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Officers of the Congregation
Office and Volunteer Staff
Clergy:
"…a sacred partnership dedicated to supporting a congregation where members feel connected and spiritually enhanced."
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel was founded in 1847 as a traditional synagogue. In a move that made it Philadelphia's first progressive synagogue, KI became a Reform congregation in 1855 and was later considered the region's flagship for the Union for Reform Judaism. Our rabbis have been central figures in Reform Judaism and have helped shape the movement as we know it today. KI continues to serve a leadership role as a visionary congregation, dedicated to meeting the ongoing and ever-changing needs of our Jewish community.
All of KI's leadership - from rabbis and educators to officers and administrative staff - believe in a sacred partnership dedicated to supporting a congregation where members feel connected and spiritually enhanced. Our rabbis listen and are responsive. Our educators are inspiring and intellectually challenging. Our lay leaders and senior staff work together to make KI a unified, visionary place of worship.
RABBI LA NCE
J. SUSSMAN, PhD.
began
his service as the eighth Senior Rabbi of Reform Congregation
Keneseth Israel in July 2001. A renowned author and dynamic
lecturer, Rabbi Sussman has published numerous books and articles,
including Isaac Lesser and the Making of American Judaism, and
Sharing Sacred Moments (a collection of his sermons), and served as
an editor of Reform Judaism in America: A Biographical Dictionary
and Sourcebook.
Rabbi Sussman is national Chair of the CCAR Press, the publishing
arm of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and is currently
overseeing the production of the new Reform prayer book. He is also
a Trustee both of the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the
University of Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley College and is an
active member of the Academic Advisory and Editorial Board of the
American Jewish Archives (Cincinnati). He is a past president of the
Cheltenham Area Multifaith Council and the Delaware Valley
Association of Reform Rabbis. Previously, Rabbi Sussman served as
Chair of Jewish Studies Department at Binghamton University-SUNY and
has offered courses in Jewish History at Hebrew Union College in New
York City, Rutgers University - New Brunswick and Gratz College.
Rabbi Sussman sets the tone and standard for an environment of
genuine community and life-long learning at KI. Knowledgeable and
approachable, he always brings a new and fresh perspective to the
congregation. He is a rabbinic leader of many strengths evidenced by
his scholarly sermons, his caring presence during times of joy and
sorrow, his open and honest dialogue with members of the
congregation and the community and his obvious love of sharing
Judaism with children and adults alike. Rabbi Sussman is the creator
of the KI Puppets and loves playing the role of Torah Turtle at Tot
Shabbat.
Rabbi Sussman and his wife, Liz, Director of the Robert J. Wilf
Preschool at the Kaiserman JCC and founder of KI's Shir Joy Choir,
share the joy of raising their children Benjamin & Kelly, Joshua,
Micah, Judah and Chana.
Email:
RabbiLJS@kenesethisrael.org
 RABBI PETER RIGLER
was
appointed KI’s Assistant Rabbi in July 2002, immediately following his
ordination from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR)
in New York. He has extensive experience working with both youth
programming and the Reform Movement’s camping program. He was Youth
Group Advisor for the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY)
and received the Pennsylvania Area Region’s Youth Group “Advisor of the
Year” Award. His understanding of today’s youth and the current issues
influencing them has helped him effectively develop within KI’s students
a commitment to their religious education and the joy of being part of
our synagogue community.
Rabbi Rigler’s keen talent with youth is complemented by his dedication
to adult learning and his commitment to social action and sharing
life-cycle events with our members. Rabbi Rigler is a recent graduate of
the Synagogue Transformation and Renewal Program — a two-year
leadership training course. He displays his many talents in his
dedicated and caring work with our members and is active in both the
Jewish and general community.
Rabbi Rigler, now our Associate Rabbi, is married to Rabbi Stacy
Eskovitz Rigler, KI’s Director of Religious Education. Their children,
Maya and Nathan, attend KI’s Preschool and Infant Center.
Email: RabbiPCR@kenesethisrael.org
Cantor Amy E. Levy,
appointed Cantor of KI in July 2004, considers herself blessed to
be doing “work” she truly believes to be a calling. Cantor Levy knew
when she made her first trip to Israel during high school that she
wanted to serve the Jewish people. She loves to sing and teach about
what is meaningful and important to her.
Graduating from the University of Kansas in 1996 with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Music for Vocal Performance, Cantor Levy went on to the Hebrew
Union College - Jewish Institute for Religion’s School of Sacred Music.
Her graduation and investiture as a Cantor took place in 2000. Cantor
Levy served Temple Israel in Tulsa, Oklahoma until June 2004. She served
on the Executive Board of the American Conference of Cantors, and is
active in Hadassah. She performed in Cantorial Concerts from New York to
Oklahoma.
Cantor Levy enjoys working with congregants of all ages and with all
kinds of music. From the bar and bat mitzvah students to choirs for
every age group, to Rock n’ Roll Shabbats, and Yiddish music, she makes
the worlds of Jewish music and sacred music accessible. Cantor Levy’s
endless talent, spirituality, and enthusiasm leave an indelible and
joyous imprint on the souls of everyone with whom she comes in contact!
Cantor Levy is married to Ross M. Levy.
Email: CantorAEL@kenesethisrael.org
Web Site: http://www.unlimitedprayer.com
 RABBI STACY ESKOVITZ RIGLER, MAJE,
was appointed KI’s Director of Religious Education in July 2003. After
receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Emory
University, Rabbi Eskovitz Rigler earned her Master of Arts degree in
Jewish Education from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of
Religion (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles in May 2001 and was ordained as a
rabbi in New York in May 2003.
During her tenure at KI she has overseen the accreditation of both our
Library and our Religious School programs. She has worked at Camp
Harlam, the URJ Department of Jewish Education and the Religious Action
Center in Washington, D.C. and participated in the HUC-JIR/JTS
Leadership Institute for Congregational School Principals. Rabbi
Eskovitz Rigler has developed a well-rounded program that is warm,
inclusive and meets the needs of our Religious School families. She
engages the children in an exceptional curriculum while involving the
families with creative programming and enrichment opportunities.
Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler is married to Rabbi Peter Rigler, KI’s
Associate Rabbi. Their children, Maya and Nathan, attend KI’s Preschool
and Infant Center.
Email: Educator@kenesethisrael.org
Brian
D. Rissinger
joined KI as its Executive
Director in
July
2006.
An active member of the National Association of Temple
Administrators, Brian has an extensive background in synagogue
administration and operations. For 17 years,
Brian served
as
Executive
Director
of
Main Line
Reform
Temple in
Wynnewood,
PA,
where he was involved in all aspects of the synagogue's systems,
finances, membership, staff recruitment
and facility
maintenance.
Prior to serving at
Main Line
Reform
Temple,
Brian
was
a member of the administrative team at Federation Early Learning
Services for eleven years.
Brian
holds a bachelor of science degree in
psychology.
Brian also serves as a member of the board for the Interfaith
Coalition on Energy.
email:
brissinger@kenesethisrael.org
 Beth
Berman, M.S.Ed.,director of the Richard E. Rudolph Jr. Preschool, started at KI in July 2005. Berman earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal
justice from the University of Delaware and her master’s degree in early
childhood education from the University of Pennsylvania. She belongs to
National Association of the Education of the Young Child, the Delaware
Valley Association of the Education of the Young Children, NATE, and the Early
Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism, an affiliate of the Union for
Reform Judaism.
Beth has two daughters,
Samantha and Jolie, who attend KI’s Religious School.
Preschool Calendar
(2006-07)
Email:
preschooldirector@kenesethisrael.org
215-885-2425.
Andrew J. Flame, President
 Andrew J. Flame, a second generation
member of KI, is proud to call the Congregation home. Andrew grew up at
KI, having attended preschool and having celebrated his Bar Mitzvah,
confirmation, and wedding here. As of June 2007, Andrew serves as our
Congregation’s President. It was Andrew’s youth group (KIFTY and NFTY-PAR)
and Jewish camping (Camp Harlam) experiences that motivated him to
become involved in synagogue life. But it is the genuine warmth and
quality of those in the KI family – members, volunteers, lay leaders,
clergy, professional staff and teachers – that continue to inspire
Andrew. Andrew’s top priority as President is to continue and build on
KI’s success in providing all that come in contact with KI – from
toddlers to our most senior members – an experience that is welcoming
and uniquely rewarding, spiritually, intellectually and socially.
Andrew is a partner of the Philadelphia-based law
firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, focusing his practice on complex
commercial litigation, creditors rights and bankruptcy. Andrew and his
wife, Lori, have one daughter, Rachel, who attends religious school at
KI’s Blue Bell Campus and will become a Bat Mitzvah in 2013
Email:
kipresident@comcast.net
 Emeriti
Rabbi Simeon J. Maslin, Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Simeon J. Maslin was elected the sixth Senior Rabbi of Keneseth Israel in 1980. Holding degrees from Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and Chicago Theological Seminary, Rabbi Maslin is the author of two books and numerous articles and pamphlets. He served both the oldest congregation in the Western Hemisphere
(Mikve Israel-Emanuel of Curacao) and the oldest congregation in Illinois
(K.A.M. of Chicago) before coming to Keneseth Israel, the oldest Reform congregation in Greater Philadelphia. He is a Past-President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Email: ShiMaslin@aol.com
Cantor Emeritus Richard Allen
Cantor Emeritus Richard Allen has served the Congregation with distinction from 1976 to 1997. Over the past 21 years, he has enriched the Jewish dimension of our musical liturgy with his baritone voice and musical sensibilities. Cantor Allen has presented the best of our tradition from Sulzer to Steinberg. He has made recordings with Max Janowski and Ben Steinberg. Steinberg's Shomeir Yisrael was commissioned by KI and written for Cantor Allen's voice. His cantorial career spans thirty-five years. He is known internationally for his operatic and concert performances. Cantor Allen currently teaches music, studies, and remains accessible to our congregation.
Bill Ferstenfeld, Executive Administrator, Emeritus
William Ferstenfeld was named Executive Administrator Emeritus upon his
retirement from the field of Temple Administration in 2003. Bill served
K.I. for over 25 years where he was involved in the day to day
operations of the Temple. During his tenure at K.I., Bill was active in
the national Reform movement as well. He is a past president of the
National Association of Temple Administrators, served as a member of the
Union of American Hebrew Congregation's Board of Trustees, Executive
Committee and Commission on Synagogue Management. Bill and his wife
Nancy, currently reside in the Palm Springs, CA area. He is a project
manager in his family's subcontracting business
Email: BFerst@aol.com
Jonathan Bowen,
Organist & Choirmaster
 Jonathan
Bowen is the Organist & Choirmaster at Keneseth Israel. Jonathan is
also in his 14th year as Organist-Choirmaster at The Church of St.
Luke & The Epiphany (Episcopal) in Center City Philadelphia. He
pursued a Bachelor of Music degree in Church Music at Westminster
Choir College, studying organ with Robert Carwithen and choral
conducting with Melanie Jacobson. Jonathan participated as organist
with the Philadelphia Orchestra on their US Tour in
September-October of 2001. From 1992-96 he was also an assistant
organist in the Grand Court of the Lord & Taylor Department Store in
Philadelphia. In his spare time he works for Brant Duddy Pipe
Organs, Inc.
2008-2009
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This page was updated
06/15/2008 06:47 PM |
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