Who’s Who on the B’nei Mitzvah Journey
There is a famous African proverb that teaches it takes a village to raise a child. At Wilshire Boulevard Temple, we understand it takes a congregation to make a Bar or Bat Mitzvah journey possible. Our shared goal is to celebrate a sacred moment in the life of a young adult and his or her family.
Below is a who’s who on your B’nai Mitzvah journey. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns!
The Clergy Team:
Rabbi Steven Z. Leder, Pritzker Chair of Senior Rabbinics
Rabbi David Eshel
Rabbi M. Beaumont Shapiro
Rabbi Susan Goldberg
Cantor Don Gurney
Cantor Seth Ettinger
Each student and his or her family will be assigned a Rabbi who will work closely with the family and guide them through the Bar or Bat Mitzvah process. He or she will help each student explore the meaning of their Torah portion and work with them on their d’var Torah. Assignments are made approximately one year prior to the date of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah and students are required to attend a minimum of three meetings with their assigned Rabbi.
All families will also work closely with the Cantor’s Office, and meet individually with Cantor Don Gurney or Cantor Seth Ettinger.
Meetings with Rabbi Leder and Rabbi Goldberg are scheduled by Jamie Geller, (213) 835-2121 or jgeller@wbtla.org.
Meetings with Rabbi Eshel and Rabbi Shapiro are scheduled by Denise Magilnick, (424) 208-8930 or dmagilnick@wbtla.org.
Meetings with Cantor Gurney and Cantor Ettinger are scheduled by Jesica Ryzenberg, (213) 835-2124 or jryzenberg@wbtla.org.
The Education Team:
Lisa Alpern, Director of B’nei Mitzvah Engagement
Cathy Gordon, Head of Religious School
Rabbi Rochelle Tulik, Assistant Director, Religious School
Rachel Waltuch, Assistant Director, Religious School
Brandon Cohen, Head of Elementary School
Nadine Zysman, Principal at Brawerman West
Gillian Feldman, Principal at Brawerman East
Rabbi Elissa Ben-Naim, Head of Judaic and Hebrew Studies, Brawerman Elementary School
Our Director of B’nei Mitzvah Engagement, Lisa Alpern, is here to support you in every aspect of the process. She can be reached at 424-208-8971 or lalpern@wbtla.org.
Our education team at both the Religious School and Brawerman Elementary School are here to support and help you during this exciting and significant journey.
For questions about the religious school, call (424) 208-8906 or email rsinfo@wbtla.org.
For questions about Brawerman Elementary School, call (424) 208-8934 or email info@brawerman.org.
B’nei Mitzvah Instructors
Instructors work one-on-one with students to prepare them for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah service (24 sessions total). Instructors are assigned through the Cantor’s office approximately one year prior to the service, and sessions begin approximately seven months prior to the ceremony. All sessions are included in the B’nei MItzvah fee.
Logistics
Logistics for kiddush lunches and more are handled by Cheryl Mandel Garland, Planning and Events Manager. She can be reached at (213) 835-2167 or cgarland@wbtla.org.