Rabbi Donald Goor, Temple Judea's Senior Rabbi, grew up in San Diego, California, as the son of a rabbi. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. In 1987, he was ordained at the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. Rabbi Goor then joined Temple Judea, where he has reinvigorated worship services with new approaches that have brought Jewish traditions to life and have drawn people of all ages to pray and celebrate community together. During his tenure as Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Goor has demonstrated his determination to strengthen the synagogue in two further areas: as a Learning Community and as a Caring Community. Rabbi Goor currently serves on the faculty of Hebrew Union College, in Los Angeles, and teaches second and fifth year rabbinic students, addressing topics that relate to the practical aspects of being in the clergy. Rabbi Goor continues his own studies at the Hartman Institute as a fellow in the Center for Rabbinic Enrichment Program. He co-founded the HOPE Network and the Valley Interfaith Council's Homeless Project. He has chaired the "Jewish Federation/Valley Alliance's Jewish Community Relations Council," and co-chaired the Jewish Federation's "Cults and Missionaries Commission." Rabbi Goor also serves as Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles. Rabbi Goor has been married to his life partner, Cantor Evan Kent, for over 20 years.

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Rabbi Karen Bender, our Associate Rabbi, grew up in Los Angeles in the home of Israeli parents, members of a Conservative Synagogue. She went on to study Political Science at U.C. Berkeley and earned her masters in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Rabbi Bender served as rabbinic intern in Prescott, Arizona; Boise, Idaho and at Central Synagogue of New York. Upon ordination in 1994, she became a Rabbi of Temple Beth El of Great Neck, serving there until joining us in the summer of 2001. Rabbi Bender has published numerous sermons, poems and articles. She has three children, Josie, Joshua and Shoshana.

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Rabbi Dan Moskovitz grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. His mother is a Jewish educator as were her parents before her. Part of his mother's work was tutoring converts to Judaism and Dan grew up surrounded by people discovering a love for Judaism. Dan became a Rabbi in large part due to his experiences as a teenager in his Jewish Youth group and summer camp. As a teen, Dan was elected International President of AZA, the boy's division of their B'nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO). He graduated with honors from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles with a degree in Political Science. Dan also has two master's degrees, one in Education and the other in Hebrew Letters from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Dan's rabbinate is typified by his love of Judaism and Jewish Community, his strong advocacy for social justice, and his concern for issues regarding children and teens. Dan is a dedicated baseball fan, especially of his hometown San Francisco Giants. He has completed two full marathons, enjoys fishing the streams and lakes of the Sierra Nevada and is an avid reader of American history. Dan is married to Sharon Mishler, a screenwriter. They have two sons, Judah and Levi.

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Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot, our Cantor, is best known for her joyful spirit, her soulful singing, and her passion for Jewish learning. She is dedicated to revitalizing worship and integrating the ancient sounds of Jewish tradition with contemporary music, and her background in theatre brings life and energy to synagogue experiences. Alison's deepest mission as a teacher, is to make the beauty and joy of Jewish text and liturgy accessible to all. Alison's work on the Board of Directors of Stand With Us has helped strengthen the Jewish community's pro-Israel message across college campuses. She is an active member of the American Conference of Cantors, the Cantors Assembly, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Alison served as cantor at Stephen S. Wise Temple in Los Angeles and the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue in New York, as well as the rabbinic intern at Kehillat Israel in the Pacific Palisades and the High Holy Days cantor in Singapore. Prior to her cantorial career, Alison worked as an actress in New York and London, and was awarded a Spielberg Fellowship to teach Jewish theatre at the Reform Movement's flagship camp, Camp Kutz. Alison has brought her internationally acclaimed teaching of Jewish theatre to such events as Limmud 2002 in London and other conventions and synagogues worldwide. Alison, a native of the San Fernando Valley, resides in Woodland Hills with her husband, Michael, their son, Jacob, and their daughter Abby.

Rabbi Bruce Raff, our Director of Education, is beginning his twenty second year at Temple Judea. Bruce loves what he does, and is committed to always looking for new ways to improve our wonderful educational programs. Bruce was ordained at Hebrew Union College, and holds masters degrees in Jewish Education and Teaching from The University of Judaism, and a master's in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College. He is passionate about finding ways for people to connect Jewishly, and to helping families live meaningful Jewish lives. He is committed to developing Jewish educators, and has mentored students as part of the clinical faculties of both Hebrew Union College and the University of Judaism for the past twenty one years. He is married to Tamar, the Director of Studies at Valley Beth Shalom Day School, and they have two sons, Rami and Micah.

Mark Britowich, our Cantorial Soloist, brings to Temple Judea a broad background of Jewish, liturgical and secular music. Mark's professional involvement with Jewish music includes his soloist position with Temple Judea, Cantor at Valley Beth Israel, High Holy Day cantor at several prominent Los Angeles synagogues, soloist with the Jewish Symphony and the Nowakowsky Chorale, as well as professional choir/soloist positions throughout the United States. He holds an undergraduate degree in theatre and has performed in musical theatre, opera, off-Broadway and repertory theatre. If he's not relaxing somewhere playing his guitar, he might be off snow skiing or traveling to exotic locales. His passion for music and love of Jewish liturgy has touched many lives. Mark's joy is his lovely wife Sairaphi, their son Longkong, and his two daughters, Sara and Lauren.

Ellen Franklin, our Executive Director, has been with us in her professional capacity since spring 2004 but was an active member here in the late 80's and early 90's. From her roots in the entertainment industry, where she was a senior creative executive for ABC-TV and Warner Bros. Television, to her commitment to the Jewish community through her seven year affiliation with Synagogue 2000, a national non-profit organization, and working with synagogues across the country, Ellen has maintained a strong commitment to the synagogue as the place to live and love Judaism. Her interest in organization development and change management, coupled with extensive experience with finances and budgeting, make her a significant member of the senior staff. Ellen holds a BA from Cornell University and a MA in sociology. She is married to Roy Silver, a business owner, and they have three children: Jenny, David and Jonathan.

Margie Ipp is our Nursery School Director at Temple Judea. Margie's education spans much of the globe. She studied at the University of South Africa, and continued her education in Israel, Chicago and Los Angeles. Margie's experience with 3-5 year olds is also multinational, teaching at Jewish schools in South Africa, Dallas, Chicago and the American International School in Israel. Margie, the mother of four children, is married to Eli Ipp, who is a professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. Margie's charm and her deep concern for each child are the hallmarks of our outstanding Nursery School.

Natalie Smolens, Director of Parenting Center, is a product of Northwestern University Department of Education and the Chicago Bureau of Jewish Education. Natalie has been a Temple Educator for all of her professional career. In 1969, she moved with her husband, Jack, and family to Tarzana, and has been affiliated with Temple Judea's Education Department since 1975. In 1976, she developed an original format for a Toddler Program, which gave birth to our current Parenting Center. She is affectionately known as our "Earth-Mother." Our Parenting Center is the model for centers throughout the United States.