Our Team
Meet the spiritual and organizational guides shaping our community.
Spiritual leadership
Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Uri is a distinguished spiritual leader and educator with a profound commitment to enriching lives through the teachings of Judaism. Born in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires in 1989, his journey has been marked by a deep-rooted connection to his heritage and an unyielding passion for nurturing souls.
Senior Cantor, BCS and Rabbi, Beth Orr Campus
Born and raised in London, England, Cantor, Rabbi Mark Goldman grew up immersed in the modern Orthodox Jewish community. He earned an Honours B.A. in Judaic Studies from the London School of Jewish Studies and became the youngest person ever to receive ministerial certification from the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom.
Associate Rabbi for Jewish Education
Rabbi-Cantor Gastón Bogomolni brings a unique blend of Jewish scholarship, pastoral sensitivity and creative spiritual leadership to Broward Central Synagogue. With over 30 years of experience preparing Bar and Bat Mitzvah students across the United States, Latin America and Europe, and a proven track record as T’filah Specialist at Solomon Schechter Jewish Day School in Boston, Co–Rosh Shira at Camp Ramah in New England, and youth director early in his career, he strengthens the b’nai mitzvah journey through depth, consistency and relationship-based education.
Founding Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Kol Ami
Dr. Sheldon J. Harr has been the senior Rabbi of Temple Kol Ami since 1976, serving the Congregation practically since its inception. He is a native of Youngstown, Ohio.
Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Beth Orr
Rabbi Gross is an alumnus of UCLA and an ordinee of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. In 1986 he became spiritual leader to Temple Beth Orr.
Senior leadership
Chief Executive Officer
Dvir has been a Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El family member since 2005. A native Israeli, Dvir grew up in Holon. His knowledge of security measures began as a member of a special intelligence unit of the Israel Defense Force.
Lifelong Learning Director
Valeria Michanie, the passionate and dedicated director of Lifelong Learning, is a native of Cordoba, Argentina, who knew from an early age that Jewish education was her calling.
Early Childhood Director, Kol Ami Emanu-El campus
Stacey Katz has been working in the Early Childhood program since 1997. Stacey has a B.A. in Management with a minor in Child Psychology, a B.S. in Nursing and a Master’s Degree in Administration.
Early Childhood Director, Beth Orr Campus
Eileen Kaplan has been in Early Childhood education for the past 30 years as a teacher, a director, a mentor, speaker and author. She is passionate about the role that early childhood education has on the success of a child throughout his/her school progress.
Director of Programming, Outreach and Communication
Heather Gottlieb has been working at Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El since 2005. She is originally from upstate New York and holds a Business Degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta.
Temple Administrator, Beth Orr Campus
Esther is pleased to have been part of the landmark Temple Beth Orr Campus for over five years, now part of Broward Central Synagogue. She is proud to know this has been a connection for so many through their life-cycle events and, for some, for generations.
Team members
Lisa Pearlman
Membership and Philanthropy Coordinator
Elisabeth “Lisa” Familia Pearlman stands as a dedicated individual who has forged her unique path within the closely-knit BCS community.
Nadia Elishiv
Administrative Assistant
Nadia Elishiv is the new administrative assistant at Broward Central Synagogue.
Natalie Sabach
Administrative Assistant
Natalie is a vibrant individual hailing from South Florida, born and raised to Israeli parents, blending a beautiful mix of cultures and love.
Stephanie Wurtenberger
Bookkeeper
Stephanie Wurtenberger is an exceptional professional who has devoted over two decades of service to the Kol Ami Emanu-El campus.
Sandra Frankel
Comptroller
Meet Sandra Frankel, an integral member of our congregation for the past two decades.
Lori Becker
Early Childhood Assistant Director, Kol Ami Emanu-El Campus and Religious School Coordinator, Beth Orr Campus
Lori Becker has brought a wealth of experience and passion to the Kol Ami Emanu-El campus Early Childhood Program since 2012, where she serves as the Curriculum Specialist.
Lisa Ben Israel
Early Childhood Administrative Assistant, Kol Ami Emanu-El Campus
Lisa Ben Israel has been part of the Early Childhood team at the Kol Ami Emanu-El campus since 2022, though she feels like she’s been a member of the community much longer.
Dilyn Schwartz
Early Childhood Administrative Assistant, Kol Ami Emanu-El Campus
Dilyn’s journey started right here at the Kol Ami Emanu-El campus, where she attended Pre-K and began building the foundation of her Jewish identity.
Rabbi Melissa Stollman
Youth Coordinator for Hebrew High and Teens, Kol Ami Emanu-El Campus
Rachel Albeiz
Youth Program Advisor for Kindergarten through sixth grade programs, Kol Ami Emanu-El Campus
Ron Barhai
Youth Program Coordinator, Beth Orr Campus
Ron has been the Youth Advisor at the Beth Orr campus since 2018 and has worked alongside youth since 2014.
Micaela Fuks
programming and logistics Coordinator
Micaela has held leadership roles where she fostered community connections, oversaw group dynamics, and launched new programs and initiatives.
Andrew Susman
Cantorial Soloist
Andy is a South Florida native whose spiritual journey has encompassed the broad spectrum of Jewish movements. He’s delighted to be sharing his passion for Jewish music, liturgy and education with our community.
Tracy Sarner Kahn
Song Leader/Cantorial Soloist
Tracy Kahn’s love affair with music began at a young age and has evolved into a lifelong devotion to sharing the gift of song. Tracy’s enchanting voice has resonated with audiences of all ages.
Cynthia Penaranda
Early Childhood Assistant Director, Beth Orr Campus
Cynthia has been assistant director for Early Childhood at the Beth Orr campus since 2016.
Maintenance team
Charles Williams
Head of Maintenance
Silvia Amada
Maintenance
Tracy McCoy
Maintenance
Eric Mortumer
Maintenance
Eardley Newton
Maintenance
Marlene Obregon
Maintenance
Armando Oliveras
Maintenance
Paula Restrepo
Maintenance
Jean Ulysse
Maintenance
Security team
Michael Weiss
Security Supervisor
Fritz Alce
Security
Ian Frederick
security
Board members
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Karen Shiekman, President
Matthew Bogdanoff, VP of Administration
Rachel Schmidt, VP of Ways and Means
David Lane, VP of Education and Youth
Dara Swartzon, VP of Membership
Stacy Gold, Recording Secretary
Jonathan Schwartz, Treasurer
Craig Packer, VP of Ritual
Richard Breit, Financial Secretary
Beth Underwood, VP Beth Orr Campus
GENERAL BOARD
SISTERHOOD
Lexi Freeman, Co-President
Katie Goldman, Co-President
BROTHERHOOD
Brian Pearlman, Brotherhood Co-President
TEMPLE FRIENDS
David Losk
PAST PRESIDENTS - TEMPLE KOL AMI EMANU-EL
Erin Dernis
Carmen Ackerman
Martin Ardman
*Jerome A. Bauman Z”L
Paula Carr
Jason Chalik
Alan Cohn
Robert Colman
Gerry Damsky
*Philip W. Fagelson Z”L
Paul Frank
Rick Gendler
Stanley Goodman
Calvin Helitzer
Saul Kravec
Norman Kronstadt
Kenny Levine
Herb Litwin
Richard Lundy
Bill Matz
Diane Michaels
Steve Michaels
Craig Packer
Karen Shiekman
Daniel Weinger
PAST PRESIDENTS - TEMPLE BETH ORR
Stuart Blum
Suzi Brawer
Harriet Docteroff
Ilayne Finkelstone
Steven Feinstein
*Raymond Hersh Z”L
*Lawrence Johnson Z”L
Linda Kassof
Michael Koss
Kerry Kuhn
Steven Marcus
Glenn Mednick
Mathew Meyer
Marilynn Rothstein
Abraham (Avi) Rosenberg
Robert Snyder
Carol Wasserman
Lori Weinstock
Peggy Wilfong
*Deceased
