We will reflect on the fiscal year that is closing while setting goals for the year ahead. Additionally, we will vote on the slate of board members for the upcoming fiscal year and say farewell to outgoing board members.

Pursuant to Article VI, Section 3, of the bylaws, the Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the following slate for election to the Board.

Current board members up for re-election:

Board members slated for election to the Executive Committee (to be voted into office by the new Board of Directors after the Congregational Meeting): 

President: Duke Helfand

Executive Vice President (VP Fundraising): Nick Merkin

Vice President House: Jeffrey Feuer

Vice President Programming: Tzvi Wolf

Secretary (VP Board Development & Governance): Rena Selya Cohen

Treasurer: Andres Terech

B'nai David-Judea members up for election to the board:

Allyson Gronowitz- After graduating from Barnard College, Allyson moved to Los Angeles for a one-year Master's degree in Journalism, but the warm, welcoming BDJ community inspired her to stay in LA and make B'nai David her new home for good. Inspired by the spiritual passion and progressive ideals of BDJ members and clergy, Allyson became involved in the Tikkun Olam committee, and now heads up the Mishmar program as part of the Education committee. As a member of the YP community, Allyson is committed to engaging young professionals in a religious life that reflects her generation's cultural and social values. By day, Allyson is a comic book editor at BOOM! Studios and always enjoys a rousing pop culture debate. 

Margy Horowitz - Originally from Chicago, Margy Horowitz has lived in Los Angeles for 20 years and has been a member of Bnai David for nearly half that time together with her husband, Jeremy, and two kids, Julia and Nathan. Margy grew up in an extremely Yeshivish community and is grateful to be a member of a shul that offers so many opportunities for women. She has served on the Seder Nashim committee and created a BDJ women's a capella group to call the Bat Mitzvah girls up for their aliyot at each Shirat Chana. Professionally, Margy is a private piano teacher, the Performing Arts Director at YULA Girls High School, and the founder and director of the Jewish Women's Repertory Company.  

Vicki Rothman - Vicki and Mark Rothman joined BDJ 21 years ago when their oldest son Saul was on a baseball team with Adin Kanefsky and Harel Rush. He wanted to go see his new friends for his 6th birthday. The Rothman family loved the community so much they never left!  Vicki has helped with the Seder Nashim planning this year, and helps on the women's side whenever she can. Now that her boys Saul, Eitan and Noah are adults, Vicki looks forward to joining the BDJ board where she hopes to be able to contribute to the continual success of our shul. Professionally, Vicki is a Career Counselor and manages the Career Services Center at Santa Monica College and has a thriving private practice.

Talia Saghian Morrow - Originally from Houston, Texas, Talia moved to Los Angeles four years ago. She was quickly drawn to BDJ by the warm and welcoming community that reminded her of her hometown. Talia and her husband, Zach, are proud members of the YP community, for which Talia serves on the committee.  A designer by training, she has worked in commercial architecture and creative design, and recently launched her own small business, the Ketubist. She is passionate about building the BDJ community beyond the boundaries of our synagogues' walls, great art, and making the most of #TacoTuesday.  

Lenny Schloss - Lenny Schloss and her husband Hal Schloss were part of the original group who moved from the Upstairs Minyan to revitalize Bnai David back in 1991. A few years later, Lenny served a two year term on the Board. Lenny remained active within Bnai David even after her Board membership ended. One of her proudest accomplishments is having served on the Committee that chose our wonderful  Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky to lead our shul. Lenny is an employment attorney, and has provided pro bono advice to Bnai David over the years. Lenny's children literally grew up at Bnai David (her son was born 2 days before the move to Bnai David), they both attended Rechov Yeladim, and had their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs at our shul. Lenny is excited to re-join the Board and continue to grow our wonderful community.

Ariel Stein - Ariel, Sara Smith, and their adorable son, Zeve, have been active participants in BDJ for several years. Ariel is one of our chazzanim for Yamim Noraim and often leads services on Shabbat and Yom Tov. He is a member of the Education Committee and a shiur contributor to both the 8:25 Minyan and Nothing But the Pshat. Outside of BDJ, he works as a forensic accountant and is the co-editor-in-chief of the Jewish Literary Journal. Ariel has had an abiding interest in shul management since 12th grade, when he was involved in a bylaws dispute at his shul, and he looks forward to gaining further insight into synagogue dynamics.  

Thank you to resigning board members Jonathan Berenson, Billie Gelb, Jon Merritt, Levi Pinsky, and Dalia Youngerwood for your devoted years of service!  Tizku l'mitzvot!

We hope you can join us on the 3rd.

Sincerely,

The Nominating Committee

Rena Selya Cohen, Nick Merkin, Josh Sharfman and Claire Hurwitz