Who We Are

Headshot of Rabbi Amy Bernstein

RABBI AMY BERNSTEIN

Rabbi Bernstein is Senior Rabbi of Kehillat Israel. Prior to serving at KI she was the Rabbi of Temple Israel in Duluth, Minnesota. She graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College which awarded her an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree, last year, for her 25 years of rabbinic service.

An Atlanta native, Rabbi Bernstein holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Cultural Anthropology from Northwestern University, where she also earned a certificate in Women’s Studies. She is an alumna of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality two year rabbinic intensive, is a Senior Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, and is Past President of the Southern California Board of Rabbis. In 2023, Rabbi Bernstein was awarded the prestigious Woman of the Year Award by Assemblymember Jaqui Irwin's office.

Rabbi Bernstein is passionate about bringing the deep wisdom of the Jewish tradition to meet the challenges and opportunities of the current moment. She is a warm and engaging presence known for her energy, insight, humor, and compassion.

Contact Clergy Assistant at 424-214-7461
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Headshot of Rabbi Daniel Sher

Rabbi Daniel Sher

Rabbi Daniel Sher (he/his) is the newest member of our clergy team. He first joined us at KI as an intern, continued as Youth and Family Rabbinic Fellow, and now serves as our Assistant Rabbi. He works to create vibrant and meaningful Jewish moments like his PJ Library Havdalah in the Park, Multigenerational Alternative High Holy Day Service, and soulful “Shabbat on the Rocks” Kabbalat Service for our Kehillat 20/30 community. He is a proud 18Doors Rukin Rabbinic Fellow, serving as a resource for interfaith families across all of Los Angeles. His enthusiasm for our tradition is matched only by his ability to translate it for our time.

Rabbi Sher grew up in Palos Verdes and now lives here in the Pacific Palisades with his wife Jen, their children Levi, Sami, and Ari and their two dogs Herzl and Golda. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelors of Science in Psychology and a bachelors of arts in Religious Studies and was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion here in Los Angeles.

Rabbi Sher loves taste-testing tacos, taking early morning bike rides, and getting coffee around town. He would love to meet you for a caffeine boost or your favorite tacos… or both!

Contact Clergy Assistant at 424-214-7461
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Headshot of Cantor Chayim Frenkel

CANTOR CHAYIM FRENKEL

Since joining KI in 1985, Cantor Chayim Frenkel has built an impressive career marked by a series of exceptional musical accomplishments. Blessed with a rich, warm tenor voice and an ability to nurture others’ talents, Chayim has become a driving force in the world of modern Jewish music and cantorial practice, following in the very large footsteps of his late father, Hazzan Uri Frenkel.

Cantor Frenkel has commissioned and produced numerous recordings, including “Nishmat Tzedek – A Righteous Soul,” an orchestral and choral suite in honor of his brother Tzvi, of blessed memory. Chayim’s dear friend, the acclaimed Cantor Meir Finkelstein, composed the work. The composition had its world premier at KI in 1994. Cantor Frenkel and Meir expanded their recording into a book and compact disc package as a gift of healing to those who have lost loved ones in the ongoing terrorism that plagues our world.

In 1995, Cantor Frenkel served as executive director of Cantor Finkelstein’s moving oratorio, “Liberation,” commemorating the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps and in loving memory of his beloved mother, Shari Frenkel, who survived the Shoa.

In 1998, Cantor Frenkel served as co-chair of the Cantors Assembly’s celebration in honor of the State of Israel’s 50th anniversary. As part of these festivities, he performed at Carnegie Hall and produced a concert in New York’s Central Park, attended by over 10,000 people.

Cantor Frenkel has commissioned and produced numerous recordings and, in 2009, he launched KI tunes (kitunes.org), which offers free downloads of all the music of KI that he has produced. Chayim loves to travel, especially when leading KI family trips to Israel.

Cantor Frenkel lives in Pacific Palisades with his beloved wife, Marsi and daughter Molli, while his older daughter Mandi lives in Israel.

Contact Clergy Assistant at 424-214-7461
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Headshot of Rabbi Emeritus Steven Carr Reuben

RABBI EMERITUS STEVEN CARR REUBEN

Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D., is Rabbi Emeritus of Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation in Pacific Palisades, California. He is a nationally recognized expert in the field of moral education and is the recipient of numerous community awards, including the Micah Award for founding the largest full-service homeless shelter in Los Angeles. He is also a recipient of the Unsung Hero Award from the Youth Law Center in San Francisco.

Steven has contributed to a wide variety of publications as an author and composer. He has written numerous books, including Raising Children in a Contemporary World (1992); Raising Ethical Children (Prima Publishing, 1994), and Children of Character: Leading Your Children to Ethical Choices in Everyday Life (Canter & Associates, 1997), A Non-judgmental Guide to Interfaith Marriage (Xlibris Corporation, 2002), and There’s an Easter Egg on Your Seder Plate: Surviving Your Child’s Interfaith Marriage (Praeger Publishers, 2008). His latest book is Becoming Jewish – The Challenges, Rewards, and Paths to Conversion (2011 Rowman & Littlefield).

Steven holds two bachelor’s degrees, in philosophy and political science, from the University of California, Davis; a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California; certification in aging and human development from the University of Georgia; a Ph.D. in religion from Sierra University; and two honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees. He was ordained in 1976 by the Hebrew Union College.

He also is past president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. Steven has served on the boards of many non-profit organizations, including Chrysalis, Global Children’s Organization, I Have a Dream Foundation, and The Center for the Improvement of Child Caring.

Contact Clergy Assistant at 424-214-7461
Email Rabbi Reuben

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

Steven Lewis
President

trustees

Grant Alkin
VP Member Engagement

Mark Edelstein
Jewish Life & Practice

Lani Farar
At-Large Trustee

Alison Kuperberg
JEC

David Stern
Facilities

Dara Davis Beer
VP Youth & Family Education

Kenny Rosenblatt
VP Finance

Ken Ehrlich
At-Large Trustee

Bren Boston Padawer
B'nai Mitzvah

Jessica Lazarus
ECC

Gary Weinhouse
Human Resources

Lorie Kraus
Advisor to the President

Ellyce Cooper
VP Governance

Matt Ross
VP Advancement & Secretary

Hayden Ellison
Outreach

Emily Kane-Miller
Communications

Amy Lehr
Tikkun Olam

Carole White
Inreach

Elizabeth Jacobi
At-Large Trustee

staff

Adam Simon

Executive Director

Adam has been part of KI's staff since 2014 as Assistant Operations Manager, Operations Director, and now as Executive Director.

During his time at KI he has overseen operational aspects of KI including administration, communications and marketing, facilities, information systems, High Holy Days, and security.

Prior to his time at KI, Adam worked in healthcare information technology and as an award-winning writer of plays and TV shows. He received his undergraduate degree from DePaul University and his graduate degree from UCLA.

Email Adam or call 424-214-7451

Rachel Tichauer

Director, Jewish Experience Center

Rachel Tichauer serves as the Director of the Jewish Experience Center. Rachel oversees and works with the JEC team to make sure that our K-12th grade programming and experiences are at the highest level.

Rachel has a Master of Arts in Education from American Jewish University and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Arizona. She grew up in Los Angeles where she developed her love and passion for Judaic Education at the age of 12 when she joined her temple's Madrichim program. She then became a Religious School teacher before serving as KI's JEC Assistant Director and now Director.

Rachel and her husband Alex are the proud parents of two children, Adam and Rose. In her free time, Rachel enjoys watching sports, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family and friends. On the rare Sunday off, you can find her at her local Farmer's Market with her family dancing to the live music and eating fresh fish tacos and tamales.

Email Rachel or call 310-459-1569

Alana Levitt

Director, The Molly Steinsapir Early Childhood Center & Parenting Center

Alana advocates for high quality early education rooted in the science of child development. She strives to create a warm and inclusive environment that supports families and enriches our community.

Alana received her Masters in Early Childhood Education from American Jewish University in 2020 and received her BA in Human Development from Sonoma State University in 2006. She is a former Simms-Mann First 36 Project Fellow, member of the National Association of the Education of Young Children and a committee member of the Southern California Chapter.

Along with her husband, Sam, Alana lives in Santa Monica with their three children and Gloria, their dog.

Email Alana or call 424-214-7481