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The Temple Beth Sholom Board of Trustees Listed in order of office, then in alpha order.
She is currently co-chairing SholomFest 2022, chairing Membership & Engagement, co-chairing Leadership Development, and sitting on various committees including the Covid Task Force. Vanessa is a past chair of two Executive Director Search Committees, co-chair of the Senior Rabbinic Search, chair of the Open Tent and the Congregational Engagement Committee, and founding director of the Sholom Rockers Choir. She and her husband Gary, have three daughters. Aside from TBS, Vanessa is engaged in leadership with Jewish Community Services and sits on the Executive Committee. She is currently participating in a Leadership Development program with Wexner which will culminate in studies at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2022. She is a proud Jew-by-choice, an adult bat mitzvah, a Wexner Heritage Program alumna, and a marketer-turned-Music-Together-teacher. “My heart is in building a strong foundation for my daughters in this beautiful community.”
Michael is the current chair of Philanthropy. He is a past chair of the Panim El Panim project and the Congregational Engagement Committee. He and his wife Chris co-chaired the annual fundraiser for two years. Both Mike and Chris grew up in Miami Beach and now live in Bay Harbor Islands with their son Max and their daughters Shay and Zoe. Mike also co-chaired the Congregational Engagement Task Force for Strategic Planning. As a Managing Director with NewEdge Wealth, his area of focus includes investment management, tax-efficient strategies, and charitable and philanthropic giving along with wealth strategy.
Julie is Co-chair of the Education Committee. She also serves on the Covid Task Force and Social Justice Network. She and her husband, Elliot, live in Miami Beach, and have 3 teenage children, Gavin, Owen & Emme, who all participate in youth programming and education at TBS. Julie is active in advocacy at Miami Beach Senior High and Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School and is a former educator with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Larry is currently co-chair of the Security Committee and previous co-chair of the Gun Violence Prevention task force. Larry and his wife Kathy are regular attendees of Torah study and Saturday minyan. Larry and Kathy have two children and six grandchildren. Larry received his BS degree from the University of Rochester and his MD degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Larry practiced cardiology for 40 years in Pittsburgh. After retiring from clinical practice, Larry became the medical director of National markets for Highmark Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. Larry and Kathy live in Bay Harbor Islands.
Michael is co-chair of the Personnel Committee and a member of the Budget and Living Wage Committees. He and his wife, Jessica, have two children. Michael has used his skills as an attorney, physician, and tactician as a past chair of the School Board. “I believe Reform synagogues should be progressive, inclusive, compassionate, and engaging. That is why my family joined Temple Beth Sholom.”
Suzanne serves on the Social Justice Network committee and chairs the Ronald MacDonald House and Lotus House service projects. She and her husband Brad have three boys. Suzanne is a past Mitzvah Day co-chair, past Fundraising co-chair, past Education co-chair and has served on various other Temple committees. She regularly volunteers for Voices for Children and the Florida Foster Care Review. She previously worked in human resources in New York City. “Temple Beth Sholom is a special part of our family’s lives and truly our second home.”
Michael chairs the Building and Grounds Committee and serves on the Budget Committee. He and his wife Caryn live in Miami Beach with their son Jordan. Michael is a real estate attorney with Pardo Gainesburg PL. He is an alumnus of the Foundation School and Shabbat School and became a Bar Mitzvah and confirmand at TBS. He has been to Israel on the Magical Mitzvah Tour and the confirmation trip. “I am proud that I have called Temple Beth Sholom ‘home’ my entire life.”
Jonathan is a member of the Congregational Engagement Committee and the Post B’nei Mitzvah Transition Subcommittee. An active Brotherhood member, he previously served on the SLJ Board of Education. Jonathan, his wife Karen, and their two daughters –Molly and Zoe—have been TBS members since moving to Miami Beach over 13 years ago. Both girls went through Tot Shabbat, Bat Mitzvah ceremonies, and confirmation. Jonathan serves as Executive Vice President of Sales and Operations of Incomm Agent solutions, a financial services organization specializing in payment processing.
Marte is the Leader of the Kavanah Council. She previously served on the TBS Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2005 as a Vice President and the Secretary. She is the Secretary, chair of the Governance Committee and a Director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Marte is a certified yoga instructor and a Jewish Mindfulness Meditation teacher. In her prior career, she practiced law in Miami for 15 years.
Etan is chair of the Budget Committee as well as many of the budget and finance subcommittees. He has also served on the Personnel, and Rabbinic Search Committees. He joined the Temple at the urging of his father-in-law Alan Weisberg and his wife Brielle. His children have spent their formative years at the Temple Foundation School. “I am grateful to TBS for continuing to be the bedrock of our Miami Beach Jewish community.”
Bobbi is chair of the BAKIM and the High Holy Days Honors Committees. She regularly chants Haftarah at the Saturday morning minyan and serves the Friday night Oneg and Saturday morning Kiddush. A member of the choir and several other committees, Bobbi was Sisterhood treasurer for many years and currently is a reading pal to elementary school children. She is a professor emerita at Miami Dade College.
Jerri and her husband, Larry, were the chairs of Temple Beth Sholom’s 2020 SholomFest Event. They are the proud parents of two young boys, George and Jordan. Jerri sits on the Mayor’s 41st Street Blue Ribbon Committee and has served as the Co-chair of PJ Library Miami for the past 3 years. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from George Washington University and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. She received her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and practiced as a Miami-Dade Prosecutor and real estate attorney during her career. Jerri had her Bat Mitzvah and wedding at Temple Beth Sholom, which has always been a special place for her family.
Michael and his wife, Melinda, live in Miami Beach from October to May. Michael regularly attends Shabbat morning Torah study, and minyan services as well as Friday night services (on-line during COVID). During the summer, they live in Newton, MA, near their two adult children and 3 granddaughters. Michael served as a founding leader of the TBS Council to Enhance Spirituality, a co-chair of a Rabbi Search Committee and served on a Nominating Committee. Michael had been active for 25 years in his congregation in Sudbury, MA, serving for a decade on the board and as president and co-chair of the Rabbinic Search Committee. After practicing law, he founded a national finance business specializing in affordable and workforce housing. He is active in national housing policy and serves as CEO of M&T Realty Capital.
Eric is a member of the Brotherhood Committee and a past Brotherhood president, and a member of the Security Committee. A TBS member since birth, Eric considers the Temple his second home. He and his wife Jaqui were married at the Temple. Eric is a third generation real estate broker with M. Kotler Real Estate, the firm founded by his grandparents. His grandmother Helen Kotler was the Temple’s first female president. “I take pride in the fact that I can follow in the footsteps of my grandmother Helen, my aunt Sharlane (Packar) and my father Howard (Broad) by being on the Board of Trustees.”
Lauren is the co-chair of the TBS Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and is an active member of the Social Justice Network. She also sits on the Board of the North Beach Elementary School PTA and is a member of the City of Miami Beach’s Quality Education Committee. Lauren lives in Miami Beach with her husband, Lorne, and her two children, Noah and Chloe. The TBS clergy officiated at Noah’s bris and Chloe’s baby naming and both kids spent their formative years enrolled in the TBS parent-child program and are graduates of the Foundation School and are both currently enrolled in jLAB. Lauren is a private practice attorney who focuses on corporate work. She graduated from the University of Florida and The NYU School of Law. Lauren is honored to be a part of the TBS Board.
Bart is chair of the Congregational Engagement Committee and a member of the Legacy Committee. He lives in Bay Harbor Islands with his wife Myra Spindel (also a member of the Temple Board of Trustees) and their three daughters—Molly, Leah, and Liv. In addition to serving as a High Holy Days Torah chanter for the last seven years, Bart has served on the Spirituality Task Force and the Nominating Committee. He is the managing partner of Chepenik Trushin LLP, a law firm focusing on trust and estate law.
Since 2018, Tamas has been serving on the budget committee as well as the ED search committee. In 2015, he and his wife Barbara chose Miami Beach to raise their two kids Aron (BM ‘18) and Zelma (BM ‘20) when they moved here from their native Hungary. He is a serial entrepreneur starting and building various businesses both in Central Europe and South Florida while also has been actively launching and supporting several Jewish nonprofits in his native Budapest Jewish community, like the Haver Foundation which he co-founded almost 20 years ago. Both Barbara and Tamas value the open and welcoming community of TBS, which already gave them a lot of new friends and a place of belonging.
Glenn and his wife Adriana live in Miami Beach with their children Louis (17 and a senior at Miami Beach Senior High) and Sabrina (14 and a freshman at MBSH). He was the co-chair of TBS’s 2018 and 2019 Golf Open events and is currently co-chair of the Youth Committee and chair of a subcommittee evaluating the Temple’s dues structure and other revenue issues. Glenn is the EVP-Business Affairs for Univision Communications.
Judith co-chairs the Inclusion Committee and serves on the Gary Glickstein Foundation. She has served on the Rabbinical Search Committee, Congregational Engagement Committee, and Social Justice Network. She and her wife, Lisa, have teenage twins who have been involved with the temple since preschool. Judith is an attorney with a practice focusing on business transactions and litigation. She is also an arbitrator and serves on the commercial panel, the consumer panel, and the large, complex commercial disputes panel of the American Arbitration Association.
Allison is co-chair of the jLab/Youth Committee and co-chair of Mitzvah Day 2019. She is also co-chair of the Family Friendly Environmental Experience as direct service project of the Social Justice Network and very active in the North Beach Elementary School PTA. Allison and her husband Perry have two sons—Jordan and Hunter—who are currently enrolled in jLab and love that TBS is a part of their everyday lives. A Northwestern University graduate, Allison owns a cruise-focused travel agency after working in the cruise industry for nearly 20 years.
Amy moved to Florida from New Jersey, where she chaired her region’s Jewish Community Relations Council, served on the board of the Jewish Federation, and was active at various points in NCJW Hadassah and AIPAC. She was a professor of marketing for 27 years; and simultaneously, served as a deputy mayor, county commissioner, and state legislator. One of her most memorable experiences was a legislative mission to Israel, which enabled her to benefit from in-depth dialogue with political leaders and members of the Knesset. At TBS, she has served on the Membership and Engagement Committee; belonged to two Panim groups, has studied with all the rabbis in multiple classes, regularly attends Torah study, and was a member of the “Tuesday Morning Buchers.” Amy also co-chairs a new committee called “Purple,” which aims to help bring us together across political and/or ideological divides.
Debbie has been an active member of TBS for over thirty years. With Andy, they raised their children, Heidi and Aaron, who equally appreciate being a part of this community. Debbie has chaired numerous fundraising events (WESTWARD CHAI, CHAI SEA ROLLERS and Honorary dinners for special members), Mitzvah Day projects, become an Adult B’nai Mitzvah, traveled to Israel on a TBS bus for a Federation Mission, chaired Cantor Segal’s installation as well as a yearlong multi-event farewell celebration honoring Rabbi and Joanie Glickstein (SHALOM RAV.) This year, along with Andy, Aaron and his wife Alissa, the Hirschls are chairing a GENERATIONS SHABBAT to show appreciation for long time TBS members. Continuity and dedication to the future of her beloved Temple Beth Sholom inspired Debbie to become a member of the TBS Board.
Diane serves on the Personnel Committee, is has served on numerous temple committees. Diane is a proud adult bat mitzvah through Rabbi Pomerantz’ s class. She and her husband, Bruce, have two grown daughters, Brynn, who works for Facebook in San Francisco, and Alli, a litigation lawyer, who will be practicing in Miami. The family has joyfully celebrated their daughters’ various life cycles at the Temple as part of the temple family. A former classical pianist, Diane has practiced law for over 35 years and currently practices employment and complex business litigation with Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen, and Levine, PL. “Now more than ever, I am proud to be a dedicated and committed part of the TBS community.”
Amy is a life-long South Florida resident. She and her husband, Eric have three children, Daniella, Tyler, and Kylie. Amy and Eric recently co-chaired the TBS annual fundraiser, Sholomfest 2020. Amy is also co-chairing Mitzvah Day 2021. Amy has been President of the TBS PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) for the past two years and will continue in that role for the upcoming school year. She chairs the TBS Infant/Foundation-Level sub-committee for the board’s education committee. Amy also plays an active role in the PTA at North Beach Elementary where her daughter attends. She worked in MDCPS for 14 years as a Speech Pathologist, and has since opened her own speech therapy practice. TBS has a wonderful sense of community and she is very happy to be a part of it.
Michael chairs the Building and Grounds Committee and serves on the Budget Committee. He and his wife Caryn live in Miami Beach with their son Jordan. Michael is a real estate attorney with Pardo Gainesburg PL. He is an alumnus of the Foundation School and Shabbat School and became a Bar Mitzvah and confirmand at TBS. He has been to Israel on the Magical Mitzvah Tour and the confirmation trip. “I am proud to call Temple Beth Sholom ‘home’ for my entire life.”
Denis is co-chair of the PACT Leadership TZEDEK Team of the Social Justice Network. Following a career as an attorney and CPA, he founded and led the Miami Beach Community Development Coalition in revitalizing the South Beach Art Deco District. Denis’s family have been TBS members for 70 years. He and his brother, Richard Russ, and sister, Lori Mishkin, celebrated their b’nei mitzvah and confirmations at Temple Beth Sholom. Denis holds a BS from University of Pennsylvania and an MBA and law degree from University of Miami. His community service includes being a director of Miami Jewish Health Systems and a founder at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Rachel is a co-chair of the jLAB committee. She is a co-founder of the ongoing Blessings in a Backpack direct service project of the Social Justice Network and is a prior co-chair of Mitzvah Day, where she continues to lead Mitzvah Day projects. Rachel and her husband Josh have a son Jeremy, who is an active participant in jLAB. Rachel is a collaborative family lawyer and family mediator. Rachel is honored to be a part of the TBS board and family, and values the open and welcoming community of TBS.
Myra is co-chair of the TBS Social Justice Network. She and her husband, Bart Chepenik, live in Bay Harbor Islands with their three daughters, Molly, Leah and Liv. Myra is a proud TBS adult Bat Mitzvah, having trained with Rabbi Davis in 2018. Myra is a past Mitzvah Day co-chair and she has served on numerous committees including the Nominating Committee, the Bylaws Committee, the Honors Committee and the Living Wage Committee. Myra is a clinical psychologist and has worked with several area nonprofit organizations. She feels grateful to be a part of the loving and spiritual TBS community.
Andrea serves as a co-chair to the Social Justice Network and will be co-chairing SholomFest 2024. She and her husband, Seth Alhadeff, have a daughter at the preschool level and are members of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Andrea earned her bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and her law degree from the University of Miami. She is licensed to practice law in both New York and Florida and practices as an assistant public defender with The Law Offices of Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez.
Kim was introduced to Temple Beth Sholom through her husband, Dan, who grew up and had his Bar Mitzvah with Rabbi Kronish. They have been members for over 25 years and raised both their children, Melanie and Matthew, at the Temple. Along with her mother, Phyllis Winston, Kim has been selected as Co-President of the Sisterhood. She has also been Co-chairman of the “New To You” clothing drive as part of Mitzvah Day for a number of years. “I am always comforted and inspired when I walk through the front doors of the Temple. There is always something interesting to see or learn.”
Phyllis has recently been selected as Co-President of the Sisterhood with her daughter Kim Haber, but has been involved with Temple Beth Sholom for a number of years, as a member of the Congregational Engagement Committee, Co-chairman of the New Member Welcoming Committee and as Co-chairman of the project “New To You” clothing drive as part of Mitzvah Day for over 10 years. She also celebrated her Bat Mitzvah with Rabbi Davis teachings before watching her two grandchildren, Melanie and Matthew, have their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs at the temple. She and Marty have been members for over 15 years enjoying Friday night Shabbat Services and Saturday Morning Torah Study. “Temple Beth Sholom has become our second home.”
Josh Laurence and his wife Selma are a constant presence at Temple services and events. Josh regularly provides percussion accompaniment and chants Haftarah at the Saturday minyan services. A Miami Beach native, he has deep roots in the community. Josh is Vice President of Accessible Home Health Care Aventura.
Prior to serving as TBS president, Ron served as chair of the Budget Committee for many years. He is also a past president of the Rabbi Gary Glickstein Foundation. Ron and his wife, Cyndy, have two children – Erin and Jason – who grew up at TBS. His grandparents were among the founding members of TBS, and his grandfather also served as TBS president. A graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Michigan Law School, Ron is a corporate attorney with a practice focused on business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions. Ron currently serves the community as a member of the Orange Bowl Committee.
Marjorie, a former TBS President, has served in a broad-spectrum including budget, endowment, legal counsel, building campaigns, school, education, child care, and strategic planning. She is a member of the North American Board of URJ, and serves as chair of the URJ Committee on Endowments and Trusts. Her two sons, Daniel and David Garcia-Pedrosa, grew up participating in the Temple’s religious, education, and social programs. The family’s commitment to Israel was born through travel with the clergy. Her husband, Michael Spritzer, complements her work through his involvement on a national level with URJ and HUC. “Sharing each life cycle event is made more memorable here.”
Charles chaired the Temple’s Burn the Mortgage campaign. He and his wife, Deborah, have three adult children—Michelle Beth, Ethan Abraham, and Hannah Kathleen—all of whom, including Deborah as an adult, became b’nei mitzvah at TBS. Charles currently serves on the Miami Beach Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and AIPAC. He founded and served as treasurer of NACPAC, a pro-Israel action committee. Charles graduated with honors from the University of Miami and was a Root Tilden Scholar for his NYU law degree. He is president of Citrin Financial and Insurance and a partner in Citrin & Walker law firm.
Michael served as president of the Rabbi Leon Kronish Foundation after his tenure as Temple president. He and his wife Lori have two adult sons—Sam and Aaron—who grew up at the Temple. Michael is an estate and trust attorney with Harper Meyer Hagen O’Connor Albert & Dribin LLP.
Jeff served as Temple President from 2018-2020, and has held other board positions, including Treasurer and chairman of the Budget Committee, as well as serving on numerous other committees and task forces. Prior to joining the temple as Executive Director, Jeff worked as a real estate developer, an auditor, and a commercial lender. Jeff and his family joined the temple more than 15 years ago. He and his wife Leslie have two adult daughters, Erica and Brittany, who grew up at the temple and became b’nei mitzvah and confirmands. A native Floridian, Jeff is a graduate of Miami Beach Senior High, received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and earned a Master’s degree in accounting from Florida International University.
Shelley has led many committees at TBS. She is a Vice- chair of the Union for Reform Judaism North American Board, serving as Lay Leader for Youth and on several committees and Task Forces. She is on the Executive Committee of the Board of Women of Reform Judaism, the Executive Committee of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the Board of the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Locally, Shelley serves on the Executive Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, and on the Jewish Community Relations Council. She is a past chair of Jewish Community Services of South Florida. She and her husband, Jon, have two adult children—Aaron (Amanda) and Emily (Nick), and are the proud grandparents of Ari Julian Groff.
Robert is chair of the Rabbinic Emeritus Committee. He and his wife, Jill, have three adult children—Jerri (Larry), Danny (Amanda), and Hillary—and two grandchildren—George and Jordan. He is an AV rated attorney. Robert is president of Sunset Islands 1 & 2 Homeowner’s Association and serves on the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Board of Directors.
Andy co-chaired the Rabbinic Search Committee. He and his wife Debbie have two adult children—Aaron (Alissa) and Heidi (Ryan Orley). “Temple Beth Sholom has always been a Jewish home that was inviting and inclusive to us and our family.”
Jack is the current President of the Gary Glickstein Foundation at Temple Beth Sholom. He and his wife Arden have three children—Jared, Micah, and Lily. Jack is president and owner of South Beach Veterinary Solutions and Vet Vacation CE. He manages businesses and real estate properties. He is past president and mentor of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Miami. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama.
Nancy co-chaired the installation of Rabbi Gayle Pomerantz as Senior Rabbi. She and her husband, Kenny, share a “big tent” family of six children and six grandchildren. She is a past National president of the National Council of Jewish Women and currently serves as the vice- chair of the national governing board of Common Cause. Within URJ, she is on the leadership team of RAC-FL. “My Jewish soul inspires me to pursue Tikkun Olam through advocacy and social action.”
Karen, President from 2016 – 2018, has been a member of TBS since 1995. She and Marc raised their two daughters, Jessica and Julie, to embrace their Jewish traditions and to love and support Israel. Karen is a member of the North American Board (NAB) of the Union for Reform Judaism where she serves as chair of the URJ Israel Leadership Network. She is also a board member of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies based in Jerusalem. Closer to home, she chairs the G.O. Bond Oversight Committee for the City of Miami Beach. In 2018, after over 20 trips to Israel, Karen and Marc experienced the unique joy of making Aliyah. As Israeli American citizens, they feel grateful to live in, love, support and strengthen these two vital countries.
Peter has served as president, vice president, chair of the Personnel Committee, and a member of the Budget Committee in his 20+ years on the Board. He and Andi have three adult boys—Jacob, Noah, and Asher—who were TBS b’nei mitzvah. Peter, a TBS bar mitzvah and Andi, an adult bat mitzvah, were married by now Rabbi Emeritus Gary Glickstein. A graduate of Tulane University and George Washington University Law School, Peter was co-founder and shareholder of Meland, Russin & Budwick. Peter is now a United States Bankruptcy Judge having been appointed on August 14, 2020.
Stevan was Temple Beth Sholom’s 34th president. His parents, Joe and Doris, were married by Rabbi Leon Kronish, the first TBS Senior Rabbi. He and Adrienne have three children—Daniel, Carly and Josh—who, as well as Stevan and his three siblings, Michele, Alissa and Jeff, all celebrated their b’nei mitzvah and confirmations at Temple Beth Sholom. Stevan chaired the Sanctuary/Social Hall Construction Project and with Adrienne, co-chaired the Temple’s 70th anniversary celebration. Stevan chaired the Philanthropy Committee, Legacy Campaign and Personnel Committee for several years,served as a TBS Vice President, and was a member of the Senior Rabbi Search Committee and Strategic Planning Committee.
He and his family have been on the Magical Mitzvah tour twice. Stevan is honored to be TBS President and says, “Temple Beth Sholom is our family’s spiritual home.”
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