Professional Team
Deborah Moses
Executive Director
Deborah Moses
Deborah Moses, DPA, MPH has served in several lay leadership roles in the Jewish Community, as chair of Mount Zion Temple in St Paul Minnesota, Tzedek/social justice committee, as well as a board member and executive committee member. She also co-chaired National Council of Jewish Women Minnesota racial justice committee and has been an active volunteer with Jewish Community Action a Jewish social justice organization in the Twin Cities.
Her most recent professional position was as the Executive Director of the newly merged St Stephen’s Human Services and House of Charity, a program meeting the needs of the Twin Cities’ homeless and hungry community through housing, outreach, shelter, health including mental health and substance use disorder services and food services. Her experience includes 13 years working within Head Start programs. She also teaches as an adjunct professor in the areas of public health and public administration. Deb holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from Hamline University and a Master’s in Public Health with a major in Health Services Administration from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She has relocated to Los Angeles to be closer to her three amazing adult children (and a daughter and son in law) and grandchildren Rumi and Enriqo the joys of her life along with a grandchild on the way.
Her most recent professional position was as the Executive Director of the newly merged St Stephen’s Human Services and House of Charity, a program meeting the needs of the Twin Cities’ homeless and hungry community through housing, outreach, shelter, health including mental health and substance use disorder services and food services. Her experience includes 13 years working within Head Start programs. She also teaches as an adjunct professor in the areas of public health and public administration. Deb holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from Hamline University and a Master’s in Public Health with a major in Health Services Administration from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She has relocated to Los Angeles to be closer to her three amazing adult children (and a daughter and son in law) and grandchildren Rumi and Enriqo the joys of her life along with a grandchild on the way.
Sheri Vinnecour Reynolds
Director of Membership Engagement
Sheri Vinnecour Reynolds
Sheri Vinnecour Reynolds has been working in the Jewish community since graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1996. Her first professional experience was working for the Jewish Federation helping to coordinate the Valley Jewish Festival and Israel’s 50th Anniversary Festival at Pan Pacific Park.
Sheri went on to study at the Hebrew Union College, where she received her double masters in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service in 2001. Following graduation, Sheri began working at Kehillat Israel as their Director of Membership Engagement. She was responsible for all programming, fundraising, and membership at the congregation. After eight years, Sheri left her full-time position to be a stay-at-home mom, while continuing at KI as their part-time volunteer/new member coordinator. Four years ago, Sheri returned to KI, full time, wearing various hats, included reinvigorating the Parenting Center, tutoring in their Religious School and overseeing aspects of the membership process. Most recently Sheri worked as Director of Member Engagement and Development, focusing on both membership and fundraising.
Sheri’s greatest joys are her two daughters, Emily and Samantha. She also loves the Wisconsin Badgers, traveling, cooking and hiking.
Sheri went on to study at the Hebrew Union College, where she received her double masters in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service in 2001. Following graduation, Sheri began working at Kehillat Israel as their Director of Membership Engagement. She was responsible for all programming, fundraising, and membership at the congregation. After eight years, Sheri left her full-time position to be a stay-at-home mom, while continuing at KI as their part-time volunteer/new member coordinator. Four years ago, Sheri returned to KI, full time, wearing various hats, included reinvigorating the Parenting Center, tutoring in their Religious School and overseeing aspects of the membership process. Most recently Sheri worked as Director of Member Engagement and Development, focusing on both membership and fundraising.
Sheri’s greatest joys are her two daughters, Emily and Samantha. She also loves the Wisconsin Badgers, traveling, cooking and hiking.
Chris Falone
Facilities Manager
Chris Falone
Chris Falone
chris@templeisaiah.com
chris@templeisaiah.com
Administrative Team
Cantorial and Song Leading Team
Randall Schloss
Cantor
Randall Schloss
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Cantor Randall Schloss is proud to join Temple Isaiah. Previously, Cantor Schloss served Temple Israel of New Rochelle, NY and Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline, MA. Throughout his cantorate, Cantor Schloss has sought to create an environment of engaging, participatory worship through a rich blend of musical traditions, including his own compositions. He is equally at ease chanting our most sacred and traditional High Holy Day melodies, conducting choirs at a soulful Gospel Shabbat, inspiring children in fun family worship, and leading diverse volunteer and professional musical ensembles in joyous and uplifting worship.
After a varied career in music as a classical singer both on the opera stage and in concert, as a teacher of voice and music theory, and as a choral conductor and music director, Cantor Schloss began his journey into the world of Jewish music in 2000 as a singer and composer. His compositions combine traditional liturgy and modern poetry with musical elements of eastern European nusach and chazzanut, Israeli and Sephardic folk music, classical and twentieth century Reform repertoire and contemporary pop and jazz. He writes, “I hope that through a unique blend of styles, my music will engage the congregation as more than singers or listeners, but completely as a praying community.” In 2015 he was chosen for Forward’s Soundtrack of Our Spirit as one of the “best new voices in Jewish Music.” His settings of Elohai N’tsor and Y’varech’cha (B’nei Mitzvah Blessing) have been published by Transcontinental Music and he has been commissioned for three Choral pieces by the Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.
Cantor Schloss received his Ordination and a Masters Degree in Sacred Music from the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Cornell University and a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. He has served on the Executive Board of the American Conference of Cantors and currently serves on the ACC Endowment Board of Trustees. In his spare time, he has been known to run the Boston and New York Marathons, to enjoy a round of golf and to hone his amateur barista skills. Most of all, Cantor Schloss enjoys sharing his love of Judaism and music with his wife, soprano Leah Schloss, and their two daughters, Maya and Sonya (also sopranos!).
After a varied career in music as a classical singer both on the opera stage and in concert, as a teacher of voice and music theory, and as a choral conductor and music director, Cantor Schloss began his journey into the world of Jewish music in 2000 as a singer and composer. His compositions combine traditional liturgy and modern poetry with musical elements of eastern European nusach and chazzanut, Israeli and Sephardic folk music, classical and twentieth century Reform repertoire and contemporary pop and jazz. He writes, “I hope that through a unique blend of styles, my music will engage the congregation as more than singers or listeners, but completely as a praying community.” In 2015 he was chosen for Forward’s Soundtrack of Our Spirit as one of the “best new voices in Jewish Music.” His settings of Elohai N’tsor and Y’varech’cha (B’nei Mitzvah Blessing) have been published by Transcontinental Music and he has been commissioned for three Choral pieces by the Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.
Cantor Schloss received his Ordination and a Masters Degree in Sacred Music from the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Cornell University and a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. He has served on the Executive Board of the American Conference of Cantors and currently serves on the ACC Endowment Board of Trustees. In his spare time, he has been known to run the Boston and New York Marathons, to enjoy a round of golf and to hone his amateur barista skills. Most of all, Cantor Schloss enjoys sharing his love of Judaism and music with his wife, soprano Leah Schloss, and their two daughters, Maya and Sonya (also sopranos!).
Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen
Associate Rabbi
Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen
Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen is proud to serve Temple Isaiah as Associate Rabbi. Born and raised in West LA, Rabbi Cohen earned her BA in Religious Studies & Music from UC Davis. She spent two years working as a cantorial soloist, community builder and educator in several Bay Area synagogues and Jewish organizations before entering Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion’s rabbinic program in Los Angeles. During rabbinical school Rabbi Cohen was fortunate to intern at several local congregations including Temple Israel of Hollywood and Kehillat Israel of the Palisades; additionally, she earned her MA in Jewish Education from the Rhea Hirsch School at HUC-JIR. Following her 2014 ordination Rabbi Cohen joined the clergy team of Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington.
¨Since 2018, Rabbi Cohen has served on Temple Isaiah’s clergy team, first with a primary focus on music and ritual and now including preschool, K12 and our growing young adult cohort. As a musician, artist, and writer, Rabbi Cohen’s background is eclectic, creative, and representative of what it means to create a unique kind of 21st-century rabbinate. She has led rock bands, published articles & curricula, launched programs grounded in innovation and inclusion, participated in fellowships focused on interfaith engagement, and proudly collaborates on initiatives that keep synagogue life relevant and meaningful for this generation and those to come.
Outside the synagogue she is a regular contributor to Kveller as well as the Jewish Daily Forward, Hey Alma and The Chalkboard Mag. A fierce advocate for birth justice, reproductive freedom, Epilepsy awareness and maternal & mental health, Rabbi Cohen and her husband Joshua are proud to support organizations fighting for equality and access for all. Rabbi Cohen is a certified yoga teacher and aspiring electric guitar player. She and her family live in Culver City.
¨Since 2018, Rabbi Cohen has served on Temple Isaiah’s clergy team, first with a primary focus on music and ritual and now including preschool, K12 and our growing young adult cohort. As a musician, artist, and writer, Rabbi Cohen’s background is eclectic, creative, and representative of what it means to create a unique kind of 21st-century rabbinate. She has led rock bands, published articles & curricula, launched programs grounded in innovation and inclusion, participated in fellowships focused on interfaith engagement, and proudly collaborates on initiatives that keep synagogue life relevant and meaningful for this generation and those to come.
Outside the synagogue she is a regular contributor to Kveller as well as the Jewish Daily Forward, Hey Alma and The Chalkboard Mag. A fierce advocate for birth justice, reproductive freedom, Epilepsy awareness and maternal & mental health, Rabbi Cohen and her husband Joshua are proud to support organizations fighting for equality and access for all. Rabbi Cohen is a certified yoga teacher and aspiring electric guitar player. She and her family live in Culver City.
Danny Rubenstein
Song Leader Emeritus
Danny Rubenstein
Danny song leads and teaches in the Temple Isaiah Preschool, Religious School, B'yachad program, and at Camp Isaiah. His involvement in Jewish music began as a junior in high school attending Kutz Camp and enrolling in the Song Leader track during the summer of 2005. From there, Danny went on to work at the URJ camp, Olan Sang Ruby Union Institute in Wisconsin as well as teach religious school during his college years in Rochester, NY where he attended undergrad at the University of Rochester.
His passion for Jewish music followed him to Los Angeles where Temple Isaiah gave him his first job out of college in 2012. After his third year teaching music in the Religious School, Danny was asked to work full time as the Song Leader at Isaiah. Danny will continue to increase his involvement with Temple Isaiah by adding Bar/ Bat Mitzvah tutoring to his schedule in the 2016-2017 school year.
When Danny is not working at Isaiah, he spends his time playing and performing in his Jazz band around Los Angeles and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.
His passion for Jewish music followed him to Los Angeles where Temple Isaiah gave him his first job out of college in 2012. After his third year teaching music in the Religious School, Danny was asked to work full time as the Song Leader at Isaiah. Danny will continue to increase his involvement with Temple Isaiah by adding Bar/ Bat Mitzvah tutoring to his schedule in the 2016-2017 school year.
When Danny is not working at Isaiah, he spends his time playing and performing in his Jazz band around Los Angeles and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.
Preschool Team
Dr. Tamar Andrews
Senior Director of Early Childhood Education and Engagement
Dr. Tamar Andrews
Dr. Tamar Andrews has been our Senior Director of Early Childhood Education and Engagement for over 15 years. In that time she has tripled our enrollment and our award-winning preschool is now a three-time NAEYC accredited program, an Outdoor Classroom Demonstration Site and a major hub for early childhood training across the state. She cherishes her preschool faculty, and can often be found in the kitchen whipping up a meal for them.
Tamar is also adjunct faculty at both Santa Monica College and UCLA as well as having created the MA Ed in Early Childhood at the American Jewish University. She conducts parenting seminars and is the synagogue’s in-house chef for many of our community events and monthly Shabbat.
Tamar is also adjunct faculty at both Santa Monica College and UCLA as well as having created the MA Ed in Early Childhood at the American Jewish University. She conducts parenting seminars and is the synagogue’s in-house chef for many of our community events and monthly Shabbat.
Avital Etehad
Director of Early Childhood Education and Engagement
Avital Etehad
Avital has been in the ECE field for more than 30 years. She is currently the Associate Director of Early Childhood Education and Engagement at Temple Isaiah. From a young age, Avital always knew that she would be a teacher and involved in education. She loves working with children and mentoring staff to become better educators. Avital holds a MAEd in Early Childhood Education from American Jewish University and is a California State Mentor Director. As a mentor, Avital helps and guides other directors in the field of early childhood, as well as mentoring many of our teachers in methods to improve their practices. She is a presenter at many early childhood conferences around the country.
Avital was born and raised in Israel and has a deep love for Jewish education. She is married to Aaron and has three beautiful daughters and one grandson.
Avital was born and raised in Israel and has a deep love for Jewish education. She is married to Aaron and has three beautiful daughters and one grandson.
Joy Whyms
Preschool Office Manager
Joy Whyms
My name is Joy and I have worked as an office manager for an elementary school for 6 years. I am a Los Angeles native, living within the Pico/Fairfax area for 30 years. My passion is being helpful. I was a behavior analyst for 5 years as an in-home therapist throughout Los Angeles. I enjoy long days at the beach, stargazing at night and watching Disney movies with my daughter. I am excited for what the future has in store for me here at Temple Isaiah. I look forward to getting to know all the children and families.
K-12 Education and Engagement Team
Carla Kopf
Director of K-12 Education and Engagement
Carla Kopf
As the Director of K-12 Education and Engagement Carla is responsible for all aspects of our K-12 religious school program and works closely with the rest of the religious school staff on many other programs.
Carla was born and raised in Mexico City and attended Jewish day school from preschool through high school. She studied for one year at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and immigrated to the United States in 1987. Carla graduated from UCLA with a BA in history and earned her MAEd and a BA in Hebrew letters from the University of Judaism (now American Jewish University) here in Los Angeles.
She began working at Temple Isaiah in 1994, and she finds it as exciting now as it was when she began. She's committed to understanding the needs of our congregants regarding the Jewish education of their families and to be able to satisfy those needs in a fun, interactive and creative way.
Carla has been happily married for twenty-eight years to Philippe. When not at work, Carla enjoys taking Zumba lessons, going to the movies with her husband and spending time with her fantastic daughters Miriam, Robin, and Erica.
Carla was born and raised in Mexico City and attended Jewish day school from preschool through high school. She studied for one year at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and immigrated to the United States in 1987. Carla graduated from UCLA with a BA in history and earned her MAEd and a BA in Hebrew letters from the University of Judaism (now American Jewish University) here in Los Angeles.
She began working at Temple Isaiah in 1994, and she finds it as exciting now as it was when she began. She's committed to understanding the needs of our congregants regarding the Jewish education of their families and to be able to satisfy those needs in a fun, interactive and creative way.
Carla has been happily married for twenty-eight years to Philippe. When not at work, Carla enjoys taking Zumba lessons, going to the movies with her husband and spending time with her fantastic daughters Miriam, Robin, and Erica.
Ellen Goldberg Z"L
Emerita, Director
Ellen Goldberg Z"L
Ellen Goldberg Z"L was Temple Isaiah's Religious School Director for twenty-one years and the assistant director for five years before that. During that time, with the wonderful help of Assistant Director, Carla, and Administrative Assistant, Michelle, she proudly watched the school grow from 165 to 530 students.
During her time as RS Director, she was quite active on the Bureau of Jewish Education's Religious School Principals' Council and was honored to have been selected as the first recipient of the Bureau of Jewish Education's Sara and Simcha Lainer "Distinguished Jewish Educator" award.
Ellen worked with many interns from Hebrew Union College and the American Jewish University. Many of them now work all over the United States (and one in Australia) as Jewish Educators.
Ellen was involved at Temple Isaiah as a member of HaSharim (Temple choir) and several other committees. She also regularly attended Friday evening Shabbat services.
During her time as RS Director, she was quite active on the Bureau of Jewish Education's Religious School Principals' Council and was honored to have been selected as the first recipient of the Bureau of Jewish Education's Sara and Simcha Lainer "Distinguished Jewish Educator" award.
Ellen worked with many interns from Hebrew Union College and the American Jewish University. Many of them now work all over the United States (and one in Australia) as Jewish Educators.
Ellen was involved at Temple Isaiah as a member of HaSharim (Temple choir) and several other committees. She also regularly attended Friday evening Shabbat services.
