getting to know the people of the synagogue, the children in the youth schooling programs and his unfamiliar surroundings. He also learned how Shirat Hayam’s Hebrew school had been run in the past.

“It’s going great so far. Better than I expected,” said Troderman. “It’s really great to be a part of a culture of real hard workers 100% committed to the synagogue.”

Troderman said one of his main focuses thus far has been making sure the youth classes are full of engaging programs. He wants it to feel “like a Jewish summer camp.”

Troderman has a background in film production and interests in many of the arts. He believes that implementing some forms of art, like musicals and drama skits, is an effective way to help children learn.

“We have kids doing good deeds in the community, why not capture that and make it into a short film festival?” said Troderman.

Introducing forms of creative art, like video and music editing, also provides students with valuable life skills, he said.

“My hope is these creative programs and opportunities to have joy combines with learning service, deeds of kindness and prayer will help them live in a loving way,” said Troderman.

At Shirat Hayam, Troderman hopes everything students learn touches three crucial elements: the study of the Torah, acts of love and kindness and worship. But Shirat Hayam’s teachers are still urged by Troderman to be themselves.

“I really encourage teachers to own the unique skills that God gave them,” he said. “I want them to play to their strengths and bring their own authentic self to class.”

Another goal for Troderman is to help the synagogue and its community grow. Troderman said he enjoys seeing people of all ages be able to come together. He said the community is warm and welcoming and has been so since his first day.

“I want to create more partnerships with more communities, he said. “Anyone who is doing God’s work to make the world a better place.