Holding an undergraduate degree in Opera and a Master’s degree in Music with an emphasis on vocal performance, both from Russia’s prestigious Kazan State Conservatory, Alexander Berkovich embarked on a very successful operatic career in Russia and Europe. As an opera soloist (bass-baritone), his repertoire included many leading roles in Italian, French, and Russian operas. Following in…
A graduate of California State University Northridge with a BA in Religious Studies, Seth Ettinger’s love of music and commitment to serve the Jewish community are long-standing.
Wendy Bat-Sarah’s impressive professional experience reflects her passion for both, as well as her ability to seamlessly incorporate one into the other.
During the past two years she was a High Holy Days Cantorial Soloist/Shlichat Tziburah at Congregation Am Ha Yam in Ventura. In 2014, Mitzi released her first CD, entitled “Remember Who You Are: Songs of the Spirit”. Upon graduation, Mitzi Schwarz will continue to work for Skirball Hospice as a Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor.
Upon graduation, Mitzi Schwarz will continue to work for Skirball Hospice as a Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor.
Michael has pioneered the use of the mythopoetic intervention strategy for use in traumatized veteran and first-responder populations. His thesis for the Academy for Jewish Religion California is entitled “Jewish Mythopoetics: An Archetypal Examination of Four Jewish Stories with Emphasis on Masculine Initiation.”
For the past 17 years, Bruce has helped thousands of people understand and invest in life insurance. Before entering AJRCA in 2008, Bruce had been a lay-leader at Congregation B’nai Israel in Tustin, California for 10 years.
Daniel Eli Friedman received his Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in Theatre Arts, with a minor in Music and Philosophy. He went on to spend 15 years as a working actor based in New York. Daniel performed in such well-known musicals as Les Miserables, CATS, Forever Plaid, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. After having a spiritual epiphany, Daniel retired from “Show Biz,” and embarked on a career in “Shul Biz.”
Rebeccah has worked in synagogues, camps, and other organizations for over twenty years in various capacities and across the country, including Temple Ahavat Shalom, Hillel at CSUN, Kaiserman Jewish Community Center and Beth Tikvah-Bnei Jeshrun in Philadelphia, Camp Hess Kramer, Camp Isaiah, and Camp Menorah.
Upon ordination, Rabbi Mel Young looks forward to supporting a synagogue in its many roles, engage in Jewish education, and never be
far away from aiding those in need of spiritual comfort.
Rabbi Allison Lawton is a graduate of the Academy for Jewish Religion, California. Rabbi Lawton completed her undergraduate and graduate work at Pepperdine University.