OUR RABBI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rabbi Sam Rotenberg

A proficient musician, passionate teacher, certified shochet, father, and lover of Jewish tradition, Rabbi Sam Rotenberg is the senior Rabbi at B’nai Zion Congregation. Rabbi Rotenberg grew up in South Florida, and spent his summers as a camper and on staff at Camp Ramah Darom in Clayton, Georgia. Rabbi Rotenberg received his B.A. in Philosophy and Jazz piano from the University of Miami, completed a year of yeshiva learning at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, and was ordained by the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2018. Rabbi Rotenberg served as assistant Rabbi at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, and began serving B’nai Zion in July of 2021. He has three children – Meir (7), Della (5), and Orly (1). His wife, Rabbi Keilah Lebell, most recently served as assistant Rabbi at Ikar in Los Angeles. Rabbi Rotenberg loves meeting people for coffee. Please reach out to find a time to get together! 

Fun fact about Rabbi Rotenberg: As an avid audiobook listener, he had a spot in an audible commercial in 2019! The commercial still runs on certain networks.

 

Autumn Clark, Office Manager

Autumn joined B’nai Zion in February 2023. She brings a wealth of administrative and creative knowledge from her many years at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and managing administration for her husband’s small business. Autumn’s goal is to ensure congregants get the assistance they need and that B’nai Zion’s administration progresses and runs smoothly.  Autumn can be reached at office@bzcongregation.com.

LAY LEADERSHIP

Jessica Soufer, President

Board Members and Officers, 5783-5784

Officers
Jessica Soufer, President
Paula Jarman, Vice President
Jackie Rosenfeld, Secretary
Scott Israel, Treasurer

Board Members
Term Ends 2025
Paula Jarman
Laura Moore
Mark Shapiro
Ruth Votava
Terry Wheeler

Term Ends 2026
Scott Israel
Alan Lebovitz
Jackie Rosenfeld
Jessica Soufer
Randi Weiss

Past Presidents
Terry Wheeler
Owen Allen
Dr. Reuben Dubrow (z’l)
Irv Ginsburg
Dr. Bill Hillner
Lynn Hochman
Scott Israel
Alan Lebovitz
Joel Susman (z’l)
Jordan Parker

Click here for a full list by year of past presidents.

Lester Votava, of blessed memory

Lester was our valued Office and Operations Volunteer since 2003! He could always be found hard at work in the office every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, usually arriving even before the paid staff. Lester coordinated much of the routine building needs, prepared Shabbat service sheets, organized yahrzeit plaque lightings, organized and led the yellow candle shipping, and anything else that he could do to help. We will greatly miss our friend and helper.

Would you like to make a contribution to B’nai Zion?  Donate Now!