Clergy, Staff & Board

Rabbi Josh Whinston

RABBI JOSH WHINSTON first seriously contemplated becoming a rabbi after his bar mitzvah. “I really loved being on the bimah, and the feeling of pride when I stepped off and was embraced by my parents and family,” he says. He would later lead services for his synagogue youth group, and in college at Hillel. “One summer during college,” he recalls, “I was working at a Reform-movement camp, and I received a phone call from an acquaintance. He told me his mother had died and that he wanted me to come to the funeral and lead the shiva minyan after.” It was, he says, “one of the most important, meaningful moments of my life.” His path was set. Rabbi Whinston was ordained at the Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles; he has earned master’s degrees in Hebrew Letters and Jewish Education and is pursuing a doctorate in Pastoral Ministry. He served congregations in Connecticut, California and Washington state before arriving at Temple Beth Emeth in 2016. Married to Sarah Raful-Whinston, Rabbi Whinston is the proud father of Mollie, Eva and Ori.

Rabbi Daniel K. Alter

Cantor Emma Maier

CANTOR EMMA MAIER serves as cantor and spiritual leader here at TBE, alongside Rabbi Josh Whinston. In addition to leading services, prayer, and ritual gatherings of all kinds, Emma prepares and meets one-on-one with pre-b’nei mitzvah teens and their families, works collaboratively with the TBE clergy team and other synagogue staff, connects with and teaches congregants of all ages in a variety of capacities, plans special events, provides pastoral care, directs TBE’s choir, Kol Halev, and so much more.

Cantor Maier was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) where she was the recipient of numerous awards and honors. She also earned a Masters of Jewish Sacred Music from HUC-JIR. While a student, she served as B’nei Mitzvah tutor for Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, NY and Cantorial intern at Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains, NY and The Village Temple in NY. In 2023 She served as Cantor at The Village Temple in New York City’s artsy Greenwich Village neighborhood. While attending HUC-JIR, she was an active member of the Worship Working Group (WWG) and helped to shape and support the T’filah culture on campus and organize t’filot for their annual Kallah Retreat.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Emma was a member of Wilshire Boulevard Temple where she sang in the youth choir from elementary school through high school. After being the beneficiary of a robust Jewish education at Brawerman Elementary and Milken Community High School, Emma went on to attend Brandeis University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (NEJS) with a minor in Religious Studies.

Emma had the privilege of working as a cantorial soloist in Los Angeles at both Wilshire Boulevard Temple and Sinai Temple. Emma has also worked as an intern at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, studying and researching ritual and the unique relationship between American and Israeli Jewry. She has performed in choirs and as a soloist at numerous venues — including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Opera, St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, and Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, among other esteemed venues.

When she is not immersed in shul-related activities, Emma enjoys spending time in nature, walking through the farmer’s market gathering fresh produce, and practicing yoga. She loves searching for treasures at vintage and thrift stores, cooking and nourishing friends, listening to and playing folk and americana music, and wandering around museums and bookstores. Emma continues to cultivate her meditation and yoga practices and aspires to share the beauty found in these diverse, contemplative, mystical traditions. Cantor Maier holds in her heart the guiding belief that in the end, we ought to strive to live in pursuit of greater connectedness. Through this striving toward Union we may live in service of something greater than ourselves, and perhaps we may experience the Ineffable.

Rabbi Daniel K. Alter

Rabbi Chelsea Feuchs, Director of Engagement and Lifelong Learning

RABBI CHELSEA FEUCHS was always drawn to religion because it encourages us to ask big questions, search for meaningful answers, and center kindness. Growing up, Chelsea had limited access to Jewish life and became involved in a Unitarian Universalist fellowship as a result. She dreamed of becoming a UU minister because she wanted to lead thoughtful, welcoming, and service-oriented communities. When Chelsea went away to college at Brown University, she was finally able to reconnect with Jewish traditions and heritage, and she jumped in with both feet! It didn't take long for her dreams of ministry to transform into dreams of the rabbinate, where she could still build warm and purposeful communities, but from a place of greater personal connection and authenticity. After completing her undergraduate degree, Chelsea worked as a labor organizer in Massachusetts, studied feminist Tanach in Israel, and worked for the URJ. She attended HUC-JIR as a Wexner and Tisch Fellow, and was ordained in May 2023. While in rabbinical school, she has loved teaching Torah to learners of all ages, whether at Central Synagogue, Crane Lake Camp, or Bnai Israel in Bridgeport, CT. Chelsea is thrilled to live in Ann Arbor with her husband Will and their lovable golden retriever Koufax!

Shannon Hall, Executive Director

Shannon Hall is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied Family Community Services with a focus on Early Childhood. She also holds a post baccalaureate in education from Oakland University. Her Jewish communal career began at the JCC as an intern in 2002 and she spent the next 20 years leading the early childhood program successfully. For the last year and half of her career at the JCC she was the Senior Director of both the Early Childhood Center and the Day Camp. During her career she has studied leadership through the Sheva Directors Covenant Institute, is a Melton graduate and has participated in the Hartman Institute. Shannon is passionate about B’rit; creating covenantal relationships with people in our community as well as Jewish and secular agencies in Ann Arbor.

Susan Horowitz, Director of Education

Susan earned her BA in Political Science and History from the University of Michigan, followed by a Master's Degree in Preschool Education from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale. Her passion for Jewish communal work first blossomed during her formative years at Tamarack Camps, where she transitioned from a camper to a dedicated staff member. Susan brings extensive experience in Jewish education to her role, having previously served as a teacher then the Assistant Director of the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor Early Childhood Center and teaching the PS3 class right here at TBE. Susan resides in Ann Arbor with her husband Charlie and their two dogs, Murray and Lenny.

Robert D. Levy, Rabbi Emeritus

Rabbi Levy served as rabbi of Temple Beth Emeth from April 1, 1984 to July 31, 2016. He now lives close to family in Washington, DC. In his retirement he served as the rabbi of Congregation Shir Hadash of Florence, Italy for six years. Rabbi Levy presently serves as a staff rabbi for MachaNetzer, a liberal Jewish summer camp in France, where he also manages the cycling program. Additionally he teaches in the liberal rabbinic seminary of Paris. He also is the assistant treasurer of the Rabbis and Cantors Retirement Plan and organized the retired reform rabbis of the DC area into a conversation and mutual support group.

Annie Rose, Cantor Emerita

Annie Rose served as cantor of TBE from 1994-2014. Among the responsibilities
that Annie most treasured were TBE’s music program, youth program, Caring
Community, Spirituality Book Club, B’nai Mitzvah tutoring program, and Adult Ed
classes such as Mourning and Mitzvah.

In her retirement she served as cantor and spiritual leader of Temple Beth El in
Battle Creek. Currently Annie teaches voice and general musicianship at her home
studio. She is the Music Director of Harmony, a large community chorus that offers
concerts for senior living communities and extended healthcare facilities.
Annie is grateful to be leading the 13th season of TBE’s Spirituality Book Club, which
meets monthly from September through April.

Cantor Regina Lambert-Hayut

Regina Lambert-Hayut, Cantor Emerita

CANTOR REGINA LAMBERT-HAYUT was raised in a secular Jewish home home, where Yiddish was spoken, and an equal emphasis on Jewish and secular education was placed. Throughout her Long Island upbringing, her family often said from early childhood on that she was destined to be a cantor. “I’ve always loved to sing,” she explains. However, it wasn’t until she spent five years as a cantorial soloist at Temple Sinai of Massapequa that she knew in her heart that being a cantor—combining her love of Judaism and music—was the right path. During high school, Cantor Lambert-Hayut attended The Juilliard Pre-College for voice, however life took a decidedly more academic turn when she earned a bachelor’s degrees in Biological Chemistry, from Swarthmore College. After completing her undergraduate studies, she returned to singing and Jewish life. She attended the Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute of Religion to become a cantor, and received a Master's degree in Sacred Music. Upon ordination, she served at two congregations prior to Temple Beth Emeth. Cantor Lambert-Hayut is married to Avishay, and has two musically talented sons, Yoav and Alon.

Staff

Emily Alter, Shabbat Religious School Coordinator - Emily Alter, TBE’s Shabbat School Coordinator, has been in her position since the 2011-2012 school year. Emily has a M.A. in education and has extensive experience in both the secular and Jewish fields. She recently retired from being the Director of Education in a combined Reform and Conservative religious school in Flint, MI, for 33 years. In addition to coordinating our Shabbat school, Emily also works with Cantor Hayut tutoring B’nai Mitzvah students.

Amie Brockman, Account Manager - Amie Brockman oversees all the accounting functions and general financial operations of TBE. Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Amie moved to Ann Arbor to escape the U.P. winters and be closer to family. She has been with TBE since 2011.

Sarah Davidson, Clergy Assistant - Sarah has a master's degree in education and had previously worked in the same position from 2015-2021. I hope to bring my experience and background to help ensure that TBE's Religious & Hebrew school continues to run smoothly! Sarah lives in Chelsea, MI with her husband and son. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing piano, singing, being outdoors, and enjoying all the awards shows and tiger's baseball she can handle. Sarah loves working with youth and is so excited to be back at TBE!

Victoria Gross, Account Administrator - Victoria Gross is one of the most familiar faces in the TBE office, having been on staff since 2011. She works directly with congregants, manages member accounts and religious school tuition fees. Victoria and her family immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine, and have made Ann Arbor their home since 1994.

Danielle Klein, Youth Coordinator - Danielle Klein is a recent graduate from the University of Michigan with a background in psychology and community action and social change. Starting in August, she'll be pursuing a master's in social work at U of M, with a passion for entering the mental health world and working with kids. During her college years, she was actively involved in Hillel, a Jewish sorority (SDT), and JDC Entwine. Danielle is excited about her role as Youth Coordinator at TBE and is eager to organize fun events for all age groups while getting to know the families!

Rebecca Nieubuurt, Congregation-Based Social Worker - Rebecca Nieubuurt earned her Master’s in Social Work from the Portland State University School of Social Work in Portland, Oregon. Rebecca’s expertise lies in Holocaust services, aging in place, depression in older adults, and organizational and program development. Rebecca’s professional focus is to utilize community services to enhance, promote, and maintain autonomy in older adults as they age. Through a generous grant from Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, Rebecca serves as a satellite for JFS services as the Congregation-Based Social Worker at Temple Beth Emeth and Beth Israel Congregation.

Susan Ostreicher, School Assistant - Originally from Cincinnati, Susan moved to Ann Arbor with her family and joined the TBE congregation in 2016. She worked in analytics for several years, and has held many volunteer positions working with students and parents. Starting in September, she is excited to engage with the TBE community in a new way as the Religious School Assistant. In her spare time, she loves playing piano, reading, and enjoying Ann Arbor's many parks.

Sam Pellett, Communications Director - Sam has worked in non-profit for the last 8 years and is excited to be a part of the TBE team. She comes to us from JCC Day Camps where she was previously the Director of Communications. Sam oversees communication and marketing needs, supports affinity groups with communication, and manages the website. When Sam is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband Kyle and her kitty cat Nala, reading, or hosting game nights for her family and friends.

Board of Directors

TBE Board and Nominating Process

Have you ever wondered how temple board members are chosen to serve and what roles and responsibilities they have? Curious about what work is involved in being on the Board? Last year, in the interest of transparency and to encourage more Temple participation, the nominating committee thought congregants might be interested in having some questions answered about the Board and the nominating process.

Read more about the function and makeup of the TBE Board HERE.