 Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi
Rabbi Aryeh Azriel has been the Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel since 1988. Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, he was invited to be a counselor at OSRUI, a Reform Jewish summer camp in Oconomowoc, WI, in 1973. Rabbi Azriel received his ordination and Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters in 1983 from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. He served as an Associate Rabbi at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation in Baltimore, MD, until 1988.
Rabbi Azriel was the recipient of the 1993 Otto Swanson Spirit of Service Award, and the 1997 recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. – Living the Dream Award recognizing his continuing work on building cooperation with projects such as the Mitzvah Garden, Black/Jewish Dialogue, and Habitat for Humanity. He also received the Human Relations Award from the Omaha Education Association.
 Eric Linder, Rabbi
Rabbi Eric Linder joined the Temple clergy in 2006. He was raised in Plantation, Florida, and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in history. He was ordained from Hebrew Union College in New York City in 2006.
In his freshman year of high school Rabbi Linder’s parents gave him twenty dollars to attend a youth group event. While singing, playing, praying and making friends, he realized the great power of a Jewish community. Rabbi Linder believes in the Torah as a vehicle for personal growth, as it calls each of us to Lech L’cha, to venture courageously forward in our lives. Rabbi Linder brings his passion of music, movies and the I-pod to his rabbinate. He likes to discuss life after death, the theological problem of suffering, and whether or not things “happen for a reason.”
 Wendy Shermet, Cantor
Cantor Wendy Shermet has been part of the clergy team at Temple Israel since 2001. She has a Master of Music Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, and investiture and a Master of Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. Her musical background includes opera, oratorio, musical theater and composition. Cantor Shermet participates in all aspects of synagogue life with her rabbinic colleagues.
|
 Dennis DePorte, Executive Director
Dennis DePorte joined the Temple staff in 2004 after spending 15 years on the Board of Trustees. He was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and has been part of the Omaha’s Jewish Community his whole life. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and worked in the Omaha business community prior to his position here. Recently, he was inducted into the Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame in recognition of his service to the food industry.
 Wendy Goldberg, Program Director
Wendy Goldberg joined the staff in 2008 after serving on the Board of Trustees for 10 years, including a term as President of the Congregation. Wendy grew up in Omaha at Beth El Synagogue but joined the reform movement as a teen to participate in confirmation and OTYG at Temple Israel. Wendy attended Syracuse University and has been an avid volunteer in the Omaha Jewish and secular community her whole life. She has taught religious school, computer lessons for youth and adults, and done marketing for the Associated Press. In addition to planning programs and volunteer coordination for Temple, she is involved with the Tri-Faith Initiative of Omaha.
Lori Bennett, Religious School Coordinator
 Claudia Sherman, Communications Coordinator
Joining the Temple staff in 2001, native Omahan Claudia Sherman grew up in an Air Force family in Okinawa, France, Germany, and several U.S. cities between San Francisco and Brooklyn, N.Y. She earned a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, worked in public relations, and ran her own newsletter business. Claudia served for 15 years as the public relations coordinator for the Jewish Federation Foundation. In 1989, Claudia celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Temple Israel, making her the first adult to do so.
Amy Katz, OTYG Advisor
|
|
Lonnie Williams, Building Supervisor
