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Meet Our Staff

Rabbi Andrew Jacobs

Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Andrew has been the spiritual leader of our congregation for 21 years. His leadership and spiritual guidance were instrumental in blending two congregations into the new Ramat Shalom Beth Israel where he serves as the Senior Rabbi. “As soon as you meet him,” says one of his students, “you just know that he loves to teach.” Rabbi Andrew’s adult education classes make Judaism come to life. His discussions with children and teens are dynamic. He incorporates learning into services and holiday celebrations in ways that add to the meaning and spirituality of the moment. On top of this, Rabbi Andrew is an incredibly warm and caring person who goes out of his way to connect with us all. Put simply, once you meet our Rabbi, you’ll want to come to synagogue.

When meet Rabbi Andrew, he’ll probably give you his cell phone number. He believes that a Rabbi should be accessible for any reason. While he certainly enjoys connecting with people face to face, Rabbi Andrew appreciates that busy schedules make it challenging for many to connect with their Rabbi. “There are so many ways for folks to reach out and connect with me when needed,” says Rabbi Andrew. “I get many calls, emails, texts, and social media messages from congregants every day,” he explains. “Some folks have a simple question, some are sharing good news, and some need support as they struggle with life’s challenges.” Ramat Shalom’s teens and college students regularly connect with Rabbi Andrew using social media and texts – as do many adult members of our community. “While lots of folks feel too connected these days,” says Rabbi Andrew, “being accessible to my community allows me to be actively involved in their lives and this is a blessing.”

Rabbi Andrew is deeply committed to Jewish education. He’s actively involved in our Early Childhood Center, our Hebrew School and our iServe program. He believes strongly that Jews of all ages have the right to learn about their faith and puts a great deal of time and energy into building a vibrant adult education program at Ramat Shalom. Several years ago, before most people were thinking about it, he built ChaiTech, an online Hebrew School that gave students the ability to learn wherever they were, whenever they had the time. Today, he has incorporated technology into our synagogue and classrooms in ways that make it easy for us all to connect with Ramat Shalom wherever we find ourselves.

Our Rabbi was raised by Jewish parents, but had no real Jewish education growing up. His Jewish journey began when he was a student at Vassar College: “It was my freshman year in college. I was doing a research project on my family’s immigration to the U.S when I stumbled across a photo of my great-great grandfather. He was a rabbi. I remember looking at his photo and just feeling this incredible desire to reconnect with his culture…to my culture. That was the beginning of this amazing journey, a journey that thankfully continues today.”

Rabbi Andrew is proud of the fact that he became a bar mitzvah when he was 26 years old. As he tells us often, he knows firsthand what it feels like to have questions about Judaism and be too embarrassed to ask them. Rabbi Andrew reminds us that all questions are good questions, all questions can teach. He believes that no matter what your Jewish background is, you have the potential to teach others. “We’re all teachers and students,” is one of his favorite lines.

On a regular basis, Rabbi Andrew officiates at a Shabbat service during which one of our children becomes a bar or bat mitzvah. If you have not experienced one of these services, or one of our Kabbalat Shabbat services, we invite you to do so. The energy and warmth that Rabbi Andrew and our Cantor, Jodi Rozental, bring to each service is wonderful.

Rabbi Andrew was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College and a Masters of Arts in Jewish Art and Material Culture from the Jewish Theological Seminary, in consortium with Columbia University and the Jewish Museum of New York. He has also studied at The American Jewish University in Los Angeles and The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. During his years of study, Rabbi Andrew was greatly influenced by Kabbalah which he says allowed him to discover his own sense of spirituality and a deep, powerful connection with God.

Rabbi Andrew has been our spiritual leader since 2002. Prior to coming to South Florida, he was the Assistant Rabbi at Bet Am Shalom Synagogue in White Plains, NY. For many years, he has been actively involved with many local and national Jewish organizations, including serving as a past President of the Broward County Board of Rabbis. He is currently the President of the Plantation Interfaith Association of Clergy. In 2016-2017 he had the opportunity to study at the University of Pennsylvania’s Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies as a LEAP Fellow. Since 2013, Rabbi Andrew has been a Rabbis Without Borders Fellow. He is a strong Zionist and loves to lead educational trips to Israel. Additionally, Rabbi Andrew is strong voice against antisemitism. Because of his leadership, in 2022, Ramat Shalom was the first congregation to affiliate with the Anti-Defamation League’s Southern Division Signature Synagogue Program which unites synagogues across the south as we fight antisemitism and hate.

Rabbi Andrew posts regularly on his blog. His work can also be found on The Wisdom Daily. He is active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In 2010, he and his children, Abigail and Jonah, published God Looks Like A Hug, a wonderful story that captures a very spiritual conversation between a father and son.

Rabbi Andrew and his wife, Rabbi Cheryl Jacobs live in Plantation with their two dogs, Ella and Caroline, both Portuguese Water Dog. Rabbis Andrew and Cheryl are incredibly proud of their two children, both products of Ramat Shalom and currently away at college.

We hope that you’ll come and meet our Rabbi!

When you do meet Rabbi Andrew, he’ll probably give you his cell phone number. He believes that a Rabbi should be accessible for any reason. While he certainly enjoys meeting with people face to face, Rabbi Andrew appreciates that busy schedules make it challenging for many to connect with their Rabbi. “There are so many ways for folks to reach out and connect with me when needed,” says Rabbi Andrew. “I get many calls, emails, texts and social media messages from congregants every day,” he explains. “Some folks have a simple question, some are sharing good news and some need support as they struggle with life’s challenges.” Ramat Shalom’s teens and college students regularly connect with Rabbi Andrew using social media and texts – as do many adult members of our community. “While lots of folks feel too connected these days,” says Rabbi Andrew, “being accessible to my community allows me to be actively involved in their lives and this is a blessing.”

Rabbi Andrew is deeply committed to Jewish education. He’s actively involved in our Early Childhood Center, our Hebrew School and our iServe program. He believes strongly that Jews of all ages have the right to learn about their faith and puts a great deal of time and energy into building a vibrant adult education program at Ramat Shalom. Several years ago, before most people were thinking about it, he built ChatTech, an online Hebrew School that gave students the ability to learn wherever they are, whenever they had the time. Today, he has incorporated technology into our synagogue and classrooms in ways that make it easy to connect with Ramat Shalom wherever you are.

Our Rabbi was raised by Jewish parents, but had no real Jewish education growing up. His Jewish journey began when he was a student at Vassar College: “It was my freshman year in college. I was doing a research project on my family’s immigration to the U.S when I stumbled across a photo of my great-great grandfather. He was a rabbi. I remember looking at his photo and just feeling this incredible desire to reconnect with his culture…to my culture. That was the beginning of this amazing journey, a journey that thankfully continues today.”

Rabbi Andrew is proud of the fact that he became a bar mitzvah when he was 26 years old. As he tells us often, he knows firsthand what it feels like to have questions about Judaism and be too embarrassed to ask them. Rabbi Andrew reminds us that all questions are good questions, all questions can teach. He believes that no matter what your Jewish background is, you have the potential to teach others. “We’re all teachers and students,” is one of his favorite lines.
On a regular basis, Rabbi Andrew officiates at a Shabbat service during which one of our children becomes a bar or bat mitzvah. If you have not experienced one of these services, or one of our Kabbalat Shabbat services, we invite you to do so. The energy and warmth that Rabbi Andrew and our Cantor, Jodi Rozental, bring to each service is wonderful.

Rabbi Andrew Jacobs was ordained at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and earned a master’s degree at the Jewish Theological Seminary which is affiliated with the Conservative Movement. His wife, Rabbi Cheryl Jacobs is Conservative rabbi. He has also studied at The American Jewish University in Los Angeles and The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. During his years of study, Rabbi Andrew was greatly influenced by Kabbalah which he says allowed him to discover his own sense of spirituality and a deep, powerful connection with God.

Rabbi Andrew has been our spiritual leader since 2002. Prior to coming to South Florida, he was the Assistant Rabbi at Bet Am Shalom Synagogue in White Plains, NY. For many years, he has been actively involved with many local and national Jewish organizations, including serving as a past President of the Broward County Board of Rabbis. He is currently the President of the Plantation Interfaith Association of Clergy and a leader of South Florida’s Ukrainian Refugee Resettlement Project. In 2016-2017 he had the opportunity to study at the University of Pennsylvania’s Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies as a LEAP Fellow. Since 2013, Rabbi Andrew has been a Rabbis Without Borders Fellow. He is a strong Zionist and loves to lead educational trips to Israel. Additionally, Rabbi Andrew is strong voice against antisemitism. Because of his leadership, in 2022, Ramat Shalom was the first congregation to affiliate with the Anti-Defamation League’s Southern Division Signature Synagogue Program which unites synagogues across the south as we fight antisemitism and hate.

Rabbi Andrew posts regularly on his blog. His work can also be found on The Wisdom Daily. He is active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In 2010, he and his children, Abigail and Jonah, published God Looks Like A Hug, a wonderful story that captures a very spiritual conversation between a father and son.

Rabbi Andrew and his wife, Rabbi Cheryl Jacobs live in Plantation with their two dogs, Ella and Caroline, both Portuguese Water Dog. Rabbis Andrew and Cheryl are incredibly proud of their two children, both products of Ramat Shalom and currently away at college.
We hope that you’ll come and meet our Rabbi!

Cantor Jodi Rozental

Cantorial Soloist
director of music and culture
Her voice will lift you higher, her compassion will touch your soul, and her creativity will inspire you. Our Cantorial Soloist and Director of Music and Culture, Jodi Rozental, is a true gem. It was through the music and her beloved Cantor that Jodi connected to her Judaism. At 14 years of age, she was asked to lead worship services, both Friday nights and Saturday mornings while Cantor Shulkes was away for the summer, for 5 consecutive years until leaving for college. That was the beginning of Jodi’s cantorial training and the beginning of a journey that has led to her becoming a spiritual powerhouse.
Screenshot 2023-06-18 at 2.34.30 PM

Jodi Rozental was born in Philadelphia and moved to Florida with her family when she was 8 years old. They joined Temple Sinai of North Dade and that became her second home. Jodi joined the youth choir at 8 years old and participated under the direction and mentorship of Cantor Irving Shulkes. Jodi was a song leader and music director at Sinai Day Camp and became a song leader for SNFTY Youth Group.

Jodi attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and completed her last year at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. While attending school at UF, she was one of the founders of the Reform Jewish Student Union and lead High Holy Day Services for the students that were not able to go home for the holidays.  Additionally, while in college, she was hired as the camp music program coordinator and song leader of Camp Shwayder, in Idaho Springs, Colorado.

After completing college, Jodi moved back to South Florida, and became the music program director of Sinai Academy, teaching classes, holidays, and organizing the end of the year Shabbat School Production with the entire academy, from pre-school through 6th grade.

Jodi pursued other interests on her journey but found her way back to her calling in 2003, when she filled in for Allison Teisch as Cantorial Soloist at Temple Dor Dorim in Weston, Florida which included High Holy Days. 

From there, in 2004, Jodi was interviewed and hired to be the Cantorial Soloist at Temple Judea in Coral Gables, Florida alongside Rabbi Edwin Goldberg, and remained Temple Judea’s only (and longest running) cantorial soloist for 18 years. 

In addition to her role as cantorial soloist and pastoral care giver, Jodi created and spearheaded A Caring Touch, Temple Judea’s Chesed (acts of loving kindness) Committee 40-members strong, and all of its programs which included: Braided Blessings home-baked challah delivery, Soul Stitchers healing shawls, Mitzvah Meals food delivery, and the Kesher (connection) Krew birthday card program. Two other initiatives were The Rhythm and Jews House Band, and the Kol Malachim adult volunteer choir. Her brainchild has been her Creative Service for Healing and Renewal, revered by those who attend. All of this has brought her to where she is today. 

Jodi sat on the board and is a member of the Women Cantor’s Network (WCN) and is also a member of the Guild of Temple Musicians (GTM), an affiliate of the American Conference of Cantors.

Jodi is happily married to Ruben Rozental since 1997, has a beloved stepdaughter, Melanie, and two, 4-legged fur babies: Maggie, a lab shepherd mix and Patoots, a Himalayan.

Rabbi Cheryl Jacobs

Director of Outreach and Engagement

Rabbi Cheryl Jacobs is committed to making spirituality accessible to all “spiritual seekers”. Having served as a congregational rabbi for many years, Rabbi Cheryl has a great deal of experience connecting with individuals and families. She has also spent much of her career working with those who are not connected with a synagogue. She strongly believes that in the 21st century, anyone who wants to connect to Judaism should have meaningful opportunities to do so.

As the Director of ISH, a spiritual source and service that provides comfort, community, education, celebration and growth rooted in Jewish wisdom, a Chaplain for the Davie and Fort Lauderdale Police Departments, and the Rabbi at NSU Hillel, Rabbi Cheryl is deeply connected to various aspects of the larger South Florida community. As such, she ensures that the warmth of Ramat Shalom has great reach and the doors of our synagogue are always open to anyone seeking a meaningful, spiritual connection. Rabbi Cheryl was ordained as a Rabbi by The Jewish Theological Seminary and holds an MA from Yale University and a BA from Hobart-William Smith. Rabbi Cheryl is a CLAL RWB alumni, an 18 Doors Fellow. She and Rabbi Andrew are the proud parents of Abigail and Jonah.

Jody Schwartz

Director of Administration

Jody has a long history with Ramat Shalom Beth Israel. Her family joined the community in 1988, and she became a bat mitzvah in 1996. Volunteering through middle and high school provided her with first-hand knowledge of the operation of the synagogue, ECC and Torah School program. Jody joined the professional staff as an administrative assistant in 2018. She combines her passion for our community with a deep and broad operational experience across the organization.

Jody is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of the office and property team. She manages and organizes contracting, human resources, accounting, and building resources.

Jody was born and raised in Plantation and still lives there with her husband, Zach, and two daughters.

My project (1)

Marissa Steinberg

Director of Youth and Family Education

Marissa is a long-time member of our community, where she attended Hebrew School, became at Bat Mitzvah and continued her Jewish education until she graduated from high school. She attended University of Miami and obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Special Education. Prior to working at Ramat Shalom Beth Israel she was a teacher at Scheck Hillel Community School and a researcher at University of Miami, focusing on students with diverse learning needs. Marissa is excited to bring her passion for education and interpersonal connection to Hebrew School, Youth Group, iServe and the Early Childhood Center.

Lindsay Duggar

Early Childhood Director
Lindsay Duggar is our Early Childhood Director. She grew up in Plantation, graduated from Plantation High School, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and her master’s degree in Social Work from the Florida State University. Ms. Lindsay is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds an Advanced Directors Credential in Early Childhood with over 15 years of experience working with children and their families.
 
Lindsay and her husband Jason’s love for Ramat Shalom Beth Israel started as parents searching for the best school for their children, Layla and Lincoln. Once they found our Early Childhood Center, they knew that they had found the most loving and nurturing environment where students excel both socially-emotionally and academically.

Anna Payne

Early Childhood Assistant Director

Anna Payne is our Early Childhood Assistant Director. She holds a bachelors degree in Psychology. She moved to South Florida in 2006 and found Ramat Shalom Beth Israel while searching for the perfect educational foundation for her children, Melia and Kai. She fell in love with our nurturing approach to education to dedication to social emotional growth.

Robert Pinkiert

Board President
Robert has been active at Ramat Shalom Beth Israel for many years and has served on our Board of Directors for a decade. He is deeply committed to Ramat Shalom and building a leadership team that reflects who we are as a community, a diverse team that will move us with strength into the future. Robert is a partner at Neufeld, Kleinberg & Pinkiert, P.A. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Nova Southeastern Law School Alumni. Additionally, he has been a member of the Association of Florida Trial Lawyers, and the Broward County Trial Lawyers Association. Robert is married to Jennifer, and has two children, Max and Ava. He is a big Miami Dolphin, Heat and Marlins fan.

President: Robert Pinkiert
VP Administration: John Wijtenburg
VP Programming: Jason Haber
VP Education: Jennifer Cohen
Treasurer: Doug Levy
Financial Secretary: Doug Hoffman
Recording Secretary: Beth-Ann Krimsky
Community Relations: Marc Steinberg
Fundraising: Danny Tokar
Membership: Teri Balter
Publicity: Brad Besner
Ritual: Donna Berger
Social: Marc Steinberg
Building: Lisette Vida

EXEC Member at Large: Ron Rubinoff
Member at Large: Aileen Kirzner
Member at Large: Shahrad Mabourakh
Member at Large: Diane Hirschberg
Member at Large: Howard Levine

PAST PRESIDENTS
Doug Hoffman
Carol Katler
William Freund
Donna Berger
Marlene Kunin
Bretta Schachner
Anita Platt
Gerry Holstein
Leon Benlolo

Amy Freund

B’nai Mitzvah Tutor

Scarleth Valdez

Shabbat Assistant

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