SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Congregation Beth Israel, San Diego’s oldest and largest Jewish congregation, has engaged Interim Associate Rabbi Alyson Solomon along with Rabbinic Intern Jeremy Gimbel, Development Director Meg Mandel and Program Director Ilene Tatro.
Rabbi Alyson Solomon studied at the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College in Massachusetts and at the American Jewish University Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles. She spent three years as Assistant Rabbi in Santa Barbara and two years at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles as VP for NuRoots, a program to engage young adults in vibrant Jewish life. Rabbi Solomon loves Shabbat and working with kids, and is passionate about hands-on teaching and facilitating people’s Jewish journey explorations.
“I am thrilled to welcome so many talented individuals who have dedicated much of their professional and personal lives to service and helping others embrace a Jewish life,” said Rabbi Michael Berk, senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel.
Jeremy Gimbel joins Beth Israel in the new position of Rabbinic Intern during his last year of rabbinical school at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles. He will meet weekly with Beth Israel’s youth leaders, teach confirmation classes, assist with teaching Torah study and Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies. Gimbel grew up at Beth Israel and was the temple’s Youth Director.
Past President of the congregation Meg Mandel has joined the temple staff as Development Director. Mandel will work on member and donor stewardship, and strengthen revenue streams for the congregation’s operating, endowment and capital programs. Mandel was Beth Israel’s president from 2013 to 2015. Previously, she chaired the Development Committee, served on the Executive Committee, Endowment Campaign Cabinet, and Membership committees.
Following the retirement of 32-year-veteran program director Bonnie Graff, Ilene Tatro is Beth Israel’s new Program Director. Tatro will work with leaders to create engaging programs. Most recently, Tatro was the Director of Cultural Programs for the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture. Tatro earned her bachelor’s degree in Modern Jewish Studies at San Diego State University, and her masters in Organizational Leadership at National University.
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Preceding provided by Congregation Beth Israel