Clergy & Education
Rabbi Gershon Weissman
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Our synagogue has carefully chosen its name Beth Haverim, which means “House of Friends.” By this name we are saying that we shall be there for each other to celebrate every sacred moment of the Jewish year and every life passage. We and our children shall study Torah, learning that, as Jews, we work together to provide tzedaka for those in need, comfort the mourner, ease the pain of those infirmed and honor the bride and groom. We are more than a synagogue, we provide multiple religious services on Shabbat. We have an “Alternative Minyan,” Tot Shabbat, Preschool, Family, Teen, and Adult Shabbat Services. We are always looking for new ways to welcome you into the holiness of the Sabbath. Not only are we proud of the growth of our temple family, we are particularly proud of a membership upon whom we can count! Every single person, couple, and family in our Temple shares a common connection. We call upon each other to help or be helped and these shared experiences give our lives joy and meaning. We invite you to join our mishpacha and bring greater fullness to our Temple family! |
Shalom
Haverim,
Cantor Kenny Ellis
 When you come to services at Temple Beth Haverim, you can see and hear something extraordinary; the cantor and rabbi singing in harmony. Cantor Kenny Ellis encourages Rabbi Weissman to sing with him whenever possible, as well as getting the congregation involved whenever possible. Temple Beth Haverim is fortunate to have Cantor Ellis on the bimah. His beautiful voice and broad knowledge of spiritually uplifting Jewish music present our congregation with both the traditional liturgical melodies that we have come to expect and that “little extra” – modern melodies that help make services fun and exciting. Cantor Ellis appeals not only to the adults in our congregation, but to our children, as well. In addition to teaching music classes at our Hebrew school, Cantor Ellis, along with our Director of Education, Nili Ziv, develop ceremonies, delightful services and programs which include performances by a different grade level each month. In addition, Cantor Ellis has developed a new choir with the appointment of our Director of Music, Eileen Weiser. Together, they work very hard to bring the level of musical performance to a new high. Eileen also accompanies the Cantor at Friday evening Shabbat services. |
Director of Education: Lev Metz
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Lev Metz is a native Angelino. He graduated with honors in American Studies from the University of California at Berkeley and spent several years working in the Jewish community of the Bay Area, leading retreats and youth group events as well as teaching elementary through high school level classes on Jewish spirituality, lifecycles and culture.
Lev graduated in 2008 from Hebrew Union College with degrees in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service. He has lived and traveled extensively around Israel and spent time exploring his family's roots in Belarus.
Lev developed curriculum and successfully taught 6th through 12th grade classes and programs in synagogues and Jewish Day Schools in Northern and Southern California. Lev was also the Director of Jewish Life at Hillel of Sonoma County. He grew up with his family attending the Library Minyan at Beth Am Synagogue in Los Angeles.
As an educational leader, Lev wants to help students peel back the layers of meaning embedded in Jewish text and symbols, and encourage them to find their own means of expression in a way that resonates with our ancient tradition. |
