How the Barr Sisters Celebrate the Past While Looking Forward
By Seth Stutman | Photos by Amy Crosby Photography
Published In Longmeadow Neighbors | March 2026
To the Barr sisters, Tecumseh Drive has always been a close-knit neighborhood where a genuine sense of community thrives. The street is home to a diverse mix of residents, ranging from retirees to families with very young children. Despite these differences in age and life stage, everyone here is consistently friendly and welcoming. Whether you are taking a walk or simply spending time outdoors, you can always count on warm interactions and neighbors who look out for one another, making the neighborhood a wonderful place to live.
This deep sense of community has been felt by the Barr family for more than 50 years, since Paul Barr moved to town. Since then, Marja and Paul welcomed daughters Jenna and Madison, and this year, are celebrating 20 years in their Tecumseh Drive slice of paradise.
Longmeadow has not only been where Marja and Paul built their lives together but also where the family has continued to grow and thrive. Jenna, age 17, and Madison, age 14, have spent their entire lives residing in Longmeadow with their parents, Marja and Paul Barr. Together, they have created many lasting memories as a family in their hometown and are giving back to the community, to their faith, and to their readers.
Jenna and Madison’s relationship as sisters goes beyond just family ties; but they are truly best friends who share a deep and meaningful connection. Many of their most treasured memories revolve around the adventures they’ve had together, especially their family trips to various beach destinations. One of the highlights was their visit to Southern California, where they spent an entire day snorkeling and swimming with sea lions in La Jolla. “This experience was not only unique but also created lasting memories that we continue to cherish.” Another unforgettable trip took them to Aruba, where they had the exciting opportunity to go parasailing, adding an element of thrill to their travels.
Jenna Barr is passionate about learning — and that passion (combined with the opportunities around education in Longmeadow) has led her to a love of storytelling. Barr currently is the co-editor-in-chief of Longmeadow High School’s newspaper, The Jet Jotter, where she has refined her writing and editorial skills. In addition to her work with the school newspaper, Jenna also contributed to Longmeadow Neighbors, padding her portfolio before college. As she approaches graduation, Jenna is preparing for the next chapter in her education — she will be attending Syracuse University, where she intends to major in Journalism.
Outside the classroom, Jenna Barr has always been a passionate dancer, beginning lessons at the age of five. By ten, she was competing with the Academy of Dance in East Longmeadow. Still dancing, Jenna devotes much of her late winter and early spring to traveling across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to participate in dance competitions. These experiences have allowed her to further develop her skills, build lasting friendships, and embrace the excitement of performing in front of new audiences.
Her favorite moment of each dance season is the annual year-end recital. This event holds special significance for her because her family attends and supports her from the audience. The excitement of performing on stage in front of her loved ones makes the culmination of all her hard work and dedication throughout the year even more rewarding. Sharing this experience with her family creates lasting memories and deepens her passion for dance.
Madison Barr began her academic journey in the Longmeadow Public Schools, where she attended both elementary and middle school. Her experiences in Longmeadow helped lay a strong foundation for her education, preparing her with the necessary skills and confidence to pursue her next steps. Currently, Madison is a ninth grader at Williston in Easthampton, Massachusetts, where she continues her commitment to learning and personal growth.
Madison has maintained a strong passion for field hockey from a young age, beginning her involvement with the youth travel teams for Longmeadow. This fall, she continued to pursue her interest in the sport by playing field hockey for Williston. Beyond her school team, Madison is also an active member of WMASS HKY Club, affiliated with UMASS Amherst, allowing her to further develop her skills and compete at a higher level.
In addition to her dedication to field hockey, Madison has always enjoyed skiing. This winter, she embraced a leadership role as the manager of Williston’s Alpine Racing team, supporting her peers and staying involved in the sport she loves. Looking ahead to spring, after participating in youth lacrosse over the years in Longmeadow, Madison plans to join the Williston lacrosse team, continuing her commitment to athletics and teamwork throughout the school year.
Outside of their travels and education, they both share a passion for live music and love attending concerts together. This has become one of their favorite ways to spend time and bond as sisters. Concerts include Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and Harry Styles, to name a few. In addition, for the past five summers, they have attended Camp Laurelwood together, an overnight camp in Madison, Connecticut. Each year at camp, they’ve built new friendships, learned new skills, and created meaningful memories that have strengthened their bond as both sisters and best friends.
The Barr family also finds community, connection, and meaning in their faith as members of Temple Beth El in Springfield, and is active in sharing their faith with others.
Madison dedicates her Sunday mornings to serving as a teacher assistant at B’Yachad, a Jewish education program that supports families across Greater Springfield. Having attended religious school herself from a young age and continued through her Bat Mitzvah, Madison now finds fulfillment in giving back to the community that played a significant role in her upbringing. Her involvement as a teacher assistant reflects her desire to support other families and contribute positively to the program that shaped her own educational journey.
About five years ago, Jenna Barr joined BBYO, an international teen-led Jewish youth group, and did not know at the time the impact the organization would have on her life.
“What started as a simple step into Jewish teen leadership quickly grew into something transformative: restarting my local chapter as a freshman, pouring my heart into a regional election, and ultimately being elected as Regional Sh’licha for Connecticut Valley Region,” she shared.
“Through BBYO, I’ve gained more than just leadership experience; I’ve found lifelong friendships across the globe, led moving services that deepened my connection to Judaism, and attended countless incredible programs & conventions that shaped who I am today.”
“My sister has had the unique opportunity to watch my journey unfold. She saw me attend a BBYO summer program, which was truly life-changing for me. That experience opened my eyes to the depth of BBYO’s impact beyond the school year, and it inspired me to grow as a leader and as a person. Now, she is following in those footsteps by attending a leadership program this summer in the Pocono Mountains, and I couldn’t be more excited for her to experience the same magic that shaped me. Additionally, International Convention gave me the chance to connect with thousands of Jewish teens from around the world, to learn from inspiring leaders, and to celebrate our shared traditions on a global stage. This year, Madison will be joining me in Philadelphia for her very first International Convention, and I know it will be just as transformative for her as it was for me.”
All of her work has paid off in more ways than one. Jenna recently won the Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award from the Jewish Education Project, an organization that inspires and empowers educators to create transformative Jewish experiences.
“The Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Awards honor individuals like Jenna Barr, who demonstrate leadership and bold action against antisemitism,” said Amy Amiel, Chief Program Officer at The Jewish Education Project. “Jenna has faced personal and systemic antisemitism in her school, yet she chose to speak out, educate others, and confront hate directly. Through her writing and role as editor-in-chief of the international newsletter for BBYO — the Jewish teen youth movement — she empowers peers and inspires educators. Jenna’s courage and commitment make her an extraordinary young leader in her community.”
“With antisemitic incidents at all-time highs, these awards shine a light on ordinary people making extraordinary choices — proving that courage isn't reserved for history books, but lives in everyday moments when individuals choose to dispel darkness through action,” said Amy Amiel.
The Barr sisters look back on their time in BBYO, having fun at concerts and taking advantage of opportunities Longmeadow has provided. They are nostalgic for the past and excited for the future.
“As I look back on my journey, I’m grateful not only for the opportunities I’ve had but also for the chance to share them with my sister,” says Jenna. “BBYO [and Longmeadow] have given us both a home, and even if our time together in the region is short, the impact will last forever.”
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