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Our Programming Staff
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Congregation Beth Am is served by an outstanding clergy and programming staff.
Rabbi Janet Marder, a Los Angeles native, graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz and was ordained in 1979 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. Following ordination, she pursued graduate studies in the Department of Comparative Literature at UCLA, specializing in Modern Hebrew and Yiddish. In 1983, she became the first ordained rabbi of Beth Chayim Chadashim, a Los Angeles synagogue with special outreach for lesbian and gay Jews. During her five years with that congregation, she founded NECHAMA, a Federation-funded program of AIDS education for the Jewish community. From 1988 to 1999, Rabbi Janet served the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, providing leadership and guidance to Reform synagogues in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas. In August 1999, she became Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Am. In her Vision for the Congregation, presented in April 2009, she said, “I want us to be a congregation that is Jewishly dynamic, focused on moving every member forward from where they are right now. Imagine a synagogue in which you’re always looking for ways to climb up to the next step; progressing towards deeper learning, richer faith and spiritual development, greater commitment and practice. In this place, we’re ambitious for our own growth; we’ve tasted something delicious and we’re always hungry for the next bite. Our Judaism is not fueled by habit, guilt or fear of anti-Semitism; we’re drawn forward by love and joy, motivated by curiosity and the search for meaning. We know that new discoveries will unfold every year of our life; we’re excited about making this lifelong journey with good companions who will be with us all the way.” Rabbi Janet's articles have appeared in Reform Judaism magazine, the Reconstructionist, Sh'ma and several anthologies. She has served as President of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, the first woman and the first non-congregational rabbi to be elected to that office. In April 2003, after serving as Vice President, Rabbi Janet was elected the first woman president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. She is married to Rabbi Sheldon Marder of the Jewish Home in San Francisco, and has two daughters, Betsy and Rachel.
Debbie Coutant, a Long Island native, graduated from the University of Arizona with a Master’s degree in computer science. Before launching her career in temple administration, she was the chief executive officer of an IBM subsidiary, worked at Apple, Hewlett-Packard and other firms, was a consultant and the author of two software patents. Before coming to Beth Am in May 2003, Debbie was the executive director and past president of Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos where she won an award from the National Association for Temple Administration (NATA) for installing a solar energy system. She was awarded Senior status by the Hebrew Union College and NATA in 2004 and is currently a member of the NATA Board of Directors. She has been published in the technology edition of the well-respected NATA Journal (http://natanet.org/uploads/5418JournalApril2008FINAL.pdf). Debbie oversees Beth Am's operations, including Finance and Administration, Facilities, Human Resources, Communications and Development, and is the staff partner for Beth Am's Atid Leadership Development program. Since joining the Beth Am staff she has put many changes in place, including new accounting and calendaring systems, personalized youth education registration, publicity processes and partnered with lay leadership to create the Fund for the Future endowment. She has staffed the Strategic Plan and Facilities Master Plan committees. Debbie works very closely with the Communications Committee in creating the Builder and This Week at Beth Am publicity channels. Debbie is an enthusiastic scuba diver, quilter and video editor. She plays many musical instruments and blows a mean shofar. Debbie and her husband, Cary, and their daughter live in Saratoga.
Cantor Lauren Bandman joined the Beth Am Program Team in 2006. As an integral part of the clergy team, Cantor Lauren officiates at life cycle events, provides pastoral counseling and teaches in all education programs. Cantor Lauren directs the b’nai mitzvah program, working closely with students and their families to prepare for this important milestone. She directs a choir of congregants for the High Holy Days and oversees all musical activities at Beth Am. Cantor Lauren received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from
For several years, Cantor Lauren has participated in Winter Rikud in
Inna Benjaminson, Émigré Program Director
Rabbi Jennifer Clayman first joined Beth Am in the fall of 2001 as an Education Intern. After ordination in 2003 from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, she served as Assistant Rabbi and Director of Lifelong Learning at Temple Emanu-El in Westfield, N.J. She was thrilled to return to Beth Am as a member of the Program Team in July 2008. She serves as Rabbi/Educator, directing Shabbaton and Hebrew Program and performing a variety of other educational and pulpit functions. Rabbi Jennifer grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., and she completed her undergraduate studies at Carleton College in Minnesota. She first thought about becoming a rabbi at her Bat Mitzvah, when her rabbi told her that her Bat Mitzvah “charge” was to become a rabbi. Rabbi Jennifer is an avid hiker and has taken extended trips in Utah, Montana, the Canadian Rockies, England, Italy and Israel. She also enjoys photography, road trips and singing. She and her husband, Rabbi John Fishman, live in Mountain View with their young son.
Mandy Eisner oversees all development-related activities at Beth Am. She has helped Beth Am ensure long-term financial stability through realization of our goals for the Fund for the Future endowment as well as putting into place an annual campaign and a planned giving program for the congregation. Mandy is also in charge of all fundraising special events such as Rabbi Marder’s Tenth anniversary weekend, and the annual cantors and friends concert, Bella Notte. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara with degrees in English and French, Mandy has had adventures living in France, Jerusalem, New York and Los Angeles. But as a native of the Bay Area, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to be back in her home stomping ground. Mandy has worked in non-profit organizations since 1993, when she was a new graduate looking for her passion. Her first position was raising funds for pediatric cancer and AIDS research at the Neil Bogart Memorial Labs in Los Angeles, and that sealed her destiny in the non-profit sector. Next it was off to New York, where she produced fundraising special events for Cancer Care, a social service agency in Manhattan. From 2000-2007, Mandy served as the Regional Director for the Association of Reform Zionists of America and World Union for Progressive Judaism in Los Angeles. During this time she raised awareness and funds for the international Reform movement and had the fascinating opportunity to work with Progressive Jews from all over the world. Mandy is married to Dennis Eisner, who is the Senior Rabbi of Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo. They have a young daughter and son, who sometimes get confused about which “Beth” they are going to. Erin Goldstrom , Youth Advisor
She provides the staff support to the youth group’s teen leaders in their major endeavors, such as the bi-annual youth auction. One recent project has involved working with Save the Children to raise funds and awareness for schoolchildren in Ecuador, and will culminate in a visit to the village they are helping. Erin grew up in Visalia, Calif. as an active member at Congregation B’nai David. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz in June 2009, where she was involved with Hillel and the Jewish Studies program. She has taught religious school at Temple Beth El in Santa Cruz and at Congregation B’nai David, in addition to being a camp counselor at Kamp Kayetz in Santa Cruz and Camp Newman/SWIG in Santa Rosa. Erin's favorite pastimes include dancing and food, and she has more recently acquired passions for traveling and being outdoors. The youth advisor position is funded by a grant from the Moldaw Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund. Sherrie Rose loves spending time with her two dogs and her boyfriend, taking Bikram yoga classes and working for the benefit of young children. Michael Mason , Educator Michael Mason has been a Jewish educator for many years in a variety camp, school, and JCC settings. Mike has been playing the guitar and songleading, for over 18 years and the djembe, an African hand-drum, for 14 years. Mike is a graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y. He also earned an MA in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Mike is married to Rabbi Erin Mason who is the Associate Director of URJ Camp Newman. They are blessed with a bouncing baby boy, Zachary, who is 7 months old.
Rabbi Adam worked over the summers; trekking with teens around Israel for the North American Federation of Youth (NFTY), song leading and educating at Camp Hess Kramer in Malibu, and learning pastoral skills through the Clinical Pastoral Education program. Rabbi Adam was ordained in May 2009 and joined the Beth Am program team. In addition to his pulpit responsibilities at Beth Am, he directs social justice (tzedek) work, and he works closely with lay leaders in community-building activities, such as a new community garden. He also is the staff liaison for the Roots Collective, the group for people in their 20s and 30s, and Beth Am Men, the men’s group. Rabbi Adam and his husband, Shalom, live in downtown Mountain View with their cat, Shachar and their dog, Phaedra. In his free time, he enjoys classical music, musical theater, chocolate, avocados, swimming, scuba diving and cooking.
Shaina Wasserman completed Joint Masters Degrees in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service from
Shaina hails from
Rabbi Sarah L. Wolf, Rabbi Rabbi Sarah Wolf has been at Congregation Beth Am since 2008. In addition to her pastoral pulpit duties, Rabbi Sarah oversees the adult education program, teaches a popular Talmud class and the Building Blocks of Judaism class. She also serves as the staff person on the Interfaith Outreach Committee. Rabbi Sarah was born and raised in
In 2008, Rabbi Sarah graduated from the
Rabbi
Rabbi Emeritus Richard A. BlockRabbi Block was ordained and awarded a Master of Arts in Rabbi Richard Block was ordained and awarded a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1982. Upon ordination, he was chosen Rabbi of Greenwich Reform Synagogue in Riverside, Conn. Rabbi Block was Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Am from 1987 until 1999. His achievements included: a process of educational innovation that inspired a national partnership, the "Experiment in Congregational Education;" the creation of a nationally recognized program to integrate emigres from the former Soviet Union in Jewish life; and the Koret Synagogue Initiative, a unique collaboration between synagogues, the Koret Foundation and the Jewish Community Federation, aimed at reinvigorating synagogue life. Prior to his rabbinical studies, Rabbi Block graduated with honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Yale Law School, where he was an editor of the law review. Rabbi Block has served as Senior Rabbi, The Temple - Tifereth Israel, Cleveland and Beachwood, Ohio since May 2001. He and Susan G. Block have been married since 1969 and have two grown sons. Cantor Emerita Kay Greenwald In August 1997,
Cantor Kay enjoys teaching adults, and currently teaches Beth Am’s Adult B’nai Mitzvah class. She also participates in the musical life of the congregation, singing on the bimah and in concert venues. She currently serves as President of the American Conference of Cantors, the professional cantorial organization of the Reform Movement. Cantor Emeritus David Unterman Cantor Dave Unterman was Beth Am's Cantor from 1981 to 1997. He continues to be a popular teacher of Jewish Spirituality and often participates in musical events at Beth Am. Cantor Dave is a veteran of musical theater and opera. He sang with the San Francisco and New York Metropolitan Operas, the Lamplighters and the American Savoyards. He is a graduate of the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion School and Sacred Music. During his many years as Cantor, he trained hundreds of young congregants for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah as well as many adults who participated in the Adult B'nai Mitzvah program. Cantor Dave also led the volunteer adult choir and worked with the Music Committee. |
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Erin Goldstrom organizes events for Beth Am’s junior and senior youth groups, Beth Am Temple Youth (BATY) and Beth Am Junior Youth (BAJY). Erin oversees the Madrichim Program, a Jewish teen leadership program which evelops teens to to help in our education programs. Additionally, Erin teaches in four of Beth Am’s education programs: Sunday Program, Hebrew Program, Tuesday Night Program and Kivunim.
Rabbi Adam Rosenwasser was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Mich. While earning a BA in history from the University of Michigan, Rabbi Adam taught at his home synagogue, Temple Beth Emeth, participated in Hillel, and sang with the Michigan Men's Glee Club. After graduation, Rabbi Adam attended Hebrew Union College, spending one year in Jerusalem and four in New York City. He served for two years as the Rabbinical Intern of Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York, and one year as the Student Rabbi of Temple B'nai Israel in Laconia, N.H. 
Shaina Wasserman, Educator